Improvements in the Manufacture of Lace Hosiery and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 3rd July, 1900-Accepted, 4th Oct., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Lace Hosiery and in Apparatus
therefor.
I, BENJAMIN WALTON, of Stoney Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, in the County of
Nottingham, Hosiery Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of what is known as lace hosiery,
and to apparatus therefor, and it has for its object the production of lace work
or designs having different classes of work at different points.
Lace hosiery is produced on power frames constructed on the principle known
as "cottons," by transferring loops by means of coverer points in the process of
manufacture, in a well known manner. Lace hosiery may be broadly divided
into two distinct classes of work, that is, designs produced by transferring loops
twice in each course, some being moved to the right and some to the left, or,
designs produced by transferring loops once every course or once every other or
more courses, as preferred.
In order to transfer loops twice in one course, it necessitates two distinct
operations of the coverer point machine. In the first operation the required
points are brought down to take the loops which are to be say transferred to
needles on the left of those which they originally occupied. The point machine
then rises, changes the points and is then operated a second time to transfer
those loops which are to be moved in the reverse direction, that is to the right.
Heretofore in machines adapted for producing this class of work, if it is desired
to change the class of work, that is, transfer loops once every course, or once
every other course, the coverer point machine must still continue to perform
two distinct operations every course as before, the points being only selected,
once every course or every other course when required to transfer loops, the
other operation of the point machine having no effect.
This involves a great loss of time, as another course could be formed whilst
the point machines is making its unnecessary movement, and it has therefore
been customary to make each design of one class of work throughout, on a frame
specially adapted to produce it.
According to my invention provisions is made for changing the mechanism
which controls the movements of the coverer point machine, so that said points
may be brought down, twice every course, or once every course, or once every
other or more courses as required, and thus each class of work may be introduced
at any point in a single design without loss of time, and better results are thus
obtained by combining the different classes of work in the same design or
garment.
The coverer point machine is moved laterally in order to transfer loops to the
right or left, by means of a box mounted in a worm frame, and is controlled by
a screw provided with a rack wheel actuated by two pawls, one of the latter being
arranged to move the rack wheel in the reverse direction to the other, in a well
known manner.

page_text: The pawls are themselves controlled by one of two suitably shaped controlling
wheels, which are placed between the pawls, these controlling wheels are prefer-
ably secured side by side, and are mounted on a sleeve which is in turn mounted
loosely on a fixed axis placed parallel to the axles of the pawls. The sleeve is
provided with a feather key which engages with the two controlling wheel, and
the latter may thus be moved longitudinally along the sleeve, but are always
rotated with it. With this arrangement either of the controlling wheels may be
placed in the required position to control the pawls.
Secured to the sleeve is a rack wheel which is intermittently rotated by a pawl,
operated by a cam which is brought into action as the main shaft is moved
longitudinally, in order to bring the coverer point machine cams into action.
One controlling wheel is so shaped, that as it is intermittently rotated it so
controls the pawls that the latter impart the required movements to the point
machine, when the latter is operating twice every course, the other is so shaped
as to control the pawls so that the latter impart the required movement to the
point machine, when the latter is operating once every course or every other or
more courses.
Either controlling wheels may be brought into action and the other thrown out,
by moving the said wheels along the sleeve on which they are mounted as
previously described.
This may be effected either by hand, or automatically if preferred, by means
of any well known pattern or controlling chain mechanism."
The coverer point machine is brought into operation in a well known. manner
by moving the main cam shaft longitudinally, this movement is governed by a
pattern or controlling chain mechanism, and if preferred this chain mechanism
may be also employed for moving either of the pawl controlling wheels into
the required position, an additional set of studs being secured thereto for this
purpose.
This arrangement obviates the necessity for the use of an independent chain
mechanism for moving the pawl controlling wheels.
Dated this 4th day of October 1899.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Lace Hosiery and in Apparatus
therefor.
I, BENJAMIN WALTON, Hosiery Manufacturer, of Stoney Street, Sutton-in-
Ashfield, in the County of Nottingham, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of what is known as lace hosiery,
and to apparatus therefor, and it has for its object the production of lace work
or designs having different classes of work at different points.
"
Lace hosiery is produced on power frames constructed on the principle known
as cottons," by transferring loops by means of coverer points in the process of
manufacture in a well known manner. Lace hosiery may be broadly divided
into two distinct classes of work, that is, designs produced by transferring loops
twice between two consecutive courses of work some being moved to the right
and some to the left, or designs produced by transferring loops once between
two consecutive courses of work.

page_text: In order to transfer loops twice between two consecutive courses of work it
necessitates two distinct operations of the coverer point machine. In the first
operation the required points are brought down to take the loops, which are to
be say transferred to needles on the left of those which they originally occupied.
The point machine then rises, changes the points and is then operated a second
time to transfer those loops which are to be moved in the reverse direction, that
is to the right.
Heretofore in machines adapted for producing this class of work if it is
desired to change the class of work that is transfer loops once only between two
consecutive courses of work the coverer point machine must still continue to
perform two distinct operations as before although the points are only selected
and brought into action for one or other of these operations.
This involves a great loss of time as another course could be formed whilst
the point machine is making its unnecessary movement and it has therefore
been customary to make each design of one class of work throughout on a frame
specially adapted to produce it.
According to my invention provision is made for changing the mechanism
which controls the movements of the coverer point machine, so that said points
may be brought down twice between two consecutive courses of work or once as
required and thus each class of work may be introduced at any point in a single
design without loss of time and better results are thus obtained by combining
the different classes of work in the same design or garment.
The point bars of the coverer point machine are moved laterally in order to
transfer loops to the right or left by means of a box mounted in a worm or screw
frame and is controlled by a screw provided with a rack wheel actuated by two
pawls one of the latter being arranged to move the rack wheel in the reverse
direction to the other in a well known manner.
The pawls are themselves controlled by one of two suitable shaped controlling
wheels, which are placed between the pawls, these controlling wheels are prefer-
ably secured side by side and are mounted on a sleeve which is in turn mounted
loosely on a fixed axis placed parallel to the axles of the pawls. The sleeve is
provided with a feather key which engages with the two controlling wheels and
the latter may thus be moved longitudinally along the sleeve but are always
rotated with it. With this arrangement either of the controlling wheels may
placed in the required position to control the pawls.
be
Secured to the sleeve is a rack wheel which is intermittently rotated by a pawl,
operated by a cam which is brought into action as the main shaft is moved
longitudinally in order to bring the coverer point machine cams into action.
One controlling wheel is so shaped that as it is intermittently rotated it so
controls the pawls that the latter impart the required movements to the point
machine when this machine is operating twice between two consecutive courses
of work the other is so shaped as to control the pawls so that the latter impart
the required movement to the point machine when this machine is operating
once between two consecutive courses of work.
Either controlling wheels may be brought into action and the other thrown out
by moving the said wheels along the sleeve on which they are mounted as
previously described.
This may be effected either by hand or automatically if preferred by means
of any well known pattern or controlling chain mechanism.
The coverer point machine is brought into operation in a well known manner
by moving the main cam shaft longitudinally, this movement is governed by a
pattern or controlling chain mechanism and if preferred this chain mechanism
may be also employed for moving either of the pawl controlling wheels into
the required position an additional set of studs being secured thereto for this
purpose.
This arrangement obviates the necessity for the use of an independent chain
mechanism for moving the pawl controlling wheels,

page_text: The several improvements herein before described will be better understood by
referring to the accompanying drawings where the special mechanism is shown
together with some adjacent parts other parts of a knitting machine such as
these improvements are applicable to are more fully illustrated and described
in Specification No. 2651 dated February 1st 1897.
Figure 1 Sheet 1 is an end elevation and Figure 2 Sheet 1 is a front view of
the mechanism which controls the transferring movements of the lacing or
coverer points and some adjacent parts. A is the rod which carries the lacing
points and is itself carried by the narrowing machine in the usual manner as
will be well understood by all conversant with this class of machinery. This
rod A is attached by suitable brackets or fingers to the upright bracket A
which is fast to the nut or worm box A². The said nut or worm box A2 slides
in a suitable bed or bracket A3 and is caused to slide therein by means of the
worm or screw A. A rack wheel A5 is fast to the end of the screw A' and is
provided with a suitable number of pegs upon its side face as shown.
Two pawls or ratchets A6 A7 gear into the said pegs by which means the
necessary step by step rotating movement may be imparted to the screw A' either
by the ratchet A in one direction or the ratchet A in the opposite direction as
controlled by means hereinafter described.
"
A truck arm or lever A8 works upon a fixed pin or axle A2 and carries a truck
or roller A10 which runs upon the cam A" or the " run or disc A2 carried by
the cam shaft X. To the end of this lever A8 the ratchets A6 A7 are jointed
so that by the action of the cam A" the necessary rising and falling movements
are imparted to the ratchets A6 A7.
A fixed pin or axle B may be fast to the bed or bracket A3 and situated between
the two ratchets A6 A7. Upon this axle a sleeve or box B is free to rotate.
This is best seen in the larger views Figures 3 to 5 Sheet 2. The said sleeve B
may be provided with a rack wheel B2 and is racked round step by step by means
of the pawl B3 which is carried by the arm B which carries the truck or roller B
which runs upon the cam B6 or the run or disc B7. Also fast to the sleeve B' is
a disc or plate B8 which may have a number of grooves or nicks cut in its edge
corresponding to the number of teeth in the rack wheel B². A retaining
spring 19 may be fast to the bracket A³ and engage with the said nicks or
grooves in the disc B8.
The said sleeve B₁ also carries two or more pairs of
controlling wheels or cams which may be fast together or in one piece. These
cam wheels are best seen in Figures 3 to 5 Sheet 2 one pair of wheels or cams
being marked C C₁ and the other D.D. These cam wheels are shown in section
in Figure 3 and are free to slide upon the sleeve B₁ and are caused to rotate
therewith by means of the feather 1310. A suitable knuckle spring B may be
fast to the cam wheels and engage with suitable nicks in the feather B10 as shown
so as to retain the cam wheels at either end of the sleeve B₁ at which they may
be placed.
The two ratchets A6 A7 Figure 1 are provided with projecting surfaces A13 A 14
so shaped and arranged that when the cam wheels are in the position shown in
Figure 1 the projection A on the ratchet A will engage with the cam wheel C¹
and the projection A¼ on the ratchet A7 will engage with the cam wheel C.
Thus it will be seen that as the cam wheels are rotated step by step by the
pawl B³ the ratchets A6 A7 are caused to move in and out of action according
to the shape of the cam wheels C C¹. If the cam wheels be moved along the
sleeve B the two cam wheels D D¹ may be brought into action with the
ratchets A A7, and consequently the cam wheels C C thrown out of action. The
cam wheels C C₁ may be so shaped as to cause the ratchets A6 A7 to be thrown in
and out of action in a certain pre-determined order for producing the necessary
shiftings or transfer of loops for one class of work, as for example when making
one shifting or transfer between two consecutive courses of work. The shape 5
of the cam wheels C C¹ suitable for this purpose are indicated at Figure 4 Sheet 2.
And the cam wheels D D¹ may be so shaped as to throw the ratchets A6 A7 in

page_text: and out of action in some other predetermined order for another series of
shiftings or transfers as for example when making two shiftings or transfers
between two consecutive courses for another class of work. The shape of the
cam wheels D I suitable for this purpose are indicated at Figure 5 Sheet 2
which shows a section on the line X Y Figure 3.
The cam wheels C C and D D₁ may be shifted along the sleeve B₁ so as to
come into and out of action by hand or automatically as herein after described.
It will be seen that the varying shape of the cam wheels is produced by
forming flats or tangential surfaces such as D2 Figure 5 upon them so that when a
surface such as 12 is opposite the projection A3 or A" (Figure 1) of the
ratchets A6 A7 the said ratchet will be in action and when a concentric surface
such as D3 Figure 5 is opposite one of the said projections that ratchet will be
held out of action.
Now it will be seen that the number of flats such as D³ that may be formed
around such a wheel or cam and giving the necessary amount of difference or
action between D2 and D³ is very limited so that the series of shiftings or
transfers controlled by a cam wheel so shaped is also limited.
In order to produce a larger series of transfers or shiftings I arrange the cam
wheels as shown in Figures 6 and 7 Sheet 2 and interpose two supplementary
levers between the said cam wheels and the ratchets A6 A7. These levers are
shown at E E and are carried by the fixed axles E2 E3. The top end E4 of the
lever E is so shaped (as shown in Figure 6) that it engages with the cam wheel C¹
and the top end E5 of the lever E' is so shaped as to engage with the cam wheel C.
Instead of the ratchets A6 A7 bearing direct upon the cam wheels as shown and
described in relation to Figures 1 and 2 they in this case bear upon the ends E+ E5
of the levers E E. The cam wheels C C (or D D¹) may be cut or shaped in a
manner similar to that shown in Figure 7, by these means a larger series of
shiftings or transfers may be effected during the cycle of movements of the said
cam wheels than when the cams are formed with flat surfaces as shown in
Figures 4 and 5.
In some cases it is desirable that one pair of the cam wheels say I) D¹ should
complete their series of rotating movements in say eight steps as indicated in
Figures 4 and 5 and other pair of cam wheels C C¹ may be required to complete
their series of rotating movements in say twelve steps as indicated in Figure 7.
To effect this I attach two rack wheels F F¹ (see Figure 8 Sheet 2) to the cam
wheels C C D D', the rack wheel F being provided with a number of teeth
corresponding to the number of steps or rotating movement in the cycle of
movements of the cam wheels C C¹ and the rack wheel F¹ being provided with a
number of teeth corresponding to the cam wheels D D. A racking pawl such
as B3 Figures 1 and 2 Sheet 1 may be in a position to act upon the rack wheel F¹
when the said rack wheel is in the position indicated in Figure 8 (i.e. when the
pair of cam wheels D D¹ are in action). Then when the combined cam wheels
and rack wheels C C, D D', F F are shifted upon the sleeve B¹, so as to bring
the pair of cam wheels C C¹ into action, the rack wheel F is so situated that it
comes into the position previously occupied by the rack wheel F¹, and it is then
racked by the same pawl B³ Thus it will be seen that when either the cam
wheels C C or D D are in action, their respective rack wheels For F will be
likewise in action, and each pair of cam wheels will complete its series of rotating
movements in a different time or number of steps according to the number of
teeth in their respective rack wheels F F¹.
In this case instead of the disc or wheel B8 being provided with nicks or
grooves in its edge for a retaining spring, as herein before described, the said
lisc or wheel 138 may be left plain and provided with a plain friction spring.
It will be evident that in some cases the sleeve B¹, may be dispensed with, and
he combined cam and rack wheel may work and slide direct upon the fixed pin
or axle B.
When shifting the combined cam wheels C C¹, D D¹, upon the sleeve B¹ in

page_text: order to bring either pair into or out of action, it is necessary that the two
ratchets A A should be held sufficiently far apart that their projecting sur-
faces AA shall be clear of the cam wheels. To do this easily provide a
double ended cam or lever G G Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, which is free to turn
upon the fixed axle G². A handle G³ may be attached to the end G¹ (Figure 2).
The weight of this handle G³ causes the said cam to occupy the position shown
in full lines in Figure 1. Then if the said cam or lever G G₁ be turned into
the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1 the ends G G₁ press upon the
inner edges of the ratchets A A7 and hold them sufficiently far apart for the
cam wheels C C, D D¹, to be shifted as herein before described.
The said combined cams C C, D D', may be shifted into and out of action
automatically as follows:-
It has been herein before explained, that when shifting the said combined
cam wheels into and out of action it is necessary that the two ratchets A6 A7
shall be held out of contact with the said cam wheels, which when shifting by
hand may be done by the aid of the cam lever G G¹, as herein before described,
and when shifting the said cam wheels automatically as hereinafter described
the said ratchets A6 A7 may be held clear of the cam wheels as follows:-The
cam A Figures 1 and 2 may be so shaped as to cause the ratchets A6 A7 to fall
lower than necessary for the said ratchets A6 A7 to rack the wheel A³ the one or
more pegs, teeth or steps desired and this extra amount of movement of the
ratchets A A may be utilised to cause them to move out of contact with the
cam wheels as follows:-
Two projections H H Figure 7, Sheet 2, may be provided upon the ratchets A6 A7
of such a shape and in such a position that when the said ratchets A6 A7 fall
into their lowest position (due to the excess of motion on the cam A" herein
before described) the said projections H H¹ come into contact with the bosses of
the supplementary levers E E by which means the said ratchets A6 A7 are thrown
out of contact with the cam wheels, which are then free to be moved upon the
sleeve B. It will be noticed that a small spring E Figure 7 is attached to the
lower ends of the supplementary levers E E so that when the ratchets A6 A7 are
thrown outwards (by the projections H H coming into contact with the bosses of
the levers E E or other convenient stops) the ends E E of the levers E¹ are
caused to follow the ratchets A6 A7 outwards and the cam wheels are left free.
In the case of the cam wheels shown and explained with reference to Figures 1
to 3 where the supplementary levers E El are not used, the axles E3 E3 Figures 6
and 7, Sheet 2, may be added to the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2,
and these may act upon the projections H H on the ratchets A6 A7 as herein
before described.
To shift the said cam wheels C C¹, D D₁, on the sleeve B automatically I
arrange a lever J J Figure 9, Sheet 3, which may work or rock upon the fixed
pin or axle J2 carried by a suitable bracket J³. The end J of the said lever may
work in the groove D4 formed in an extension of the cam wheels C C¹, D Di.
Thus by rocking the said lever J J to and from the position shown in full lines
to the position indicated by dotted lines, the said cam wheels CC, D D¹, are
moved upon the sleeve 131 and thrown into and out of action as herein before
described.
A cam wheel K Figures 9 and 10, Sheet 3, may be carried by or upon a fixed
pin or axle K¹ which may be attached to any convenient part of the framing of
the machine.
To the cam wheel K a rack wheel K2 Figure 10 may be fast, a racking lever K³
may be jointed at the back upon a fixed pin or axle K¹. A truck or roller K
may be carried by the lever K³ and may run upon a cam K6 fast to the cam
shaft X. The front end of the lever K³ is provided with a pawl K7 which acts
upon the rack wheel K². Thus by the action of the cam Ko the cam wheel K is
caused to rotate
A bent lever K8 K' may be carried by the fixed pin or axle K. The end K8

page_text: working upon the cam wheel K and the end K being attached by means of a
connecting rod K to the end J of the lever J J¹ a suitable spring K may hold
the end K8 of the lever K8 K9 in contact with the cam wheel K. It will now be
seen that by the action of the cam wheel K, the combined cam wheels C C¹, D D',
may be brought into and out of action.
A lever L L' may be carried by or jointed upon the pin or axle K.
The
end L being so shaped as to engage with the pin L3 on the pawl K and so
adjusted that when the lever L L is in one position, it holds the pawl K out of
action as shown in Figure 9 and when in another position (as indicated by dotted
lines) the pawl K is allowed to fall into action.
M'Figure 9, Sheet 3, indicates the ordinary chain wheel, and M¹ the chain
carried thereby, such as is commonly used upon knitting machines of this type,
for regulating and controlling the fashioning or lacing courses.
This chain may
be provided with an additional row of studs such as M. A lever M M may be
carried by a fixed pin or axle M5. The end M³ of the lever M³ M* may be
arranged to engage with the studs M2 and the end M' may be connected by means
of a rod M to the end L of the lever L L'. A spring M may cause the end M+
of the lever M3 M4 to move in the direction of the arrow M18 and thereby to hold
the pawl K out of action, and when a stud such as M2 lifts the end 3 of the
lever M3 M4, the pawl K is brought into action and the cam wheel K is rotated
one step and the cam wheels CC, D D', are shifted into or out of action as
herein before described.
It will be evident that instead of using a special row of studs such as M² carried
by the ordinary fashioning chain M¹ as herein before described a special chain
may be used or in some cases a cam wheel K may be used without being
controlled by any chain appliance in which case the cam wheel I may be su
shaped as to be kept constantly rotating by intermittent steps and shifting
the double cam wheels C C, D D¹, at certain predetermined time or times in its
cycle of movements as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is―
1. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or open work hose,
socks, and the like, the arrangement and application of two or more cam wheels
or "point-racking" pawl or ratchet controlling wheels or cams attached together
or formed out of one piece, and so carried by or upon a suitable sleeve or boss
that they can slide thereon in such a manner that one or other cam wheel or
pair of wheels may be moved into or out of action as desired, substantially as
herein before described.
.
2. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or open work hose,
socks, and the like, the arrangement and application of two levers, interposed
between the point racking pawls or ratchets, and the cam wheels for controlling
the said point racking pawls or ratchets, substantially as herein before described.
3. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or openwork hose,
socks and the like, the arrangement and application of two or more cam wheels
or point racking pawl or ratchet controlling wheels attached together or formed
out of one piece and so carried by or upon a suitable sleeve or boss that they can
slide thereon in such a manner that one or other cam wheel or pair of cam wheels
may be moved into and out of action, in conjunction with two or more rack wheels
having different numbers of teeth, such rack wheels being fast to the said cam
wheels, and each rack wheel corresponding with, and coming into action syn-
chronously with its corresponding cam wheel or wheels substantially as herein
before described.
4. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or openwork hose,
socks, and the like the arrangement and application of a double ended lever or
cam placed between the two point racking pawls or ratchets and so shaped and

page_text: adjusted, that when turned by hand or otherwise upon its pin or axle it holds the
said point racking pawls or ratchets clear of the cam wheels while the said cam
wheels are shifted upon their sleeve or axle, substantially as herein before
described.
5. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or open work hose,
socks, and the like the arrangement and application of mechanism to the point
racking pawls or ratchets controlling wheels or cam wheels for automatically
shifting the said cam wheels into and out of action by means of studs placed
upon the fashioning chain, or an independent chain substantially as herein
before described.
6. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or open work hose,
socks, and the like the combination of mechanism substantially as herein before
described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 Sheets 1 and 2.
7. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or open work hose,
socks, and the like the combination of mechanism substantially as herein before
described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 Sheets 1 and 2.
8. In a rotary or flat bar knitting machine for making lace or open work hose,
socks, and the like the combination of mechanism, substantially as herein before
described with reference to Figures 9 to 10 Sheet 3
Dated this 14th day of June 1900