Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 1st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 6th Apr., 1889
I JOHN WILLIAM WATTS of Countesthorpe near Rugby in the County of Leicester
Manager of a Hosiery Factory do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to knitting machines and the first part of my invention
consists in a device for automatically measuring the fabric as it is being knitted and
giving a signal when the required length of fabric is produced or automatically
stopping the machine. This improvement relates to knitting machines in general
being applicable to all machines where a weight is used (for each division or head of
the machine) for preventing the work rising up the stems of the needles when knitting
is being done.
I arrange a grooved pulley to revolve near to the fabric as it descends from the
machine. The grooved pulley carries a chain or band of suitable material for
measuring purposes fitted with studs or thumb screws and nuts. One end of the
chain or hand is made fast to the buckle or hose weight so that as the hose weight
descends it draws the chain down with it, the other end of the chain or band has
a small weight attached sufficiently heavy to draw it back when the hose weight is
raised.
A horse-shoe or other convenient shaped lever is pivoted so that one arm lies over
one side of the measuring chain as it passes over the grooved pulley and, has extending
horizontally from its side next the grooved pulley, a V shaped cam whose outer point
lies over the centre of the grooved pulley. The other arm of the lever lies over the
driving shaft or over the boss of the driving toothed wheel. The said boss or shaft
has a cam or cams attached to one side in such a manner that when the stud on the
measuring chain strikes the V shaped cam it turns the horse-shoe shaped lever
laterally so that the right arm lies over the cams on the boss of the driving wheel or
shaft; then as the cam revolves it raises the right arm of the lever which sounds
the alarm or stops the machine. As soon as the stud has passed the point of the
V shaped cam a small spring draws the levers laterally until the right arm again lies
free of the cam on the boss of the driving wheel or shaft.

page_text: If an audible signal is to be given I adjust an ordinary bell to the machine in such
a way that when one arm of the horse shoe lever is raised it comes in contact with a
spring hammer which causes it to strike the bell thereby informing the operator that
the machine is to be stopped. It being important that the thumb screws should
occupy the centre of the measuring chain or band.
The parts are preferably formed as follows. The nut is of sufficient length to reach
the whole width of the chain or band and its screw hole is exactly in the centre.
1 prefer that its upper outer edges are recessed so that its centre passes between links
of the chain until it is level with the upper side of the chain. The end of the thumb
screw is shouldered down and tapped while the shank of the thumb screw between the
nut and the flattened top is of one uniform thickness. Instead of the studs and
measuring chain as just described I may use a strap or helt of other suitable material
fitted with thumb studs and nuts or with studs and clamping plates.
My next improvement consists in a device for automatically or otherwise stopping
the machine when the required length of fabric has been knitted or at any time when
desired.
Instead of having a fast and a loose pulley for driving and stopping the machine
I may have a clutch device similar to those used for hosiery stitching and linking
machines or I may use conical or flat friction pulleys &c.
Whatever plan of driving I may adopt I arrange a knock out lever to occupy two
positions one for driving and the other for stopping the machine.
I arrange a spring or weight to act upon the knock-out lever so that it always
puts-tho-lover-in its position for stopping the machine unless the said lever is
held in its working position by hand or by a catch or prop specially provided for
the purpose.
This catch or prop I so arrange that it will be removed by the arm of the horse
shoe lever coming in contact with it when the said lever is put in motion by the
measuring chain or band as previously described thereby instantly stopping the
machine.
Instead of the horse shoe shaped lever as just described I may use two single
levers pivoted to the bed plate and connect the two together by a bar in such a
manner that when one lever is moved by the stud on the measuring chain or band it
also moves the other over the cam on the driving wheel or shaft causing the bell to
sound or the machine to stop. Instead of requiring a spring to draw the levers in
the opposite direction to that to which the stud on the measuring chain pushes them
I may arrange an inclined bar in such a manner that as the right side lever is being
raised by the cam on the driving wheel or shaft this inclined bar pushes the two levers
in the opposite direction to that to which the measuring stud pushed them so that
when the right side lever again falls it is free of the stud on the driving wheel or
shaft. The lever that lifts the catch or prop for stopping the machine is pivoted so
that in addition to its lateral motion it also has a vertical action independent of
the other lever.
By another modification of levers I can dispense with the aforementioned studded
chain belt or band and still accomplish the same results.
To one side of the hose weight I fit a cam standing horizontally from its side, a
vertical hole is drilled through this cam through which is passed a long rod whose
upper end is fastened to the machine and lower end to the floor or other suitable
bearing. The hose weight is connected to the fabric by a buckle hook &c. in the
usual manner.
Near to the driving shaft is vertically set another rod upon which is fitted
adjustable brackets the said brackets being fitted with thumb or other set screws and
also with measuring rods that stand out horizontally from the brackets and whose
outer ends stand close to the vertical rod of the hose-weight. The bracket rod is
supported at each end in suitable bearings to allow it to rock or turn slightly on
its centre.
The brackets are attached to the rod so that they cannot turn independently of each
other. The rocking rod carries another adjustable bracket to which is attached a

page_text: lever or crank whose outer end fits into a hole in the horse shoe lever or equivalent
aforesaid.
The descending hose weight guided on its rod strikes with its projecting cam the
brackets aforesaid rocking the bracket rod and moving the horse shoe lever or its
equivalent to ring the bell or stop the machine as beforedescribed.
The catch or prop, the spring on the knock out lever and the driving gear are
similar to those previously described. It will thus be seen that very little strain is
put upon the fabric to move the horse shoe shaped lever or other stopping levers
laterally and thus to give the signal or stop the machine. Another advantage gained
is that although the article produced may have throe or more parts (for instanco a
man's half hose) I only have to adjust the stopping apparatus once. I always start with
the buckle in one position say at the welt, when the one and one top is finished.
I then start the machine working, when sufficient length has been knitted to form
the leg piece the bell rings or the machine stops automatically. I next make the
heel and again start the machine knitting the foot when the foot is knitted the bell
will again ring or the machine will be stopped automatically; the toe is next knitted
and the welt made in the usual way, the machine is again started and when sufficient
is knitted of the one and one pattern the bell again rings or the machine stops auto-
matically. The hose weight is next raised and the buckle put on the welt of the top
just knitted and again the machine proceeds to knit in a similar way to that just
described. For stopping the machine by hand when it is being driven by power in
case of empty bobbin &c. I make the right side lever of sufficient length to enable it
to be raised by hand thus lifting the catch or prop away from the knock out lever
whereby the machine is instantly stopped.
Instead of using the horse shoe lover and thumb screw studs as just described
I can for certain classes of work accomplish the same results by having studs on the
measuring chain with rounded tops and a lever pivoted so that its fore end lies over
the measuring chain or band, then when the stud passes underneath the lever it raises
the fore end up which sounds the bell or stops the machine according to which of the
aforementioned apparatus is used.
For the making of striped or other goods I sometimes use the following apparatus
which is for stopping the machine or ringing the bell when a certain number of
courses are knitted instead of measuring the fabric by distance. Upon the inner side
of the driving wheel and a little way from the centre, I pivot one end of a lover, the
other end is formed into a ratchet and gears into a ratchet toothed wheel which is
carried at the back of the machine or other suitable bearing.
The said wheel carries an endless or other suitable chain, the links of the chain
fitting onto teeth that surround the aforementioned wheel, the chain carries studs that
are set at certain distances apart to correspond to the pattern of the fabric required or
to the number of parts in the article being knitted.
The prop or catch, the stopping lever, the knock out lever and spring for same are
all of a similar description to those previously mentioned.
When the machine is being worked each revolution of the driving wheel causes
the ratchet to rack the ratchet wheel one tooth and when the gauge of the studs that
the chain fits on is the same as the ratchet wheel the chain moves forward one link at
a time euch time the machine is revolved.
But if necessary I may cut the ratchet teeth much finer so as to require less chain.
Each time a stud rises to the top or centre of the ratchet wheel it raises the lever
which disengages the catch or prop and so stops the machine.
Another part of this invention relates to automatically stopping the machine in case
of empty bobbins instead of pressing off the work.
Instead of a solid wire or spike for carrying the bobbin when the yarn is
being knitted off it I prefer a hollow or longitudinally grooved bobhin wire.
Into this groove is fitted one end of a bell cranked or other shaped lever that is
pivoted near the base of the bobbin wire, a spring is connected to this lever so that
it is always forced out of the groove unless held in by other means. A rod, cord,
chain or other suitable article connects this bobbin lever with the aforementioned

page_text: horse shoe lever or equivalent thereof. The bobbin spool or cop has a longitudinal
slot in its side at the lower end and extending upwards to the height of two inches
more or less. This slot in the bobbin is wide enough for the lever to work in.
When I put a bobbin, spool, or cop of yarn on the bobbin wire I first force the spring
into the groove in the spike taking care that the slot in the bobbin is opposite the
lever the rounds of yarn upon the bobbin keep the spring from coming forward;
when the machine is started the connecting cord becomes slightly tightened and when
the yarn is nearly all off the bobbin the spring forces the lever into the slot at the
lower end of the bobbin so that at the same time the horse shoe or other lever is
drawn over the cams on the revolving shaft and the machine is instantly stopped.
Various other arrangements of springs and levers to the bobbin may be adopted.
Dated this 1st day of June 1888.
HERBERT & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.

page_text: I JOHN WILLIAM WATTS of Countesthorpe in the County of Leicester, Manager
of a Hosiery Factory 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 consists in certain improvements in
and relating thereto hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims, reference
being made to the drawings hereunto annexed which illustrate the improvements as
applied to a circular knitting machine.
The first improvement consists in a device operating automatically with the fabric
as it is being knitted and giving a signal or causing the operation of the machine to
cease when the required length of fabric is produced.
This improvement relates to knitting machines in general, being applicable to all
machines where the motive power of a weight is used or can be applied (for each
division or head of the machine) for preventing the loops rising up the stems of the
needles when knitting is being done..
It mainly consists in arranging said fabric weight in such a manner with regard to
certain levers and cams that the movement of the fabric weight may directly or
indirectly cause said levers to assume such positions that the motive machinery may
cause a signal to be given, or may cause itself to be put out of gear with the knitting
machinery or in any other way cause the action of the knitting machine to cease or
may simultaneously perform both said functions.
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate one of the modes by which this may be performed, Fig. 1
being an elevation of the base of a circular knitting machino with the aforesaid device,
Fig. 2 a plan view thereof. The device comprises the following parts.
A is a grooved pulley journalled on a gudgeon underneath the bed plate A of the
machine and near to the fabric as it descends from the needles, B is a measuring
chain or band that is supported over the pulley A¹ and fitted with studs B¹. The
fore end of the chain B is made fast to either the fabric weight C or the buckle C to
which the fabric may be fastened and which carries the fabric weight. The other
end of the chain B carries a small weight D³ attached to it for the purpose of drawing
back the chain when the fabric weight C is raised by hand and generally for holding
the chain B taut.
Or instead of having the weights B³ I may attach another grooved pulley to the
floor or other suitable place, vertically below the pulley A' and use an endless chain
or band, attaching to it at a suitable place either the hose weight 0 or the buckle C¹.
For ungearing the machine, an oscillating angle lever D is pivoted at D¹ to a
stationary part of the frame so that one armi D' lies over one side of the measuring
chain as it passes over the grooved pulley A. This arm has extending horizontally
from its side next the grooved pulley a V shaped cam or the like D whose outer
point lies over the centre of the grooved pulley. The other arm D* of the lever D
lies over the driving shaft E or over the boss of the driving toothed wheel F. The

page_text: said boss or shaft has a cam or step F1 attached to one side (or there may be two or
more such cams) so that when a stud B¹ on the chain B comes in contact with the
V shaped cam D it turns the lever D laterally so that the arm D arrives over the
path of the cam F¹ on the boss of the driving wheel or shaft, then as the shaft or
wheel is revolved the cam F¹ raises the arm D of the lever D which causes the alarm.
to-sound or the machine to stop as hereinafter shown.
As soon as the stud B₁ has passed the point of the V shaped cam the spring F2
draws back the lever D until its arm D lies free of the path of the cam F¹. Or
instead of the spring F' I may arrange an inclined bar or track so that as the arm D
is. raised by the cam F¹ it arrives upon said track, and following the same is pushed
laterally, so that when it falls it lies free of the path of the cam For I may connect
the knock out-lever-H' with the arm D by an elastic spring for instance the
spring F so that when the knock out lever is in position for stopping the machine
the said spring is tensioned and will then draw back the lever D as soon as the
V shaped cam D has passed the stud B'. If an audible signal is also to be given to
the operator adjust the bell to the machine having a hammer attached to a spring
striking lever arranged so that the lifting of the arm D of lever D may cause the
hammer to strike the bell in a manner well known thereby informing
the operator
that a certain length of fabric has been knitted. The arm D is pivoted at 1, the
outer length being guided in a vertical plane upon the inner part by the pin and
slot D so that the outer part of the arm D can be raised vertically by the
cam For by hand when desired without at the same time raising the arm D?..
Fig. 3 shows-in side elevation, Fig. 3-in-plan, the mode of arranging the signal
bell G. In this case the pivotal pin G' of the angle lever D is extended upward
to a convenient.height-and-serves to support the signal bell in the known manner.
On the outer part of the arm D' is fixed the spring striking rod G² having the
block G adapted to strike the bell when the arm D' is moved upward by the cam F1.
There may be attached-to the bolt G a small block G having a projection with
inclined face, so placed as to impede somewhat the passago past it of the striking
rod G' in the act of striking so as to retain the latter for a moment until the tension
in the spring rod is sufficient to drive the rod over the said block G* so that the
action of the hammer is more sudden and powerful. Owing to the position of the
spring striking rod on the arm D, the lateral movement of the lever I will be suffi-
cient to move the striking rod so that the said block G does or does not lie in the
path of the striking rod as aforesaid according as the lever arm D is over the cam FI
or moved laterally from the path of the latter.
Or the striking rod G may be pivoted on an independant support and the end of
the rod be brought over the arm D' so that the latter may when raised, deflect said
rod up to a certain point of tension, when the rod will slip from off the arm D' and
in so doing move to cause the hammer block to strike the bell.
Whatever the mode of supporting and operating the signal bell, and striking rod,
it is proferable that the tension or force required for operating the hammer should be
derived wholly from the lifting of the arm D, that is to say from the motive
machinery and that the same should in no wise be a strain upon the lateral movement
of the lever D since the said movement is derived from the fabric weight and it is
inadvisable to increase the fabric weight.
In cases where a signal bell alone is required, the bell may be arranged just above
the pulley A¹ or otherwise in such a manner that the end of the striking lever,
occupies the same position as the V shaped cam on the arm D2 of the horse shoo
shaped lever, then as each stud on the measuring band, passes the said lever, the
latter is deflected, and when the said stud has passed, the spring attached to the
striking lever instantly draws back the striking lever and so rings the bell. With
this lust arrangement the angle lever D is dispensed with and the only parts used in
addition to the ordinary machine are the pulley A¹, the measuring band B with its
studs B' etc. and the bell arrangement.
Instead of an angle lever Din one piece I can accomplish the same results by
using two single levers pivoted so that they occupy the same relative position as the

page_text: arms of lever D, and uniting the two lovers by a shackle so that as one lever is
moved laterally the other follows also. It being important that the studs B' should
always occupy a certain determined position along the chain B for instance along
the contre line of the chain, a further improvement consists in a construction of
pattern chain, with adjustable studs suitable for the device above described or other
like devices employing pattern chains.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate in elevation and section the improved pattern chain. The
links B are sufficiently broad for the accurate guiding of the chain upon the pulley A¹.
They are formed and connected preferably in the manner shown so that a number of
equidistant and substantially oblong spaces B are formed within them. For fitting
in these spaces there are provided for each stud a socket plate B2 of width sufficient
to exactly lie between the two lateral loops of any link.
The holes that the studs screw into are formed exactly in the centre of said socket
plates, or the upper longitudinal edges of the latter are recessed or shouldered down
so that the central part of the plates project through the spaces B within the links
of the chain. The studs B' are formed so that they scrow into the plates B² up to
the shoulder B. The upper ends of the studs B' may be shaped so that the studs
may be screwed in or out by the thumb and finger or a slot may be cut in their upper
surface for enabling a screw driver to be used for that purpose. Instead of the
measuring chain and studs as just described, by another modification of levers, the
aforementioned studded, chain belt or band can be dispensed with and the same
results still accomplished as follows.
Reference being made to Figs. 6 and 7, on one side of the fabric weight (Fig. 6)
is fitted or formed a V shaped cam I¹ to stand out horizontally from its side, or the
weight C may be shaped so that its outer edge all round is formed into a V shaped
cam 1. To the centre of the weight is fitted a tube 12 of suitable length that slides
freely on a vertical rod I³ whose upper end is made fast to the machine and the lower
end to a plate I, fastened to the floor or secured in any other suitable way.
To the front of the fabric weight is fastened the buckle C, (Fig. 1) so that the
said buckle is always in a vertical line with the centre of the machine when the
machine is knitting.
Parallel with rod 1 is another rod I³ journaled in the frame of the machine above
and in the plate I below so that it may have a revolving or rocking motion.
Sliding upon the rocking rod are brackets I so as to be vertically adjustable on the
said rod. They may be fixed in position by the thumb screws 16, the inner ends of
which project into a longitudinal groove cut in one side of the rod 1° for the purpose
of preventing the brackets from turning independently of the rod. The brackets
stand out horizontally in such a manner with regard to the fabric weight that the
latter cannot pass the bracket rods I' without turning them sideways. Upon the
upper end of the rocking rod 15 is fastened another bracket 18 that has a lever 1°
pivoted to it to move in a vertical plane. This lever lies over the boss of the
driving wheel F and is an equivalent to the arm D' of the angle lever D, while the
bracket rods are also equivalent to the other arm D³ of the angle lever D.
The descending fabric weight C guided on its rod 13 strikes with its projecting
V shaped edge I, the bracket rods I' thereby turning the said rods and rocking
rod 1 aside and causing the lever 1 to shift froin its position over the level revolving
surface of the shaft E or of the boss of the wheel F until it lies in the path of the
cam F on the boss or shaft, the cam at the next revolution of the boss or shaft
raises the lever 1° and so either rings the bell, or as hereafter described stops the
machine. The signal bell and attachments may be arranged with regard to the
lever 1 in a similar manner to that before described with regard to the arin D'.
The next improvement relates to the device for driving the machine, and auto-
matically or otherwise causing it to stop when the required length of fabric has been
knitted or at any time when desired. In performing this part of the invention a fast
pulley H (Figs. 1 and 2) and a loose pulley H' are fitted to the driving shaft E being
driven by a belt from the main shaft. H is a forked lever for slipping the belt from
one pulley to the other and is arranged so that it occupies two positions, one for

page_text: driving and the other for stopping the machine. A spring H operates on the
lever H³ so that it always places the same in the position for stopping the machine
unless the said lever is held in its other position by hand or by the prop or catch H³.
To the catch H is pivoted one end of the trigger H so that the other end hangs over
the arm D of lever D or its equivalent. It will thus be seen that when the arm D
is raised by the cam Fit strikes the trigger H and so liberates the catch or prop H
from the side of the forked lever H³. The spring Hthen instantly shifts the forked
lever H into its position for stopping the machine.
Instead of the foregoing device for driving and stopping the machine I may use
the following arrangement. Upon the driving shaft E. Fig. 7 and 8 or preferably
upon the boss of the bearing E' of the driving shaft E, is fitted to run loosely a
driving. wheel K whose outer circumference may be shaped to receive a belt for
driving the machine from the main shaft K' or preferably be made with spur teeth to
gear into those of a similar wheel K' on the main shaft K2, which shaft revolves in
bearings attached to the bench or framework of the machine (one such shaft being
sufficient to drive a number of machines). To one side of driving wheel K are
attached or formed lugs K'; upon the shaft E is fitted a sleeve K³ to slide laterally
upon a key way upon the said shaft. The circumference of the sleeve at the end next
the driving wheel K is reduced in diameter and a collar K is loosely fitted on the
reduced end and held thereon by a washer or ring K' attached to the reduced end of
the sleeve K. The collar K has a semicircular recess cut in its inner surface and
into which is fitted a semicircular steel spring K Fig. 9, whose outer ends lie upon
the reduced circumference of the sleeve. A set-screw-K-is-fitted-in-the-collar-K-
so that its inner end is opposite the centre of the steel spring K so as to bear
thereon in a socket if necessary. Standing out from the side of the collar K next
the driving wheel are lugs K corresponding to the lugs on the driving wheel K.
For laterally moving the sleeve K, a groove is cut around the circumference of the
sleeve into which is fitted the yoke of a knock out lever K, pivoted to the framework
of the machine, its outer end being formed into a handle for starting the machine;
When the knock out lever is moved towards the machine, the lugs on the collar K
come in contact with the lugs on the revolving driving wheel K, the said collar K® is
instantly revolved and if the spring K is screwed down tightly enough by the
set screw K10, the machine commences knitting at once. This spring K is for the
purpose of preventing breakages to the machine. The spring being so adjusted that
the friction is sufficient to drive the machine while ordinary knitting is being done
but if any extra pressure be brought on to the machine, through broken needles,
ravelled bobbins or other causes, the machine stops, and the collar Ke revolves as
usual. The knock out lever K¹³ is held in the working position by the catch H
which is liberated by the raising of the lover I (in a similar manner to that previously
described) whereupon the machine is instantly stopped by the spring on the knock out
lever, forcing the said lever away from the machine until the lugs on the collar K
are again free from the lugs on the driving wheel K. It will thus be seen that the
great advantages I gain by my improvement in knitting machines are first. That it
only requires a very slight increase in the fabric weight (just sufficient to move the
horse shoe shaped lever or its equivalent Interally as described) and the steam or other
driving power gives the signal to the operator or knocks away the catch and so stops
the machine. Second that although the article being knitted may require the machine
to stop various times daring its production I only have to adjust the stopping apparatus
For instance in knitting a man's half hose I proceed as follows, to knit a
stocking or half hose, the buckle C' should be always fastened at one determined
part of the article.
once.
Having drawn up the hose weight C as high as possible, and made a welt the
machine is started running, when the one and one top is knitted the first stud on
the measuring chain B comes in contact with the V shaped cam D³ or the edge of
the hose weight comes in contact with the first horizontal rod 17 and the lever I or
its equivalent D is raised, the signal is given or the machine is stopped automatically.
The needles are then changed and the machine is again started kuitting the leg piece,

page_text: when that is done the second stud on the measuring chain B or the edge of the hose
weight will have arrived at the V shaped cam D³ or respectively the next measuring
rod 17 to move the same sideways and then raise lever I or D' which again sounds
the alarm or automatically stops the machine. After the heel is knitted, the machino
is again started knitting the foot piece; when that is done the hose weight will have
arrive at the third horizontal rod or the third stud will have arrived at the V'shaped
cam D³ when the signal will be given or the machine stopped automatically as just
described; the toe is next made in the usual way, and finally the hose weight is
again raised to its highest position prior to commencing the next half hose.
For the making of striped or other goods I may use the following apparatus for
automatically stopping the machine, or of sounding an alarm when a certain number
of courses are knitted instead of measuring the fabric by distance as by the mechanism
before described. Upon the inside of the driving wheel F Fig. 10 I pivot one end
of a lever L the other end of said lever is formed into a ratchet that gears into a
ratchet wheel which is pivoted on a gudgeon I attached to the framework of the
machine or other suitable bearing. Integral with said ratchet wheel is a pulley or
toothed wheel L' which carries an endless or other suitable chain L' whose links gear
onto the teeth or pins set to the gauge of the links of the chain around the said
wheel L. The chain L carries studs of an ordinary description that are set at
certain distances apart on the chain to correspond to the pattern of the fabric required
or to the number of parts in the article being knitted. When the machine is being
worked, each revolution of the driving wheel F causes the ratchet lever L to rack the
ratchet wheel L' one tooth, and when the number of teeth of the wheel L³. is
the same as those of the ratchet wheel, the chain moves on one link each time the
driving wheel F is revolved. But when necessary I may cut the ratchet wheel much
finer than the gauge of the chain so as to require less chain. Each time one of the
measuring studs rises to the top of the ratchet wheel it raises the lever I and so
either sounds an alarm or stops the machine in the manner previously described.
The prop or catch H, the lever 1' and the knock out lever K" are all of the same
description and operate in the same manner as previously described.
Another part of this invention relates to automatically stopping the machine in
case of empty bobbins, instead of pressing off the work. This principally consists in
arranging a lever and spring in such a manner with regard to the bobbin that its
movement is restrained by the yarn on the bobbin, until the latter being almost
exhausted permits the lever to move under the influence of the spring and so causes
the machine to stop by suitable mechanism set in operation by the movement of
the lever.
For holding the bobbin on the machine when knitting yarn off it I form two holes M
in the back of each bobbin (Figs. 11 and 12) and fit two spikes M' in the bed plate
of the machine for the said holes in the bobbin upon. At the same relative position
to these holes in each bobbin I form a vertical slot M² extending upwards from the
bottom to say the height of two inches more or less open to the side of the body of
the bobbin and extending inwards to the centre hole therein preferably avoiding
cutting through the back of the bobbin to a greater distance from the centre than
necessary. In place of the ordinary rigid spike to receive the bobbin when knitting
yarn off it I arrange one end of a lever N¹ to fit in said slot M2, when the bobbin is
placed on the two spikes M¹. This lever is pivoted to the bed plate of the machine,
and its other arm is connected by a cord, wire or chain N or other suitable device to
the angle lever D or equivalent thereof. An elastic or other spring No is fitted to the
lever N in such a manner as to tend always to force the end of the lever that is inside
the centre of the bobbin against the yarn that is wound around the bobbin. When
the machine is at work, and the lever Ď or its equivalent I lies free of the cam F¹, the
cord is very slightly tensioned so that when the yarn is worked off or nearly off the
bobbin the spring N forces the lever out of the slot M² of the bobbin while the lower
end of the lever draws the lever I or 1 off the even surface of the revolving boss
or shaft over the cam F and the machine is instantly stopped as before described.
In applying any of the above mentioned stopping apparatus to straight or flat bar
I

page_text: knitting machines such as "The Rothwell' The Lamb" &c. I preferably attach the
knock out cam or step F¹ to one of the sliding or reciprocating parts of the machine
in such a manner that the arm D' of the lever D or its equivalent I lies free of the
path of said cam until the said lever is moved by the motive power of the descending
fabric weight C forcing the lever D or its equivalent. I into position for the cam F
attached to the reciprocating part of the machine to strike the said levers D' or 1°
and so liberate the catch H when the knock out lover H³ or its equivalent K¹² is
instantly forced by the spring H into its position for stopping the machine. 1
preferably arrange the end of the levers D' or I° near the centre of the machine so
that as the cam passes when travelling in either direction the machine will be
instantly stopped.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. In knitting machines where a weight is used for drawing the fabric from the
needles a construction whereby the motive power of the descending fabric weight is
utilized to cause the motive power that drives the machine to also stop the machine
or cause it to be stopped or to give an audible signal when the required length of
fabric has been knitted or to perform both said functions.
2. The combination with the fabric weight of a chain or band having studs or
projections thereon and moved by said weight and a lover adapted to be deflected by
the passing of said studs-and-to-thereupon-cause the machine to stop or a signal
to be made.
3. The combination with a fabric weight of a measuring chain or band attached
directly or indirectly at one end thereto, a pulley A' supporting said chain or band
and a weight B attached to the other end thereof for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination with a fabric weight of an endless measuring chain or band
attached directly or indirectly at one part to said fabric weight and two pulleys
substantially as set forth for supporting said chain or band.
5. A measuring or pattern band with adjustable studs, being a chain constructed
substantially as described in combination with socket plates to fit in the spaces of the
chain and studs to screw into said socket plates as set forth.
6. The combination with a pattern band of an angle lever or its equivalent adapted
to be deflected by passage of the studs on said band so that one arm of said lever is
thereupon brought into the path of a cam to be moved thereby and cause the stopping
of the machine or the giving of the signal.
7. The combination with a cam F of a lever adapted to be moved automatically or
by hand into or from the path of said cam, fast and loose pulleys on the driving
shaft, a belt fork, a spring adapted to move said fork to throw the belt on the loose
pulley, a detent to hold said fork so that the belt is maintained on the fast pulley,
said detent adapted to be loosed by the operation of the cam on the lever aforesaid.
8. A cam F and a lever adapted to be moved automatically or by hand into or
from the path of said cam in combination with a spring striker and a signal bell
adapted to be struck thereby substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with a fabric weight of a series of levers adapted to be deflected
by the passing of said weight and thereupon cause the machine to stop or a signal
to be given.
10. The combination with a rod of a fabric weight designed to slide by its gravity
thereon and a rocking rod parallel thereto having adjustable bracket levers adapted
to be deflected by the passage of said weight.
11. The combination with a rocking rod, having adjustable bracket levers thereon,
of a movable sliding block adapted to deflect said levers by its passage and thereby
cause the machine to be stopped or a signal to be given.
12. In a circular knitting machine, a rod 1' parallel to the vertical axis of the
machine in combination with a fabric weight sliding on said rod having an attachment
for the fabric situated in the vertical axis of the machine.

page_text: 13. The combination with the rocking rod I of an arm I adapted to be moved by
the rocking of said rod into or from the path of a cam F1 and adapted to be moved
by said cam when in the path thereof and to thereupon loosen a detent whereby the
machine is released from the driving power or to thereupon cause a hammer rod to
strike a signal bell.
14. The combination of the loose wheel K driven by power, lugs K₁ thereon, a
sleeve K feathered on the driving shaft, an annulus K* connected by a friction clutch
to said sleeve and lugs Ki on said annulus K for the purpose set forth.
15. The combination of the loose wheel K driven by power, a friction clutch on
the driving shaft adapted to be moved into engagement with said wheel, a spring
lever or spring actuated lever tending to disengage said clutch and a detent restraining
said lever whereby the clutch is held in engagement.
16. As a friction clutch, the combination with the feathered sleeve K' of an
annulus K1 capable of revolving on said sleeve, a recess on the inner face of said
annulus, a spring in said recess and a set screw for regulating the tension of said
spring and consequently the frictional power of the clutch.
17. The combination with the driving gear of a spur wheel driven by said gear
and a pattern chain on said wheel, studs or projections on said pattern chain a lever
adapted to be deflected by the passage of said studs, a detent adapted to be loosed
by the deflection of said lever whereby the driving gear is disengaged by the action
of a spring.
18. The combination with the spur wheel L³ of the ratchet wheel L' integral
therewith and ratchet lever I pivoted eccentrically with regard to the axis of the
driving shaft and operated thereby for the purpose described.
19. The combination for the purpose set forth with the bobbin or yarn holder of a
lever or equivalent device so disposed as to be restrained by the coils of yarn or the
like upon the bobbin or holder from a movement instigated by a spring or other
continuous power which said movement is adapted to cause the machine to stop, or a
signal to be made.
20. The combination with a bobbin having an open slot cut in the bottom thereof,
of a lever extending into said bobbin, and a spring causing said lever to bear upon
the yarn wound upon the bobbin for the purpose set forth.
21. The combination with a bobbin having recesses M' and a slot M³ of a bed plate
therefor having pins M and a lever N with spring N° mutually arranged substantially
as set forth and for the purpose described.
22. In straight bed knitting machines with reciprocating action, the construction
of the cam Fnpon a reciprocating part of the machine with the relative arrange-
ment of the lever D' or 1° to be operated thereby for the purpose or purposes
set forth.
23. The combination for the purpose set forth of a bench or like supporting frame
a shaft K journalled thereto, a spur wheel or spur wheels K¹ on said shaft and a
apur wheel K on each machine, whereby the machine or machines may be operated
by the said shaft.
.
Dated
this 1st day of March 1883.
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckinghain Street, Strand, London, W.C.,
Agents to Applicant.