IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRIC TO BE Used in the PRODUCTION OF KNEE-CAPS AND OTHER SURGICAL HOSTERY AND BELTS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Cotton, of No. 25, Derwent Street, Nottingham,
K
in the County of the Town of Nottingham, Mechanic, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC
FABRIC TO BE Used in the PRODUCTION OF KNEE-CAPS AND OTHER SURGICAL
HOSTERY AND BELTS
Sealed the 30th November 1877, and dated the 13th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Cotton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th June 1877.
CHARES COTTON, of No. 25, Derwent Street, Nottingham, in the County of the
Town of Nottingham, Mechanic. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR
THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRIC TO BE USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF KNEE-
CAPS AND OTHER SURGICAL HOSIERY AND BELTS."
The object of the Invention is to simplify the manufacture of elastic fabric to be
used in the production of knee-caps and other surgical hosiery and belts by the
manufacture of such fabric to the forms desired by mechanical means operated by
power. For this purpose I employ a rotary "frame" with the sinkers divided into
two sets, each set being equal to one-half the complement of the needles, and the
two sets being together equal in guage to the needles. I also employ a point bar
with points equal in guage to half the complement of needles, and I use a grooved
presser bar. The point bar and the presser bar have traverse motion given them,
so as to act alternately with the respective needles during the formation of the
"tuck" work, and they are retained from endway motions to operate with every
other needle in the production of the "welting."
The carrier for the elastic thread is, like the ordinary thread carrier, operated by
jacquard or other suitable pattern surface to make the desired traverse for the
fashioning, and this elastic thread is laid between the points and the needles, the
points opening or expanding to admit of the passage of the point of the elastic
thread carrier between them at the parts desired. The one set of sinkers operate

page_text: to draw on the alternate needles, and then the other set operate with the first to
divide.
Light but uniform tension is applied to the elastic thread in its passage to its carrier
during working. For this purpose I pass it under and over series of bars, aided by
slight elastic pressure or such like tension means, and I apply a "snap" or such like
arrangement to take up any slack at the end of each traverse of its thread guide.
The point or feed end of this elastic thread guide has a feed motion for laying in
its thread, and it is then raised by cam or tappet or such like lifting motion after
laying its thread, so as to be out of the way of the other motions in the formation
of the work.
When heel bits or such like additions are required, such additional pieces are
applied to extra points, the leads of which are then applied to a suitable bar placed
in position in relation to the other parts, by which such bits may with their
points be slided into position to be united with the parts to which they are to be
connected.
In order to produce enlargements for swelling in the fabric for knee-caps and
other uses, I at the parts desired introduce extra courses of the ordinary and of the
elastic thread, extending parts only of the,width of the fabric for the time being
produced, such variations being under the control of the jacquard or pattern surface.
In this case loose needles would be used, capable of being fixed or released at the
times desired.
"
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Cotton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th December
1877.
:
CHARLES COTTON, of No. 25, Derwent Street, Nottingham, in the County of the
Town of Nottingham, Mechanic. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR
THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRIC TO BE USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF KNEE-
CAPS AND OTHER SURGICAL HOSIERY AND BELTS."
The object of the Invention is to simplify the manufacture of elastic fabric to be
used in the production of knee-caps and other surgical hosiery and belts by the
manufacture of such fabric to the forms desired by mechanical means operated by
power. For this purpose I employ a rotary "frame" with the sinkers divided into
two sets, each being equal to one-half the complement of the needles; and the
two sets being together equal in gauge to the needles. I also employ a point bar
with points equal in gauge to half the complement of needles, and I use a grooved
presser bar. The point bar and the presser bar have traverse motion given them,
so as to act alternately with the respective needles during the formation of the
"tuck" work, and they are retained from endway motions to operate with every
other needle in the production of the "welting."
The carrier for the elastic thread is, like the ordinary thread carrier, operated by
jacquard or other suitable pattern surface to make the desired traverse for the
fashioning, and this elastic thread is laid between the points and the needles, the
points opening or expanding to admit of the passage of the point of the elastic
thread carrier between them at the parts desired. The one set of sinkers operate
to draw on the alternate needles, and then the other. set operate with the first to
divide.

page_text: "
snap
دو
Light but uniformn tension is applied to the clastic thread in its passage to its
carrier during working. For this purpose I pass it over and under series of bars,
aided by slight elastic pressure or such like tension means, and I employ a
or such like arrangement to take up any slack at the end of each traverse of its
thread guide. The point or feed end of this elastic thread guide has a feed motion
for laying in its thread, and it is then raised by cam or tappet or such like lifting
motion after laying its thread, so as to be out of the way of the other motions in the
formation of the work.
When heel bits or such like additions are required, such additional pieces are
applied to extra points, the leads of which are then applied to a suitable bar placed
in position in relation to the other parts, by which such bits may with their
points be slided into position to be united with the parts to which they are to be
connected.
In order to produce enlargements for swelling in the fabric for knee-caps and
other uses I, at the parts desired, introduce extra courses of the ordinary and of the
elastic thread, extending parts only of the width of the fabric for the time being
produced, such variations being under the control of the jacquard or pattern surface.
In this case loose needles would be used capable of being fixed or released at the
times desired.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to tho
precise arrangement of means described, but what I claim is, the arranging or
combining means or apparatus for the manufacture of elastic fabric to be used in
the production of knee-caps and other surgical hosiery and belts, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Cotton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
CHARLES COTTON. (L.S.)