Improvements in or relating to Circular Knitting Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Circular Knitting Machines.
We, SAMUEL DAVIS of Samuel Davis & Sons, Hosiery Manufacturers,
Hinckley, in the County of Leicester, and JOHN LEE, of 12 Charles Street,
Hinckley aforesaid, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to circular knitting machines and has for its object to
provide improved mechanism for introducing a splicing thread into the knitted
fabric at those places which are required to be thickened.
In the Specification of prior Letters Patent granted to us No. 18736 dated
19th October 1892 we have described and shown apparatus for introducing a
splicing thread into knitted fabric, such apparatus being thrown into and out of
action by hand when required. In the said prior Specification the invention was
shown applied to machines in which the needle cylinder rotated.
An important feature of the present invention is that the splicing apparatus is
controlled by a Jacquard chain or by two or more such chains which are so
constructed having regard to the nature of the work in course of manufacture that
the splicing thread is introduced and removed at the desired places without
requiring the intervention of the operator.
Another feature of the present invention is the adaptation thereof to machines
that have fixed needle-cylinders and a rotating cam-ring.
We employ a thread-guide and spring clip for severing the splicing thread
similar to those described in the said prior Specification. These we mount on the
rotating cam-ring, which is also constructed to carry the splicing spool. For
raising and lowering the spring clip as required we provide stationary catches or
cams suitably constructed and mounted with respect to the cam-ring and splicing
apparatus that the said catches or cams operate to raise and lower the spring clip
at the proper time and so control the delivery of splicing thread to the fabric in a
manner that will be understood from the Specification before referred to. The
said catches or cams are controlled by the Jacquard chains, which for this
purpose are provided in some cases with special links in such manner that the
catches or cams are thereby moved in and out of the operative positions according
After the
as it is required to introduce or not introduce the splicing thread.
spring clip has been raised or lowered by the appropriate catch or cam it
remains in such raised or lowered position until changed by another of said catches
or cams.
We have described our invention as applied to machines having rotary cam-
rings and stationary needle-cylinders, but we wish it to be clearly understood that
we can apply the Jacquard controlling mechanism to machines having rotary
needle-cylinders such as those partially illustrated in the prior Specification above
referred to.
Lh of Contember 1803
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Circular Knitting Machines.
We, SAMUEL DAVIS, of Samuel Davis & Sons, Hosiery Manufacturers,
Hinckley, in the County of Leicester, and JOHN LEE, of 12 Charles Street,
Hinckley aforesaid, Mechanic, 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 circular knitting-machines, and has for its object to
provide improved mechanism for introducing a splicing thread into the knitted
fabric at those places which are required to be thickened.
In the Specification of prior Letters Patent granted to us No. 18736 dated
19th October 1892, we have described and shown apparatus for introducing a
splicing thread into knitted fabric, such apparatus being however thrown into
and out of action, at the beginning and ending respectively of the thickened piece
of fabric, by hand. In the said prior Specification the invention was shown applied
to machines in which the needle-cylinder rotated.
An important feature of our present invention is that the splicing apparatus is
controlled by a Jacquard chain, or by two or more such chains so constructed and
arranged having regard to the nature of the work in course of manufacture that the
splicing thread is introduced and broken off at the desired places without requiring
the intervention of the person who superintends the machine.
Another important feature of the present invention relates to the adaptation of
the splicing devices to machines that have a fixed needle-cylinder and a rotating
cam-ring.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown how our invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan of so much of a circular knitting machine, having a rotating
cam-ring or cylinder and stationary needle-cylinder, as is necessary to illustrate our
invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is side view of a detail hereinafter described looking from the left of
Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a part of Figure 2 drawn to a larger scale, and hereinafter
described.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 4 looking from the
right of the latter figure; these parts are carried by a strap on the cam-ring.
Figure 6 is a view on the same scale showing other parts carried by the cam-ring
that work in conjunction with the parts shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 7 is an elevation of a part of another type of circular machine having our
improvements applied thereto.
Figure 8 is another view looking from the right of Figure 7.
Like letters denote corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Referring first to Figures 1 to 6, A indicates the needles; B is the rotary cam-
ring. B is a strap carried by the cam-ring. These parts are constructed as
heretofore. C Figure 5 is a tubular thread-guide through which the ordinary
thread D and the splicing thread D' pass on their way to the needles. The
thread-guide is secured to a plate E mounted on a bracket E¹ formed with the
strap Bi
F is a spring clip, and G is another thread-guide both mounted on
the plate E. The splicing thread D¹ passes through a hole G¹ in the guide G,
then through a hole in the spring clip F and then under the spring clip before
joining the ordinary thread at the tubular thread-guide C. The mode of operation
of this spring clip and thread-guide C is similar to that described in the before-
mentioned Specification. The arm H see Figure 6 for controlling the spring clip F
is mounted on a vertical spindle H¹ which is carried by a bracket I secured to the

page_text: cam-ring. His a spring which is compressed between the lower face of an upper
part of the bracket I and a pin H' passing through the spindle. Said spring serves
to depress the spindle, after the latter has been raised and then released as herein-
after described, until a shoulder H* formed at the upper end of the spindle rests
upon the top of the bracket I. The arm H projects under a part F° of the spring
clip F and operates to raise and lower the said clip when the spindle is moved up
and down, and thereby effects the alternate checking and releasing of the splicing
thread.
For raising the spindle H' at the proper moment in the rotation of the cam-ring
to release the splicing thread, we provide a cam-like piece J Figure 1 carried by a
bracket or arm J adjustably secured on a shaft J which can turn slightly in a
fixed bearing J³. The said piece J has an inclined upper surface along which the
lower end of the spindle H' slides once in each revolution of the cam-ring. The
spindle H' is thereby raised, and in turn raises the spring clip F and releases
the splicing thread. The piece J is so arranged on the bracket J¹ that it can be
moved laterally out of the path of the spindle H' so that when the said piece is so
shifted the spindle H' can turn with the cylinder without encountering the said
piece. J is a spring which operates to draw forward the piece J when the latter
is released and to maintain the same in the operative position. Immediately the
spindle H is raised it is not allowed to drop again at once, but is maintained in the
raised position by a plate K which is pivoted at K' to the bracket I and is
controlled by a spring K2 that keeps it pressed against the spindle. When the
spindle H' rises, the plate K is immediately pulled by its spring underneath the
shoulder H of the spindle and supports the latter in its raised position. For
releasing the spindle and thereby allowing it to fall again at the proper moment we
provide a stop L Figure 1 which is supported in such a position that it is struck by
the tail end of the plate K when the latter arrives at that part of its rotation with
the cam-ring. By striking the said stop the plate K is turned suddenly about its
pivot and is thereby withdrawn from underneath the shoulder H of the spindle H'
whereupon the said spindle is immediately depressed by its spring H2 and the
It will
spring clip F is thus again allowed to fall and sever the splicing thread.
be seen that the splicing thread is free to pass in to the needles during the time
the bracket I travels from the piece J to the stop L, and is arrested while_the
bracket travels the remainder of the revolution, that is to say, from the stop L to
the piece J.
A finger K³ attached to the plate K at K₁ projects between the guide G and the
spring clip F in rear of the splicing thread, and operates when the plate K is
suddenly turned to strike the part of the thread D¹ between the holes F and G
and so draw off some slack thread from the spool at the moment that the clip F
falls and severs the said splicing thread, so that when next the clip F is raised there
will be no obstruction to the splicing thread passing freely to the needles. The
splicing-thread spool D² see Figure 2 is carried by the bracket E¹ which is formed
in one with the strap B' and therefore travels round with the cam-ring.
The machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings is one
wherein when the heel of the sock or stocking is being knitted the cam-ring
receives an oscillatory in lieu of a complete rotary movement. When the change
from rotary to oscillatory movement takes place and the heel begins to be formed
it is desirable that the splicing thread shall not be severed but shall pass in to the
needles throughout the whole of the heel. For this purpose we provide for
lowering the stop L out of the path of the plate K when the heel commences so
as to avoid striking the said plate and thus severing the splicing thread.
this as follows, that is to say, we form the stop with or mount it on a vertical
bar L' (see Figure 2) which can slide up and down for a limited distance
determined by a screw or stud L2 which passes through a vertical slot L³ in the
bar L and is secured to the frame of the machine. This screw or stud serves as a
We do
guide for the bar L' in its up and down movements. We connect the said bar L¹
by a link L to a lever M which is centered at M on the frame of the machine.

page_text: M2 is a spring acting on the rear end of the said lever M, and operating normally
to keep the bar L₁ raised and the stop L therefor in the operative position.
N is a cam fixed on a rotating shaft N₁ and adapted to act upon a roller N2 which
is carried by a pivot pin N³ fixed in the lever M. N is a lever pivoted at N³ to
the lever M in such a manner that it can turn in a horizontal plane but cannot
move vertically except when the lever M also moves with it. The rear end of the
lever N is twisted and its edge rests in a circular groove formed in the roller N
whereby said lever forms a guide for the roller. By turning the said lever N₁
about its pirot N° the roller N2 is brought into or removed out of the path of the
cam N. The position of the said lever N is controlled by a Jacquard chain O as
follows. That is to say, P is a lever, pivoted to the frame at P and furnished
with an adjustable pin P2 that rests on the Jacquard chain. The said lever P is
connected by a link P³, and lever 14 (which is pivoted at P' to the frame), to a
bar Pe the lower end of which is slotted at P7, see Figure 3, and is guided by a
stud or pin Ps secured in the frame of the machine. On one side of the said bar Pe
is formed an inclined face P which works against the tail end of the lever Nin
such a manner that when the bar ascends it turns the lever N about its pivot and
throws the roller N2 over the cam N in which position the latter operates to turn
the lever M and depress the stop L. When the bar Pe descends again, the
roller N is drawn back from the cam by a spring No. The lever M is moreover
connected by a link Q to an arm Q connected to the shaft J which carries the
piece J, so that when the cam operates to depress the stop L it also depresses the
piece J. Instead of operating the shaft J directly, the arm Q' operates a collar Q²
loosely mounted on the shaft. Said collar is furnished with a projecting pin Q3
which presses against a finger Q4 of a collar Q adjustably fixed on the shaft J2 and
operates thereby to turn the said shaft when the collar Q2 is turned. The shaft J 2
is returned to its initial position, when the finger Q³ retires, by a spring J5. It is
obvious by suitably adjusting the collar Qit can be arranged that the shaft J²
shall not be turned by the movements of the lever M.
Before starting a sock or stocking, the operator draws back the piece J so that
it shall not release the splicing thread which is then held by the clip F. The said
piece J is retained in the inoperative position by a finger R carried by a lever R¹
which is pivoted at P' and is furnished with a pin R2 that rests on the wheel of the
Jacquard chain O out of contact with the chain. When the proper length of sock
has been knitted and the splicing thread is required to be introduced, a special
high link S on the Jacquard chain arrives underneath the pin R2 and raises said
pin and with it the lever R' and thereby removes the finger R from the piece J and
releases the said piece which latter is then drawn into the operative position by its
spring J whereupon the splicing thread is introduced into the fabric. Said thread
will be severed as soon as the plate K arrives at the stop L in the manner above
described, and will be introduced again when the spindle H¹ arrives at the piece J.
This action will continue until the piece J and stop L are thrown out of action by
the movement of the lever M in the manner above described such change taking
place when the heel is commenced.
This machine is so constructed that the cam N ceases to rotate when the
change takes place for forming the heel, such construction being old and forming
no part of our invention. The cam is moreover arranged to stop with its long
axis approximately upright under the roller N2 in which position the stop L and
piece Jare both depressed and no longer perform their functions. The actual
depression of these parts is timed to take place just after the spindle H¹ has passed
the piece J, that is to say, after the splicing thread has been freed, and consequently
during the knitting of the heel, the splicing thread is continuously fed to the
needles along with the ordinary thread. When the heel is finished, and the machine
is required to change back to circular work, the Jacquard chain has allowed the
bar Pe to fall and release the lever N whereupon the roller N2 is withdrawn by its
spring N from contact with the cam N and the lever M is then caused by its
spring M² to raise once more the stop L aud piece J, and simultaneously change

page_text: the machine back to circular work. While forming the heel, the strap B₁ turns
slightly to and fro on the cam-ring B and hence the brackets E and I are caused
to part company.
In such event owing to the withdrawal of the arm H from
underneath the clip F the latter would be released and allowed to drop and sever
the splicing thread at a time when it ought not to be severed. To prevent such an
occurrence we provide a finger T Figure 5 pivoted at T' to the bracket E' and
acted upon by a spring T2 which, when the finger is released by the parting of
the brackets E and I draws up the finger into a vertical position in which position
it supports the clip F and prevents said clip from dropping. Said finger is turned
from this position as soon as the brackets E and I come together again by a pointed
rod T3 Figure 6 secured to the bracket I and adapted to slide under the tail end
of the finger T when the said brackets E, I come together, thus raising said tail
end of the finger and depressing the head thereof. In this position of the brackets
the clip F is free to rise and fall in accordance with the movements of the arm H
which recur in the manner above described when the heel is completed and circular
work again commences.
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 which show our invention adapted to a King
knitting machine the cam piece J and stop L can slide vertically and are connected
by links to one or more levers which are controlled by the Jacquard chains, in such
a manner that they can be automatically moved out of the operative position when
required.
O, O indicate the Jacquard chains, U is a lever pivoted to the frame of the
machine at U¹ and having a projection U2 that rests on the Jacquard chains.
This lever is connected by suitable links or bars V to the piece J and by a heel
picce U3 and other link V₁ and lever V2 to the stop L in such a manner that
when the lever U is raised and lowered in accordance with the height of the links
on the Jacquard chain the piece J and stop L will be raised or lowered into or out
of the operative position. The spring clip F and thread-guides G and C together
with the controlling lever H of the spring clip F are mounted on the rotating
cover W of the needle-cylinder. The lever H is centred at h and is acted on by a
spring which restores the lever to its initial position when released as hereinafter
described. The lower face of the piece J is curved so that when the lever H
arrives at said piece the tail end of said lever slides against the curved surface
and is depressed thus raising the inner end of the lever and with it the spring
clip F whereupon the splicing thread is freed and passes to the needles along with
the ordinary thread as hereinabove described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
When the tail end of the lever H is depressed a catch X centred at X1 and con-
trolled by a spring X2 immediately locks the lever and retains it in that position
until the same arrives opposite the stop L whereupon the tail end of the catch X
is struck by the said stop and the lever H is liberated. The said lever H is
then returned to its initial position by the spring and the splicing thread is
again severed. This operation of throwing the splicing thread in and out is repeated
until the Jacquard chain raises or lowers the lever U and throws the piece J and
stop L out of action.
We have described our invention as applied to machines having rotary cam-rings
and stationary needle-cylinders, but we wish it to be clearly understood that we
can apply the Jacquard controlling mechanism to machines having rotary needle-
cylinders such as those partially illustrated in the prior Specification above
referred to.
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. The combination with a circular knitting machine having a stationary needle-
cylinder of a rotating splicing device comprising a spring clip or the like adapted
when released to trap and sever the splicing thread, said clip being controlled by

page_text: fixed or adjustable cam-like pieces or stops, substantially as, and for the purpose,
specified.
2. Means whereby the said cam-like pieces or stops are controlled by Jacquard
chains, for the purpose specified.
3. The special devices for raising the spring clip, and for retaining the said clip
in its raised position until released by the stop above referred to, substantially as
described.
4. In a circular knitting machine, the combination, with a splicing device com-
prising a spring-clip or the like adapted when released to trap and sever the
splicing thread, of a Jacquard chain or Jacquard chains for controlling the said
spring clip, for the purpose specified.
5. A circular knitting machine fitted with the improved splicing device con-
structed substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, or to Figures 7
and 8 of the drawings herewith, and operating as set forth.
Dated this 7th day of October 1893
HASELTINE, LAKE. & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.