Improvements in Yarn Feeding Mechanism for Knitting Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 12th June, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Yarn Feeding Mechanism for Knitting Machines.
I, JOSEPH ALbert BurleiGH, a citizen of the United States of America,
residing at Laconia, in the County of Belknap, in the State of New Hampshire,
United States of America, Machinist, 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 comprises a yarn feeding
mechanism therefor in which two different kinds or colors of yarn are alternately
fed to the needles.
In yarn feeding mechanism in which a change of yarn is effected to produce
different colors or different textures in different parts of the fabric being knit,
there is usually a difficulty in that the yarn which is designed to be fed at certain
intervals for these purposes, sometimes fails to reach the needles, and the product
is defective on that account.
The object of this invention is to provide a yarn changing mechanism for a high
speed knitting machine which will operate with certainty and precision.
The invention consists in a yarn changing mechanism in which both yarns
alternately knit into the fabric are constantly connected to the fabric and constantly
passed through the yarn carriers, either being fed to the needles while the other is
held out of contact therewith.
The invention also consists in certain combinations and constructions of parts
hereinafter described.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a side elevation of the
knitting head of a circular knitting machine, a bobbin support frame attached to
the cam cylinder of said head for supporting and guiding yarn to be supplied to
this yarn feeding mechanism, and a part of the ordinary yarn stand of such a
machine.
Figure 2 represents a side elevation of a knitting head containing this yarn
feeding mechanism and the mechanism for actuating the oscillating yarn carriers
constituting a part thereof, the ordinary mechanism of the head being omitted.
Figure 3 represents a front elevation of this yarn feeding mechanism the parts
being in the positions which they assume when the main yarn is being fed and the
substitute yarn is withheld from the needles.
Figure 4 represents a side elevation of the detached members of the oscillating
extensible substitute yarn carrier.
Figure 5 represents a plan view of said yarn carrier.
Figure 6 represents a perspective view of the cam slide for lifting the yarn
carriers.
Figure 7 represents a segment of the needle latch guard and one of the needles
and a fragment of one of the oscillating yarn carriers, in elevated position holding
the non-feeding yarn behind the needles."
Figure 8 represents an elevation of one side of this yarn feeding mechanism, the
parts being in the position which they assume when the substitute yarn is being fed
to the needles.
Figure 9 represents an elevation of the opposite side of the yarn feeding
mechanism, the parts being in the position which they assume when the main yarn
is being fed to the needles.

page_text: Figure 10 represents a plan view, corresponding to Figure 9, of this improved
yarn feeding mechanism, the parts being in the positions which they assume
when the main yarn is being fed to the needles and the substitute yarn is held
away from the needles, the mechanism shifting the yarn carriers being about to
operate.
Figure 11 represents a plan of this yarn feeding mechanism, the parts being in
the positions which they assume when both yarns are simultaneously fed to the
needles, this occurring for the space of a few stitches while a change of yarns is
being effected.
Figure 12 represents a plan corresponding to Figure 8 of this yarn feeding
mechanism, the parts being in the positions which they assume when the substitute
yarn is being fed and the main yarn is out of use.
Figure 13 represents a plan of this yarn feeding mechanism, the yarn carriers
being in the same position as in Figure 12, the actuating mechanism therefor
having shifted one point.
1. Figure 14 represents a plan of this yarn feeding mechanism, the yarn carriers
being still in the same position, as in Figures 12 and 13 and the actuating
mechanism therefor having shifted another point, preparatory to changing the yarn
carriers at the next stroke.
Figure 15 represents a plan of this yarn feeding mechanism, the parts being in
the positions which they assume when both yarn carriers are in operative position
feeding both yarns to the needles during the operation of changing back from the
substitute to the main yarn.
Figure 16 represents a plan of this yarn feeding mechanism, the parts being in
the positions which they assume after the main yarn is restored to the needles and
the substitute yarn withdrawn therefrom.
Figure 17 represents a plan of the yarn feeding mechanism in which the yarn
carriers are in the same position as in Figure 16, the actuating mechanism
therefor having shifted a step since the said carriers assumed the position of
Figure 16...
Figure 18 represents a plan of this yarn feeding mechanism, in which the yarn
carriers are still in the same position as in Figures 16 and 17, the actuating
mechanism having shifted another step preparatory to again actuating the yarn
carriers for another change of the yarn, this view being similar to Figure 10
except that in this case the actuating star wheel has just passed the second pin of
its actuating device, whereas Figure 10 shows it moved around into position to
engage in the succeeding movement the first pin of said device.
Figure 19 represents a perspective view of the standard, hinged arm and plate
for supporting the needle latch guard, a fragment of the latch guard, and this yarn
feeding mechanism, a corner lug of said plate being broken off.
Figure 20 represents a vertical section of the standard, the hinged arm and the
spring for holding the hinged arm in horizontal or vertical position.
The same reference numbers are used in all the figures to designate the same
parts.
This invention is designed principally for use in connection with any circular
knitting machine to which it may be applied for changing the yarn during the
knitting operation.
The invention is especially adapted for automatic knitting machines for the
continuous knitting of stockings or socks such as the machine shown and described
in Patent 2756, dated February 6, 1896, or the machine shown, described and
indicated in my Patent No. 1466 dated January 22, 1895.
This invention is illustrated in connection with a knitting head similar to that
shown in my prior patents referred to, comprising a rotary cam cylinder, as 240,
encircling the needle cylinder for operating the circular series of vertically
movable cylinder needles, as 230, and a rotary cam ring, as 400, for operating the
radially sliding sinkers 235. The cam operating mechanism and other parts not
constituting a part of this invention are omitted from this specification.

page_text: A bed-plate 30 is mounted on the frame of the machine and serves as a support
for the knitting head.
A yarn stand 50 is attached to the bed-plate 30 and extends rearwardly
therefrom as shown in my said patents, being provided with a spindle or spindles
for holding one or more of the bobbins containing yarn. An upright standard 53
is supported on this yarn stand and carries certain parts of the yarn guiding
devices.
An arm 55 extends rearwardly from the top of this standard and is provided
with a yarn guide, not shown, disposed over said bobbin spindle, and an arm 58
extends forward and is provided with a yarn guide 59 disposed over the knitting
head. A horizontal bracket 60 adjustable on said standard 53 extends forward
therefrom and is provided with a yarn guide 61 disposed over the knitting head.
This yarn feeding mechanism is supported on the cam cylinder and is carried
around therewith by the rotation of the latter.
In the illustrated embodiment a standard 500 is attached to the bracket 303
shown in the aforesaid patents in the same manner in which the upward
extension 315 of said patents is attached to said bracket. An arm 510 is hinged
to the upper end of this standard in the same manner in which a similar arm is
hinged to the extension 315 in said patent, said arm being held in either vertical
or horizontal position by means of a spring 512 in the ordinary manner.
The hinged arm 510 carries a plate 511 constituting a part thereof and a latch
guard 520 is secured to said plate by means of arc-shaped arms 521 and 522 in an
ordinary manner. The latch guard may be either circular or segmental and it is
provided with an opening 523 opposite its supporting plate.
Two extensible yarn carriers are pivoted at their outer ends to the outer end of
the supporting plate 511 and are adapted to project at their inner ends through the
opening 523 in the latch guard 520. These yarn carriers are preferably disposed
radially to the circle of needles 230 and pivoted to swing in a vertical plane. The
extensible yarn carrier 530 is illustrated as the main yarn carrier for carrying the
main yarn
and the yarn carrier 540 is shown as the substitute yarn carrier for
carrying the substitute yarn. Each of these yarn carriers is made extensible by
being composed of two members, a pivoted outer member and a sliding inner
member. The main yarn carrier 530 is composed of the pivoted outer member 531
having a slot 533 in its body, and the sliding inner member 535. This sliding
member has a screw stud 537 which extends through the slot 533 of the
pivoted member, and by this means the inner member is adapted to slide on the outer
member. The sliding member is provided at its front end with an inclined yarn
guide or eye 538 which has a broad opening at the top of the arm and a narrower
discharge orifice at the lower corner of the end thereof. An elongated stud 513
is disposed in the plate 511 at the left of the pivoted part of the arm 530 and
immediately in the rear of the sliding part thereof. This stud is preferably
inclined at its upper end towards the latch guard 520. A spring 534 shown in the
form of a contractile spiral spring, one end of which is connected to the sliding
member 535 and the other end to the pivoted member 531, tends to hold the rear
end of the sliding member in contact with said elongated stud 513 so that when the
yarn carrier 530 is raised on its pivot, the sliding part 535 thereof is pushed
inward by said stud towards the needles so as to carry the discharge orifice of
the yarn guide 538 to a point in a vertical plane inside the line of the needle
circuit.
The substitute yarn guide 540 is also composed of two parts, a pivoted
member 541 and a sliding member 545, one of these parts being provided with a
rib 542 and the other with a groove 546 fitting on said rib, the part 541 having a
slot 543 and the part 545 a screw stud 547 for holding the sliding part in contact
with the pivoted part. The sliding member 545 is provided at its inner end with
a yarn guide 548 through which the yarn is delivered to the needles. An elongated.
stud 514 is disposed in the plate 511 at the right hand side of the pivoted member
of this yarn carrier 540 in rear of the sliding member thereof, and a spring 544

page_text: tends to draw back the sliding. member of said carrier and hold it in contact with
said stud. It is not found to be necessary to bend the stud 514 forward in order to
throw the yarn delivered by the yarn guide 540 inward beyond the line of the
needles, but it may be so bent if desired.
The main oscillating yarn carrier 530 is provided with a dependent inclined
latch guard 539 which serves to guard the latches of the needles and keep them
open when this carrier is raised in inoperate position, and the substitute oscillating
yarn carrier 540 is provided at its inner end with an upright latch guard 549 which
serves to guard the latches of the needles and hold them open when said yarn
carrier is in depressed operative position. These guards on the yarn carriers serve
to cover the opening in the latch guard 520 and perform the function of said guard
at this point.
A transverse guideway is formed near the outer end of the supporting plate 511
and a cam slide 550 is disposed in said guideway underneath the pivoted parts of
said yarn carriers 530 and 540. This cam slide is provided on its upper face with
two oppositely inclined cams 551 and 552 disposed apart from each other. 'The
cam 551 serves to lift or swing upward the main yarn carrier 530 and the cam 552
serves to swing upward the substitute yarn carrier 540. When the parts are in
the position shown in Figure 10 where the main yarn carrier is feeding the yarn to
the needles the inclined cam 551 is disposed some distance to the right of the main
yarn carrier and the inclined cam 552 is disposed somewhat to the right of
the substitute yarn carrier 540, and the shank of the main yarn carrier rests in the
recess between said cams and the shank of the substitute yarn carrier rests on the
upper face of the slide being thereby held in inclined position as shown iu
Figures 9 and 10.
This cam slide 550 is operated by any suitable means. The means shown for
this purpose may be varied or altered as desired. This slide is shown as provided
at its left hand end with an upwardly projecting stud 555 and at its right hand end
with a downwardly projecting stud 556. A lateral bracket 560 is attached to the
outer end of the plate 511 and a vertical shaft 570 is journalled in said bracket.
A wrist wheel 580 having a wrist pin 581 is supported on the shaft 570. This
wrist wheel is preferably provided with a hub 582 having a slot 583 and is
preferably mounted on the upper end of said shaft so as to turn loosely thereon
for a given distance, the shaft being provided with a pin 571 which plays in the
slot 583 and limits the free movement of the wrist-wheel. A connecting rod 590
having a slot 591 is pivoted at one end on the upright stud 555 on the cam slide
and connected by its slot 591 with the wrist pin 581. A segmental cam 600 is
fixed to said vertical shaft 570 and engages the downward stud 556 on said cam
slide and serves to push said slide towards the left.
A star wheel 610 is attached to the vertical shaft 570 and is actuated at the
proper intervals of time whereby said shaft is partially rotated and the wrist wheel
and connecting rod caused to operate upon the cam slide. The connecting rod and
wrist wheel operate to shift the cam slide 550 towards the right as shown in
Figure 10 and the segmental cam 600 operates to shift it towards the left.
The mechanism for actuating the star wheel may be of any desired character.
When constructed as herein shown it comprises a radial slide 620 similar to the
slide 476 in my said patents. A standard 621 is attached to this radial slide and
carries at its upper end an arc-shaped arm 622 having on its inner face near
its opposite ends two projections or pins 625 and 626. A lever 630 similar to the
lever 472 of said patent is pivoted on an ear 631 on one end of the frame and is
connected at its upper end with the slide 620 and at its lower end projects into the
path of certain cams. A wheel 640 which may or may not correspond to the
wheel 351 of my said patent, is supported on a shaft 350 which may correspond to
the cam shaft 350 of Patents 1466/95 and 2756/96. This wheel is provided on one
of its faces with the cams 641, 642 and 643 which as said wheel is turned, come in
contact at proper intervals of time with the lever 630, swinging said lever on its

page_text: pivot and pushing in the slide 620. A spring 655 connected at one end to said
ever and at the other end to the frame operates to restore said lever and slide to
This pushing
heir normal positions, when the lever is released by the ca ns.
nward of the side 620 projects the pins 625 and 626 into the path of the star
wheel 610 which is carried around by the cam cylinder 240 in its rotation, said
wheel coming in contact with said pins and being actuated thereby when the slide
is pushed in. The cams 641 and 642'hold the slide inward a sufficient time to
permit the star wheel to strike both pins 625 and 626 once and the cam 643 is of
sufficient breadth to hold the slide inward until the cam cylinder brings the star
wheel around a second time whereby the set of pins is engaged twice.
The cam cylinder 240 carries a yarn frame in which one of the yarn bobbins is
mounted. This frame when constructed as shown comprises two short lateral
brackets 650 and 660 attached to the cam cylinder at diametrically opposite points.
These brackets may have sockets 651 and 661 provided with set screws 652 and
662. Two vertical standards 670 and 680 are mounted in said sockets and held by
said set screws or otherwise attached to said brackets. The standard 680 is
provided on its lower part with an adjustable collar 681 and the standard 670 is
A cross bar 690 connects the
provided with a thread guide 671 in the upper part.
A cross bar 700 is
upper ends of these standards and carries a yarn guide 691.
hinged at one end to the standards 670 and provided with a hook 701 at its opposite
end which engages the standard 680. This cross bar is provided with a spindle 702
for receiving one of the bobbins containing yarn. Another cross bar 710 is pivoted
to the standard 680 and provided with a hook 711 which engages the standard 670.
This cross bar has two yarn guides or eyes 712 and 713 through which the main
and substitute yarns pass.
A yarn take up mechanism for taking up the slack of the substitute yarn at the
end of each course when knitting in reciprocatory pouch forming courses, is
supported on the standard 680. This mechanism comprises an arm 720 adjustable
on said standard and provided with yarn guides 721 and 722; also a bracket 730
adjustable on said standard. A take-up 740 provided at its inner end with a yarn
guide 741 is pivoted on this bracket in the usual manner and a wire 745 having a
spiral spring coil 746 connects the rear end thereof with an adjustable collar 747
on the standard 680. The yarn tends to pull down the inner end of the take-up
against the tension of the spring and at the end of each short course the spring
lifts the forward end of the take-up so that that part of the yarn which becomes
slack in reversing the cam cylinder at the end of each reciprocatory course, is held
sufficiently taut to avoid entanglement.
In the use of a knitting machine embodying this invention a bobbin for supplying
the main yarn 800 is placed on a spindle on the stationary yarn stand 50 at the
rear of the knitting head, and this yarn passes upward and through the yarn guides
in the overhanging arms including the guide 59, thence downward through the
yarn guide 61, thence through the yarn guide 671 on the standard 670, thence
through the yarn guide 712 in the cross bar 710, thence through the eye 538 of
the oscillating extensible main yarn carrier 530 and thence to the needles or
fabric. The bobbin containing suitable yarn 810 for knitting the heels and toes
of stockings and for other purposes, is placed on the spindle 702 mounted on the
frame carried by the rotary cam cylinder 240, and this yarn passes from said
bobbin upward through the yarn guide 691 on the cross bar 690 of said frame,
thence downward through the guides 721 and 722, thence through the eye 741 of
the take-up 740, thence through the yarn guide 713 of the cross bar 710 and thence
through the eye 548 of the oscillating substitute yarn carrier 540 to the needles
or fabric.
During the knitting in circular courses of a tubular portion of the fabric, as for
instance, the leg or the foot of a stocking, the cain 600 and wrist wheel 580 are in
the positions shown in Figure 10, the oscillating main yarn carrier 530 is in
depressed operative position, and the oscillating substitute yarn carrier is
in elevated and extended inoperative position. The main yarn 800 passes through

page_text: the eye of the carrier 530 and is delivered to the hooks of the needles, and the
substitute yarn 810 passes through the eye of the carrier 540 down behind the
needles u inside the circle of needles, and is connected to the fabric being knit.
Sufficient of the substitute yarn is drawn through the eye of the oscillating yarn
carrier 540 to follow in a straight line the length of fabric which descends from
the needles. When a point is reached in the knitting of a leg or foot where it
becomes necessary
to alter the movements of the mechanism so as to form
reciprocatory instead of circular courses preparatory to the knitting of the heel
or toe, the proper changes are effected in the movement of the cam cylinder and
its cams, and at or about the same time the cam 641 on the wheel 610 engages the
lever 630, whereby the radial slide 620 is pushed inward and the pins 625 and 626
on the arc-shaped arm 622 carried by said slide are moved inward into the path of
the star wheel 610. This star wheel first engages the stud 625, and is moved
thereby an eighth of a rotation. This eighth turn of the star wheel turns the
shaft 570 and brings the segmental cam 600 into contact with the dependent
stud 556 on the cam slide 550, and shifts said cam slide toward the left a sufficient
distance to release the substitute yarn carrier 540, the parts being then in the
position shown in Figure 11. When so released the tension of the spring pulling
the slide member 545 against the elongated stud 514 operates to depress said
substitute yarn carrier into horizontal position, and in so doing draws outward the
slide member 545 so that its yarn guide 548 is in position to feed the yarn 810 to
the needles. Then for a few stitches, equal to the distance between the studs 625
and 626, both the main and substitute yarns are supplied to the needles and knit
into the fabric so as to positively insure the engagement with the needles of the
substitute yarn before the main yarn is withdrawn. Then in the continued rotation
of the cam cylinder 240 the star wheel 610 is brought into contact with the second
actuating stud 626, and a second eighth turn is imparted to said wheel and its
shaft. This movement of the shaft brings the highest point of the segmental
cam 600 into contact with the dependent stud 556 of the cam slide 550, and shifts
said slide further toward the left to the end of its movement in that direction, the
parts being then in the position shown in Figure 12. This stroke of the cam slide
causes the right hand cam 551 to engage the oscillating main yarn carrier 530 and
lifts or swings it upward. As it is swung upward on its pivot the elongated
stud 513, which is preferably bent, as shown, causes the slide member 535 to slide
inward towards the center of the needle circuit, whereby the delivery point of its
yarn guide 538 is disposed in a vertical line which passes inside the circular series
of needles, so that the yarn carried by said guide will not engage the needles or be
knitted into the fabric, but will swing around with the movements of the cam
cylinder in a circuit back of the needles and concentric therewith.
After the star wheel 610 has engaged both pins 625 and 626 in succession, the
cam 641 releases the lever 630 and the spring 635 restores said lever to normal
position whereby the radial slide 620 is drawn out and the pins 625 and 626 are
withdrawn out of the path of the star wheel. The knitting proceeds in reciprocatory
courses during the formation of the heel and toe, utilizing the substitute yarn 810
which is fed through the yarn carrier 540 to the needles, the main yarn 800 being
still connected with the fabric at the point where the main yarn carrier was thrown
up into inoperative position, and passing from the oscillating main yarn carrier 530
to said fabric on the inside of the circular series of needles without being knit into
the fabric. During this knitting of a heel or toe and conveniently during the
change from the narrowing to the widening operation, the cam 642 of the wheel 640
engages the lever 630 and both the actuating pins 625 and 626 are again brought
into position to be engaged by the star wheel 610 and said wheel in the rotation of
the cam cylinder is actuated a third and a fourth of an eighth rotation by contact
with said pins successively for the purpose of turning the shaft 570 a sufficient
distance to carry the cam 600 into position where it may at proper time release the
cam slide 550 and permit it to be operated through the medium of the pin 571 on
the shaft 570, the wrist wheel 580 and the connecting rod 590 when the heel or the

page_text: oe, as the case may be, is completed. After the third eighth turn of the star
wheel, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 13 and after the fourth turn
f an eighth rotation, the parts are in the positions shown in Figure 14. On the
ast stroke in forward direction of the cam cylinder in reciprocating knitting when
he heel is being completed, the cam 643 engages the lever 630 and the pins 625
and 626 are again thrown into the path of the star wheel 610. Then the star
wheel engages the pin 625 and this engagement imparts a fifth movement of an
eighth turn to the shaft 570. The cam 600 then disengages the dependent stud 556
of the cam slide 550 and the wrist wheel 580 and connecting rod 590 shift said cam
slide a sufficient distance towards the right to release the main yarn carrier 530
and said carrier is brought into depressed operative position by the action of the
spring 534 which pulls the ends of the sliding member of said yarn carrier into
contact with the stud 513. The parts are then in the positions shown in Figure 15.
Then for a short distance until the star wheel reaches the second pin 626 both
threads are supplied to the needles and knit into the fabric. This ensures the
restoration of the main thread 800 before the substitute thread 810 is withdrawn.
Then the second pin 626 is engaged by the star wheel 610 and its shaft is turned
for the sixth time an eighth of a rotation or thereabouts and the cam slide 550 is
moved by the wrist wheel and connecting rod still further towards the right, the
parts assuming the position shown in Figure 16. This movement of the cam slide
causes the left hand cam 552 to engage the substitute extensible yarn carrier 540
and raise it into inoperative position. The inner end of this yarn carrier is
projected inwards in rising towards the axis of the needle cylinder and the substitute
yarn
810 is carried back of the needles and remains connected with the fabric, but
is not supplied to the needles. Circular course knitting to form either the leg or
the body of the foot is then resumed.
In order to complete a full rotation of the vertical shaft 570 and bring the
segmental cam 600 into proper position for performing its next function the
broad cam 643 remains in contact with the lever 630 and holds the radial slide
inward and the actuating pins 625 and 626 in position to be struck by the star
wheel on the second rotation of the cam cylinder after the resumption of circular
course knitting. In this second rotation of the cam cylinder the star wheel
first strikes the pin 625 and for the seventh time an eighth rotation is imparted
to the star wheel and its shaft whereby the parts are shifted into the position
shown in Figure 17. Then the star wheel immediately strikes the pin 626 and
for the eighth time an eighth rotation is imparted to the star wheel and its
shaft; and the parts are again shafted and assume the positions shown in
Figure 18. Then the cam 643 passes out from contact with the lever 630 and
the pins in the radial slide are withdrawn from the path of the star wheel as
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 18. The circular knitting then continues
until the next pouch is to be formed and then the radial slide 620 is again
projected forward as shown in Figure 10 and the operations hereinbefore
described are repeated.
A stocking made by this machine will have a length of substitute yarn floating
along the interior of the leg and connected to the top and bottom thereof, a
floating main yarn along the heel connected at the top and bottom thereof, a
floating substitute yarn along the foot between the beel and toe and a floating main
yarn along the toe. These floating yarns do not impair the stocking and can be
readily pulled off if desired when the stocking is turned.
The invention is not limited to the specific mechanisms or details thereof herein
described as the several mechanisms or parts thereof may be changed, altered or.
omitted without departing from the scope of this invention.
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 a knitting machine, the combination of two movable and extensible yarn

page_text: carriers for supplying different yarns at different periods to form the fabric being
knit, and means for moving and extending either of said carriers to throw one of
the yarns back of the needles while the other yarn is fed to the needles to form
the fabric.
2. In a knitting machine, the combination of two movable and extensible yarn
carriers, a cam slide provided with cams for engaging both of said yarn carriers,
and means for shifting said slide in opposite directions.
3. In a
knitting machine, the combination of two movable and extensible yarn
carriers, a cam slide provided with cams for engaging both of said yarn carriers,
means for shifting said slide in opposite directions, and means for extending and
contracting said yarn carriers when shifted into inoperative and operative positions.
4. In a knitting machine, the combination of two extensible yarn carriers, means
for shifting said carriers into operative and inoperative positions, and means for
extending either of the carriers to pass the yarn behind the needles.
5. In a knitting machine, the combination of two oscillating extensible yarn
carriers, means for shifting either one of said carriers into operative position and
the other into inoperative position, and means for permitting them both to remain
in operative position for a short period during the yarn shifting operation.
6. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a circle of needles, a needle
latch guaid having an opening, two extensible movable yarn carriers extending
into the opening in said latch guard, and means for shifting the delivery yarn
guide of either yarn carrier inward to a point vertically above a point within the
circle of needles for holding the yarn out of engagement with the hooks of the
needles.
7. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a circle of needles, a needle
latch guard having an opening, two extensible movable yarn carriers extending
into the opening in said latch guard, and provided with individual latch guards,
and means for shifting the delivery yarn guide of either yarn carrier inward to a
point vertically above a point within the circle of needles for holding the yarn out
of engagement with the hooks of the needles.
8. In a knitting machine, the combination of two movable and extensible yarn
carriers, a cam slide provided with cams for engaging both of said yarn carriers, a
cam shaft, a wrist wheel having a limited free movement on said shaft, a slotted
connecting rod between said cam slide and said wrist wheel, a cam on said shaft
engaging said cam slide, and means for intermittently actuating said cam shaft.
9. In a knitting machine, the combination of two movable and extensible yarn
carriers, a cam slide provided with cams for engaging both of said yarn carriers, a
cam shaft, a wrist wheel having a limited free movement on said shaft, a slotted
connecting rod between said cam slide and said wrist wheel, a cam on said shaft
engaging said cam slide, a star wheel on said shaft, a radial slide mounted on the
frame and provided with contact pins, and means for intermittently actuating said
slide to project said pins into the path of the star wheel.
10. In a knitting machine, the combination of two movable and extensible yarn
carriers, a cam slide provided with cams for engaging both of said yarn carriers,
a cam shaft, a wrist wheel having a limited free movement on said shaft, a slotted
connecting rod between said cam slide and said wrist wheel, a cam on said shaft
engaging said cam slide, a star wheel on said shaft, a radial slide mounted on the
frame and provided with contact pins, a lever connected with said slide, and a
wheel provided with cams for engaging said lever, said cams being of different
widths for holding the radial slide in inward position for different periods of
time.
11. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a circle of needles, a
longitudinally extensible yarn carrier disposed radially to said circle and pivoted
to swing in a vertical plane, means for oscillating said carrier, and means for
extending and contracting said carrier to throw the yarn either inside or outside
the circle of needles.

page_text: 12. An extensible yarn carrier for a knitting machine, comprising a pivoted
member, a sliding member provided with a yarn guide, and means for connecting
said members and permitting the one to slide longitudinally on the other.
Dated this 12th dow of Anril 1807
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.