Year: 1886

page_text: I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of this invention (a communication to me from abroad by Frank Wilcomb of
San Francisco in the State of California, United States of America) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—'
My invention relates to knitting machines, of that class having straight parallel
rows of needles, and which are adapted to knit either flat, ribbed or tubular
fabrics.
In the process of knitting on a straight tubular knitting machine, as heretofore
known, the process of narrowing has usually been performed by transferring the
stitches from the needles by means of a transfer comb, or by means of an instru-
ment held in the hand of the operator, and the empty needles are thrown out of
action by hand. This mode of narrowing is effective, but is necessarily slow, and
requires skill and care, and cannot be used on the finer gauges of needles for the
reason that the comb or transferring instrument cannot be operated between such
needles and their sinkers.
Tubular fabrics have heretofore been shaped by beginning at the smaller end
of the tubular fabric, and widening as the work advanced by bringing into action
more needles, but this leaves holes in the fabric where the needles are introduced,
and although an effort has been made to remedy this by using two threads knitted
simultaneously on both rows of needles crossing the threads at the ends of the
rows, the remedy is only partial. A machine has also be shown in which it is
sought to narrow by automatically transferring the stitches at the ends of the
straight rows of needles, and throwing out the needles from which the stitches
have been transferred. In this machine, the needles of the two straight rows
are vertical and require cross rows of needles at the ends between the two rows.
I am not aware that a practically operating machine of this kind has ever been
made, but the transferring mechanism appears to be adapted only to needles of a
large size, and I am not aware that any machine having inclined parallel rows of

page_text: needles has ever been constructed or devised in which the stitches are automatically
transferred from needle to needle in order to shape the tubular fabric.
Further, it may be stated that in certain machines for knitting flat fabrics, the
fabric has been shaped by the automatic transfer of the stitches, this transfer being
accomplished by transfer points engaging with the needles, and by moving the
loops from the needles to the transfer points, by means of movable sinker bars and
the reverse, but it will be apparent that while this mode of operation is applicable
to a machine for knitting flat fabrics, it cannot be used with a machine for knitting
tubular fabrics, for the reason that if the stitches should be moved on the needles
and transfer points on one side, while the thread is held by the needles of the
opposite row, the thread would be broken where it crosses from one row of needles
to the opposite.
My invention includes an improved method of operating the needles and transfer
points in latch needle knitting machines, consisting in first, advancing the needle
from which the loop is to be taken, until the loop is on the latch, second in
advancing the point to engage with the needle, third, in drawing back the needle
with the point until the loop is on the point, fourth, in shifting the transfer point
into mesh with another needle, and then advancing said needles with the point, far
enough to leave the loop on the needle.
It also includes à straight latch needle knitting machine with shaping mechanism
for operating the points and needles in unison, and to transfer stitches without
motion of the loops lengthwise on the points, and needles, all driven by the same
power or shaft and timed by pattern mechanism; it includes a construction and
organization of machine by which a tubular fabric may be shaped by transfer of
stitches on a straight latch needle machine, and further, an organisation by means
of which the transfer on such needles may be concurrent with the knitting points
of novelty existing in the mechanism for imparting forward and backward move-
ment to the needles and points, in the mechanism for laterally moving the points,
and in the general organization of the machine to produce these movements. The
general organization of the stitch transferring mechanism, in connection with the
machine relates principally to a straight latch needle knitting machine having two
rows of needles, but part of the organization and many of the details are not so
limited in their application.
My invention also includes in one machine both widening and narrowing
mechanism, or a stitch transferring mechanism adapted to operate in either
direction at the will of the operator; it includes in connection with two parallel
rows of needles, a shaping mechanism on each side adapted to be operated by the
driving power of the machine, but independently of each other, and the invention
includes various constructions and combinations relating to the general feature of
the machine. It also includes a special construction of thread guide and carrier.
All the points of general organization and detail are explained in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a front perspective of my knitting machine without the shaping.
attachments.
Fig. 1ª represents a bottom view of the connection between the cross bar d, and
the slide bar D.
Fig. 2 is a cross section through the centre of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 shows detached in the same section, the needle, cams, slide bar, and
adjacent parts.
Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show details of the switch cams.
Figs. 5 and 7 show views in transverse section of the thread carrier and guide
in different positions; Fig. 5 showing also needles, with a section of the needle
operating mechanism, all in their relation to the thread guide, and Fig. 7 shows
also needles in their relation to the thread guide.
Fig. 6 represents the thread carrier and guide in side elevation, with the ends of
the needles in proper relation to the guide.
Fig. 8 shows the face of the guideway for the carrier and the cam path therein.

page_text: Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the relation of the thread carrier to the
needles.
Fig. 10 represents the complete machine with shaping attachments mainly in
longitudinal section.
Fig. 10 represents a perspective view of the entire machine, the view being
taken from the rear thereof.
Fig. 10 is a section showing how the sinker bar frame is attached to the
needle bed.
Fig. 11 shows the machine in plan view, the thread carrier, its supporting and
actuating devices, and the transferring devices on one side being removed, and it
illustrates the needle raising mechanism.
Fig. 12 represents a plan view of the machine, part of the slide bar being broken
away with the thread carrier and supporting and actuating devices therefor,
removed, and it illustrates in part the machine for moving the needles to transfer
loops.
Fig. 13 shows a longitudinal section through the main shaft bearings, showing
the shaft, its cams, the levers, operated by the cams, and the pattern mechanism.
Fig. 14 shows a transverse vertical section of the machine, its lower part on
line y --
y of Fig. 13, looking from point 1 on the right of the figure, and its
upper part on line 2 - x², of Fig. 12.
Fig. 15 shows a section of the machine taken transversely and vertically, its
lower part on line z z of Fig. 13, looking from points 1 on the right of the
- x¹ of Fig. 12.
figure, and its upper part on line x¹
Fig. 15ª is a plan view showing the mechanism for throwing the slide rack into
gear with the gear wheel, to advance the needles in narrowing.
Fig. 16 represents a side elevation of part of the machine, showing the mechanism
for moving the grooved cams that operate the needles to transfer stitches.
Fig. 17 is a detail of Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 is a plan view of the under side of the slide bar showing the elongated
grooved cam.
Fig. 19 is a plan view partly in section, showing parts of the mechanism for
giving lateral movement to the points for either widening or narrowing, and also
mechanism for throwing the needles into, or out of work.
Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23 illustrate details relating to the points and point carrying
mechanism.
Fig. 24 shows in perspective the needles and sinker bars, and illustrates at X, the
operation of the needles in knitting, and at Y, the advance of the needles for
operation in connection with the transferring points.
Figs. 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 show the movements of the needles and points in
their order.
I will now describe my new mode of operating the needles and transfer points of
latch needle knitting machines, for the purpose of rendering the operation of trans-
ferring the loops and stitches more rapid, and certain in shaping the fabric, the
method being especially adapted for shaping tubular fabrics on a straight latch
needle knitting machine, but it is also applicable for shaping flat or ribbed fabrics
on such machines.
In carrying out my improved method on the arrangement of needles illustrated
in Figs. 24 to 29 inclusive, I first advance a portion of the series of needles forward
through the stationary loops x, until the eyes c, of the needles are exposed. The
stitches or loops are then in a position about half way between the rivets and the
end of the latches of the needles as shown in Fig. 24. I then operate the transfer
points forward over the hooks of the needles as shown in Fig. 25 and depress
them, so that the extreme sloping ends of the points are inserted in the slot or eye
of the needle, the hook of the needle being thus covered by the point. I then
operate the needles backward, and the points in unison therewith through the
stationary loops until the points receive the loops, as clearly shown in Fig. 26.
I next raise the points enough to clear the hooks of the needles as in Fig. 27 and

page_text: then shift the points and loops held thereby to other needles in the row as in
Fig. 28, the relation of the needles and points in this figure being the same as in
Fig. 26. Next the needles are operated forward, with the points moving in unison,
until the needles receive the loops as in Fig. 29, and the points return to their
normal position as in Fig. 24, and this completes the stitch transferring movements.
I am aware that stitches have been transferred by moving the loops back and
forth on stationary needles and points, also that stitches have been transferred by
moving the needle to bring the loop back of the latch, then transferring the stitch
by the transfer comb or wire loop, but never heretofore so far as I am aware, have
loops been transferred on latch needle knitting machines, in precisely the manner
described by me, that is by first moving the needle forward until the loops rest
upon the latches, then advancing the points, causing them to engage with the
needles, and subsequently drawing back the needles and the points simultaneously,
and while they are still in connection, until the loops rest upon the points, then
shifting the transfer point into engagement with the other needle, and advancing
these needles while still in engagement with the points far enough to leave the loop
on the needle.
Stationary stitches have been transferred in spring needle knitting machines by
moving the needles and transfer points, but the movement of the needles and points
in this machine differs from mine materially in this respect, that it has and can
have, no relation to the latch, and as is very well known, the spring needle
machines differ radically in construction and operation from the latch needle
knitting machines.
.
The machine hereinafter described is adapted to be used for two purposes, that
is to say, omitting the narrowing mechanism, it may be used as a plain knitting
machine, the narrowing mechanism being detachable from the machine.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, represent the machine when used as a plain knitting
machine, and the other figures represent the machine combined with the narrowing
mechanism.
In the drawings A represents the frame of the machine, supported upon a bed B.
In this frame in suitable bearings is the main driving shaft C, having upon one end
a pulley to which the power is applied, and upon the other end a bevelled gear 1,
meshing with another bevelled gear 2, on a vertical shaft 3, the bearings of which
are also connected to the frame of the machine. The bevelled gear 1, has exactly
one half the number of teeth of the bevelled gear 2. On the upper end of the
shaft 3, is the face plate 4, to which is attached the ordinary arm 5, which operates
the slide bars D, D¹. These slide bars are connected to each other by a cross
bar d, to which is attached a spindle or post 6, to the upper end of which the con-
necting rod 5 is pivoted. The connection between the slide bars D, D¹ and the
cross bar d, is shown clearly in detailed Fig. 1. The cross bar has raised parts as
shown in Fig. 1, and the ends of the slide bars are fitted thereto. The cross bar is
also provided with an elongated slot d, through which a screw d passes into the
slide bar. By means of the slots, adjustment is allowed as hereinafter described.
In the operation of the macbine, this construction causes the slide bars to
reciprocate once across the machine in two revolutions of the main shaft. The
needle beds are arranged in relation to each other in substantially the same manner
as in the ordinary "Lamb" knitting machine, and they are shown at E, E¹, but
they differ from the machines of this class, heretofore known, in respect to the
devices for giving a forward and backward adjustment on the frame of the machine
for the purpose of setting the two rows of needles and needle bars, nearer to or
further from each other. This adjustability is accomplished by attaching the
needle beds to brackets e, which are connected to the end frames by means of set
screws f, which pass through slots in the brackets and thus hold them adjustably to
the frame. The bearings F, of each slide bar are attached to the end of the corre-
sponding needle bed, the sliding bar being held in its bearings by caps g, so that
the slide bar and the needle bed are always held in the same relation to each other,
whether the needle bed be set forward or backward on the inclines of the frame..

page_text: ine sinker bars are shown at h, h. These are attached to sinker bar frames H, H¹.
These frames are attached directly to the needle beds E, E¹, on the other side
thereof, by means of set screws i, which pass through transverse slots in the sinker
bar frames. In order that the sinker bars may be adjusted accurately, each of the
sinker bar frames (as at H, Fig. 10) is sunk into the under surface of the needle bed
as shown in Fig. 10b, and moves back and forth accurately parallel with the needles
when it is adjusted backward and forward. The adjustment is effected after the set
screw i, is loosened, by ineans of a set screw I, which passes through an ear k, on the
rear end of the sinker bar frame, and is threaded into the needle bed. The ear
is held to the set screw by collars on each side of the car, so that by turning the
screw the sinker bar frame is moved backward and forward, and is held in position
when the screw is at rest.
The adjustment of the needle beds first described is for the purpose of widening
or narrowing the space between the hooks of the needles for adapting the machine
to coarse or fine work, and also to regulate the length of thread at the end of the
rows of needles, to correspond to the gauge of the fabric. The adjustment of the
sinker bar is for the purpose of regulating the length of the loop or to com-
pensate for the wear of the faces of the sinkers. The slide bars for plain knitting
shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are the same as those usually employed upon machines of
this class. They have a groove t, running lengthwise fitted to receive the heel of
the needles. The needle cams are substantially the same in construction as those
in common use in this class of machines. The V shaped cam K, is attached to the
square plate 204, underneath the stitch cams 205, 206, and it has a forward and
backward movement with this plate. It is moved by means of a stud m, which
projects upward through a transverse slot in the slide bar, shown in dotted lines
in Figs. 3 and 4, into an inclined slot in a plate n, set into a recess in the upper
face of the slide bar. The plates n, are moved in the ordinary way, that is, the
stud 201 of plate n (Fig. 2) strikes the stop pin 200, on the frame (Fig. 3), and in
both slide bars the plates n, are the same, except that their inclined slots are placed
reversely to each other, so that the groove over one V shaped cam is closed while
the other is open.
My improved thread carrier and guide are shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8. The
special construction of this improved carrier and guide is designed to adapt it for
operation with improved results, both in connection with mechanism for knitting
plain fabrics, and also in connection with mechanism for knitting shape fabrics.
It is a reversible carrier provided with a knife edge p, which is a lapted to raise
and hold open the latches on whichever row of needles the carrier is operated. It
is also adapted by the same construction when used in connection with the
narrowing and widening mechanism to pass under the needles thrown out of use
after narrowing. Along the top of the machine are fixed guide bars 0, 0¹
Between these slides the thread carrier P.
In
This carrier has a vertically arranged cavity extending from top to bottom.
upper and under plates q, q', are the bearings of a spindle Q, to the lower end of
which is fixed the thread guide 111. This spindle has a stud g, which projects
into an inclined slot 10 in the sleeve 223, which sleeve surrounds the spindle and
is adapted to move up and down in the cavity of the carrier.
The sleeve is provided with a stud 11 which projects laterally into a cam path
in the inner face of the guide bar O. This cam path is shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 8.
It has a double path with inclines 12 and switches 13, at the end. l'hese ends of
the path are located a little outside of the ends of the rows of needles, and when
the carrier reaches the end of the straight part of the path or near the end of its
stroke in either direction, it strikes the inc ine 12, which forces the sleeve up, or
down, as the case may be, and thus gives the spindle a one half turn reversing the
thread guide. The sleeve is prevented from turning on the stud 11, passing
through a vertical slot in the wall of the carrier. The peculiar construction of
the guide 111, is shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 7, and is more particularly
described hereinafter.

page_text: It is attached to the lower end of a stem Q, by means of a slotted arm held
between nuts 207, on the stem, so that it may be accurately set, both in respect to
height and lateral position in relation to the hooks of the needles, and when
properly set it moves in the same relation to the needles in either direction.
The thread guide is adapted to move in the same relation to both rows of
needles, its edge being fitted to open the latches of any of the needles on which the
latches happen to be closed. For this purpose its symmetrical edge is exactly
fitted, and the guide is so adjusted in relation to the needles, that the curved
edge p, of the forward part passes under the projecting ends of the latches and lifts
them from the hooks. The thread guide therefore is of symmetrical shape and
adapted to operate in the same manner upon the latches whichever way it may be
moving.
A further portion of my invention relates to the mechanism for shaping the
fabric. This mechanism is adapted to be attached to, or removed from, the
machine as above described, and to operate in connection with the needles and
thread carrying and guiding mechanism which have been heretofore explained.
In the operation of the machine with these attachments for widening and
narrowing, the operations of the parts above described are not interfered with,
and the widening or narrowing is effected automatically through mechanism con-
nected with the driving shaft of the machine, and independently of, and simul-
taneously with, the ordinary operation of knitting.
The mode of operation for transferring the stitches and widening or narrowing
has been heretofore described, but not in connection with mechanism for auto-
matically carrying it on. In the mechanism hereinafter described, the same mode
of operation is carried on automatically by mechanisın connected with the main
driving shaft. The first movement necessary in the transfer of stitches in this
machine which has the ordinary latch needles, is the forward movement of the
needles from which the stitches are to be transferred. This movement is effected
on each side of the machine by a supplemental elongated or transfer cam R, placed
in a cavity in the under part of the slide bar, shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 18. This
cam has in it a straight longitudinal groove, which receives the heels of the
needles. It extends from the stitch cams in the centre of the slide bar towards
the end as far as may be required. The end nearest the stitch cams has a flaring
open mouth shown at r, to receive and guide the heels of the needles to the grooves,
in whatever position the heels may be left by the stitch cams. The stitch cams
are made with a corresponding open mouth 1, in order that they may receive the
heels of the needles moving in an opposite direction from the supplementary
or elongated grooved cam. The elongated grooved cams are attached to transverse
guides 14, (Figs. 16 and 18), which slide in transverse grooves 208, in the under
surface of the slide bar. Pins 209 set in these guides, project through transverse
slots 210, in the slide bar, and engage with inclined slots 211, in the sliding
plate 15, so that longitudinal movement of the plate 15, will shift the elongated
grooved cam and the needles therein forward or back. In the present case this
mechanism for moving forward the needles just described, is shown at one end
only of the slide bar.
In order to combine the mechanism in a perfectly automatic machine, I have
devised means as hereinafter explained for giving the plate and the elongated
grooved cams suitable movement properly timed from the main driving of the
machine itself. Each sliding plate 15, is provided with an arm 16, fixed to one
end and extending laterally, this has a pitman connection 17, with a gear wheel 18,
pivoted upon a cap piece screwed fast to the slide bar over the stitch cains. This
pitman is connected to the outer face of the wheel by a wrist pin. The wheel 18,
moves longitudinally over a bar 19, which is attached to the bearing for the slide
bar being thereby supported upon the needle bed. The upper face of the bar 19
is formed with a broad longitudinal groove in which is placed a shifting rack
bar 20. The rack bar is provided with a rack 21, adapted to the teeth of the
wheel 18. On the rear side of the shifting rack bar is a vertical flange 22, and

page_text: between this flange and the rack 21, is a space sufficient to receive the wheel when
out of engagement with the rack bar. The wheel is thrown into engagement by
shifting the rack bar inwardly to engage the wheel, which takes place when the
machine is at the utmost limit of its right hand stroke. Reverse movement of the
rack bar brings it in the position shown on the right hand of Fig. 15, in which
the wheel is off the rack, and slides over the smooth surface without turning; it is
prevented from turning by means of a block 23, fixed to the inner face of the
wheel in such position that when the rack bar is in the position indicated, the
block bears against the upper edge of the flange 22. The rack supporting bar 19,
has at the right hand end of the machine, a high part 24, on a level with the top
of the Hange 22, and forming a continuation of the track for the sliding bar 23,
and when the wheel moves off from the top of the flange 22, it runs to the high
part 24, which retains the wheel in the proper position and allows the track to be
shifted. By this means the wheel at the end of each stroke is always held in the
same position, and the same tooth in its return movement strikes into the end of
the rack so that the needles are always properly timed when the block is once
set in its proper place.
It will be understood that when the racks are both thrown out of engagement
with the gear, the elongated cam is inactive, and only the ordinary stitch cam is
effective.
In order that the racks may be thrown into engagement with the gear at the
proper time by the action of the machine itself, these racks are connected with
a pattern chain or equivalent mechanism. In the machine herein shown this
connection is made as follows:-
In the rack bar 19, in the longitudinal channel underneath the rack 20, is a
sliding plate 25, having inclined slots 20, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Into these
inclined slots, project pins, set into under the face of the rack, so that as the
plate 25 is shifted longitudinally the rack is thrown into or out of engagement
with the gear. As shown in Fig. 12, the construction of the parts connected with
the gears and the rack, is the same on both sides of the machine. On one side of
the machine (the right hand of Fig. 14) the end of the plate 25, towards the right
hand end of the machine (in Fig. 12) is turned down as shown in Figs. 10 and 16,
and is connected by means of an adjusting nut 212, with the rod 27, which by
means of chains 28 is connected to other sections 27, of the same rod around to the
back side of the machine as shown in Fig. 12, where a terminal chain 29, passes
over a roller 30, and by means of a spring 213, to compensate for any excess of
movement, is connected to a lever 31. The sliding plate 25, on the other side or
back of the machine is connected to a rod 32, the free end of which is connected
directly to a chain 33, which passes over a roller 34, by the side of the roller 30,
and is connected by an intermediate spring 214, to a lever 35, as shown in
Figs. 10 and 15. The slots in the sliding plate 25, are so arranged in relation to
the pins on the racks and the connections above described are so adjusted that
upon depression of either of the levers 31 or 35, one of the rack bars is thrown
into engagement with its gear.
This depression of the levers 31 and 35, should take place only when the gear is
at the extreme right hand end of its movement with its block 23, on the stationary
part of its track 24, thus allowing the rack and the flange to change positions
without interfering with the gear.
The levers 31 and 35, are journaled on a girt 36, in the front part of the frame,
and extend across underneath the main shaft C. These levers 31 and 35, have
attached to the outside of each, studs 37, projecting laterally, and on these are
anti-friction wheels 38, which turn and slide freely on the studs, having a sliding
movement equal to the thickness of the face of the wheel. They are moved by
bell crank levers 39, (Fig. 15º) pivoted to the frame which is attached to the bed.
One end of each bell crank lever engages with a groove in the hub of each
anti-friction wheel 38, acting as a shipper. The other ends of the bell crank levers
projecting inwards towards each other, are slotted and embrace pins 215, set in the

page_text: upper surfaces of the sliding bars 40. These slides are connected by links 216, to
the free ends of levers 41, pivoted on a girt 42, in the rear of the machine. The
upper or free ends of these levers project into range with two rows of rollers on
the pattern chain H20.
On the shaft C, are two shifting cams, hereinafter further explained. They are
marked 44, and 45, to these cams are attached segmental cains 46, and 47. These
segmental cams are in line with the rollers 38 when these are moved inward
toward the levers, but pass by them without acting upon them when the anti-
friction rollers are thrown outward. When these rollers are shifted in ward
towards the levers, the cams 46 and 47, in passing them, depress the levers and
through the mechanism heretofore described connected with the ends of the levers
operate the slide which shifts the rack, and operate the grooved cam which act
upon the needles as above explained. The rack is thrown out of engagement when
the push pins 301, attached to the ends of the slide bar strike the turned up end
of the plate 25, (Fig. 16) on the return stroke of the slide bar. The pattern chain
moves in the direction of the arrows 48, and as the proper wheel on this chain
rises, it strikes against the spur 49, on the upper end of the lever 41, and rocks the
lever, setting in motion a train of mechanism as above explained.
The precise time when the spur 49, on the lever 41, is moved by the wheel on the
pattern chain, need not be accurately determined, further than this, that it must
operate to move in the wheel 38, before the high part of the cam 46, has reached it.
The position of the cam 46, on the shaft determines the time of movement of the
mechanism, that is, the time when the gear is thrown into action, which operates
the elongated cam, and advances the needles and this cam 46 is set upon the
shaft so as to depress the lever at the beginning of the return stroke of the
slide bar from the right. The wheels upon the pattern chain which are adapted
to come into contact with the spurs of the levers 41, determine the number of
times that the wheels 38 on the levers are brought into range of the cams 46
and 47, and when these are once adjusted in the machine it works automatically
to operate the needles in the manner explained. After the needles have been
advanced by the mechanism just described, the next movement in order in
the operation of the machine in shaping fabric is the advance of the transfer
points. These points are of ordinary construction and are adapted to cover the
books of the needles to allow a loop to pass from one to the other. The points 50
(Fig. 21) are fixed to the end of a point block 51, which is mounted upon a sleeve 52,
which has longitudinal movement upon the guide bar 53, which forms a part of
the frame of the point carrier. This point carrier frame consists of a plate 54,
fixed to two transverse blocks 55, and in these blocks also the guide rod 53, is fixed.
The point block 51, may be moved longitudinally upon the guide rod without any
lateral movement, or it may be swung laterally on the sleeve to cause the points to
be depressed or raised from the needles. The sleeve as shown in Fig. 23, has a
leather packing 56, fitting into the conical end of the sleeve and close about the
guide rod, the packing being forced into its seat by screws 57 passing through a
collar 58, into the end of the sleeve. This packing acts as a brake to prevent a too
easy movement of the sleeve upon the rod. The point block has a rearwardly
extending slotted arm which embraces a chamfered thimble 59. This thimble has
free movement upon the guide rod 60, of a swinging frame 61, arranged to the
under side of the carrier frame, near the outer edge. When this guide rod 60, is
swung up towards the plate of the frame, it depresses the points and brings them
into contact with the needles. This swinging movement is effected through an
anti-friction roller w, on the prolongation of the guide rod 60. The roller w, bears
upon the straight face of a lever 62, which is pivoted on the counter shaft 63. One
end of the lever 62, is connected to a lever 64, which is pivoted on the front girt 36,
and extends across underneath the main driving shaft, by an intermediate link 62ª.
The connection between the link 62ª, and lever 64, is rendered adjustable by means
of a bolt and slot as shown. The lever is depressed by means of mechanism here-
inafter explained, and when depressed raises the inner or free end of the lever 62,

page_text: which raises the swinging frame 61, and depresses the points, bringing them into
engagement with the needles. This operation takes place without regard to the
precise position of the roller w, provided it is within the fulcrum of the lever 62,
which is always the case when the points require to be depressed to bring them
into contact with the needles, as the whole point carrier must be advanced for that
purpose. It will be borne in mind that the sleeve upon which the point block is
pivoted, is adapted to slide upon the rod of the point carrier upon which it is
placed. The chamfered thimble 59, which is embraced by the pronged end of the
point block, also slides freely upon the rod 60. This is for the purpose of per-
mitting the necessary lateral movement for shifting the points from one needle to
the next in transferring the loops. This movement is effected by means of a sliding
rack 66 (Figs. 10, 11, 14 and 20) placed in the groove in the upper surface of the plate
of the point carrier, and having lateral movement sufficient to give proper movement
to the point block. This movement is communicated to the point block by means
of a pawl 67, pivoted upon an arm 68, of the sleeve 52, which carries the point
block. In order to prevent the arm 68, from rising when the sliding rack acts
upon the pawl, a spur 69, (see Fig. 21) is provided on the sleeve and is arranged
to project underneath the inner edge of the carrier plate, and thus prevents the
sleeve from rocking. The pawl 67 is provided with a knob by means of which it
may be turned over, so that the smooth back of the pawl will rest upon the rack
whenever it is desired to throw it out of engagement. The lever 62 operates only
to depress the points and to hold them in engagement with the needles.. When
the lever is released the frame is again depressed to raise the points, by means of
a spring 70. The sliding rack is operated only when the points are at the limit of
their forward movement, and after they have removed the stitch from the needle;
the mechanism for operating the sliding rack is described hereinafter in connection
with the mechanism for giving the forward movement to the point carrier. The
transverse blocks 55, on the under side of the carrier are provided with rack bars,
and these blocks slide in guide ways attached to the frame of the machine, as
shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 22. These guide ways are in a plane parallel with the
plane of the needles, and carry the points accurately in line with the needles when
the points are depressed. The rack bars engage with pinions 71, on the counter
shaft 63, and by the rotation of this shaft, the point carrier is moved backward
and forward in direct line with the needles. This movement is imparted to the
shaft 63, by means of a curved rack 72, carried upon the upper end of a lever 73,
which is pivoted to the girt 42, of the machine. The lever 73, has an arm 74,
projecting inwardly, this arm carrying an antifriction 75, held adjustably by slot,
set screw and bolt, as shown in Fig. 14, in the end of the arm, in a plane at right
angles to the main shaft C, in position to be brought into contact with a cam 70,
on the main driving shaft, as shown in Figs. 10, 13 and 14.
It should be borne in mind that Fig. 14, shows in side elevation, one of the
levers 73, as above described, the other being on the other side of the machine and
at the opposite end of the frame, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13. It will be observed
that when the arm 74, is raised and the lever 73, thrown outward, the pinions
cause the point carrier to move inward. The cam which operates the lever 73, is
shown at 76. It is attached to a movable spline 77, on the main shaft C. This
spline has a longitudinal movement on the shaft sufficient to carry the cam 76
from the position shown in Fig. 13, into line with the roller 75, this roller being,
as shown in Fig. 13, a little to one side of the cam on the main shaft. The
operation of the machine requires that this cam should be shifted into line with
the roller 75, in time to operate the point carrier, in order to bring the points
forward to the needles from which the loops are to be transferred, immediately
after these needles have been advanced. The mechanism for giving this timely
movement is shown in Figs. 10, 13 and 15. On the inner end of the spline is fixed
5 a switch cam 45, the inner face of which is cut away to form an inclined or cau
face, as shown at 78. The switch cam is normally held in the position in which
it is shown in Fig. 13, by means of a spiral spring 79, wound around the inner

page_text: hubs of the switch cams, and at its ends connected to the two cams, holding them
both in position as shown.
Mounted in bearings supported on the girt 42, are switch pins 80 and 81,
normally held away from the face of the switch cams 44 and 45, by springs coiled
about them. They are pushed forward by the pattern chain, the rollers of this
chain being adapted to push the pins according to the pattern of the fabric to be
shaped. When the switch pin 81, for example, is thus pushed forward through the
opening 78, in the inner face of the cam 45, it rides up the incline of that face
and forces the cam with the spline, and the cam 76, to the right of the machine
(left in Fig. 13) and brings it into line with the roller 75. The operation of the
parts is so timed that this lateral movement of the switch cam and the cam 76,
takes place when the low part of the cam 76, is opposite the roller 75, thus
permitting the lateral movement of the cam 76, and bringing it into position for
immediate action by the rotation of the shaft C, and as before explained, this
operation is so timed that it takes place immediately after the advance of the
needles. The depression of the points which immediately follows their advance
is also effected by the same lateral movement of the switch cams above described.
This lateral movement which carries the cam 76, into range with the roller 75, at
the same time carries the cam 82, also fixed to the spline as shown in Fig. 10, into
range with the roller 217 of the lever 64, the depression of which gives the
downward movement to the points to bring them into engagement with the
needles. The cam 82, is so set upon the spline that the action thereof upon its
appropriate roller, immediately follows the action of the cam 76. In the above
description of parts, attention has been directed to the right hand half of the point
moving mechanism, shown in Fig. 10. This operates the point mechanism on the
rear of the machine, while the needles are advanced upon the front of the machine
for the transfer of stitches. The lever 64 on the left hand side of Fig. 10, operates
the point mechanism on the front of the machine, and is shown with the cam 82,
which depresses the lever in engagement with the roller 218. This cam 82, is
connected to a spline 77, which also carries a point switch cam 44, in construction
and operation precisely like the cam 45, heretofore described, and the cam 44, is
operated by a switch pin 80, precisely as described in connection with the pin 81.
The mechanism just described, whereby movement at proper time is given either
to the lever 64 or 64ª and levers 73, imparts through these levers the positive
forward and downward movement to the points, and holds these points in their
proper relation to the needles as long as required for the operation of transferring
the loop. The upward and backward movement of the points, which takes place
in the order named, is accomplished by springs 70 and 83 (Figs. 14 and 21) the
former raising the points and the latter drawing them back, as soon as the high
parts of the cams heretofore described pass the rollers on which they bear, and
these high parts are timed to release the levers and allow the springs to act as
soon as the transfer of stitches has been effected. It will be borne in mind that
the depression of the points to engage with the needles described above as taking
place after the forward movement of the points has begun, occurs before the
completion of the forward movement of the points and at the precise moment when
the points have reached the proper position over the hooks of the needles, as shown
in Fig. 20, and the further forward movement of the points together with the
.backward movement of the needles takes place after this engagement, and sufficiently
to receive the loops on the points from the needles. The forward movement of the
needles is caused by a one half revolution of wheel 18, and the backward movement
of the needles by the other half revolution of said wheel.
It must also be borne in mind that the lateral movement of the points by which
the loop received from the needle is transferred to another needle takes place after
the points have reached the limit of their forward movement, and after they are
raised from the needle from which the loop is taken. This lateral movement is
imparted to the points by a sliding rack on the point carrier as heretofore
explained. The sliding racks are moved by push pins 84 and 85, one on each side

page_text: of the machine and set in the frame 86. This frame has a central socket which
fits over a projection 87, fixed on the end of the guide bars and in line with them.
The frame has limited movement on its projection, and is held normally out by a
spring 88, between the end of the projection and a cap on the outer end of the
socket. The push pins are set so as to be in line with the sliding racks 66, when
the point carrier is at the extreme forward limit of its movement. The frame 86
is moved inward to carry the push pins when the slide bars are very near the
extreme limit of their forward movement, by means of the post 6 set upon the cross
piece d, which connects the slide bars in line with the cap of the frame socket
against which it strikes. Thus both pins are operated at each movement (that is
from right to left) of the slide bars, (but only one acts at a time upon the sliding
rack of a point carrier). The spring 88 returns the frame as soon as the slide bars
commence their backward movement (that is from left to right) and the slide rack
is returned when the pressure of the push pins is removed from it by a flat
spring 90, fixed to the under side of the plate of the point carrier (see Fig. 20).
The push pins are adjusted so as to move the sliding rack a distance exactly equal
to the distance from needle to needle.
It will be remembered that the bevelled gear on the shaft C, has been described
as having one half the number of teeth of the bevelled gear 2, by which, motion is
transmitted to the slide bars. There is therefore one complete revolution of the
cains heretofore described which operate the narrowing mechanism during each
stroke of the slide bars. The cams are timed to commence operation at about the
middle of the forward stroke of the slide bars, so that the movements of the
knitting mechanism are complete in advance of the stitch transferring mechanism,
and the two operations are therefore carried on simultaneously without interfering
with each other. It will be noticed that in the machine so constructed, the stitch
is removed from the needle during the latter half of the forward stroke, and the
points are operated backward and the needles projected forward in unison during
the first half of the return stroke, that is to say, the cams which operate the trans-
ferring mechanisın commence their operation at the middle of the forward stroke,
and complete it at the middle of the return stroke, so that there is one operation
of the stitch transferring mechanism in one reciprocation of the slide bars and
thread carrier.
It will be borne in mind that the point operating mechanism is all moved to
transfer the stitches by the cams on the main shaft, and that these cams are set
upon the main shaft to operate invariably in their proper time, in relation to the
other movements of the machine, and they operate invariably in this proper order
whenever brought into range with the levers, and that the times when they are
brought into range with the levers is regulated by the rollers on the pattern
chain H.
It will be apparent that any suitable pattern mechanism may be used, acting on
the general principle of a pattern chain, to move the switch cams or mechanisms
which control the needles in the stitch transferring operation, but I have shown a
pattern chain and this is in practice sufficient for the purpose.
The chain with its carrying wheels 93, is mounted on the shaft 91, mounted in
standards supported on the frame, and is adapted by raising the pawl 94, to be
thrown out of gear with the driving power, to cease shaping at the will of the
operator. The carrying wheels are fixed to this shaft, and the shaft has fast upon
it a ratchet wheel 92. This ratchet wheel is provided with twelve teeth. T'his
number is not material but is proportionate to the number of notches in the
carrying wheels 93, which in this case number six. The ratchet is moved by the
pawl 94, carried upon a lever 95, which is operated by a cam groove in the face of
the driving cam 96, rigidly attached to the main shaft C, the motion being com-
municated through a rod 97. The ratchet wheel and its shaft are therefore moved
one notch by each revolution of the main shaft C. This moves the pattern chin
through a space equal to one half the distance between the bars 98 of the chain.
Each push pin has its own rows of rollers upon these bars of the chain. In the

page_text: arrangement shown the rollers are set on alternate bars, and of these one half
alternating, are arranged in line with one push pin, and the other half in line with
the other, but manifestly the whole arrangement can be changed according to the
pattern required, the same general principle of arrangement being observed. It is
equally obvious that the details of construction of the cam mechanism on the main
shaft may be varied as well as the details of construction of the pattern mechanism,
the general principle of this part of the invention requiring only that mechanism
operated by the main shaft of the machine to move the stitch transferring
mechanism, shall be controlled by a suitable pattern mechanism. The mechanism
for rendering the empty needles inactive is shown sufficiently in Figs. 9, 11, 12, 14
and 19. Attached to the cap piece of the needle bed, and on the inner face thereof
is a needle raising slide 99. It is held in place by clips 100, which guide it
accurately in its movement longitudinally of the needle bed. The principal part of
it lies over the needles and serves as a cap piece to hold the needles down as shown
clearly in said figures. These figures also show toward the right hand end of the
rows of needles a finger 101, forming a path for the needles, parallel with, but a
little above the guiding face, the main part of which has been described as being
arranged above the rows of needles. The finger 101 is bevelled down at the end so
as to pass under the needles when the needle raising slide is moved to the left.
This movement toward the left is effected by means of a pawl 102, carried upon a
sliding bar 103. This sliding bar passes through a casing 104, on the top of the
needle cap piece, and the other end projecting beyond the casing has an adjustable
lug 105. The lug 105, is in range with a spur 106, on a sliding plate 107, carried
upon the cap piece of the sliding bar. The plate 107, has a limited movement
across the slide bar and is operated by one of the screws 209 in the elongated
grooved cam R of the slide bar D or D¹ as the case may be, as there is one on each
side. This projecting screw strikes a shoulder on the plate at 108, Fig. 12, as the
elongated grooved cam advances and moves the plate, bringing the spur 106 into
range with the lug 105, and the plate is held in this position movably by the
friction of the clamping spring 100, the spur 106 being in this advanced position,
the forward movement of the side bar will bring it into contact with the lug 105,
and this lug is accurately adjusted so that the completion of the movement of the
slide bar after the lug is struck by the spur, will move the needle raising slide
sufficiently to raise one needle. As the spur recedes, a spring 199 around the
sliding bar, and within the casing 104, throws the pawl back to its normal position
leaving the pawl in engagement with the teeth for the repetition of the movement.
The needle raising bar slides in frictional contact in its bearings in the clips, and
remains in the position to which it is moved by the pawl, and each successive
movement of the elongated grooved cam moves forward the plate 107, to repeat
the movements of the needle raising bar, and thus successively raises the needles as
the stitches are removed from them. The rear face of the spur 106, is inclined and
in the forward movement of the slide bar it is pushed down by contact with the
brackets 202, (Fig. 12) or with any suitable projection on the frame. The needle
raising bar may be set in any suitable position at the commencement of the work
and serves to raise the needles and hold them out of work for any desired width of
fabric. As shown in Fig. 12, the needle raising mechanism on both sides of the
machine is precisely the same.
The thread guide has been heretofore described in connection with the needle
latches. Its construction and the arrangement of its parts in relation to the
needles raised out of work are shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 9. The guide
is formed with a curve from its shank to its edge, the curve being of sufficient
capacity to allow the guide to pass under the raised needles and past their ends
whether upon the forward or return stroke. The thread shown at 110, passes
down on the back of the guide through a tunnel 220, in the guide, having an
outlet just underneath the beak and in rear of the edge as shown at 111, in Fig. 5.
This figure also shows the position of the beak in passing under the raised needles,
and over the needles in their normal position. The mechanism heretofore described

page_text: for transferring the stitches as represented is adapted only to
same mechanism and the same movement with a very slight alteration are equally
adapted to widening the fabric by transfer of stitches. The mechanism for this
transfer of stitches for the purpose of widening is shown in Fig. 19. The only
change required is the provision of an additional slide rack and pawl, and suitable
for connecting it with the rack 66, as shown in Fig. 19. In the upper surface
of the plate of the point carrier is a second sliding rack 112, parallel with the
rack 66. It is connected to the rack 66, by means of a yoke 113, pivoted to the
plate between the racks and connected to the slide rack by links 114. The slide
racks 66 project as heretofore described so as to be acted upon by the push pins,
and movement of the rack 66 thereby effected, moves the rack 112, in the opposite
direction exactly the same distance. The teeth in the rack 112, are set in a
direction opposite to that of the teeth of the rack 60. On the same pin which
holds the pawl 67, is set reversely to the pawl 67, a pawl 115. The figure shows
the pawl 67 as reversed and thrown out of action while the pawl 115 is in engage-
ment with its rack, and the machine is therefore adapted for widening. The only
difference in the operation of the machine so set, is that the transfer points after
getting possession of the loop move to the right instead of to the left. Only one
side of the machine is shown as provided with these double racks, but it will
be understood that the construction is precisely the same for both sides of the
machine.
The operation of widening also requires reverse movements of the mechanism
by which the needles are thrown out of work, in order that in widening the
needles may be thrown into work as they are required. The change made in this
part of the mechanism is also shown in Fig. 19. The slide which carries the
finger 101, is provided with an additional rack 221, with the teeth set in a
direction opposite to that heretofore described. The pawl 102 above explained,
is shown in this figure as thrown out of engagement and a second pawl 116, is
provided for engagement with the second rack, and is adapted to move the needle
raising finger in the opposite direction. In order that this opposite movement
may be given by the same movement of the plate 107, the pawl 116 is attached
to a lever 117, pivoted on the casing 104, and connected by a link 222, to the pin
of a pawl 102. The arms of the lever 117 are equal in length and precisely the
same amount of movement is imparted to the slide rack by this pawl as by the
other but in an opposite direction, and each movement effected by the pawl 116,
allows a needle to drop to come into work.
The widening and narrowing mechanism above described is equally well adapted
to the machine when arranged to knit ribbed fabrics, and no other change is
needed in the machine herein shown in order that it may be adapted to knit
ribbed fabrics, excepting the substitution of V shaped cams having the grooves at
the base of the V shaped cam on one side of the machine somewhat wider apart
than those at the base of the corresponding cams on the other side of the machine,
so that both rows of needles shall not draw the stitch exactly at the same time,
but as this form of cam is well known for the purpose, it need not be herein
described. It is also necessary that the thread guide should be prevented from
reversing so that it may always feed one row of needles, this is accomplished
simply by removing the pin 11, which extends from the sleeve in to the
guidetrack.
The operation of the machine for knitting straight fabrics is of the ordinary
character and requires no explanation, beyond that already given relating to the
adjustment of the needle beds and sinker bars. The operation of the mechanism
for widening and narrowing may be briefly stated :—
Supposing for example, the work to be done upon the machine is the knitting of
an ordinary stocking leg. This would require that the tubular fabric should be
knit straight beginning at the top down to the calf of the leg. For this purpose
the part of the chain which passes the push pins during the operation of knit-
ting this part of the fabric is provided with plain bars without rollers, and the

page_text: narrowing mechanism is not thrown into operation. As already stated the pattern
chain makes two movements at every reciprocation of the slide bar, that is, at
every round of knitting, and each movement takes place when the knitting cams
are in their central position. As the slide bars approach the right and the stitch
cams reach their central position, the chain makes a forward movement and brings
a roller of the pattern chain into engagement with the spur 49, which places the
roller of the lever that operates the sliding rack 21, into range with its appropriate
cam on the main shaft. Its cam strikes the roller of the lever at exactly the
instant when the slide bar reaches the limit of its extreme right hand movement,
and the lever is depressed at the beginning of the forward movement of the slide
bar. This shifts the rack bar 20 on one side of the machine into line with the
gear, and operates the slide racks to cause the transferring cams to follow the
ordinary needle cams to again operate the needles, which is the first part of
the transferring operation. As the slide bars reach the central part of their
movement another advance of the pattern chain takes place and brings the same
roller which struck the spur into contact with a push pin which latter shifts the
cams on the main shaft to bring them into range with the levers which operate the
points on one side of the machine. The first effect of this movement is to cause
the points to advance over the hooks of the needles, the next effect is to depress
them into engagement with the hooks. Next in succession the points continue to
advance simultaneously with the retreat of the needles, the continued advance
being timed with the movement of the needle cams for that. When this move-
ment has taken place sufficiently for the point to take the loop, further operation
of the mechanism causes the points to rise, and immediately thereafter the push
pin on the frame strikes the slide rack and shifts the points frome one needle to
another.
The points are then simultaneously operated backward and in unison with the
advance of the needles until the loop is taken by the needles, when the points
recede to their normal position. Another narrowing movement takes place on the
other side of the machine from another set of mechanism in precisely the same
manner in the next round of knitting, and the operation is repeated as often as is
required during the process of knitting, its frequency depending upon the arrange-
ment of the rollers upon the pattern chain. An advantage may be here pointed out
in the operation of the machine arising from the construction of the mechanism
which causes the movement of the parts that immediately operate the points in the
loop transferring operation. The cams for operating the mechanism upon one side
are connected to one spline and those upon the other side to another spline, and
each therefore moves only a single step. In machines heretofore constructed the
mechanism carried by the main shaft operating the stitch transferring mechanism
has been made to advance first one step, and then another, the first step operating
the points upon one side and the next those upon the other side. At the end of the
second step the cams are returned to their normal position. This construction
renders it impracticable to run the machine at a high rate of speed, for the reason
that when so run the momentum of the machine may cause it to move in excess of
the first step and thus narrow on the wrong side interfering with the knitting
operation of that side, but as in the present machine the cams move but a single
step and each moves independently of the other, these parts may be moved as rapidly
as any other parts of the machine as there can be no excess of movement. Further,
the independent movement of the cams on separate splines for front and rear,
renders it practicable to narrow or widen on each side independently of the other,
as may be done on the machine herein shown in knitting flat or ribbed fabrics. It
also renders it practicable to narrow on both sides of the machine at once as the
needles of the two rows alternate with each other in respect to position and to
intermediate spaces, and it is necessary only to set the rollers that operate the
wechanisms on each side of the same bar. This simultaneous operation of the
narrowing mechanism on both sides is however more practicable with the coarser
gauges of needles,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An improved method of operating the needles and transfer points in latch
needle knitting machines, consisting in first advancing the needle from which the
loop has to be taken, until the loop is on the latch, second, in advancing the point
to engage with the needle, third, in drawing back the needle with the point until
the loop is on the point, fourth, in shifting the transfer point into mesh with another
needle, and then advancing said needle with the point, far enough to leave the loop
on the needle, all substantially as described.
2. The combination with a series of latch needles and transfer points, of
mechanism substantially as described for advancing the needles through the loops
until the loops are between the rivets and the ends of the latches, and for returning
the same to their normal position and mechanism for advancing and withdrawing
the transfer points simultaneously or in unison with the advancing or retracing
movements of the needles to effect the transfer of the loops from the needles to the
points and from the points to the needles, and for shifting the points laterally, all
substantially as described.
3. The combination of two parallel rows of latch needles, means for operating
the same for the purpose of knitting, and mechanism substantially as described for
imparting a forward and backward movement to the needles to facilitate the
transfer of stitches, with transfer points, mechanism substantially as described for
imparting a forward and backward movement to the said points in unison with
the movement of the needles, and a lateral movement to effect the shifting of the
stitches, pattern devices substantially as described for controlling the movements
of the parts, all operating to actuate the needles and points to effect the transfer of
stitches independently of, but simultaneously with, the operation of the mechanism
for operating the needles for knitting, substantially as, and for the purpose set
forth.
4. The combination with a row of needles of a straight latch needle knitting
machine, mechanism for actuating the same for the purpose of knitting, and a main
driving shaft, of mechanism substantially as described by which the needles are
operated forward and backward to facilitate the transfer of stitches arranged to
follow the knitting movement, pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of
the said mechanism for operating the needles forward and backward, transfer points
mechanism substantially as described whereby the same are operated from the main
driving shaft, and caused to move in unison with the needles, and devices sub-
stantially as described under the control of the pattern mechanism whereby the
shifting mechanism is operated automatically and simultaneously with the knitting
movements, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the rows of needles of a straight latch needle knitting
machine, the mechanism for operating the same for the purpose of knitting, the
main driving shaft, mechanism substantially as described for operating the needles
forward and backward to facilitate the transfer of stitches, arranged to follow the
ordinary knitting movement, and connected to the main driving shaft, a pattern
mechanism for controlling the operation of the said mechanism for moving the
needles forward and backward, transfer points, mechanisin substantially as described
for causing them to move forward and backward in unison with the needles, and
laterally to shift the stitches, said mechanism being connected substantially as
described with the main driving shaft and controlled also by the pattern mechanisın,
and mechanism substantially as described for throwing the empty needles out of
work, whereby the shaping mechanism is operated automatically without inter-
rupting the operation of the knitting mechanism substantially as described.
6. The combination with the two rows of needles of a straight latch needle
knitting machine, the mechanism for operating the same for the purpose of knitting,
and the main driving shaft, and independent operating mechanism for each row of
needles, consisting of mechanism substantia" as described by which the needles

page_text: are operated forward and backward to facilitate the transfer of stitches, arranged to
follow the ordinary knitting movements, and connected to the main driving shaft,
a pattern mechanism substantially as described controlling the action of the said
operating mechanisms, independent sets of transfer points for each row of needles,
and independent sets of operating mechanisms, substantially as described connected
with the main driving shaft and controlled independently by the pattern mechanism,
fór moving said points forward and backward in unison with the needles, and
laterally to shift the stitches, all substantially as described.
7. The combination with the rows of needles of a straight latch needle knitting
machine, the means for operating the same for the purpose of knitting, and the
main driving shaft, and operating mechanism substantially as described for
operating the needles forward and backward to facilitate the transfer of stitches,
connected independently with the main driving shaft, and arranged to follow the
knitting movement and constructed to advance the needles to a point where the
loops rest upon the open latches, transfer points connected with the main driving
shaft, mechanism substantially as described for moving said points forward and
backward in unison with the needles, and laterally to shift the stitches, and a
pattern mechanism controlling the operation of the transferring mechanism, all
substantially as described.
8. The combination with a row of needles of a straight latch needle knitting
machine, mechanism substantially as described for operating the needles backward
and forward to facilitate the transfer of stitches, a transfer point or points, a point
carrier arranged to slide forward and backward approximately in the plane of
the row of needles, mechanism for moving said carrier backward and forward,
mechanism substantially as described for depressing the point for engagement with
the needles, and mechanism substantially as described for automatically moving
the points laterally upon the frame by which they are carried, and a pattern
mechanism substantially as described for controlling the operation of the parts, all
substantially as described.
9. The combination with a row of needles of a straight latch needle knitting
machine, of mechanism substantially as described for operating the needles to
transfer loops, to the transfer point, a point carrier which is arranged to slide
forward and backward approximately in the plane of the row of needles, mechanism
for moving said carrier forward and backward, mechanism substantially as described
for depressing the points for engagement with the needles, and a pawl and slide
rack mechanism for automatically moving the points laterally from needle to needle,
in either direction, at the will of the operator substantially as described.
10. The combination with the needles and the slide bar and needle cam of a
straight latch needle knitting machine, a longitudinally grooved cam having
a flaring mouth adapted to receive the heels of the needles, mechanisin substantially
as described for moving it forward and backward, and transfer points to effect the
transfer of stitches, substantially as described.
11. The combination with the needles and the slide bar and needle cam of a
straight latch needle knitting machine, of a longitudinally grooved cam having
a laring mouth and adapted to receive the heels of the needles, mechanism for
moving it forward and backward to facilitate the transfer of stitches, consisting of
a sliding plate having suitable inclined slots, studs connected with the grooved cam,
a gear, a link by which said gear is connected to the slide, a rack, and means
substantially as described by which said rack is thrown into engagement with the
gear at the proper time substantially as described.
12. The combination with the longitudinally grooved cam, its studs, the slide
which moves the longitudinally grooved cain, a gear connected to said slide by
a pitman, the sliding bar, a rack 20 having lateral movement into and out of
engagement with the gear, and means for holding the gear from turning when not
in engagement with the rack, a lever a lapted to be operated by the main driving
mechanism, means for connecting said rack with said lever, the main driving

page_text: meclianism, a pattern chain, and means controlled by the pattern chain for causing
the said driving mechanism to act upon the lever, all substantially as described.
13. The combination with the slide bar, the longitudinally grooved cam, and the
needles, of the lever 31, and intermediate mechanism substantially as described,
between this lever and the grooved cam, a point carrier, the levers 64 and 73,
intermediate mechanism substantially as described whereby said point carrier is
operated from said levers, the driving shaft, cains 45, 82 and 76, a spline to which
said cams are connected, and a pattern mechanism whereby said cams may be
thrown into range with the levers, substantially as described.
14. The combination with the two rows of needles the described mechanism for
operating the needles to facilitate the transfer of the loops, of transfer points
for each row, and levers and intermediate devices substantially as described for
operating the same in unison with the movement of the needles, the main driving
shaft, two independent sets of cams, an independent movable spline to which each
set of cams is connected, a pattern mechanism and mechanism. substantially as
described operated by the pattern mechanism for moving the cains on the main
shaft into range with the levers for operating the transfer points, and means for
returning the cams to their normal position, substantially as described.
15. The combination with the lever 35 and the movable roller connected
thereto, of the lever 41, having a spur 49, intermediate connections substantially
as described, between said lever and the roller upon the lever 35, and the pattern
chain substantially as described.
16. The combination with the series of latch needles, the grooved transfer cam,
means substantially as described for operating the same, and the ordinary needle
operating mechanism, of a point carrier, having forward and backward movement
substantially parallel with the needles and carrying points adapted to move
laterally on the point carrier, the main driving shaft, mechanism substantially
as described driven from the main shaft for causing the carrier to move forward
and backward, mechanism substantially as described for moving the points
laterally also connected with the main driving shaft, and a pattern mechanism,
substantially as described for controlling the operation of the mechanism for
operating the points and point carrier; all substantially as described.
17. The combination with the series of latch needles, the grooved transfer cam
and means for operating said cam substantially as described and the ordinary
needle operating mechanism, of a point carrier having forward and backward
movements substantially parallel with the needles, and transfer points, adapted to
nove laterally on the point carrier, a main driving shaft, mechanism substantially
as described driven from the main driving shaft for causing the carrier to move
forward and backward, mechanism substantially as described for moving the
points laterally also connected with the main driving shaft, mechanism substantially
as described for depressing the points for bringing them into engagement with the
needles also connected with the main driving shaft, and the pattern mechanism for
controlling the operation of the mechanism for operating the points and point
carrier, substantially as described.
18. The combination with the points and the point carrier and its guide ways,
of the pinions, meshing with racks upon the carrier, the lever 73 provided with a
rack 72, and with the anti-friction roller 75, and the cam 76, substantially as
described.
19. The points, and point block, the point carrier, a sliding rack on the point
carrier, and a pawl connected with the point block, adapted to engage with said
rack, in combination with a push pin, a movable frame carrying said push piu, the
slide bar, said frame being adapted to be moved by the slide bars near the end of
their movement, and means for returning the frame and the rack, substantially as
described.
20. The points and point block, the point carrier, the sliding rack 66 on the
point carrier, a pawl connected with the point block adapted to engage therewith,
à second sliding rack 112, with reversing connections, substantially as described

page_text: between the rack 66, and the rack 112, and the pawl 115, on the point block, in
combination with a push pin, a movable frame carrying said push pin, the slide
bars, said movable frame being adapted to be moved by the slide bars near the
end of their movement and means for returning the frame and the sliding racks,
substantially as described.
21. A slide, having a finger 101, and a rack upon its face, in combination with
a pawl 102, a sliding bar 103, having a lug adapted to be moved by the spur of a
plate 107, spring 199, plate 107, and a cam slide, all substantially as described.
22. A sliding bar having a finger 101, and two racks set reversely to each other,
in combination with pawls 102, and 116, means substantially as described for
connecting said pawls, the sliding rod 103, provided with a lug and adapted to be
moved by the plate 107, spring plate 109, plate 107, and the cam slide bar, all
substantially as described.
23. In combination with the slide bar carrying the finger 101, and formed with
a rack, the pawl, the sliding rod formed with a lug and carrying said pawl, the
spring 199, the sliding plate 107, having a spur and held in place by frictional
contact, the cam slide bar, the elongated grooved cam, means to move the same,
and the screws set in the elongated grooved cam and projecting through the slot to
strike the plate 107, all substantially as described.
24. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of needles, and mechanism
for raising the inactive needles, above the plane of the operating needles, with a
thread carrier having the delivery end thereof adapted substantially as described,
to pass under the inactive needles, substantially as described.
25. The combination with a spindle having a reversible thread guide on its
lower end, of a sleeve surrounding the sleeve, and having an inclined slot therein,
a stud set in the spindle and projecting into the inclined slot in the sleeve
surrounding the spindle, a stud set in the sleeve, and mechanism substantially
as described to operate upon this stud for giving the sleeve vertical movement at
the end of the stroke, substantially as described.