IMPROVEMENTS IN MA- IN MANHRACTURE OR LOOPED AND TEXTILE FABRICS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Edward Hodges, of Leicester, in the County
of Leicester, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MA-
IN MANHRACTURE OR LOOPED AND TEXTILE FABRICS."
BAD
Scaled the 26th August 1856, and dated the 3rd March 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Edward Hodges at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd March 1856.
I, JOHN EDWARD HODGES, of Leicester, in the County of Leicester, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF LOOPED AND TEXTILE FABRICS," to be as
follows:
My Invention consists, first, in making looped fabrics in knitting frames
without the aid of jacks, sinkers, or loop wheels, the loops being formed by
the needles only, and by a thread or threads carried across the width of. the
work; and in certain arrangements of machinery whereby the thread can be
varied both as to color and material as desired.
Second, in certain sliding bars or cams for projecting and withdrawing the
needles in the machinery I employ, as herein-after described.
Third, in certain arrangements of top machines or ticklers, as hereafter
described.
And, fourth, in a particular kind of jacquard machinery, hereafter described,

page_text: applicable to textile and looped fabric machinery; also the method of employing
it in connection with my machinery. I employ two sets of needles, one set
fixed to a needle bar, and the other set moveable on its bar; and I impart
certain motions to them whereby they form their own loops. A single thread
or threads is or are fed into an opening as the moveable needles are pushed
through between the fixed needles. I employ a jacquard of peculiar con-
struction to alter the pattern of the work, and to cause the work to be made
stiffer or slacker, or either of the sets or courses firm or loose, or alternately
firm and loose. The jacquard alters the pattern by shifting the action from
one carrier bar to the other, so as also to permit of different colored threads
or yarns of different materials being thrown in. The jacquard causes either
needle bar to. descend singly by itself, or both to descend together. I also
place points instead of hooks in either bar, so that when both bars descend
together, the loops are stripped off the points, and the needles on the
other needle bar take up their portion of the yarn in their own loops, which
causes the work to be slack. I also use a point and hook alternately in both
_bars, or in one only, if necessary. I also employ a self-acting top machine or
tickler for figuring the work.
In carrying out my Invention, I fix both needle bars on rods or levers, free
to vibrate on fixed centres. On the back bar I fix the hooks or needles, but
on the front bars castings are fixed, which are placed or grooved out into fur-
rows, a furrow to each needle, these furrows being level. The needles are
soldered or otherwise fixed in stocks or bars to fit the furrows, so as to be free
to slide, but not to vibrate or get out of place. From the inner ends of these
stocks or bars the needles rise at right angles to the stock, so as to be of the
same height as the fixed needles in the back bar. On the top of the stocks
or bars parallel projections are formed, which rise above the furrows. A cam
is made to slide across the top of the furrows. This cam is formed of two
bars of iron, so fixed together as to leave a space between their edges. The
bars are straight, but at certain distances (according to the breadth of the work),
a projection or cam is formed on the inside, which projects into a corresponding
recess in the other bar; sufficient space is left between to receive the projections
or lugs on the back of the needle stocks. The needles in the front bar stand
opposite the spaces between the needles in the back bar, and by sliding
the bars or cams across the furrows, the projections on the back of
the needle stocks receive a push forward from the sliding cams, which
causes them to go fairly through between the back needles, and leave a
space between the back of the fixed and front of the moveable needles.
In this space a yarn or thread carrier lays the yarn or thread; the

page_text: 3.
carrier has the corresponding motion to that of the sliding cams as they are
slid across the furrows.. After the needles have been projected out, they receive
the yarn or thread as they are again withdrawn by the hollow or inside of the
cam, and loops are formed as fast as the cam bar is made to slide across the .
needle stocks. Behind the sliding cam there is another sliding bar or "star
riser," which has small inclines cut on it; the lowest part of these inclines.
rests against a pin or projections in the guides for the sliding cams. The
sliding bar or "star riser" is moved slightly on end by a connection from the
jacquard, and when relieved may be drawn back by a weight or spring.
Where necessary to make the work, firm, the bar is drawn along, while the
inclined part is abutting against the stop, when by the edge of the bar pushing
the sliding cam bar, and with it the front needles nearer to the back needles,
When
the loops are made shorter, and the work consequently stiffens.
working with two colors or two different kinds of yarn, I make use of
a tilting catch, which is moved by a connection from the jacquard from
one carrier bar to the other, and locked in a notch in a projection or
picce screwed on the carrier bar. When using more than two colors or
different yarns, I joint or hinge piece to each additional carrier bar, but
this piece is of such a length as to allow the tilting catch when locked
in its notch to clear or slip over the top of the other carrier notches.
The front and back bars receive up and down motion from cams on a shaft
revolving in the frame below. There are two whole cams and two half cams
on each wheel, that is to say, the cams are formed on opposite sides of the
wheels, but one of them on one side is of a thickness more than double that
on the other side. The two cam wheels are placed on the shaft opposite to
each other, that is, the thick cam of the one wheel is on the opposite side of
the shaft to the other. These cams are brought into action in the following
manner: There are two trucks or rollers, one working against each wheel;
bosses grooved to receive the ends of forked levers are fitted on spindles or
studs fixed on levers, which are connected by rods and other levers to the front
and back needle bars; the studs are of such a length so as to allow the truck
to be shifted or slid along their spindles. The forked levers are connected toge-
ther to move simultaneously, and are shifted from the one cam to the other at
the same time. The half canis are both in action at once, and the whole cams
likewise. After the shifting or sliding has been effected by means of the
jacquard, the half cams move the needle bars down alternately when in action,
but the whole cams move them at the same time. These various motions
take place according to the pattern desired by means of a connection from the
jacquard. I attach a top machine or tickler to either or both needle bars, so

page_text: that either can be used at pleasure. The tickler bar is formed of points or teeth;
hinged or otherwise attached to a stock or bar, so that any number of points
can be used, necessary to produce the desired pattern; "the stock of the tickler
is jointed on or pivoted on the end of the upright end of a bell crank, which
is again hinged or pivoted to the 'back needle bar. The 'back end of the
tickler stock from the points or teeth is formed into a lever, and is connected
to another lever below, which has a stud' or pin, on which is a truck wheel;
working against a cam on the shaft below the needle bars; the bell crank of
the tickler bar has its horizontal arm formed and attached to similar apparatus
in a similar manner. These trucks are both shifted by connections worked by
the jacquard, and are put in and out of action to suit the pattern and kind of
work. In working with the tickler while the loops are in the hooks or beards
of the needles, the .bell crank receives motion from its cam, which causes the
points to advance and enter the eyes or recesses of the needles, the needle bar
riscs a little, so as to raise the hook above the loop; the tickler points are then
tilted a little from the needles to allow the needle hooks to descend clear down
through the loops; the tickler points then receive a notion on end (or as is
technically called "shogging motion") until the tickler points stand directly
opposite the desired needles, while the loops are stretched directly over them; the
needles are then raised up through the loops, and the tickler points tilted down
to deliver the loops entirely on to the needles, by means of the bell crank and
its connections; the tickler is drawn-clear of the needles, and the work proceeds
as before.
."
The jacquard machine is composed of a square bar of iron, revolving in
bearings in the end of another.bar; and free to vibrate in its frame attached
to the frame of the knitting machine. A square disk, with the corners slightly
rounded off, is fixed on the end of the revolving bar; a pin is fixed near each
corner, which is laid. hold of by catches, one on each side of the bearing;
these catches are centred above the square shaft to the side of the frame; a
spring presses against the square disc, which keeps it in position, and assists in
turning it.
When the corners get over the centre, the ends of the lever or
bar in which the shaft turns are moved up by means of another lever and
connections to a cam wheel fixed on the main shaft. When this lever and the
shaft are raised, one of the catches takes hold of one of the pins in the disc,
and in lowering it is turned round a square. One catch can only be in gear
at the same time, and this depends on the pattern, whether it is necessary to
turn it the one way or other; in cachi square of the shaft a pin is inserted at
each end. Cards are formed to. fit each square, and a hole for each pin; the
cards are attached to each other by means of two or more tapes, one at each

page_text: end, or otherwise, and pass over the square shaft or cylinder in an endless
band. The pattern is dissected and distributed along the cards, and instead
of being pierced, small pieces of wood or other material are fixed on them, so
as to project upwards. When one or more of these pieces is or are on the
top-of-the-revolving shaft, on being lifted or tilted up, they come in contact
with a bell crank, and push one end into a notch in a spring piece, where it is
held fast until relieved by another piece fixed on one of the .cards, which in
turn pushes up a lever, which pushes the spring and notch from the ends of
the bell crank, and allows it to resume its former position before being lifted.
To the other ends of the bell cranks wires or other connections are attached
to give motion to other parts of the machine, as before described; I place a
sliding bolt in the inside of the machine, one end of which is attached to one
of the bell crank arms, and the other to a spring, so that it may resume its
former position when released. This sliding piece has two pins in it, which
project between the catches, so that on being pulled either way one of the
catches will be put out of gear.
In a modification of. this machine I place two sets of needles, working in
grooves or furrows cut in both needle bars; the grooves in the bars are cut or
planed out, as before mentioned; the grooved surfaces of the bars are placed at
such an angle to each other, that when the two sets of needles are projected
forward by means of the sliding bars or cams, they will cross each other, and
the thread or threads being fed in by means of a carrier or carriers having
a corresponding motion to the sliding cams, the hollow parts of the cam draw
back the needles, and thus each needle forms its own loop, as in the before-
mentioned machine. I also set the grooved needle bars to any angle desired;
thus, one of them may be set horizontal, while the other may be perpendicular.
To either modification I apply the top machines and jacquards, if desired.
SPECIFICATION, in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Edward Hodges in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd September 1856.
TO. ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
EDWARD HODGES, of Leicester, in the County of Leicester, Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Third day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her reign, dig!,

page_text: for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Edward Hodges, Her special licence, that I, the said John Edward Hodges,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Edward Hodges, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at at all times thereafter
during the terin therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS. IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF LOOPED AND TEXTILE FABRICS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Edward Hodges, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that J, the said John Edward Hodges, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say-
My Invention consists, first, in making looped fabrics in knitting frames
without the aid of jacks, sinkers, or loop wheels, the loops being formed by the
needles only, and from a thread or threads carried across the width of the
work; and in certain arrangements of machinery whereby the thread can be
varied, both as to color and materials, as desired.
Second, in certain sliding bars or cams, or slur bars and slur cocks, for
projecting and withdrawing the needles in the machinery I employ, aš
herein-after described.
Third, in certain arrangements of top machines or ticklers, as hereafter
described.
I employ two sets of needles, one set fixed to a needle bar, and the other
set moveable on its bar; and I impart certain motions to them whereby they
form their own loops. A single thread or threads is or are fed on to an
opening as the moveable needles are pushed through between the fixed
needles. I employ a jacquard to alter the pattern of the work, and to cause
the work to be made stiffer or slacker, or either of the sets or courses firm or
loose, or alternately firm and loose. The jacquard alters the pattern by shifting
the action from one carrier bar to the other, so as also to permit of different
colored threads or yarns of different materials being thrown in. The jacquard

page_text: causes either needle bar to descend singly by itself, or both to descend together..
I also place points instead of hooks in either bar, so that, when both bars
descend together, the loops are stripped off the points, and the needles on the
other needle bar take up their portion of the yarn in their own loops, which
causes the work to be slack. I also use-a-point-and-hook-alternately-in-both-
bars, or in one only, if necessary. I also employ a self-acting top machine or
tickler for figuring the work.
In carrying out my Invention, I fix both needle bars on rods or levers free
to vibrate on fixed centres. On the back bar I fix the hooks or needles; but
on the front bars castings are fixed, which are placed or grooved out into
furrows, a furrow to each needle, these furrows being level. The needles are
soldered or otherwise fixed in stocks or bars to fit the furrows, so as to be free
to slide, but not to vibrate or get out of place. From the inner ends of these
stocks or bars the needles rise at right angles to the stock, so as to be of the
same height as the fixed needles in the back bar. On the top of the stocks or
bars parallel projections are formed which rise above the furrows. A cam
or slur cock is made to slide across the top of the furrows. This cam or slur
cock is formed of two bars of iron so fixed together as to leave a space between
their edges; the bars are straight, but at certain distances (according to the
breadth of the work) a wheel is fixed on the inside, which projects into
a corresponding recess in the other bar; sufficient space is left between them
to receive the projections or lugs on the back of the needle stocks. The needles
in the front bar stand opposite the spaces between the needles in the back bar,
and by sliding the slur bars or cams across the furrows, the projections on the
back of the needle stocks receive a push forward, which causes them to
go fairly through between the back needles, and leave a space between the
back of the fixed and front of the moveable needles. In this space a yarn or
thread carrier lays the yarn or thread; the carrier has the corresponding
motion to that of the sliding cams as they are slid across the furrows. After
the needles have been projected out, they receive the yarn or thread as they aro
again withdrawn by the hollow or inside of the cam, and loops are formed as
fast as the cam or slur bar is made to slide across the needle stocks. Behind
the sliding cam there is another sliding bar or "star riser," which has small
inclines cut on it; the lowest part of these inclines rests against a pin or
projections in the guides for the sliding cams. This sliding bar or "star riser.”
is moved slightly on end by a connection from the jacquard, and when relieved
may be drawn back by a weight or spring. Where necessary to make the
work firm, the bar is drawn along while the inclined part is abutting against
the stop, when by the edge of the bar pushing the sliding cam bar, and with it

page_text: . L
the front needles nearer to the back needles, the loops are made shorter; and
the work consequently stiffer. When working with two colours or, two different
Kinds of yarn, I make use of a tilting catch, which is moved by a .connection
from a jacquard from one carrier bar to the other, and locked in a 'notch in a
projection or piece screwed on to the carrier bar: The front and back bars
receive up and down motion from cams on a shaft revolving in the franie
below. There are two whole cams and two half-cams on each wheel; that is
to say, the cams are formed on opposite sides of the wheels, but one of thein
on one side is of a thickness more than double that on the 'other side. "Tho
two cam wheels are placed on the shaft opposite to each other; that is, the
thick cam of the one wheel is on the opposite side of the shaft to the other.
These cams are brouglit into action in the following manner-There are two
trucks or rollers, one working against each wheel, the bosses of which are
grooved to receive the ends of forked levers," and are fitted on spindles
or studs fixed on levers, which are connected by rods and other levers to the
front and back needlé bars; the studs are of such a length as to allow
the truck to be shifted or slid along their spindles. The forked levers are con
iccted together to move simultaneously, and are shifted from the one cam to
the other at the same time. The half-cams' are both in action at once, and
the whole cams likewise; after the shifting or sliding has been effected
by means of a jacquard, the half-cams move the needle bars down alternately
when in action, but the whole cams move them at the same time. These
various motions take place according to the pattern desired, by means of
a connection from a jacquard. I attach a top machine or tickler to citlier of
the bars, so that either can be used at pleasure; the tickler bar is forined
of points or teeth hinged or otherwise attached to a stock or 'bar, so that any
number of points can be used necessary to produce the desired pattern. The
stock of the tickler is jointed or pivoted on the end of the upright arm
of a bell crank, which is again hinged or pivoted to the back needle bar:
The back end of the tickler stock from the points or teeth is formed into a
lever, and is connected to another lever below, which has a stud or pin
on which is
a truck wheel working against a cam on the shaft below the needle
bars; the bell crank of the tickler bar has its horizontal arm formed and
attached to similar apparatus in a similar manner. These trucks are both
shifted by connections worked by a jacquard, and are put in and out of action
to suit the pattern and kind of work. In working with the tickler while the
loops are in the hooks or beards of the needles, the bell crank receives motion
from its cam, which cause the points to advance and enter the eyes or recesses
of the needles; the needle bar rises a little so as to raise the hook above tho

page_text: loop; the tickler points are then tilted a little from the needles to allow the
needle hooks to descend clear down through the loops, the tickler points then
receive a motion on end (or, as it is technically called, "shogging motion,)
until the tickler points stand directly opposite the desired needles, while the
loops are stretched directly over them; the-needles are then raised-up through
the loops, and the tickler points tilted down to deliver the loops entirely on to
the needles; by means of the bell crank and its connections, the tickler is
drawn clear of the needles, and the work proceeds as before.
In a modification of this machine I place two sets of needles, working.in
grooves or furrows, cut in both needle bars. The grooves in the bars are
cut or planed out, as before mentioned. The grooved surfaces of the bars
are placed at such an angle to each other, that when the two sets of needles
are projected forward by means of the sliding bars or cams, they will cross
cacli other, and the thread or threads being fed in by means of a carrier
or carriers having a corresponding motion to the sliding cams, the hollow parts
of the cam draw back the needles, and, thus each needle forms its own loop;
as in the before-mentioned machine.. I also set the grooved needle bars to
any angle desired, thus one of them may be set horizontal, while the other
may be perpendicular.
jacquards, if desired.
To either modification I apply top machines and
In order that my Invention may be fully understood and carried into effect,
I proceed to describe it with reference to the Drawings hereunto annexed, in
which Figure 1 is a front, and Figure 2, an end elevation of my improved
machinery. Similar letters refer to similar parts in all the Figures.
a
pinion A' is fixed; and
into an intermediate
on the eam, whicel
A is the main driving shaft, on one end of which
on the other a fly wheel A". The pinion A' gears
Spur wheel A, which gears into another spur wheel A
shaft D, which shafts and wheels have their bearings in the main frame 1';
13" is a cam wheel on the shaft B, which turns or works between two friction
wheels B, B, or studs, pinions, or centres a, a, fixed in the levers a', a'.
By the action of the cam wheel these levers are caused to rise and fall.at the
same time; and in order to ensure their simultaneous movements, they are
connected by a rod a". From these levers motion is communicated by.means
of a rod a to the short arm of a bell crank C, free to vibrate on a.stud.or
pin C in the bracket C". The long arm is connected by a rod D to a slider
or slur cock D', which is moved of slid across the top of the needle stocks D"!,
and at right angles to them the needles and stocks D" slide in grooves, cut
or formed in the needle bars . Figure 3 is a plan of part of this. sliding
slur cock and the grooved needle bar . Figure 4 is a part of the slider D

page_text: detached, and Figure 5 is a plan of a portion of the slider D' and the needle
bar . In this Figure the mode of working the needles and forming the
loops is shown. This is effected by means of sliding cams or slur cocks, such
as are ordinarily used in circular machines, but formed in a straight line, or
by what I term compound cams, formed as shewn in the Drawing. The
Lollow or concave sides E are formed in the slider D', which slider is
formed of two bars, fixed parallel to each other, but at a suitable distance
apart, so as to leave a space between their edges. The convex side of
the compound cam is formed by the edge of a friction pulley E', which
is free to turn on a pivot " in the other bar of the slider opposite to the
concave side E. The periphery or hem of the pulley E is kept at such
a distance from the concave part E, that a space corresponding to the
space left between the bars is formed between them. In this space the pro-
jections formed on the top of the needle stocks D" take. As the slider
with its camis moves across the needle bar and needle stock D", the pulley
E' comes in contact with the projections on the needle stocks, and thrusts
them forward in the grooves (which are at right angles to the motion of the
slider), making the needles & project through between and beyond a second set
of stationary needles c, and thus leaving a clear space.c¹ between the front of
the moveable needles and the back of the fixed set c, corresponding to the
curve of the pulley E' and the straight line of the fixed needles c. (Or, if
preferred, the front needles may all be pushed through between the back
needles at once by means of a levelling bar, and withdrawn consecutively by a
cam bar only.) In this space threads or yarns are laid by thread or yarn
carriers F (seen in Figure 1, and in dotted lines in Figure 2). The yarn
carrier or carriers F have a corresponding motion to the slider D'. Their
motion is effected by means of an arm F¹, fixed to the connecting rod D, and
projecting upwards, where its end enters a hole in or is otherwise connected to
a sliding bar F, to which the yarn carrier may be affixed when only one kind
of yarn or thread is used; but if more than one kind or color is required, an
apparatus for making the different changes is employed and fixed to the bar
F instead of the carriers. The yarns or threads are being laid in the space
between the needles, as the moveable needles are successively pushed through
between the fixed set. After they are projected to their full extent, the action
of the pulley E ceases on them, and one side of the concave E comes in con-
tact with the opposite side of the projections, and withdraws them con-
secutively from between the fixed set c, and thus draws the threads or yarns
back and through between the needles c with them to form the loops. When
the slider D' and compound cams have finished their strokes, the needles b

page_text: are in a line on account of the projections occupying the parallel space
between the bars of the slider D', the cams being out of action after passing
the last projection of the series of moveable needles b. When in this position.
the threads or yarns assume a serpentine form, as seen in Figure 6, where
they are warped from one in each row of needles alternately, thus forming a
row of loops on cach row of needles without jacks or sinkers. In this position
the loops are ready to be drawn by means of the needles through the stitches
or loops which have been previously formed, or as is technically termed
"knocked over." The positions of the needles before "knocking over" the
work are best seen in Figure 7, which is a cross section of part of the machine,
full size. G is the slide or guide through which the work passes; it is con-
structed of thin iron strips, held a small distance apart by suitable means
through the space between them. The work is drawn down as it is formed
by the needles. The stitches previously formed before the last thread or yarn
was laid in are down on the stems of the needles below their tongues, if
Townsend's needles are used, and below the barbs on the stems if bearded
needles or hooks are employed. The needles which are soldered or other-
wise fixed in the sliding needle stocks D" are kneed or turned up at right
angles to the stocks, while the fixed needles care cast in leads as usual, and
are fixed to the back needle bar G¹ by screws d, the stems of both needles
standing upright and parallel to cach other. The grooved needle bar is secured
to the front bar G". These bars are fixed to arms or levers H, HI, having
eyes H, H, free to vibrate on studs II" secured to the main framing B',
Figures 1 and 2. Motion is communicated to these bars G and G" by con-
necting rods H, II, jointed to them at I, I. The moving parts connected
with them are so arranged that they may be made to descend simultaneously
or alternately, according to the work desired. If they both descend and knock
over their work at the same time, it will be stiffer than knocking off alternately.
To produce the different kinds of work, I connect the rods H, I, at bottom
to levers I, I, which are firmly secured to, two rocking or weigh shafts I",
one only being seen in Figure 1. A second lever I is fixed on the shaft
I, from the inner end of which a connecting rod J descends to another lever
J', and is jointed to it by the pin or bolt c. The other end of this lever
vibrates on a pin in the back part of the machine framing. In the lever' J'a
long stud or turned pin e' is fixed. On this stud a truck wheel or friction
roller J" is mounted, so as to be easily slid along the stud. This truck has a
long boss on one side of it, in which a groove is turned to receive the forked
end of a lever J. This lever is connected to a similar forked lever K by a
wire or rod e", the forked cud of which lever takes into a groove turned in the

page_text: boss of the truck or wheel K', which is mounted on the long stud ell, and
fixed in the lever K". This lever is connected to the lever I" by a connecting
rod K. A stud f is formed or fixed on the lower arm of the forked lever K;
this stud is connected to the lower end of a lever f¹ by a rod f". The lever f
is connected to a jacquard machine, on the cards of which the desired pattern
is dissected. The connection with the jacquard is for the purpose of shifting
the trucks along their studs simultaneously, and to cause (through the before
explained connections) the work to be knocked over alternately or simul
taneously. The trucks and levers receive their motion from cams L, L', keyed
on the main cam shaft B, and are of peculiar construction. There are two
cams on each wheel 9, 9, 9, 9. The cam g is double the thickness of g',
and cam g" is double that of g; the cams are placed in a reverse position to
each other on the shaft. In the position of the trucks J", K, shewn in the
Drawing, the thick cams g, g", will only come in contact with them once-in
each revolution of the shaft B and cam wheels L, I, thus causing the work to
be knocked off each set of needles alternately. But when it is necessary that
both sets of needles should knock off the work at the same time, the jacquard
machine is made to release the lever f" and allows the spring L" to draw the
trucks along their respective studs, as shewn by the dotted lines, thus putting
them in a position to be acted upon by the cams g, gl, at the same moment,
thereby causing both sets of needles to move together, and the same operation
is repeated when the cams g and g¹ come into action. When it is necessary
that the needles should move alternately, the trucks are again drawn into
the position shewn in the Drawing. By the action of the jacquard machine
motion is given to the selvage wires h by means of a pin in the connecting
rod; this pin h¹ comes in contact with a bell crank h", the upper end of which
is connected to the selvage wire bar , on which the wires are fixed. This
bar extends along the whole length of the machine, and has as many wires as
there are selvages, that is to say, two wires to each. The use of the wires is
to permit the yarn to be turned over them at the beginning of each stroke of
the slide D' and yarn carriers F¹, F", F. The wires are withdrawn when the
work is on the point of being knocked off. In using different- kinds of yarns
I affix a carrier for every kind used on to suitable bars i, i, i, seen in Figures
1.and.2. These bars traverse over friction rollers in a pendulous frame ".
Catchesj,,, with notches in their upper ends, are fixed to the bars in which
a vibratory tongue j is made to fall in and.out at pleasure. This tongue is
fixed on a small weigh shaft k, which is centred in the standards K, K, which
are fixed on the flat sliding bar F". This bar is free to move on end when
required through the staples or eyes 1 firmly fixed to the weigh or rocking

page_text: :
shaft . The top part of this tongue projects above its weigh shaft k,-and
terminates in a fork, which spans the rod, and is at liberty to be slid
along it; this rod or bar is attached to the main framing B', at each end by
collars and nuts; to the weigh shaft 1', extending from end to end of the
machine, the frame or block is fixed, to which frame, or block, a lever
is attached in a horizontal position. The extreme end of this lever is con-
nected by a helical spring 7" to a rod 7, supported by the standards, Z
fixed to the main frame B' of the machine. The spring is kept in proper
tension, and is always pulling the lever 7", and keeping the carrier bar i, with
its carrier F and catch; to the front of the machine, when allowed to do so, in
this position, the standards are toppled back wards, thus throwing the weigh
shaft k, and centre of the tongue back, while the forked end , spanning
the rod, is still kept in its place and partially rotates; this throws thic
tongue into a notch in the catch j", which is of the same size and shape
as j, and is fixed on the carrier bar, and the carrier will then be in a position
to lay its yarn in the openings formed by the needles, as before described.
In Figure 2, the ends of three carrier bars i, i, i, are shewn, and with their
respective carriers F, F, F, partly shewn in dotted lines, the middle one
being in position to lay on its yarns; the carriers, bars, and the tongue jare
shifted by means of a jacquard machine, to which a connection is made by
a rod m, and bell crank m', free to vibrate on a stud m" fixed in a bracket m
which is secured to the main framing B' of the machine.
.
In Figure 7, I have shewn the "star riser," which is an apparatus
attached to the front needle bar of the machine, whereby the work may be
made stiffer or slacker. The frames or brackets M are attaclied to the bar
by screws n, n. In a recess or slot n¹ two sliding pieces n", n, are inserted,
capable of being moved backward or forward by the screw 22; the point of
this screw abutting against one end of the slot, while the other end has a
collar o pinned on it to prevent it from being drawn out. The pieces n", ";
are tapped or threaded, to correspond to the screw ; the upper ends of the
pieces n", n, pass through the upper side of the slotted frame M shewn at o', o¹
where they are screwed or otherwise attached to the small sliding sole o¹¹, on
which uprights or lugs o, o, are formed at right angles to it. Through theso
uprights holes are formed to admit of a square piece p being inserted easily
through them. The picce p has a cranked end p¹, which spans a projecting
piece p, formed on or fixed to the slider D'. This arrangement allows the
slider D to be drawn or pushed on end, as before described. The cranked
end p serves for a guide through which the ridge his moved lengthways, but

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which prevents the slider M' from moving in a direction at right angles to it
length or line of its greatest motion until necessary. Between the piece pan
sole o a sliding bar p is placed. This bar abuts against one of the uprights
nearest o, nearest to the needle bar ; the opposite edge of the bar abuts
against a pin 2, which is screwed down through the piece p.. The part of
the pin which projects through the piece p is rounded where it comes in
contact with the bottom of an inclined hollow q' in the bar. This apparatus
is adjusted to a proper working position by turning the screw by its
notched or toothed head q", a spring catch 2 takes into the notches to lock
it thus. The screw n being turned, draws or pusbes the parts n", n", back-
ward or forward, and these carrying along the other parts attached to them,
set the slider D', needle stocks D", and needles in a proper position for
making the desired length of loops. But when a greater length of loops is
necessary, the bar p¹ is moved on end by a jacquard machine and by the
incline q' on the back of the bar coming in contact with the pin q, forces back
the part p and crank p', taking along with them the slider D', and needles b,
and thus making the set distance between the front needles and back needles
c greater, and thereby increasing the length of the loops.
Instead of needles I sometimes use points in the back bar, so that when
both bars descend together the loops are stripped off the points, and the needles
in the needle bar take up their portion of the yarn in their own loops, which
causes the work to be slack. Or I use a point and hook alternately in both
bars, or in one only, if necessary. In either case the portion of yarn which has
been stripped off the points is distributed or taken up by the hooks or
needles, as previously explained..
In Figure 8, I have shewn my top machine or tickler. The tickler points r
are jointed in the stock fixed to a weigh or rocking shaft r", and centred or
pivotted in the upper arm, of a bell crank, which is supported in bearings
or brackets S attached to the needle bar. To the arm S! of the bell crank a
connecting rod S" is attached, for conveying motion from a suitably formed
cam, not seen in the Drawing. To the tickler stock, or to the rocking shaft
, a lever s is firmly secured, and to the opposite end of this lever a con-
necting rod t is attached. The lower end of this rod is connected to levers
worked by cams, so formed as to give the necessary movements to the tickler.
The different movements are represented by dotted lines and arrows, and
are numbered consecutively. The first movement is, the tickler points approach
and fall into the hollows of the needles c. This movement is produced by
the rod s being pushed upwards and throwing the arm 7 forward until the

page_text: points rest in the recesses of the needles; they are then pulled upwards, lifting
the loops clear off the needles by the rod t receiving motion from the lever
and cam below. The third movement of the tickler is performed by a jacquard,
which gives to the tickler a motion technically termed "shogging," that is, it
moves the tickler points and loops to different needles to those from which
they were taken. Figure 9 shews a part of the tickler rocking shaft, the
arrows indicating that it may be moved on end either way. The fourth motion
is merely a reversing of the second, and placing the loops which are on the
tickler points off them and on to the desired needles. The fifth is likewise
the reverse of the first, after which the needle bar rises to its proper position
for the forming of new loops, and the whole process may be repeated as often
as is necessary.
In Figure 10 I have shewn a modification of my improved knitting machi-
nery. I place two grooved needle bars N, N, (similar to the grooved needle
bar before described) at right angles to each other, or nearly so, as shewn.
The needles O, O', in this modification are fixed in stocks P, P, and in a
straight line with them. These stocks and needles slide in the grooves a, a',
and are projected forward in the position shown by means of a sliding com-
pound cam or slur cock coming in contact with the projections R, R', similar
to those previously described; yarn or thread S is laid into the angles formed
by the crossing of the needles, and beneath the beards or tongues of the
needles or hooks, by means of a carrier S. The sets of needles are with-
drawn, and the work is knocked off both sets of needles simultaneously.
I do not confine myself to making the needles cross each other at right
angles, as a lesser or greater angle may be used, and either set of needles may
be placed vertically, while the other may be horizontal or nearly so.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, the improved arrangements of machinery, together with the method
of action of the various parts thereof, whereby looped fabrics are produced
upon straight knitting frames, without the aid of jacks, sinkers, or loop wheels,
all as herein-before described.
Second, the employment in straight knitting frames of the compound sliding
bars and cams, in which friction rollers or wheels are used, in the manner
herein-before described and represented in the Drawings annexed.
Third, the arrangements of top machines or ticklers, herein-before
described.
Fourth, the arrangement and action of the cam wheels, herein-before

page_text: described, for causing the needles to work simultaneously or. alternately for the
purposes and in the manner herein-before described.
And, fifth, the employment in straight' knitting franies of the "star riser,"
as described, in combination with the machinery. herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, tlie said John. Edward Hodges, have hereunto
set my hand and seal; this Twenty-eighth day of August, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-six:.."
JOHN EDWARD HODGES. (L.S.)