Improvements in Knitting Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
We CHARLES TERROT, of Cannstatt, Wurttemburg, Germany, Hosiery
Machine Builder, and THE "BOAS-KING' "KNITTING MACHINE COMPANY,
LIMITED, of Tanfield Chambers, Bradford, England, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to knitting machines and has for its object to provide an
improved construction of splicing apparatus by means of which the splicing thread
can be incorporated in the fabric being knitted with greater precision, certainty
and regularity than is possible with the various forms of splicing apparatus now
in use.
In the existing apparatuses for splicing knitted fabrics during their production, the
splicing thread is carried to the needles of the knitting machine by frictional contact
with the main knitting thread.
This method of introducing the splicing thread is attended with a serious
disadvantage, riz. :-the main thread does not always take in the splicing thread at
the same point in the fabric while sometimes it fails to engage the splicing thread
for several successive courses thereby producing bad work.
According to the present invention the splicing thread is not led to the needles
frictionally with the main thread, but is positively introduced thereto by a special
device actuated in such a manner as to always lay the splicing thread on to the
needles at the same point and to always take it away from the needles at the same
point.
The said device is moreover actuated in such a manner that the splicing thread
is laid on to the needles at each and every course.
The said device not only acts in the manner described for laying the splicing
thread on to the needles and removing it therefrom but also performs the function
of cutting or severing the thread at the time when the splicing thread is to he
taken out of action.
This combined splicing thread introducing, gripping and severing device, just
prior to the commencement of the splicing operation travels from the thread eye
(which is three or four needles in advance of the stitch or depressing cam and
consequently a similar distance in advance of the needle being lowered to form the
loop) in a direction opposite to that in which the needle actuating cam is
travelling, to a position down by the side of and below the needle and holds
the splicing thread until it has been engaged by at least three or four needles.
The said device then is gradually raised and travels towards the thread eye
before mentioned in the same direction of movement as the needle actuating cam
and in doing so the jaws of the device are opened so that the splicing thread passes
between and at a certain point the said jaws are closed upon the said splicing thread
and sever it, at the same time holding possession of it until the thread is to be again
introduced when the hereinbefore described action of the thread introducing and
severing device is repeated.
The said device is actuated in the manner and for the various purposes described
through suitable intermediate mechanism from a disc roller or equivalent revolving
in contact with the edge of a cam ring or its equivalent.

page_text: One or more of such cam rings may be employed so that by moving the said disc
in contact with one or other of these rings the splicing thread may be laid on
to any desired number of needles and thereby splice any portion of the fabric being
made.
Movable cam plates or their equivalent are also employed for shifting the said
disc on to one or other of the cam rings before mentioned, the said cam plates
being actuated at the desired times through intermediate mechanism from stops on
pattern chain.
1 1
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
We, CHARLES TERROT of Cannstatt, Wurttemburg, Germany, Hosiery
Machine Builder, and THE "BOAS-KING" KNITTING MACHINE COMPANY,
LIMITED, of Tanfield Chambers, Bradford, England, 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 knitting machines and has for its object to provide an
improved construction of splicing apparatus by means of which the splicing thread
can be incorporated in the fabric being knitted with greater precision, certainty
and regularity than is possible with the various forms of splicing apparatus now
in use.
In the existing apparatuses for splicing knitted fabrics during their production, the
splicing thread is carried to the needles of the knitting machine by frictional
contact with the main knitting thread.
This method of introducing the splicing thread is attended with a serious
disadvantage, ris. the main thread does not always take in the splicing thread at
the same point in the fabric while sometimes it fails to engage the splicing thread
for several successive courses thereby producing bad work.
According to the present invention the splicing thread is not led to the needles
frictionally with the main thread, but is positively introduced thereto by a special
device actuated in such a manner as to always lay the splicing thread on to the
needles at the same point and to always take it away from the needles at the
same point.
The sail device is moreover actuated in such a manner that the splicing thread is
laid on to the needles at each and every course.
The said device not only acts in the manner described for laying the splicing
thread on to the needles and removing it therefrom but also performs the function
of cutting or severing the thread at the time when the splicing thread is to be taken
out of action.
This combined splicing thread introducing, gripping and severing device, just
prior to the commencement of the splicing operation travels from the thread eye
(which is three or four needles in advance of the stitch or depressing cam and
consequently a similar distance in advance of the needle being lowered to form the
loop) in a direction opposite to that in which the needle actuating cam is travelling
to a position down by the side of and below the needle and holds the splicing thread
until it has been engaged by at least three or four needles.
The said device then is gradually raised and travels towards the thread eye
before mentioned in the same direction of movement as the needle actuating cam
and in doing so the jaws of the device are opened so that the splicing thread passes
between and at a certain point the said jaws are closed upon the splicing thread

page_text: and sever it, at the same time holding possession of it until the thread is again to be
introduced when the herein before described action of the thread introducing and
severing device is repeated.
The said device is actuated in the manner and for the various purposes described
through suitable intermediate mechanism from a disc, roller or equivalent revolving
in contact with the edge of a cam ring or its equivalent.
One or more of such cam rings may be employed so that by moving the said disc
in contact with one or the other of these rings the splicing thread may be laid on
to any desired number of needles and thereby splice any portion of the fabric being
made.
Movable cam plates or their equivalent are also employed for shifting the said
lisc on to one or other of the can rings before mentioned, the said cam plates being
actuated at the desired times through intermediate mechanism from stops on a
pattern chain.
The invention will be fully understood from the following further description in
reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the splicing apparatus as
applied to the "Boas-King" circular knitting machine only so much of the latter
being shown as is considered necessary to clearly set forth the invention.
Figure 1 is a section and Figure 2 a plan view showing the splicing apparatus
applied to the knitting machine referred to.
Figures 3 and 4 are side elevation and plan respectively of the splicing thread
introducing and severing device, introducing the thread between the needles, and
the thread eye on the latch guard.
Figure 5 is a perspective detail showing thread introducing device between the
needles when delivering thread thereto.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are elevation, plan and perspective view respectively of the
thread introducing device in its position just immediately prior to severing
the thread.
Figures 9 and 10 are plan views of the mechanism on the underside of the
plate 14 showing the hooked catch and the catch plate in their different relative
positions to the stud on the main arm.
Figure 11 is a face view of one of the sliding gears for moving the thread
introducing device actuating mechanism into and out of contact with the cam rings
and true circle.
Figures 12 and 13 are end views of one of the sliding gears in its raised and
lowered positions.
Figure 14 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the pin 33
being raised by the sliding gear.
Figure 144 is a detail view of the opposite sliding gear.
Figure 15 is a view of the back of the machine showing the rocking arms for
raising and lowering sliding gear and monitor lever and pattern chain for actuating
rocking arms.
Figures 16 & 17 are perspective view and section respectively of cam rings and
true circle.
The thread introducing, gripping and severing device consists of three
plates 1, 2 and 3 the centre plate 2 only being movable relatively to the
others 1 and 3.
At times when the splicing thread 3* is to be severed and at the same time gripped
by the device the plate 2 occupies a position between and central with the other
two so that the said splicing thread is held fast between the same and not allowed
to feed into the needles, as in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.
At other times the central plate 2 is moved on its fulcrum so as to leave a space
between it and plates 1 and 3 between or through which the splicing thread passes
immediately prior to being severed as in Figures 6, 7 and 8.
The central plate 2 during the time it and its attached mechanism are travelling
from the thread eye 20 to the point where the splicing thread is to be introduced
between the needles, is located between its neighbouring plates and it remains in

page_text: this position during part of its return journey until just immediately prior to
reaching the thread eye again, when the said central plate is opened so as to permit
the splicing thread to pass over it and under the two plates, one on either side thereof,
whereupon the said central plate suddenly resumes its normal position thereby
simultaneously severing and gripping the splicing thread.
This central plate 2 is flattened at its higher end 2, Figs. 2, 7 and 8 and is
opened by passing over a cam surface 4 the tail 4ª of which is pivotted to a plate 4b,
Figure 3.
This latter is also screwed to an adjacent plate 5 so that it and the cam surface +
can be adjusted horizontally in a slot 5 in the plate 5 Figure 6, or they may be
adjusted in a curvilinear direction by releasing the fulcrum screw 5° of the plate 5
and the screw 6° located within the curved slot 5°. Both the screws 5 and 6° pass
into a block 6 Figures 2, 3 and 6 which is bored and split to pass over a vertical
spindle 7 rigidly fixed in the base plate 8 the latter being screwed to the usual cam
ring 8 Figure 1, of the knitting machine and revolving therewith.
The tail 4 of the cam surface 4 is forked, Fig. 3. and the lower member of the
said fork bears against a pin 4 which prevents the cam surface being lowered when
the flattened end of the central plate 2 passes over it to be raised thereby, but it
allows the said cam surface to be raised slightly when the said flattened end of the
central plate passes thereunder, the result of which is that the latter is not influenced
thereby which is necessary when the splicing thread is being conveyed from the
thread сус to the point at which it is introduced between the needles."
A spring 4 Figure 3 under the upper member of its forked tail 4* ensures the
cam surface 4 being maintained in its normal and operative position as indicated in
Figures 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8.
The plates 1 and
are fulcrummed at 9 on a plate 10 which is adjustable within
a slot 11, Fig. 3 in an oblique arm 11 movably pivotted in the bifurcated end 12ª of
a main arm 12 whose opposite tubular end is passed over the enlarged lower end of
the vertical spindle 7.
The plate 3 is fixed by screws 3º, 3º Fig. 8 to the other outside plate 1 while the
central plate 2 is maintained in its normal position (gripping the thread) by a
spring 2 Figs. 3 and 6 which is connected thereto and to the plate 1.
The plate 1 being loosely pivotted at 9 with the plate 2 is kept in position by
a bell crank arm 93, Figs. 1 & 3 adjustably fulcrummed in a plate 9 which is rigidly
fixed at 9 to the main arm 12.
The oblique arm 11 has on its upper edge a vertical pin 11b, Figs. 3, 4, 6 & 7
which passes through a diagonal slot 13 in a horizontal plate 13 the opposite end
of which is slotted to surround the spindle 7.
This horizontal plate 13 is attached by a screw 13" to a plate 14' which is partly
thereunder and which has a rearward extension Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and a spring 16
connected thereto and to a lever 10 Figs. 1 and 2 the latter moving on the upper
end of a vertical spindle 17 and furnished with a slot 16 Fig. 2, in one end which
passes over a stud or projection on the lateral extension of the plate 14.
When the lever 16 is moved on its fulcrum (as hereinafter described) so as to
tension its connected spring 15, Fig. 2. it moves the plate 14 and before mentioned
connected mechanism on the spindle 7 which is the fulcrum thereof so that the said
plate and connected mechanism describe an are of a circle. A vertical spindle 18
Figs. 3 and 4 on the plate 18" and at one side of the main arın 12 and a horizontal
screwed spindle 19 Figs. 6, 7, and 10 on the opposite side thereof are employed
to limit the movement of the said arm 12.
The extent of this movement may be varied by turning the screw 19 in one or
the other direction, but in actual practice it is found convenient to make the
movement equivalent to the space occupied by three or four needles.
When the main arm 12 and attached mechanism have completed this movement
in an are of a circle which in reality is the distance from the thread eye 20 to
the point where needle is descending to draw is loop the main arm 12 is ther
pressing against the vertical pin 14 as in Figs. 3 and 4.

page_text: The lever 16 Fig. 2 may still continue to move on its fulcrum 17 moving with it
the two horizontal plates 13 and 14 the effect of which will be that the vertical
pin 11 Figs. 3, 4, 6, and 7 will be forced to move within the slot 13ª causing the
oblique arm 11 to move on its fulcrum and lower the thread gripping device between
the needles into the position indicated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in which position
it remains until the splicing thread has been engaged by the needles.
When the thread gripping device has travelled from the thread eye 20 thereby
describing an arc of a circle as hereinbefore referred to, the flattened en 1 2* of the
central plate 2 passes under the cam surface 4 and raises it slightly.
The said device thereupon descends to lay the splicing thread between the needles
and in doing so passes out of contact with the cam surface as indicated in Figures 1,
2, and 3.
After the thread has been introduced to the needles the device is raised there-
from and the flattened end 2ª of the central plate 2 in rising passes up the cam
surface 4 and is moved on its fulcrum so as to depress its lower end and shift it
from between its adjacent plates 1 and 3 thereby opening the gripping device as in
Figures 6, 7 and 8.
The latter remains thus open during the time the Hattened end is passing over
the cam surface in making its return journey and while so open it passes across
the path of the splicing thread as in Figures 7 and 8.
Immediately the device passes out of contact with the cam surface the spiral
spring 2 Figs. 3 and 6 suddenly causes the plate 2 to resume its normal position
between the plates 1 and 3 so that the splicing thread becomes gripped and
simultaneously severed thereby.
The plate 14 has on its under surface two pins 14° and 14" and a spring controlled
booked catch 14, Figures 9 and 10.
The longer pin 14" abuts against the main arm 12 and moves the latter in a
sidewise direction towards the thread eye 20 after the thread introducing device is
raised from between the needles after having delivered the thread thereto.
The pin 14 when the device is travelling in the same direction collides against
the pin 19" and moves the spring controlled catch plate 19 to which the latter is
attached away from contact with the stud 12 Figures 6, 9 and 10 on the main
arm 12 in which position it is shown in Figure 9 into the position shown in
Figure 10 whereupon the hooked catch 14* immediately engages the said stud as
indicated most clearly in the last named figure.
Normally and while the thread device is travelling from the thread eye 20 to
the point where it descends to the needles the hooked catch 14 is in engagement
with the stud 12" on the main arm 12 to keep the latter in position, but immediately
the thread introducing device commences to descend to the needles the hooked
catch 14* comes into contact with the pin 18, Figures 3, 9 and 10 and is thereby
moved out of engagement with the stud 12b, simultaneously the pin 14° moves out
of contact with the pin 19 and the catch plate 19 thereupon engages the
stud 12 on the main arm and holds the latter firm while the thread introducing
device is being lowered to take the thread to the needles.
The lever 16 Figure 2 is connected by a rod 22 adjustable in length by turning
the tube 22º to a lever 23 fulcrummed on a vertical spindle 24, Figures 1, 2 and 14
which is supported by a plate 25 connected by screws 25* to the plate 8* attached
to the usual cam ring 8 of the knitting machine and revolving therewith.
The lever 23 may be moved up and down on its spindle 24 as hereinafter
explained and has attached to its opposite end an auti-friction disc or roller 26
which moves along the edge of one or the other of preferably two cam rings or
cam tracks 27 and 28, Figures 1, 2, 14 and 16 and thereby imparts motion (in the
manner described) to the splicing thread introducing and severing device.
These cam rings 27, 28 shown most clearly in Figure 16 are fixed concentrically
with the needle cylinder and the relative positions they occupy with regard to
each other is determined according to the part of the tube of fabric which is to
be spliced.

page_text: In the present invention each of the cam rings is constructed and arranged so
that the splicing thread will be laid on to about one-half of the full complement
of needles.
By employing two such cam rings as indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 16 and fixing
them in reverse positions provision is thus made for laying the splicing thread on
to the whole circle of the needles and thus if desired thickening the complete tube
of fabric for a certain number of courses in the course of production.
By the present disposition of the cam rings, splicing may take place at one time
on one half of the needles so as to thicken that part of the tube of fabric which
is to form the knee of a stocking and at a different time splicing may be effected
on the opposite half of the circle of needles so as to thicken the fabric at the
lack of the ankle and at the bottom or sole of the foot of a stocking or sock.
In order to effect a change in the splicing from one half of the needles to the
remaining or opposite half thereof the anti-friction disc or roller 26 Fig. 2 is
either raised or lowered on to one or the other of the two cam rings 27 28 and for
this purpose the lever 23 to which it is connected is movable up and down the
spindle 24 upon which it is carried.
A ring or true circle 29 Figures 1, 14, 16 and 17 is located preferably between
the two cam rings 27 28 so that when ordinary unspliced knitting is to be done
the disc 26 rotates in connection therewith and during such time the splicing
mechanism is out of operation.
For the purpose of raising the said disc on to one or other of the two cam rings
the boss 23ª Figures and 14 of the lever 23 which carries the said disc and
which passes over the spindle 24 is embraced by a fork 30 and fulcrummed at one
end to a projection 31 on the plate 31ª connected to the plate 8ª of the cam
ring 8b.
A pin or spindle 32 Figure 14, connects the two members of the said fork and
passes through a circumferential groove 23 in the said boss or sleeve 23ª so that
by means of the projecting pin or spindle 32 the said boss, lever 23 and disc 26
can be raised or lowered.
This raising and lowering of the said disc is effected automatically by causing
the pin 33 to pass in contact with one of two sliding gears or raising or lowering
devices situated at opposite sides of the machine.
These sliding gears one of which is shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13 are also
capable of being raised and lowered to be placed into or out of operative position
for acting on the pin 33.
Figure 11 shows a face view of the sliding gear on one side of the machine
while the relative end views may be seen in Figures 12 and 13.
Each of these sliding gears consists of two cam plates 35 35" fixed in such
relative positions to each other as to raise or lower the pin 33 and thus move the
roller 26 either on to the edge of one of the cam rings 27 or 28 so as to place the
splicing apparatus in operation, or otherwise into the true circle located between
such cam rings and thereby put the splicing apparatus out of work.
These plates 35" 35" are either formed as part of or connected to a plate 35
and to permit of being raised or lowered as described the latter has a vertical
extension 36 Figure 11 movably secured within a slot 36ª Figs. 12 and 13 on an
adjacent plate 37 connected at one end to the bed-plate 37 and at the opposite
end to a horizontal rocking lever 38 which is fulcrummed to a vertical arm 39
secured at 39 to the bed plate 37".
The lever 38 is provided on its opposite end with an anti-friction roller 40
Figures 1, 11 and 15 located within a cam groove 41 in the upper end of a
rocking arm 42 pivotted at 43 to an extension of the bedplate.
The two rocking arms 42 are connected by rods 44, 45 to a monitor lever 46
Fig. 15 the toe 46" of which by means of the spring 47 is kept in contact with the
links of a pattern chain revolving in contact with the usual chain wheel 48.
Three kinds of links are employed in the pattern chain, viz. large 49, medium 50,
and small 51 and these are brought into requisition as hereinafter described

page_text: according as the splicing is to take place on one or the other of the two halves
of the circle of needles or the splicing mechanism is to be placed out of action.
When the high links come under the toe 46" of the monitor lever 46 the latter
actuates one of the sliding gears through one of the rocking arms 42 so that the
pin 33 moves the anti-friction roller into contact with the lower cam ring 27 for
splicing the knee of a stocking.
The medium sized links shift the roller into the true circle for unspliced work as
in the leg or the heel and toe of a stocking and the small links raise the pin 33
and roller 26 on to the upper cam ring 28 for the purpose of splicing on the
other half circle of needles as in the upper part of the heel and the sole of
the foot.
The bobbin 52 Figures 1 and 2 carrying the splicing thread is mounted on au
arm 53 secured to the spindle 24 and the thread in leaving the said bobbin passes
through the wires 53 54 and through the thread eye 20 fixed to the latch guard 55
as in Figures 3 to 8.
The action of the hereinbefore described mechanism during the production of a
stocking with the splicing thread inserted in the knee, back of the ankle, and fost
bottom is as follows:-
Commencing at the top of a stocking and having knitted in the usual way down
to the point where the knitting of the knee takes place the toe 46 of the monitor
lever 46 comes upon the first of the series of high links 49 in the pattern chain
Figure 15 whereupon the rocking arins 42 are moved on their fulcra 43 so that
the cam slots or grooves 41 are moved along the rollers 40 whereby the roller in
the right hand rocking arm (the left hand when looking at the back of the machine
as in Figure 15) ascends the highest end of the slot as in Figures 1 and 15
thereby raising the end of the lever 38 and lowering the opposite end thereof al
the sliding gear attached thereto so that the upper cam plate 3.5" is moved into the
path of the pin 33.
The other roller 40 simultaneously moves along the horizontal part of the slot so
that the lever connected to the said roller is not influenced or altered in its
position.
In the next revolution of the machine the said pin 33 will come into contact
with the under surface of the upper plate 35ª and moving thereunder become
depressed so that the disc 26 is shifted from the true circle 29 into contact with
the lower cam ring 27.
The disc 26 now revolves in contact with the latter and as it passes along the
gradually increasing width of the said ring it is moved nearer and nearer to the
centre of the machine.
The opposite slotted end of the lever 23 is simultaneously moved outwardly
taking with it the connecting rod 22 which moves inwards the end of the lever 16
connected thereto while the contrary movement is imparted to the opposite end
thereof thereby partially rotating the plates 13 and 14" and main arm 12 on the
spindle 7 until the main arm abuts against the vertical spindle 18 and its motion
stopped thereby.
This movement will have caused the splicing thread introducing device attached
to the main arın 12 to travel from the thread exe 20 against which it is normally
located and in a direction opposite to that in which circular knitting is being done
to a point just in the rear of the usual depressing cam, in readiness to lay the
splicing thread down by the side of and between the needles as the latter is being
lowered in the usual way to take the thread and form it into a loop.
Even after the sidewise motion of the main arm 12 has been arrested by abutting
against the spindle 18 the disc 26 continues to travel the still increasingly wider
part of the cam ring 27 so that the two upper plates 13 and 14 only are moved
thereby.
The continued partial rotary movement of the plate 13 causes the pin 11" to
travel the angular slot 13 therein into the position in Figure 1 thereby lowering
the thread introducing device down by the side of a needle Figs. 4 and 5 just as

page_text: the latter is being lowered to draw its loop so that it engages not only the main
knitting thread but also the splicing thread.
Immediately the thread introducing device commences to descend towards the
needles the hooked catch 14* moving with the plate 14ª presses against the
vertical pin 18 and is thereby moved away from the stud 12b Figs. 6, 9 & 10 and
the pin 14 having also moved away from the pin 19 the catch plate 19° on which
the latter is fixed immediately moves against the said stud 12" and holds its
attached main arm 12 firmly in position.
Simultaneously with the splicing thread introducing device reaching its
lowest point between the needles the disc 26 arrives at the widest part of the
cam ring.
The latter now continues at a uniform width for some distance so that the
thread introducing device remains in its lowest position for a short period, viz. until
the splicing thread has been engaged by at least three or four needles.
The cam ring becomes now gradually narrower the object of which is that the
said disc may gradually get back to its original position and thereby return the
splicing thread introducing device to the point from which it travelled, viz. close
up against the thread eye."
Upon the disc commencing to travel along the increasingly narrower portion of
the cam ring 27 the lever 23, connecting rod 22 and lever 16 under the influence of
the spring 15 cause the plates 13, 14" to move upon the spindle 7, while the
spring 21 brings back the pin 11 to the oblique portion of the slot 13ª so that the
splicing thread introducing device is raised to its highest position. At the same
time the pin 14° moves the catch plate 19° away from the stud 12" and the hooked
catch 14 thereupon moves into contact with it.
When the thread introducing device is in the act of rising the upper flat
portion 2 of the central plate 2 slides up the cam plate 4 moving the said plate 2 on
its fulcrum so that its lower end is moved from between 1 and 3 thus opening the
thread introducing device for re-engaging the threads as in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.
The thread introducing device, in consequence of the disc 26 moving along the
narrowing part of the cam ring, now commences its return journey, in a side
direction and travels towards the thread eye 20 in doing which it passes across the
splicing thread 3* Figs. 6, 7 and 8 so that the latter passes between the plate 2
and the plates 1 and 3 whereupon the upper part of the plate 2 immediately.
afterwards passes out of contact with the cam surface 4 so that the lower end of
the said plate 2 immediately closes upon the splicing thread thereby severing it and
at the same time holding it between the adjacent plates. The thread introducing
device will now have come up against the thread eye and the roller have reached
the narrowest part of the cam ring.
The above process will be repeated for any desired number of courses according
to the number of high links in the pattern chain thereby producing a spliced or
thickened fabric on those needles, (riz. one-half or thereabouts of the entire circle)
engaged in knitting the knee of a stocking.
After the knee has been knitted as described the toe of the monitor lever will
come upon the medium size links 50 in the pattern chain, thereby returning the
rocking arm 42 to its original position and raising the sliding gear.
Now the next time the pin 33 passes this sliding gear it will ascend the lower
cam plate 35 which has now been moved into the path of the said pin, and the
latter and its attached roller 26 will thereupon be raised into the true circle 29
when the leg knitting will be carried on and the splicing apparatus remain
quiescent.
After a sufficient number of courses to form the leg have been knitted the toe
of the monitor lever will come upon the small links 51 of the pattern chain, the
other left hand rocking arm 42 (right hand in Figure 15) will now be moved so
that the roller 40 is traversed to the extreme end of the slot 41 and elevated
thereby the sliding gear is simultaneously raised so that the lower cam plate 35'
is shifted into the path of the pin 33 and upon the latter coming into contact

page_text: with the said cam will be raised thereby, elevating the disc 26 out of the true
circle into contact with the upper cam ring 28 so that splicing will take place
upon the opposite half of the circle of the needles, during the knitting of the ankle
or upper part of the heel.
After this last named part has been spliced the medium size links again come
under the toe of the monitor lever, returning the rocking arm 42, lowering the
sliding gear so that the upper cam 35* depresses the pin 33 and roller 26 again into
the true circle for the making of the heel and toe.
Small links are again brought into requisition for knitting and splicing
the foot bottom and these are succeeded by medium links for knitting the toe.
This invention has been herein before described as applied to one type of circular
knitting machine, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that the
said invention, with only slight mechanical changes, may be applied to different
forms of well known circular knitting machines, so that the said invention is not
limited to the exact construction shown for the devices, as we are not aware, that,
prior to this invention, any device was ever before employed to positively grasp
between its members a splicing thread and carry it into place between the
needles, deliver the said thread to the needles, then release the splicing thread,
and return to its starting point, the desired number of needles having been pro-
vided with splicing thread, and then again grasp, cut off, clamp and hold the
end of the splicing thread ready to be again delivered on to the needles, and
all this carried on course after course under the control of a pattern surface or
chain.
Nor, according to our knowledge, has a splicing thread device having the capacity
of delivering splicing thread to the needles, ever had combined with it a track or
plurality of tracks to aid in moving the splicing thread device into and out of
operative position with relation to the needles.
The roller 26 acts merely to overcome friction between the lever 23 and the
splicing thread tracks.
Just the same result would be effected if the end of the said lever or pin thereon
should run on the said track.
This invention is not limited to the exact construction shown for the splicing
thread device, as it might be differently shaped within the skill of the mechanic,
and yet clamp, hold and cut off the splicing thread as required by the machine acting
as described.
The plates 1. 2. 3. constitute both jaws to clamp the thread and scissors by which
to cut it off when desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles and holding it until it is engaged thereby.
2. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles and holding it until it is engaged thereby
and of subsequently moving into a position to re-engage the thread.
3. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles and holding it until it is engaged thereby
and means for subsequently moving the said device into a position to re-engage and
sever the said thread.
4. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles, and having at times a motion in a direction
identical with that of the needle-actuating-cam-ring during circular knitting and at
other times in an opposite direction.
5. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles and having a motion sometimes in
the direction of the needle-actuating-cam-ring during circular knitting and

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sometimes in the opposite direction and also to and from the needies the
manner described.
6. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles and holding it until it is engaged thereby
and means for moving the said device again into the track of the thread and also
for opening the said device to re-engage and sever the thread in the manner
described.
7. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles, a cam ring and mechanism interposed between
it and the said device to actuate the latter in the manner described.
8. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles, two cam rings and mechanism interposed
between them and the said device to actuate the latter and means for causing such
interposed mechanism to be operated by one or other of the said cam rings as
desired for the purpose described.
9. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles, two cam rings and a circular ring, a lever
moving in contact with one of the said rings, mechanism interposed between the
said lever and the said device to actuate the latter and means for moving the said
lever into and out of contact with the said rings for the purpose described.
10. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles, cam rings, mechanism interposed between
them and the said device to actuate the latter, sliding gears for causing the said
interposed mechanism to be actuated by one or other of the said cam rings as
desired.
11. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
ducing the thread between the needles, cam rings and mechanism interposed between
them and the said device to actuate the latter, sliding gears and means for raising
and lowering same to place the said interposed mechanism into and out of contact
with the said rings for the purpose described.
12. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a device for intro-
lucing the thread between the needles, cam rings and mechanism interposed between
them and the said device to actuate the latter, sliding gears for placing the said
interposed mechanism in and out of contact with any of the said cam rings, rocking
arms, monitor lever, and pattern chain for actuating the said sliding gears in the
manner and for the purpose described.
13. In a circular knitting machine the combination with a thread eye located in
advance of the needle depressing cam, of a device for introducing a splicing
thread between the needles and caused at times to travel with the thread to
the rear of the said cam and down by the side of a needle drawing its loop and
hold the thread until it is engaged by one or more needles and subsequently to
rise from between the needles and travel back to the thread eye and in so doing
re-engage and sever the splicing thread.
14. The combination with a circular series of needles, a needle actuating cam
ring, and a splicing thread eye, of a splicing thread device having jaws adapted to
grasp and cut the splicing thread between the said thread eye and the said needles
and hold the end of the said splicing thread until again to be presented to the
needles, substantially as described.
15. The combination with a circular series of needles, a needle actuating cam
ring, and a splicing thread eye, of a splicing thread introducing device having jaws,
means to move the said splicing thread device backward and forward in relation to
the direction of rotation of the said cam ring, and toward and from the series of
needles, and to open and close the said jaws whereby they are made to embrace the
splicing thread near the said thread eye, cut the splicing thread, hold its end and
at a later period move toward the said needles, deliver the splicing thread thereto
and then release the splicing thread preparatory to returning to the said thread eye
substantially as described.