IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING- MACHINES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Byfield, of London, in the Province of Ontario and
Dominion of Canada, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING-
MACHINES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Byfield at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st January 1882.
.
JOHN BYFIELD, of London, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada.
'IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES."
The object of this Invention is to provide mechanism capable of producing
automatically various patterns of work either in machines having stationary or
rotary needle cylinders, and it consists in the peculiar construction, operation, and
combination of parts as inore fully hereinafter described and claimed.
In a knitting machine having a stationary needle cylinder I employ a pattern
sheet having a spiral series of holes to receive removable headed pins, and it is also
provided with a spiral channel corresponding with the holes.
This plate carries a centre pin pivoted upon the slide which moves in a slotted
arm of the frame, upon which is secured a yara guide that is adapted to enter the
channel in the pattern plate.
The guide is arranged to be depressed so as to allow the pattern plate to be
moved laterally. A lever pivoted upon the centre pin of the plate carries a pin
that fits into a cam groove in a cam block that is capable of sliding on its rock
shaft without revolving except with said shaft.
The lever carries also a double pawl held by a spring in or out of the teeth of
the pattern plate. A cam attached to the cam cylinder or cog ring of the machine
serves to operate the rock shaft, the motion of which is reversed by a suitable
spring. As the crank of the rock shaft is pushed back the groovo in the cam
block draws the lever and its pawl over one tooth of the pattern plate, and as the
cam leaves the crank the spring throws the rock shaft back to its initial position,
causing the pattern plate to revolve thus at each revolution of the cam the pattern
plate is moved one tooth.

page_text: A second crank on the rock shaft carries a pawl that operates a ratchet secured
to cams attached to the bed plate, and pivoted rods rest upon the said cams, which
are arranged to hold the rods at different elevations, their positions being changed
as the cams revolve.
The rods carry spindles and the latter carry cam plates supported upon a
suitable table that also forms a guide for the spindles. A standard that supports
the sliding yarn carriers is secured to and revolves with the cam cylinder. The
yarn carriers have friction rollers that come in contact with two cam plates which
operate them. The bobbin carriers are attached to the cam cylinder, a separate
bobbin being provided for each color of yarn it is desired to introduce into the
fabric.
The yarn from the bobbins passes through loops in their standards, thence
through guides over take up springs, and thence through loops in the yarn carriers
in position for knitting.
When knitting with two colors the yarn that is thrown inside away from the
noedles ceases to be knitted, since it is necessary that it should be held on the
outside of the needles in order to knit. Hence if one cam plate is in position to
knit one color, or down, then the other cam plate is held up. To reverse this
action and to cause the machine to knit another color the former cam plate is
dropped and the latter elevated.
The pattern plate is operated as follows:-One end of a lever pivoted upon a
suitable post projects beneath a pawl, its other and rests upon the pattern plate;
so long as this is the case the pawl is held clear of its ratchet, consequently the
cams remain stationary notwithstanding that the cam cylinder revolves, and as
the yarn carriers are operated by these cams, they remain in the position in which
they were set until the cams are made to operate the cam plates, thereby changing
the position of the yarn carriers. The required movement being effected by the
pins of the pattern plate, which as above stated is moved the distance of one tooth.
at every revolution of the cam cylinder, the holes in its face corresponding with
the peripheral teeth in number and in radial lines from the centre of the plate.
In order therefore to produce a pattern to be knitted, it is merely necessary to
decide upon the number of stitches it is desired to make in any particular color,
when by arranging the pins in the pattern plato so that they will come in contact
with the yarn carrier operating lever when the desired number of rounds have
been made in the work the pins will engage the lever, and the latter through its
pawl will move the cams the required distance to alter the position of the yaru
carriers.
By means of the spiral groove in the pattern plate the guide fitting in said
groove is moved laterally as it revolves, so as to always keep the spiral line of
holes directly under the lever. The pattern plate way also be used for recording
the number of stitches being knitted, and may be used independently of the
mechanism for producing the pattern.
The style of work produced is a knit fabric of different colors, without scams, and
of unbroken yarns, the latter being automatically introduced into the pattern
without cutting. This pattern mechanism may be applied to machines having a
revolving needle cylinder and with which I combine mechanism for cutting and
clamping the yarn.
The yarn is fed to the revolving needles from guides, and a curved iron fits
inside of the needles under which the knitting work is pressed, in order to allow
the stitches being thrown the needle beards by the stitching wheel, in other respects
the machine is composed of the usual mechanism, not necessary to describe, it being
well known.
In knitting, the yarn is drawn through a hole in the end of a lever to the
stitch wheel, the guide preventing it from getting below said wheel and missing
stitches.
•
For every color a separate lever must be used; these are pivoted in a post, their
outer ends resting on a cam wheel that has a series of teeth which act against the

page_text: curved lever ends. Back of the machine an intermittently moving bar is placed
that may extend the whole length of a number of machines desired to be worked
in unison.
Alongside of the bar at each machine is a post carrying a pivoted arm at or
nearly at right angles to cam wheel; said arm at its free end has a pawl that
works in a ratchet attached to said cam wheel. The arm has also a cam slot, in
which rides a pin secured to the bar. A forward movement of the bar will move
the end of each arm and their pawls one way, and the backward movement of said
bar will give a reverse movement to the arms and pawls, which give the necessary
movement to the cam wheel by which the feed levers are changed in feeding
the yarn.
To the curved iron inside of the needles is attached a wire running from the
lower part of the stitch wheel to the top of the needles, curving over them so as to
allow the free movement of the feed levers.
When the feed levers are raised their ends are thrown inside the line of needles,
throwing the yarn against them; and as the needles revolve, the thread is drawn
between them against the curved wire, and is thus drawn across the needles, and
following down the angle and inside of the curved wire is forced under the beard
of each needle, making a perfect stitch to the point where it crosses the needles.
Over the stitch wheel is located a knife, the cutting part of which lies inside the
needles and over the curved iron. To the knife are attached two springs that hold
the yarn not being knit. A second knife is pivoted to the first, the two forming
shears, a pin being provided at the opposite end of the cutting part that works in
a slot in one end of the lever, the other end of which extends between two pins on
the longitudinal bar. The forward movement of the latter bar closes the shears,
the backward movement of said bars opens the shears.
As the bar moves forward it moves the cam wheel forward also, so that the cam
is drawn under one end of the feed lever that is not knitting to depress the other
end thereof. As the end of the yarn is held by the springs and is being drawn
through at the depressed end of the lever, it drops across and between the needles,
and is carried by them until caught by the stitch wheel.
A third spring has one of its ends to project between the two knife springs, and
is raised by the closing of the knife to ease the other two springs just as the stitch
wheel catches the yarn, and draws the end out of the springs without breaking it.
As one feed lever drops into position for knitting, the other, which has been knitting,
is raised by the cam being drawn from under its end.
The raising of the lever throws the yarn inside of the needles and the wire, as
above explained.
The lower shear blade has a projection that extends to the line of needles. As
the thread is drawn to the inside of the wire it is drawn against this projection
until the knife is closed to cut the thread. On the upper side of the knife is a
wedge that catches the thread when the knife closes, and presses it between the
two springs as it is cut sufficiently far to be held tight when the wedge is with-
drawn, and is so held until wanted again for knitting.
As stated, a feed lever is required for each color being knitted, and cams placed
on the cam wheel, one for each movement of the ratchet wheel, so as to throw the
levers in succession to give the different colors as required.
The movement of this cam wheel controls the order of the colors, but the number
of each round of colors is controlled by the operating bar. If desired to have the
order of the colors changed, the cam wheel must be made with movable arms.
This can be done by fastening them with a screw, as many holes being tapped in
the cam wheel as there are feed levers used; or a slot can be cut across the cam
wheel face for each movement of said wheel, which will take in the lower pro-
jection of the cam. Small blocks must also be placed in the slots to fill up the
surface. The cam and blocks must be the same width as the levers, so as to come
exactly under them, the cam being placed in the cam wheel under the lever to be
depressed at the feeding end, and the blocks under the other levers.

page_text: The operating bar is moved by a rock shaft that has a crank arm carrying two
pivoted pawls, the free ends of which rest on the bar. As the latter is thrown
forward the shortest pawl catches in an elevation on the same, and as it comes back
the longer pawl catches on the opposite side of the projection, and brings the sliding
bar back.
A pattern plate capable of being worked on either side of the rock shaft has its
outer circle composed of cog teeth. On the plate is pivoted a lever that carries a
roller projecting into a diagonal groove in a cam block, through which the rock
shaft passes. Under this lever, between the edge of the pattern plate and the cam
block, is pivoted a double pawl working against the teeth of the pattern plate on
either side desired.
By means of a spring the pawl is brought into engagement with or disengaged
froin the teeth of the pattern plate. In this manner the plate can be run either
way, or a pattern can be set and knit, and by reversing it can be knit backwards,
which is very important on some kinds of work.
This pattern plate is also provided with a spiral series of holes corresponding
with the number of teeth. When it is desired to change the color in forming a
pattern a pin is dropped into a hole at the desired point, and when the head of this
pin is pushed under the feed lever it raises it, the sliding bar is moved forward,
and the yarn in all the machines is simultaneously changed.
The pattern plate may be worked as already explained in the first part of the
Specification, or it may be worked directly from the shaft below the table, the
machines being geared to such shaft, so that one revolution of the latter will also
impart a revolution to the machines.
Upon the end of this shaft is a collar secured thereon by a pin, the shaft being
grooved in the line of holes. By pulling the pin until it is withdrawn from the
hole and turning the collar on the shaft so that the pin will follow the groove until
it slips into a hole on the opposite side of said shaft, the junction of the yarn is
reversed to the opposite side of the stocking.
In making what is called cut goods in hosiery, it is customary to knit from top
to toe, and then back to the top of the next stocking. As the foot is split, and as
each side of the split makes the top of one foot, it is very important to reverso
the junction of the yarn at the foot; and in knitting the second stocking backwards
it is necessary for the pattern plate to work the reverse way in all except the
most simple patterns, this being effected by the collar on shaft, as above set
forth.
As the machine revolves with the work, the ends of the yarn sometimes drop
across the needle ends before being carried out of the way, and consequently show a
wrong side of the stocking; this I avoid by the use of a revolving brush that is
arranged to press against the cylinder.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Byfield in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th May
1882.
JOHN BYFIELD, of London, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES."
The object of this Invention is to provide mechanism capable of producing
automatically various patterns of work, either in machines having stationary or
rotary needle cylinders, and it consists in the peculiar construction, operation, and
combination of parts, as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.
In the Drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the application of my
pattern mechanism to a circular knitting machine having a stationary needle
cylinder; Fig. 2, a detail view of the pattern plate, support, and guide; Fig. 3, a
bottom view of the pattern plate; Fig. 4, a cross section of the same; Fig. 5, detail
views of cam block; Fig. 6, a detail view of the work; Fig. 7, a plan view of a
revolving needle knitting machine supplied with my pattern mechanism; Fig. 8, a
detail perspective view showing clearly the arrangement of the yarn carriers for
the same; Fig. 9, a perspective detail of a revolving brush; Fig. 10, a perspective
detail of the yarn cutter and clamp; Fig. 11, a perspective detail of the guido
wire; Figs. 12 and 13, sectional details of the connection with the main shaft; and
Fig. 14, perspective detached views of a cam and cam block. I will first proceed
to describe the stationary needle cylinder machine as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6
inclusive. A represents the fixed neodle head carrying the needles B and B', the
rotary cam cylinder which can be operated in any desired manner; U is a pattern
plate provided with a spiral series of holes to receive removable headed pins, and
with a spiral channel u corresponding with the series of holes. This plate U is
provided with a centre pin U¹ pivoted upon the slide G* which moves in tho
slotted arm A¹ of the frame. At a suitable point of the frame I secure & guide
arranged to enter the channel u. This guide is composed of a pin fastened to a
spring plate u which can be depressed by the lever u³ so as to allow the pattern
plate to be readily moved laterally.
A lever V is pivoted on the centre pin of the pattern plate and extends beyond
the toothed periphery of the same, and at its outer end it is provided with a pin
or roller to fit into a cam groove on a sliding cam block W, which is fitted upon the
rock shaft S in such a manner that it will slide longitudinally without revolving
except with the shaft.
A double pawl X is pivoted on the end of the lever V and
is provided with a suitable spring to hold it against the teeth on the periphery of
the plate U on either side of the same or out of contact with the teeth. A cam K*
attached either to the cam cylinder, or the cog ring of the machine is provided for
the purpose of operating the crank C* of the rock shaft S at each revolution, a
suitable spring being provided to reverse the motion thus imparted to the shaft.
As the crank C is pushed back as described the groove in the cam block W draws
the lever V and pawl X over one tooth of the pattern plate, and as the cam leaves
the crank the spring a throws the rock shaft back to its initial position, causing
the pattern plate to revolve. It will be seen that each revolution of the cam K*
causes the pattern plate to revolve the distance of one tooth. The further end of
the rock shaft S is provided with a crank c', to which is pivoted the pawl g'
arranged to operate the ratchet wheel H¹ secured to the cams H which are
supported in suitable bearings on the bed plate. The pivoted rods M* rest upon
the cams H which are shaped so as to hold one rod higher than the other, their

page_text: relative positions however being changed as the cams revolve.
On the opposite
end of these rods aro secured vertical spindles which carry the cam plates N*
and Ox supported on a suitable table, which also forms a guide for the spindles.
The sliding yarn carriers F and F1 are supported, as represented, by the
standard Q* secured to and revolving with the cam cylinder. The outer ends of
.these yarn carriers are provided with friction rollers which come in contact with the
cam plate Nx and Ox which operate them. The bobbin carriers S2, S3, are attached
to the cam cylinder as represented, a separate bobbin being provided for every
color of yarn it is desired to introduce into the fabric. The yarn from the bobbins
so carried passes through loops in the top of the yarn standard down through the
guides and over take up springs and through loops on the end of the yarn
carriers in position for knitting. As shown in the Drawings the machine is
constructed to knit with two colors, there being two bobbins supported by the cam
ring, and also two yarn carriers, one for each color. As it is necessary to hold the
yarn on the outside of the needles in order to knit, it follows that if the yarn be
thrown inside away from the needles the knitting of the yarn so held ceases.
We will assume for the purpose of describing the operation of the machine that the
yarn carrier E is threaded with white yarn and F' with blue; and further, that the
cam plate Nx is arranged to operate the yarn carrier F and the cam plate O* to
operate the yarn carrier F¹. We will further assume that the yarn carriers are set
so that the white yarn shall be knitted. When the yarn carriers are in this
position the cam plate Nx is down while the other cam plate is held up as
represented. To reverse this action and to cause the machine to knit a blue stripe
the cam plate Ox is dropped down, while the cam plate Nx ascends. Having now
described the general construction of the machine and the location of the various
parts, I shall proceed to explain briefly the operation of the pattern plate D and
its connection with the mechanism described. As already stated the pattern
plate D is provided with a spiral series of holes to receive pins t, which fit in them,
to form the pattern in the following way:-A lever U2 is pivoted upon & suitable
post, and is shaped so that one of its ends projects beneath the pawl g, and the
other end is turned down and rests upon the pattern plate. So long as this end of
the lever rests upon the pattern plate the pawl g is held clear of the ratchet
wheel H', consequently the cams H remain stationary notwithstanding the revolution
of the cam cylinder, and therefore as the yarn carriers are operated by the move-
ment of these cams, they remain in the position in which they are set, until by the
movement of the cams H the rods M* are made to operate the cam plates N*
and Ox, changing the position of the yarn carriers. The required movement of
the lever U is effected by the pins t of the pattern plate, which as before
explained is removed the distance of one tooth every revolution of the cam
cylinder, the holes in its face corresponding with the peripheral teeth in number
and in radial lines from the centre of the plate. In order to produce a pattern in
the work being knitted, it is only necessary to decide upon the number of stitches
it is desired to make in any particular color, when by arranging the pins t in the
holes in the pattern plate, so that they will come in contact with the lever U³ when
the desired number of rounds have been made in the work, the pin t raises one
end and lowers the other end of the lever Us, and perinits the pawl g to engage
with the ratchet wheel H', when the cams H are moved tho required distance,
and the position of the yarn carriers altered by the action of the cains N* and O*
in the manner before explained. By means of the spiral groove or channel in the
pattern plate, the guide fitting in said channel, and the slide G, the pattern plate D
is moved laterally as it revolves, so as to always keep the spiral line of holes
directly under the end of the lever U. It will be seen that the pattern plate can
also be utilized for the purpose for recording the number of stitches in the work
being kuitted, and may be used independently of the mechanism for producing the
pattern. I will now proceed to explain briefly the style of work I am enabled to
produce. As the different colored yarns are automatically introduced into the

page_text: pattern without cutting the threads, the stocking or other work produced is made
without seam, and from yarn unbroken from the commencement to the finish. By
reference to Fig. 6, which represents a piece of the work produced, it will be
noticed that the thread which forms the same coloured stripes forms a loop between
said stripes and passing over the stripe between them, and is ready for work when
the yarn carrier again draws it over the needle.
Tho
Having described my pattern mechanism applied to a machine using a revolving
needle cylinder, I will now proceed to describe a similar pattern mechanism applied
to a rotary needle machine, together with mechanism for cutting and clamping the
yarn, as illustrated in the Drawing by Figures 7 to 14 inclusive. A represents the
circular head, B the needles fixed solid in the head, and C the stitch wheel which
receives the yarn from the threaded guide D. E represents the curved iron which
fits inside the needles, and under which the knitted work is pressed in order to
allow the stitches to be thrown under the needle beards by the stitch wheel. The
other usual appurtenances are not shown, they being well known and unnecessary
in describing my Invention. In knitting the yarn is drawn from the bobbin
through the hole F³ in the end of the lever F' to tho' stitch wheel, the guide D
preventing it from getting below the stitch wheel and missing stitches. For every
color used in knitting a separate lever or carrier F must be used. These levers are
pivoted in the post G, their outer curved ends E2 being drawn by springs g on a
cam wheel H, which is provided with a series of steps or teeth to act against said
curved ends, to raise and lower the levers or carriers. Back of the machines an
intermittently moving bar I is placed on suitable bearings, and extends the whole
length of the row of machines desired to be worked in unison. Alongside
of the bar Fat each machine is placed a post J, on which an arm K is pivoted
at the end J. This arm J is placed at right angles, or nearly so, to the
cam wheel H, and at its loose end it is provided with a pawl L, which
works against the ratchet wheel H' attached to the cam wheel H.
arm J has a cam slot at Js, in which slides a pin J secured to the bar I. Thus
it will be seen that a forward movement of the bar I will move the end of
the arm J and the pawl L one way, and the backward movement of the bar J
will give a reverse movement. This pawl L is pressed against the ratchet wheel H'
by a slight spring, and gives the necessary movement to the cam wheel H by
which the levers Fare changed in their position in feeding the yarn. On the inside of
the needles and fastened to the curved iron E is a curved wire K running from
the lower part of the stitch wheel to the top of the needles, and curving out over the
needles at a distance above them just sufficient to allow the free movement of
the levers without striping it. The post G should stand considerably higher than
the tops of the needles B, so that when the lever F is raised its end will be thrown
over and inside the line of the needles, thus throwing the yarn against the needles,
and as the needles revolve with the cylinder, the thread is easily drawn between
them against the curved wire K, and is thus drawn across the needles, and following
down the angle and inside of the curved wire is forced under the beards of every
needle, making a perfect stitch up to the point where it crosses the needles. Over
the stitch wheel is fastened a knife M resting on the post N, the cutting part m¹
of the knife being inside the needles and over the curved iron E. Over the knife
and fastened to it at m² are two springs m³, which hold the end of the yarn which
is not being knit. On the knife M another knife is pivotted at O', the two
knives together forming a pair of shears, the cutting part being on the end
marked O. On the other end is securely fastened a pin Os. A lever P pivoted
on a post P has at one end a slot in which the pin OS works, the other end
extending between two pins i and fastened in the bar I. The moving forward
of har I moves the pin against the lever P, thus throwing back the other end of
the lever and closing the knife O, and the movement of the bar opening the knife
as shown in the Drawing. When the bar I is moved forward it moves the cam
wheel H forward also, so that the cam H is drawn under the end of the lever F

page_text: that is not knitting, so as to depress the other end of the lever at F¹. The end of
the yarn being fast in the springs M³ and being drawn through the lever at F', the
yarn drops across and between the needles, and is carried by them till caught by
the stitch wheel C. Over the knife O a third spring Q is placed, one end being
fastened at Q', the other end resting between the springs M³ at Q. The under
side of the spring Qis thickened in the centre, so that the closing of the knife O
raises the spring so as to case the springs M³ just as the stitch wheel C catches
the yarn and draws the end out of the springs without breaking it. As one
lever F drops into position for knitting, the other lever which has been knitting is
raised by the cam H being drawn from under its end. The raising of the lever
throws the yarn inside the needles and the wire K as before described.
From the lower knife M there is a projection M extending to the line of the
needles. As the thread is drawn to the inside of the wire K it is drawn against
this projection until the knife O is closed and cuts the yarn. On the upper side of
the knife O is a wedge R, which when the knife closes catches the thread across
its edge, pressing it between the springs m³ as it is severed sufficiently to hold it
tight when the wedge R is withdrawn, where it is held until it is wanted again
for knitting. The backward movement of the bar I opens the knife O again. If
only two colors are used but two levers are required, and the cams H are placed
alternately. If more than two colors are required there must be a separate lever
for each color and cams placed on the cam wheel, one for each movement of the
ratchet wheel, so as to throw the levers in succession to give the different colors
as required. The movement of this cam wheel controls the order of the colors,
but the number of rounds of each color is controlled by the movement of the bar I
to be afterwards described. If desired to have the order of the colors changed the
cam wheel must be made with movable cams H. This can be done by fastening
them with a screw, as many circular rows of holes being tapped in the cam wheel
-as there are levers used. Or a slot can be cut across the face of the cam wheel H,
one for each movement of the cam wheel, which will take in the lower projection H*
of the cam H. There inust also be small blocks placed in the slots in the cam to
fill up the surface. These blocks must be the exact size of the slots as shown at
Hs in Figure 14. The cam H and the block H³3 must be the same width as the
levers so as to come exactly under them. The cam H is placed in the cam wheel
under the lever it is desired to depress at the feeding end and the blocks under the
other lever or levers. The cam wheel H should be made a trifle narrower than the
cam and blocks so they can be kept to their places by fastening plates on each
aide of the cam wheel so that when the plates are screwed tight they will press on
the cams and blocks and hold them fast. The sliding bar I is moved by a rock
shaft S. At the end and at right angles to the sliding bar on the end of this
rock shaft is a crank arm T which is provided with two pivoted pawls T and T
whose loose ends rest on the sliding bar I. As the rock shaft is thrown forward
the shortest pawl T' catches in an elevation I* on the sliding bar I, and as the rock
shaft comes back the second pawl T², whose loose end is hooked shaped, catches
on the opposite side of the projection and brings the sliding bar I back again.
A pattern plate U rests on the frame and can be worked on either side of the rock
shaft, although I show it in the Drawing between the rock shaft and the knitting
machine. It is made with the outer circle composed of cog teeth. On this plate
rests a lever V which is pivoted by a scrow to the centre of the plate, its other end
having a pin or roller to rest in a diagonal groove in a cam block W, through
which the rock shaft S works.
Under this lever and pivoted to it, between the edge of the pattern plate and
the cam block, is a double pawl X which is made to work against the teeth of the
pattern plate on either side desired. This is done by a spring X which has
one end fastened solid on the projecting pivot of the pawl as shown at V'.
Between this pivot and the pivoted end of the lever is a projection V* in which is cut
three slots as shown at V³. When the spring is placed in the centre slot it holds

page_text: the pawl centrally and prevents its end from engaging with the teeth of the
pattern plate on either side, but it is dropped in the slot on either side of
the centre it causes the pawl to engage with the teeth on the opposite side of the
levor, thus causing the pattern plate to move one tooth with each motion of the
lever. Thus it will be seen that the pattern plate can be run either way or a
pattern can be set and knit and then by reversing knit it backwards, which is very
important on some kinds of work. A spiral series of holes is drilled in the face
of the plate so that one hole in each circle corresponds with each tooth. A lever Y
pivoted in a post at Y" rests one end on the pattern plate and the other under the
pawl T, raising it up so that the pawl just clears the elevation I' when it is
pushed forward by the rock shaft. As the knitting proceeds the pattern plate is
moved forward one tooth each round of knitting, the holes in its face being brought
under the end of the lever Y. Whenever it is desired in forming a pattern to
change the color, a pin with a rounded head is dropped into the hole at
the desired point, and when the head of this pin is pushed under the lover
it raises the same, and depresses the other end so as to allow the pawl T¹
to catch in the elevation I when the sliding bar I is moved forward and
the yarn changed simultaneously on all the machines controlled' by the
sliding bar. The pattern plato is moved together with the cam block W
so as to bring the spiral pattern under the lever by suitable mechanism, which is
fully described in the first part of the Specification. If desired the rock shaft can
be placed between the pattern plate and the machine, and worked by a cam on
the knitting machine, as also described in the first part of the Specification. I
prefer, however, to work it direct from the shaft below the table, as I will now
describe. The knitting machines are driven by a shaft connecting with them by
mitre gearing, so that one revolution of the shaft gives a single revolution to each
machine; on the end of the shaft a collar a and an arm bare fastened. From the
arm b to a crank c, fastened by a double acting joint c', in the rocking shaft S,
and connecting the two, is a pitman or connecting rod d. The collar a is fastened
on the shaft by a pin e, which passes through the collar and into a hole drilled
through the shaft, and is held in place by a spring g¹. A groove is turned on the
surface of the shaft in the line of the holes, as shown at f. By pulling the pin
until it is withdrawn from the hole, and turning the collar a on the shaft, letting
the pine follow the groove until it slips into the hole on the opposite
side of the shaft, it reverses the junction of the yarn to the opposite side of the
stocking.
In making what is known as cut goods in hosiery it is customary to knit from
the top to the toe, and then back to the top of the next stocking. As the foot is
split, and each side of the split part makes the top of one foot, it is very important
to reverse the junction at the foot, and in knitting the second stocking backwards,
or from the toe to the top, it is necessary for the pattern plate to work the reverso
way in all except the most simple patterns, which is accomplished by the use of
the collar a. As the machine rovolves with the work sometimes the ends of the
yarns drop across the ends of the needles before being carried out of the way, and
consequently show on the wrong side of the stocking. To obviate this I place a
small revolving brush h, as shown. This is run by a friction wheel i pressing
against the cylinder (or it can be run by a pulley and an elastic band round the
cylinder) and revolving against and faster than the cylinder, so as to brush the
loose ends forward and out of the road of the needles. It will be readily seen
that the sliding bar and its connections for operating a series of machines, as
described, in connection with the rotary needle machine, can also be used with the
stationary needle cylinder machine described in the first part of the Specification
without departing from the spirit of my Invention.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which the same is to
be performed, what I claim as new is,―
1st. The combination of the cam cylinder B₁, standard Q*, and sliding yarn

page_text: carriers F, F, with the vertically moving cams N*, O*, for operating said carriers,
cain K*, on the cylinder B¹, and connecting mechanism, substantially as described,
between the cam K*, and cams N*, Ox, as and for the purpose specified.
2nd. The standard Q, cam cylinder B', cam K* on said cylinder, sliding yarn
carriers F, F¹, vertically moving cams N*, O*, and connecting mechanism, sub-
stantially as described, between the cam K* and the cains N*, Ox, in combination
with the bobbin carriers S², S³, attached to and revolving with the cylinder B,
and the yarn guides secured to the standard Q*, as and for the purpose specified.
3rd. The cam cylinder B¹, cam K* on said cylinder, standard Q*, sliding yarn
carriers F, F, and cams Nx, Ox, in combination with the rods M*, cams H, and
connecting mechanism, substantially as described, between the cam K* and the
cam H, as and for the purpose specified.
4th. The cam cylinder 'B', cam Kx on said cylinder, rock shaft S, spring x,
cranks cx, c, on said rock shaft, and pawl g, in combination with the cams H and
the ratchet wheel H' for operating said cams, substantially as described.
5th. The combination of the cam cylinder B¹, cam K* on said cylinder, rock
shaft S, spring x, cranks c*, c, and cam block W on said rock shaft, lever V, pawls X
and g, ratchet wheel H', and pattern plate D, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
6th. The cam cylinder B¹, cam K* on said cylinder, rock shaft S, and crank c*,
and cam block W on said rock shaft, in combination with the lever V, pawl X, and
the pattern plato U, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7th. The pattern plate U and slido G*, in combination with a positive mechanism,
substantially as described, for intermittently operating said pattern plate,
substantially as specified.
8th. The perforated pattern plate U, provided with a spiral series of porforations
for receiving removable pins with a spiral groove or channel, and with peripheral
teeth, in combination with the slide G*, and mechanism, substantially as described,
for giving the pattern plate an intermittent rotary and lateral movement,
substantially as specified.
9th. The pattern plate U, provided with a spiral series of holes, to receive
inovable pins, in combination with mechanism for giving said plate a combined
rotary and lateral movement, substantially as described.
10th. A pattern disc, provided with a spiral series of pins, for forming the design,
substantially as described.
11th. The combination with a pattern plate, two or more yarn carriers and
connections, substantially as described, between the pattern plate and the yarn
carriers, of mechanism adapted to give said pattern plate an intermittent move-
ment in opposite directions, as and for the purpose specified.
12th. The pattern plate U, provided with knobs. for operating the yarn carriers
and with peripheral teeth, in combination with the lever V, a double acting
pawl X, and connecting mechanism, substantially as described, between the lever
and the main shaft, for intermittently moving said lever, as and for the purpose
specified.
13th. The combination of the revolving pattern plate with the sliding bar I, and
suitable connection between said pattern plate and bar, whereby said bar is adapted
to operate the yarn carriers of a number of machines from a single pattern
mechanism, as set forth.
14th. The sliding bar I connected to and operating the yarn carriers and yarn
cutters of one or more machines, in combination with mechanism, substantially as
described, for giving said bar an intermittent reciprocating movement, as and for
the purpose specified.
15th. The combination with a knitting machine of a pattern plate adapted to
be automatically worked in opposite directions alternately, as set forth.
16th. The combination with a knitting machine and a pattern plate of mechanism

page_text: constructed and arranged to automatically work said pattern plate in opposite
directions alternately, substantially as described.
17th. The pattern plate U, provided with peripheral teeth, in combination with
the lever V, spring pawl X, cam W, rock shaft S, arm C on said shaft, the collar a
adjustably secured to the main shaft, and suitable connections between said collar a
and arm c, as set forth.
18th. The reversible collar a carrying the crank arm b, in combination with the
main shaft, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
19th. The collar a, carrying the crank arm b, in combination with the main
shaft, and a catch adapted to hold the collar a upon the shaft from either sido of
the same, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
20th. The collar a carrying the crank arm b, in combination with the main
shaft, provided with recesses on opposite sides, and the spring catch e adapted
to fit within the recess upon either side of the shaft, substantially as described.
21st. The sliding bar I provided with a pin J, in combination with a suitable
pattern mechanism for moving said bar, the pivoted arm K provided with a
diagonal slot Js, the pawl L pivoted to the said bar, the cam and ratchet wheels H, H',
and the yarn carriers F, F, as set forth.
22nd. The combination with a clamp for holding the yarn, and a device for
severing it, of a carrier bearing one of the severing edges, and a device for carrying
the yarn into the clamp, all substantially as described.
23rd. The combination with a clamp for holding the yarn, and mechanism for
severing it, of a carrier bearing one of the severing edges and devices for forcing
the yarn between the jaws of the clamp and automatically releasing the pressure
thereof, all substantially as described.
24th. The combination with two or more yarn carriers of a knife for cutting the
yarn and a spring clamp for holding the cut end, both the knife and the clamp
being operated automatically by the same bar that communicates motion to the
yarn carriers, as and for the purpose specified.
25th. The combination with two or more yarn carriers of a fixed knife, a movable
knife, and a spring clamp, the movable knife being constructed to alter the tension
of the clamp during its travel to and from the fixed knife, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
26th. In combination with a device for severing the yarn, a clamp for holding
the severed end, and a wedge or projection for positively introducing the yarn into
the clamp, substantially as described.
27th. In combination with a fixed knife M and a pivoted knife O, the spring
clamps m³ and the wedge or projection R secured to the pivoted knife, and adapted
to pass between the clamps, substantially as specified.
28th. In combination with a fixed and pivoted knife and a clamp, consisting
of two sections m³, a wedge or projection R secured to the movable knife, and the
spring Q, having a downwardly projecting portion between the two knives, and
baving its outer end situated between the two clamp sections, substantially as and
for the purpose specified..
29th. In combination with a fixed and a pivoted knife for cutting the yarn,
the projection or stop m, for holding the yarn in proper relation to the knives,
substantially as described.
30th. In combination with a series of needles and two or more yarn carriers, a
stationary yarn guide situated inside of the needles, and curved outward beyond
the line of the same for the purpose of forcing the yarn under the needle beards
after the yarn carrier has been raised, substantially as described.
31st. The combination with two or more yarn carriers of a cam wheel provided
with circumferential recesses for receiving removable and interchangeable cams
and filling blocks, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
32nd. The combination with two or more yarn carriers of a cam wheel provided
with removable cams upon its periphery, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 33rd. In combination with a rotary needle head and a brush revolving in an
opposite direction to the head, and adapted to act against the outside of the work
to throw up the loose ends of the yarn out of the way of the needles, substantially
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Byfield, have hereunto set my hand 5
and seal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.