Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 22nd Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 29th Nov., 1887
We, JOHANN SCHMITT, Manufacturer, and JOHANN BAPTIST COBLENZER, Lawyer,
both of Coblenz in the German Empire, and CARL GUSTAV ROMMENHÖLLER Merchant
of Rotterdam in the Netherlands do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
Our improvements described hereinafter relate to knitting-machines in which the
knitted meshes are held by a rotating spiral. This rotating spiral, which is bent and
the ends of which are turned towards each other, is already known by earlier patents
of the same inventor. The using of a needle or of needles, which catch up the meshes
that fall off the one end of the bent spiral and hang new meshes on to the other end
of the spiral is likewise known. But what is claimed as new and as patent in this
case are the following improvements, by which it is possible firstly to knit in the
common way, secondly to knit flat surfaces with one and the same machine, and thirdly
to knit ribs, without its being necessary to unthread the needle that conducts the yarn
to the spiral.
These improvements consist firstly in the using of an oscillating needle, which can
be displaced and moved in such a manner that the courses described or travelled over
by it incline from opposite directions to a plane which must be considered as struck
through the axis of the bent spiral. By means of this displaceable needle it is possible
to knit round in the common way and to knit flat surfaces, thus for instance, to knit
the heel of a stocking.
The improvements relate in the second place to the spiral itself and consist in the
using of a certain cross-sectional shape for the spiral, by means of which the meshes
are conducted more surely to the spiral.
The improvements relate in the third place to the situation of the bent spiral spring;
this situation is such. that the axles of the bent spiral form with one another an angle
of less than thirty degrees.
The improvements relate in the fourth place to a mesh-turner by means of which
it is possible to form ribbed knitting correctly. A characteristic peculiarity in the
arrangement of the mesh-turner is, that, unlike the mesh-turners used hitherto, it

page_text: oscillates round an axle lying in front of the two ends of the bent spiral. This
oscillation-axle of the mesh-turner may either be stationary or may perform a motion
of its own.
Another characteristic peculiarity of this mesh-turner is, that it forms the
ribs in the knitting by merely hanging up and holding fast a certain number of the
meshes of the hose without turning them, and by turning a certain number of
the meshes by about 180°, by which action a characteristic ribbed appearance is given
to the hose.
For the sake of greater clearness the well known principle on which the knitting
machine is based will be explained herein first of all. A bent spiral is shown in
Fig. 6 and the two ends of it are termed s¹ and . If the spiral is made to revolve
by means of some suitable mechanisms round itself, the two spiral ends will rotate in
contrary directions. Let it be presumed that a common piece of knitting is suspended
to the spiral so that each bow of the spiral holds a mesh of the knitted ware.
If the.
spiral is made to rotate then (no alteration in the position of the axle of the spiral
takes place when it revolves) the mesh 1 on the last bow of the spiral ends will
be moved forward towards the needle n and will finally fall off the spiral end s¹.
If a needle n threaded with yarn is under the spiral ends at the moment, in
which the mesh 1 falls off and the needle is moved to the left, the needle n will take
up the mesh 1. During the forward motion of the needle n to the left the mesh 1,
which owing to its connection with meshes 2, 3 and so on, is kept nearly in its old
position on the right, will slide along the needle until its position on the needle is the
same as the position of the mesh o in the drawing Fig. 6.
It is evident that the meshes falling off the spiral end s¹ can be taken up by the
needle n, which enters into the meshes from the outside of the hose that is being
knit.
Let it be supposed that mesh is a mesh taken up by the needle n in this way
and let be the yarn coming direct from the yarn-spool.
It is evident that on its course to the left the needle forms of itself a loop x²x².
When the needle is in a suitable position to the spiral end 3, the latter, which always
rotates in the direction of the arrow, will catch with its point in the loop ¹² of
the yarn. This loop will form a new mesh on and hold the old mesh o.
This is in general the principle on which the meshes are formed. It is evident
that while the spiral rotates in the direction indicated by the arrows, new meshes will
continuously be strung up on s² by means of the needle and old meshes will fall off 8¹.
When knitting with the needle n coming from the right the knitting will perform a
circular motion in such a manner, that the meshes 1, 2, 3 and so on, must move
towards the needle and approach the latter, whereas the meshes 15, 14, 13 and so on,
will recede from the needle and from the spiral end s³. All that is necessary for
effecting this, is that the spiral rotates once round and in itself during each forward
and backward motion of the needle.
Figs. 7-14 show the different positions of the spiral ends and of the needle in side
views and in views from above during the formation of a mesh
The formation of the mesh begins in Fig. 11-12; the needle n begins to move
forward and passes beneath the last bow of the spiral ends. In Figs. 13-14 the
needle has altered its position, it has advanced close under the spiral end stand by
the rotation of the spiral the mesh o is advanced towards the end s¹ and hangs down
from the last bow of the spiral end s¹.
By this movement of the mesh o the advancing needle has entered the mesh o,
which is still hanging to end st. Let it be presumed then that the spiral end has
rotated a little more and that owing to this motion the mesh has fallen off the ends s¹,
then the mesh o is held by needle n alone, as is represented in Fig. 7-8. These
figures show also, that the needle has entered the soul or centre of the spiral s². By
the rotation of the spiral the end & has reached such a position that as soon as it
rotates a little more in the direction of the arrow the spiral end will enter the
loop formed by the needle and take it up as a new mesh. Figs. 9-10 show
the new mesh strung up on the end, after the needle has receded. At the
same time the old mesh o which has been held till then by the needle, is now borne by

page_text: the newly formed mesh x²x²x². The formation of a correct knitting mesh is then
concluded; the formation of new meshes always takes place on the spiral ends, as is
evident, and the spiral rotates in the direction of the arrows.
In the formation of meshes just described, it was presumed that the needle came
from the right, advanced under the spiral end s¹ and entered the soul or centre of the
spiral end, and that the spiral rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in
Figs. 6-14.
But let it be supposed that the spiral is moved in directions contrary to those, that
were supposed in this figures and that at the same time the needle advances under the
spiral end towards the soul of the spiral end s¹; then the needle takes off meshes
from the spiral ends, from which the meshes fall down and new meshes are hanged
up on the spiral end 8'.
The knitting now moves on the spiral in a direction contrary to what it did, that
is to say, the meshes 13, 14, 15 approach the spiral end s³ (Fig. 6) and the meshes 1, 2, 3
recede from the needle and from the spiral end s³.
By this description and explanation of the knitting process by means of a needle
and of a rotating spiral the arrangement of the machine may be understood more
clearly.
The arrangement of the machine is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 16.
Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of the machine; the needle n is arranged in such a
way that it may take off the meshes from the left spiral end and hang them up on
the right spiral end s¹.
Fig. 2 shows a front elevation of the machine, the needle n is arranged in an
opposite position to that shown in Fig. 1, so that it may take off the meshes
from the right spiral end s¹ and hang them up on the left spiral end s³.
Fig. 3 shows a plan-view with the correct situation of the spiral. It must be
mentioned that in practice the ends of the spiral are made to approach each other as
shown in Fig. 3; it is merely for the sake of clearness in the drawings that the spiral
ends are made to appear parallel to each other in the other figures.
Fig. 4 shows a section PQ of the machine with this parallel arrangement of the
spiral ends. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section R S of the machine. Fig. 6 shows a top
view of the spiral with the knitting suspended to it.
Figs. 7-14 show top views and side views of the spiral ends and the needle in the
different positions, they take up when the machine is working.
Fig. 15 shows a front elevation of the bearings for the spiral ends.
Figs. 16 shows a cross-section M N of Fig. 15.
Figs. 17 and 19 show a modification of the needle arrangement in side elevations.
Figs. 18 and 19 shows the top views of Figs. 17 and 19.
Figs. 20 and 21 show the form of a cross-cut through the spirals.
Fig. 22 shows a modification of this form.
Fig. 23 shows a perspective view of two spirals, when shoved one in the other.
Fig. 24 shows in cross-section both spirals lying close together.
Fig. 25 shows a modification of the form of the cross-section of both spirals.
The flange d is secured to the frame A of the machine and holds the driving shaft d¹.
On d¹ is mounted a conical toothed-wheel, which is turned by means of the crank
(handle) ¹. gears with (into) the toothed-wheel which is mounted on the
shaft vo. On the shaft and behind the toothed-wheel another toothed-wheel z¹
is mounted which gears with toothed-wheel z. The toothed-wheel z is mounted on
the shaft wo and holds on its outer side the connecting-rod 24, which stands in connection
with the lever 2º. The lever is mounted on the shaft a and by the rotation of the
toothed-wheels z³, 23, z, z and by means of the connecting-rod * an oscillating motion
of the shaft a is caused. As the needle n can be fixed to the front end of the shaft a
an oscillation of the needle n is effected by the transmission just described.
By means of this connection one backward and forward motion or rather a double
oscillation of the needle n is produced by one revolution of the shafts 10° 0°.
But one revolution of the shafts w° 0° produces one revolution of the bent spiral s,

page_text: therefore one revolution of the spiral & takes place in the same time in which a double
oscillation of the needle takes place.
The motion of the spirals is caused by the following mechanisms:
The shafts w° and have each a toothed box w₁₁ which rotates with the shafts b
and a (see Figs. 1 and V). On these toothed boxes w¹ v¹ rests the bent spiral s, which
is besides kept in its position by the rollers w³ ³ ³ ³ (see Fig. 1) which are fastened,
so that they can turn, to the frame A. The boxes to gear with their teeth i into
the perforated spiral's, as is shown in Figs. 5, 15 and 16. The spirals is turned
(rotated) by these boxes and is kept in its position. The points s¹ of the spiral s
are therefore continually describing circles in a plane.
In the same way in which the needle-shaft a is made to oscillate by 20, 24, 2, 21, 23,
an oscillating motion is given to shaft b. On the rotating shaft is an eccentric e
which gives by means of the eccentric e' and the lever an oscillating motion to the
shaft b. The needle n may be mounted in the same way on shaft b as on shaft a, as
is shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 the needle n is mounted on shaft a.
The way in which the machine works is as follows:
When the needle is mounted on the shaft a and the machine is turned (set in
motion), the needle n oscillates under the spiral-end s¹ and takes the mesh from off
the latter, while the needle hangs up a new mesh on the spiral-end *; the knitting is
moved in a circle from s¹ to s³.
If the needle is mounted on the oscillating shaft 6 and the machine is turned in the
opposite direction, the meshes are hung up on the spiral-end s². (Fig. 2 shows the
needle in this position and this rotation of the spiral). In both cases a continuous
hose is made if the machine is worked continually with the needle in one position.
If it is desired to knit a surface or flat piece on to the knitting (for example to the leg
or hose of a stocking) without lengthening the whole knitting, so many meshes as the
surface has to have in breadth must be knitted alternately with the needle in the position
indicated in Fig. 2 and alternately with the needle in the position shown in Fig. 1.
The rotatory direction of the spiral must be changed of course correspondingly. The
knitting will therefore be moved to and fro within the breadth of the surface that
is being knitted on and the result is a surface formation of meshes or an open
knitting.
The needle n needs not be unthreaded and rethreaded for this operation. Only its
position to the spiral must be altered by displacing it by 90° on the oscillating
axles a b. In both positions the needle moves in such a way, that it passes the
outside of the next spiral end and enters the soul or centre of the remoter spiral end.
By these congruent motions in both positions the same exact formation of meshes on
both spiral ends can be effected. The front side of the needle, that is to say the side
on which the yarn is conducted to it, always remains on the front side. This con-
gruence of both positions renders it possible to knit a correct surface, that is to say,
to form rows of meshes in opposite directions of one and the same needle.
It is evident that instead of the displaceable, oscillating needle as shown in Fig. 1, 2,
a displaceable needle that moves in a straight line can be used; it is of course
necessary that the directions of the courses travelled over by this needle are as
contrary to one another as in Fig. 1, 2. The needle moved in a straight line must
always pass on the outside of the next spiral end and enter the soul of the remoter
spiral end.
The
It must also be mentioned that it is indifferent whether the axis of the oscillation of
the needle n be parallel or perpendicular to the plane laid through the axis of the
spirals. The needle represented in Fig. 17, 18, 19, 19 shows that the axis of oscillation
of the needle can be placed inclined to the plane laid through the spiral axes.
side of the needle on which the yarn is conducted to it, remains always turned away
from the machine even when the axis of oscillation is displaced by 150°-180° as in
Fig. 17, 19. In this case also the two courses of the needle incline from opposite
directions to the plane laid through the axis of the spiral.
It is evident by the construction of the machine shown in Fig. 1, 2, that the two axles a

page_text: and o oscillate whenever the machine is set in motion, no matter on which of them
the needle is mounted.
The motion of the needle-axles a b is consequently produced and regulated by the
rotation of the axles v°°; and as these axles to and also produce the rotatory
motion of the spiral ends s¹s by means of the gearing rollers wol vl, the oscillation of
the needle is in such a relation to the rotatory motion of the spirals, that each rotation
of the spirals and each dropping of a mesh corresponds with one forward and back-
ward motion of the needle, or in other words, with the taking-up of the old mesh and
the hanging-up of the new mesh.
The formed meshes hang down like a hose and are taken up inside the ring y
(Fig. 2) which is arranged horizontally and fixed to the frame of the machine. To
the under side of the knitted hose is suspended a weight, for the purpose of drawing
down the new formed meshes.
It is evident that this working of a displaceable needle, which on being displaced
takes off and hangs up meshes in a congruent but yet reversed way, is only possible
if the ends of the spiral are parallel to each other or only slightly inclined to each
other. If the inclination of the spiral ends exceeds 30° the congruent but yet
reversed action of the displaceable needle to the two spiral-ends is impossible.
The employment of these two spirals, which incline to each other at a small angle
of 30°, is therefore a chief innovation in the present invention.
Another improvement of this knitting machine consists in the arrangement of
mechanisms by which the machine can be made to knit closer or looser. The im-
provement consists in the application of two adjusting contrivances to the two spiral
ends ss, which latter incline to each other as mentioned above and as shown in Fig. 3.
It will be evident without further explanation, that if the two spiral ends which incline
towards each other (Fig. 3) are drawn forwards axially they will approach each other
owing to their inclined arrangement. The interstice between the two spiral ends s¹
will become smaller, and closer meshes than usual can be made with the spiral-ends
in this new position, because the distance that the meshes always have to travel
between the two spiral ends is shorter than when the latter are in their usual
position.
The needle must of course be moved forwards in the same way on the axle a or b,
so as to suit the displacement of the spiral ends and so as to be in its proper position
to the spiral ends when the latter are in their new position. The displacing of the
needle is done in the simplest way, that is to say, by altering its position on the
axles a or 6 on which ever it may be at the time.
The displacing of the spiral ends must however be carried out by a special
mechanism, which is shown in Figs. 15 and 16 in cross section and in front view.
These two figures show that the actual transporting rollers' and to which make
the spiral ends rotate by means of their teeth i, are fixed to the respective axles vo
and wo, and are coupled to these axles by a special mechanism.
The arrangement of the two axles and wo is the same. The axles ° and 10° have
a screw thread on which is a disk or plate c¹ provided with notches c³. This disk or
plate c¹ can be held fast in any position by the counter-screw c (Fig. 16). In Fig. 15
on the right side, the counter screw c and the disk c' are removed from the shaft vº.
The toothed rollers v¹ w¹ have each an elastic catch k which gears into one of the
notches of the disk c¹. By means of this catch k the toothed rollers v¹ or w¹ are
firmly connected with the axles ° ° and are thus secured for the time from being
displaced longitudinally or being turned round the axle.
The longitudinal displacement of or w¹ is prevented by the catch k being
U-shaped and by its reaching over the disk c¹. If after easing-up the counter-
screw c the disk c' is moved or rather turned further towards the end of the axle to
or wo, the catch k with the rollers v¹ or w¹ must necessarily follow, and the catch k
after having caught again in one of the notches holds the roller fast in the new
position. But the rollers v¹ wo¹ gear with their teeth into the perforation of the
spirals and consequently the latter are likewise forced to move in the same direction.

page_text: Both ends of the spiral may be moved by this adjusting contrivance and the inclined
spiral ends are brought as close together as may be desirable.
Another improvement in this knitting machine consists in the form of the cross-
section of the spiral as shown in the Figures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25.
In order to explain this improvement and to make it better understood must be first
said, that similar arrangements have already been made in the German patents
Nos. 14, 6673 and 11402 for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the number of
meshes in knitted goods that form a cylindrical hose. In these patents the knitting
spiral is composed of two spirals of different diameters one of which can be shoved
into the other. The smaller knitting spiral may be screwed into the larger spiral, so
that a number of the bows of the smaller spiral are perfectly covered by the bows of
the larger spiral. Owing to this it is possible to increase or diminish the number
of turns of the whole spiral by twisting the two spirals one against the other.
In the many experiments made by the inventor it has been proved that owing to
the bend which the spiral must have in the machine the smaller spiral often springs
out of the larger spiral, so that the latter does not cover completely the inner spiral.
It was further shown that even when that did not occur the ends of the spirals, which
are screwed in each other do not always glide so close past each other as is desirable
for the meshes which are constantly gliding over this connecting point of the spirals.
On the contrary part of the yarn often presses into the interstice between the two
spiral points and either tears or prevents the knitting from being transported
further.
In order to prevent this the two spirals are made of ribbed drawn wire and twisted
in such manner that the rib or ribs of the spiral, which has a larger diameter are on
the inside, whereas the rib or ribs of the spiral, which has a smaller diameter, are
on the outside. In addition to this the ends of the two spirals are pointed in such a
way, that when both spirals are shoved together the rib of the one wire cross-cut
which is taken up by the recess of the other wire cross-cut, forms the point of each
spiral. In this manner the spiral ends x x¹ Fig. 23 protect each other, for the point r
is taken up by the recess h¹ of the wire cross-cut q and the point is taken up by
the recess of the wire cross-cut q. It is thus just as impossible for the yarn to get
between the two points, as it is for the inner spiral 9 to spring out of the outer
spiral q axially and laterally, no matter how great the inclination of the spirals
may be.
The form of the cross-cut can of course be modified, and in the drawing two of the
most suitable modifications are shown. q, is the inner and q', is the outer spiral.
Fig. 23 and 24 show the spirals with their points showed into each other. Fig. 22
and 25 represent two cross-cut modifications; of the two the cross-cut form in Fig. 25
seems to be the most practical and serviceable. Fig. 24 is a modified cross-cut.
are the ribs of the spiral.
Another improvement consists in a mesh-turner for the purpose to make a ribbed
hose.
This mesh-turner turns the mesh that falls off the spiral end by 180° before the
knitting needle passes through this mesh and forms a new mesh. The purpose of
this mesh-turner is to be able to knit ribs, to form a kind of ribbed knitting such
as is commonly seen in the upper ends and legs of stockings. With the aid of this
mesh-turner this ribbed knitting is performed by one needle without its being necessary
to unthread and re-thread it. The mesh-turner oscillates by about 180° and differs
already in this point from the mesh-turners known as yet, for their oscillation was to
between 60° and 90°. In this case the mesh is turned round completely and owing to
that then is for greater surety of the needle passing through the turned mesh.
Another characteristic peculiarity in this arrangement of the mesh-turner is, that,
unlike the mesh-turners used hitherto, it oscillates round an axle lying in front of the
two ends of the bent spirals. This oscillation axle of the mesh-turner may either be
stationary or may perform a motion of its own.
A third characteristic peculiarity of this mesh-turner is, that it forms the ribs in the

page_text: "
knitting by merely hanging up and holding fast a certain number of the meshes of the hose
without turning them, and by turning a certain number of the meshes by about 180°, by
which actions a characteristic ribbed appearance is given to the hose. Before it is possible
to describe the construction of the mesh-turner and the way in which it acts, it is necessary
to describe this kind of knitting more exactly. When a woman wants to knit with
ribs in knitting stockings she puts the needle alternately from the inside and from the
outside into the last mesh that is on the knitting-needle. With this needle she draws
a new mesh alternately from the outside and the inside through two old meshes and
thus forms two new meshes, which lie opposite each other. These meshes are termed
right and left meshes. This distinction is not very clear for if a mesh is seen from the
outside it is "left," and if seen from the inside it is "right." Owing to this the terms
right and left meshes" will not be used in this specification, but instead of them it
will be said that meshes have been drawn in either from the outside or the inside. As
the knitting is a hose there can be no mistaking of these expressions. If the knitting
is done in the way described before in Figs. 7 to 14, the needle n must always form
meshes which have been drawn in from the outside; we term them briefly outside-
meshes. The needle n passes on the outside through the falling off mesh, as it is
represented in Figs. 6, 13 and 14 and described above. In order to be able to
form with this needle n, which is always moved and oscillated regularly, meshes
that lie opposite to those just described, or in other words to form inside-ineshes the
following conditions are necessary. First of all a mesh-turner must be applied between
the needle n and spiral-end s'. This mesh-turner must turn the mesh that falls off s¹
by 180° before the needle n passes through the old mesh.
The needle n passes
therefore from the inside into this mesh of the hose and consequently an inside-mesh
is formed.
Secondly for the purpose of forming this inside-mesh the spiral-end s¹ must be
displaced, must be turned back, by about 90°, so that the position of the needle n to
the spiral end s¹ is altered. This gives the mesh-turner time enough to seize the mesh
falling off the spiral end s¹ and to turn it before the needle passes through the mesh.
When the spiral end s¹ is in the old position it has hitherto occupied (Fig. 1, 2) the
mesh falls direct off it on the needle n that stands under it.
Thirdly this mesh-turner must work by the formation of not only inside but also
outside meshes, because the spiral-end s is turned back by 90°. If it did not work
the outside-meshes would fall off the spiral-end s¹ without there being anything to take
them up. The needle n is not yet arrived with its point under the spiral ends which
has been turned back. The mesh-turner must therefore also catch up the outside-
meshes when they fall off and hold them till the needlen passes through them from the
outside. As the mesh-turner does not turn the mesh in this case the motion of the
mesh-turner must be very slight of course. It must move forward only far enough
to catch up the mesh and hold it. It has not to turn the mesh in this case, for to
form an outside-mesh the mesh lies just right for the needle.
The mesh-turner can then be arranged in two ways, either with a stationary or with
a movable oscillation-axle. Both modifications are represented in the drawing.
For the sake of greater clearness, the mesh-turner with a movable oscillation-axle will
be described first.
Fig. 1 shows the front view, of the knitting machine with the mesh-turner lying
before it.
Fig. 2 shows the top view of it with a partial section through X Y.
Fig. 3 shows a side view of it.
Fig. 4 shows the front view of the spiral ends with the mesh-turner.
Fig. 5 shows a top view of them.
Fig. 6 13 show the different positions of the spiral ends and of those of the
mesh-turner during the formation of a twisted mesh; the mecanisms for moving the
mesh turner are not shown in these figures.
Fig. 14 shows a front view of the spiral ends and the position of the inesh-turner
during the formation of a common mesh.
Fig. 15-17 show a modification of the mesh-turner in different positions.

page_text: The entire arrangement of the machine is the same as that of the knitting-machine
described above and the different main parts are only repeated briefly.
* is the
knitting-spiral with its two ends 8; n is the needle through which the yarn runs.
10° are the driving axles for rotating the knitting-spiral. In front of the oscillating
needle n moves the bent mesh-turner m. The motion and application of the mesh-
turner are as follows: the sickle-shaped bent mesh-turner m m' is firmly connected
with a cog-wheel (1) which sits loose on the pin (2) of the arm (3). The arm (3) is
in its turn firmly connected with the cog-wheel (4), which sits loose on the axle (5).
The bearing of the axle is in the support (T) and the axle cannot rotate in it; the
axle bears the non-rotating sector (6) which gears into the cog-wheel (1). The rack
(T) is moved to and fro by lever (T3) and curve-disk (T), and whenever it moves the
cog-wheel 4 oscillates, the mesh-turner mm² is forced to oscillate also, which it does
in the way shown in Figs. 6º-13". The centre of the mesh-turner describes a
semi-circle and the sickle of the mesh-turner likewise turns by 180°.
This turning of the sickle serves to turn the mesh, or in other words to form an
inside-mesh. It proceeds in the following way: whenever the slide-roller (T) of the
lever (T) is in a hollow of the curve-disk(T) (Fig. 2"), the mesh-turner is in the position
shown in Fig. 6. The spring T makes To lie constantly against T. The needle n
has just hung up the mesh 0, 1, on and the spiral end s', which turns in the
direction of the arrow, will drop the mesh a in a moment. The would occur if the
sickle m of the mesh-turner mm² did not pass into the mesh from the right and catch
it up. Fig. 7 shows the position of the mesh-turner m when it has turned so far and
when its centre has sunk so much that it holds the mesh a securely. It must be
observed that the side of the mesh turned towards the sickle-arm m was that which
was on the outside of the hose; the side that is turned towards the sickle-point has
therefore been the inside of the mesh.
During this time the needle n recedes completely; Fig. 8 shows it in its extreme
position. In Fig. 9 the needle n has advanced again and in Fig. 10 the sickle of the
mesh-turner is in such a position that when the needle n advances it can pass into the
inside of the mesh a. In doing so the needle passes close behind the mesh-turner.
The mesh-turner has thus completed its one oscillation; it recedes then and the
contrary oscillation takes place; now it draws itself out of the turned mesh, as it is
shown in Figs. 11ª, 12. The mesh a which has been taken off the spiral end s¹ and is
now hanging on the needle n in combination with the mesh x, x, which is hung
up on when the needle has advanced enough (Fig. 13) forms an inside-mesh, for
,, has been conducted into the old mesh a from the inside. In Figs. 6 to 13ª
the driving-wheels for the mesh-turner are not shown; the course of the axle of the
mesh-turner is indicated a dotted line. In the drawing the position of the yarn is
shown only in the first and last positions to render the turning of the mesh more
conspicuous in the other figures. When the needle recedes (Fig. 6 and 7") the
hanging mesh slips off the needle n; Fig. 7 shows the mesh ẞ when it has slipped off
and is hanging in nesh ¹³ ³
The motion of the mesh turner m is dependent, as is evident, on the curve of the
curve-disk. If the elevation is so slight that the mesh-turner is moved a little only
out of the position Fig. 6, the mesh-turner will only catch up the falling mesh and
hold it as shown in Fig. 14. The mesh-turner remains so long in this position till
the needle has reached the position in Fig. 10 and the needle passes then from
outside into the unturned mesh. A common outside mesh is thus formed, and the
mesh-turner, which has performed only a short forward oscillation, moves back then
and draws itself out of the mesh. The latter is then hanging on the needlen which on
moving forwards hangs up a loop as a new common outside mesh on s³.
It is therefore possible according to the choice in the curve-disk to make alternately
outside and inside meshes, or to make two outside-meshes successively and two
inside-meshes. This alternate formation of meshes is selfacting and occurs on each
revolution of the axle.
In the place of this doubly oscillating mesh-turner, a mesh-turner with a stationary
oscillation-axle may be employed as is shown in Figs. 15-17. In this case the

page_text: oscillation-axle o¹ of the mesh-turner m is placed between the two spiral-ends s³ ³,
An oscillating notion is given to this axle of by the curve-disk 1, roll T5, lever T³ and
ratchet bar T in the same way as it is shown in the case of axle 5 in Figs. 1-3. It
shall be described first shape of this mesh-turner more exactly. It has three ribs r¹, 3, 3;
the two last named ribs are set opposite each other and the mesh-turner is slightly
narrow at that part on which the ribs are. In addition to this the mesh-turner has
a slit. The working (action) of this oscillating mesh-turner is as follows:
The mesh a that falls off s¹ is caught up by the mesh-turner, which owing to its
oscillating motion in the direction of the arrow y enters the mesh from the inside and
holds it up. If a common outside mesh has to be formed, the mesh-turner remains in
the position shown in Fig. 15ª, and on its course the needle n will enter the mesh a
from the outside. The ribs assist the needle in entering the mesh for they form
a hollow under the mesh a while it lies on them and into this hollow the needle can
enter with ease. In taking up the mesh the needle passes between the two ribs,
catches up the mesh and hangs it up on spiral-end. The mesh-turner may remain
in its position till the needle has retired again and has drawn itself out of the
mesh-turner, but the mesh-turner can also go back before that.
But if an inside-mesh has to be formed, the mesh-turner does not remain in the
position indicated in Fig. 15, but continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow y.
In continuing this oscillating motion in the direction of arrow y the mesh-turner
will slide still farther into the mesh a and finally carries the mesh along with it, as
shown in Fig. 16ª. It must be noticed, that during the oscillation of the mesh-turner
that has just occurred and amounts to about 180°, the mesh itself has turned very little,
for the thick line indicating the outside & of the mesh is still quite on the outside of
the machine and besides that below. Not before the mesh-turner has oscillated farther
will the mesh a turn, as is shown in Fig. 17* and in doing that it slides over the
rib . The mesh is namely always endeavouring to move downwards, and as it is
lifted by the last oscillation of the mesh-turner (see Fig. 16, 17) and as it resists as
much as possible the twist given it by the mesh-turner it is forced out of the position
Fig. 16 into that of Fig. 17. In Fig. 16 the mesh lies over the narrowest part of
the mesh-turner, but owing to the oscillation it slips on to the breader part (Fig. 17).
When the mesh is in this position the needle n enters the mesh-turner. As is evident
from Fig. 17 the needle enters the mesh from the former inside of the mesh a, and in
this way a twisted or inside mesh is formed. After the new mesh has been hanged
up, the mesh-turner withdraws from it.
Dated the 14th
Sh1007
A. KUHNT & R. DEISSLER,
Berlin, C. Germany, 38, Alexanderstr.,
Attorneys.

page_text: Improvements in Knitting Machines.
We, JOHANN SCHMITT Manufacturer & JOHANN BAPTIST COBLENZER Lawyer, both
of Coblenz in the German Empire, and CARL GUSTAV ROMMENHÖLLER Merchant of
Rotterdam in the Netherlands 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 :—
Our improvements described hereinafter relate to knitting-machines in which the
knitted meshes are held by a rotating spiral. This rotating spiral, which is bent and
the ends of which are turned towards each other, is already known by earlier patents
of the same inventor. The nsing of a needle or of needles which catch up the ineshes
that fall off the one end of the bent spiral and hang new meshes on to the other end
of the spiral is likewise known. But what is claimed as new and as patent in this
case are the following improvements, by which it is possible firstly to knit in the
common way, secondly to knit flat surfaces with one and the same machine.
These improvements consist firstly in the using of an oscillating needle, which can
be displaced and moved in such a manner that the courses described or travelled over
by it incline from opposite directions to a plane which must be considered as struck
through the axis of the bent spiral. By means of this displaceable needle it is possible
to knit round in the common way and to knit flat surfaces, thus for instance, to knit
the heel of a stocking.
The improvements relate in the second place to the spiral itself and consist in the
using of a certain cross-sectional shape for the spiral, by means of which the meshes
are conducted more surely to the spiral.
The improvements relate in the third place to the situation of the bent spiral spring;
this situation is such, that the axles of the bent spiral form with one another an angle
of less than thirty degrees.
The improvements relate in the fourth place to a mesh-turner by means of which it
is possible to forin ribbed knitting correctly. A characteristic peculiarity in the
arrangement of the mesh-turner is, that, unlike the mesh-turners used hitherto, it
oscillates round an axle lying in front of the two ends of the bent spiral. This
oscillation-axle of the mesh-turner may either be stationary or may perform a motion
of its own. Another characteristic peculiarity of this mesh-turner is, that it forms the
ribs in the knitting by merely hanging up and holding fast a certain number of the
meshes of the hose without turning them, and by turning a certain number of
the meshes by about 180°, by which action a characteristic ribbed appearance is given
to the hose.
For the sake of greater clearness the well known principle on which the knitting
machine is based will be explained herein first of all, reference being made to the
Drawing accompanying the Provisional Specification. A bent spiral is shown in
Fig. 6 and the two ends of it are termed s¹ and . If the spiral is made to revolve
by means of some suitable mechanisms round itself, the two spiral ends will rotate in
contrary directions. Let it be presumed that a common piece of knitting is suspended

page_text: to the spiral so that each bow of the spiral bolds a mesh of the knitted ware. If the
spiral is made to rotate then (no alteration in the position of the axle of the spiral
takes place when it revolves) the mesh 1 on the last bow of the spiral end s¹ will be
moved forward towards the needle n and will finally fall off the spiral end s'.
If a needle n threaded with yarn is under the spiral end s¹ at the moment, in which
the mesh 1 falls off and the needle is moved to the left, the needle n will take up the
mesh 1. During the forward notion of the needle n to the left the mesh 1, which
owing to its connection with meshes 2, 3 and so on, is kept nearly in its old position
on the right, will slide along the needle until its position on the needle is the same as
the position of the mesh o in the drawing Fig. 6.
It is evident that the meshes falling off the spiral end s can be taken up by
the needle which enters into the meshes from the outside of the hose that is being
knit.
n,
Let it be supposed that mesh o is a mesh taken up by the needle n in this way and
let be the yarn coming direct from tho yarn-spool.
It is evident that on its course to the left the needle forms of itself a loop x¹³ ³.
When the needle is in a suitable position to the spiral end s³, the latter, which always
rotates in the direction of the arrow, will catch with its point in the loop ¹ x² r³ of
the yarn.
This loop will form a new mesh on and hold the old mesh o.
This is in general the principle on which the meshes are formed. It is evident that
while the spiral rotates in the direction indicated by the arrows, new meshes will
continuously be strung up on s² by means of the needle and old meshes will fall off s¹.
When knitting with the needle n coming from the right the knitting will perform a
circular motion in such a manner, that the meshes 1, 2, 3 and so on, must move
towards the needle and approach the latter, whereas the meshes 15, 14, 13 and so on,
will recede from the needle and from the spiral end ². All that is necessary for
effecting this, is that the spiral rotates once round and in itself during each forward
and backward motion of the needle.
Figs. 7-14 show the different positions of the spiral ends and of the needle in side
views and in views from above during the formation of a mesh.
The formation of the mesh begins in Fig. 11-12; the needle n begins to move
forward and passes beneath the last bow of the spiral end 8. In Figs. 13-14 the
needle has altered its position, it has advanced close under the spiral ends and by the
rotation of the spiral the mesh o is advanced towards the end s¹ and hangs down from
the last bow of the spiral end s¹.
By this movement of the mesh o the advancing needle has entered the mesh o,
which is still hanging to end s¹. Let it be presumed then that the spiral end has
rotated a little more and that owing to this motion the mesh o has fallen off the ends s',
then the mesh o is held by needle n alone, as is represented in Fig. 7-8. These
figures show also, that the needle has entered the soul or centre of the spiral s². By
the rotation of the spiral the end 8 has reached such a position that as soon as it
rotates a little more in the direction of the arrow the spiral end will enter the
loop formed by the needle and take it up as a new mesh.-Figs. 9-10 show
the new mesh strung up on the end, after the needle has receded. At the
same time the old mesh o which has been held till then by the needle, is now borne by
the newly formed mesh¹². The formation of a correct knitting mesh is then
concluded the formation of new meshes always takes place on the spiral end ³, as is
evident, and the spiral rotates in the direction of the arrows.
In the formation of meshes just described, it was presumed that the needle came
from the right, advanced under the spiral end s¹ and entered the soul or centre of the
spiral end, and that the spiral rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in
Figs. 6-14.
But let it be supposed that the spiral is moved in directions contrary to those, that
were supposed in this figures and that at the same time the needle advances under the
spiral end towards the soul of the spiral end s¹; then the needle takes off meshes
from the spiral ends, from which the meshes fall down and new meshes are hanged
up on the spiral end s¹.

page_text: The knitting now moves on the spiral in a direction contrary to what it did, that is
to say, the meshes 13, 14, 15 approach the spiral end s (Fig. 6) and the meshes 1, 2, 3
recede from the needle and from the spiral end s³.
By this description and explanation of the knitting process by means of a needle
and of a rotating spiral the arrangement of the machine inay be understood more
clearly.
The arrangement of the machine is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 16.
Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of the machine; the needle n is arranged in such a
way that it may take off the meshes from the left spiral end and hang them up on
the right spiral end s¹.
Fig. shows a front elevation of the machine; the needle n is arranged in an
opposite position to that shown in Fig. 1, so that it may take off the meshes from the
right spiral end s¹ and hang them up on the left spiral end s².
Fig. 3 shows a plan-view with the correct situation of the spiral. It must be
mentioned that in practice the ends of the spiral are made to approach each other as
shown in Fig. 3; it is merely for the sake of clearness in the drawings that the spiral
ends are made to appear parallel to each other in the other figures.
Fig. 4 shows a section P Q of the machine with this parallel arrangement of the
spiral ends. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section RS of the machine. Fig. 6 shows a top
view of the spiral with the knitting suspended to it.
Figs. 7-14 show top views and side views of the spiral ends and the needle in the
different positions they take up when the machine is working.
Fig. 15 shows a front elevation of the bearings for the spiral ends.
Figs. 16 shows a cross section M N of Fig. 15.
Figs. 17 and 19 show a modification of the needle-arrangement in side elevations.
Figs. 18 and 19 show the top views of Figs. 17 and 19.
Figs. 20 and 21 show the form of a cross-cut through the spirals.
Fig. 22 shows a modification of this form.
Fig. 23 shows a perspective view of two spirals, when shoved one in the other.
Fig. 24 shows in cross-section both spirals lying close together.
Fig. 25 shows a modification of the form of the cross-section of both spirals.
The flange d is secured to the frame A of the machine and holds the driving-
shaft d. On d¹ is mounted a conical toothed-wheel 28, which is turned by means of
the crank (handle) k¹. gears with (into) the toothed-wheel which is mounted on
the shaft º. On the shaft and behind the toothed-wheel another toothed-
wheel is mounted which gears with toothed-wheel z. The toothed-wheel is
mounted on the shaft and holds on its outer side the connecting-rod 2*, which
stands in connection with the lever. The lever is mounted on the shaft a and by
the rotation of the toothed-wheels ³, 2, ¹, and by means of the connecting-
rod an oscillating motion of the shaft a is caused. As the needle n can be fixed to
the front end of the shaft a an oscillation of the needle n is effected by the trans-
mission just described.
By means of this connection one backward and forward motion or rather a double
oscillation of the needle n is produced by one revolution of the shafts 20° 0°.
produces one revolution of the bent spirals,
therefore one revolution of the spiral s takes place in the same time in which a double
oscillation of the needle n takes place.
But one revolution of the shafts to
The motion of the spirals is caused by the following mechanisms:
The shafts w° and v° have each a toothed box w¹ v¹ which rotates with the shafts band a
(see Figs. 1 and V). On these toothed boxes w¹¹ rests the bent spiral s, which is besides
kept in its position by the rollers 20³ ³ ³ ³ (see Fig. 1) which are fastened, so that
they can turn, to the frame A. The boxes to v¹ gear with their teeth i into the
perforated spiral s, as is shown in Figs. 5, 15 and 16. The spiral s is turned (rotated)
by these boxes and is kept in its position. The points of the spirals are therefore
continually describing circles in a plane.
In the same way in which the needle-shaft a is made to oscillate by 20, 21, 2, 21, 2³, =³
an oscillating motion is given to shaft b. On the rotating shaft is an eccentric e

page_text: which gives by means of the eccentric e¹ and the lever e² an oscillating motion to the
shaft b. The needle n may be mounted in the same way on shaft as on shaft a, as
is shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 the needle n is mounted on shaft a.
The way in which the machine works is as follows :
When the needle is mounted on the shaft a and the machine is turned (set in
motion), the needle n oscillates under the spiral-end s¹ and takes the mesh from off
the latter, while the needle hangs up a new mesh on the spiral-end 83; the knitting is
moved in a circle from s¹ to s².
turned in
If the needle is mounted on the oscillating shaft b and the machine
the opposite direction, the meshes are hang up on the spiral-end s¹ (Fig. 1 shows the
needle in this position and this rotation of the spiral). In both cases a continuous
hose is made if the machine is worked continually with the needle in one position.
If it is desired to knit a surface or flat piece on to the knitting (for example to the
leg or hose of a stocking) without lengthening the whole knitting, so many meshes
as the surface has to have in breadth must be knitted alternately with the needle in
the position indicated in Fig. 2 and alternately with the needle in the position shown
in Fig. 1. The rotatory direction of the spiral must be changed of course
correspondingly. The knitting will therefore be moved to and fro within the breadth
of the surface that is being knitted on and the result is a surface formation of meshes
or an open knitting.
The needle n need not be unthreaded and rethreaded for this operation. Only its
position to the spiral must be altered by displacing it by 90° on the oscillating
axles a b. In both positions the needle moves in such a way, that it passes the outside
of the next spiral end and enters the soul or centre of the remoter spiral end. By
these congruent motions in both positions the same exact formation of meshes on both
spiral ends can be effected. The front side of the needle, that is to say the side on
which the yarn is conducted to it, always remains on the front side. This congruence of
both positions renders it possible to knit a correct surface, that is to say, to form
rows of meshes in opposite directions of one and the same needle.
It is evident that instead of the displaceable, oscillating needle as shown in
Fig. 1, 2, a displaceable needle that moves in a straight line can be used; it is of
course necessary that the directions of the courses travelled over by this needle are as
contrary to one another as in Fig. 1, 2. The needle moved in a straight line must
always pass on the outside of the next spiral end and enter the soul of the remoter
spiral end.
It must also be mentioned that it is indifferent whether the axis of the oscillation of
the needle be parallel or perpendicular to the plane laid through the axis of the
spirals. The needle represented in Fig. 17, 18, 19, 19" shows that the axis of
oscillation of the needle can be placed inclined to the plane laid through the spiral
axis. The side of the needle on which the yarn is conducted to it, remains always
turned away from the machine even when the axis of oscillation is displaced by
1500-180° as in Fig. 17, 19. In this case also the two courses of the needle incline
from opposite directions to the plane laid through the axis of the spiral.
It is evident by the construction of the machine shown in Fig. 1, 2, that the two
axles a and b oscillate whenever the machine is set in motion, no matter on which of
them the needle is mounted.
The motion of the needle-axles a bis consequently produced and regulated
by the rotation of the axles 0° to"; and as these axles and also produce the
rotatory motion of the spiral ends s¹ by means of the gearing rollers w¹ v', the
oscillation of the needle is in such a relation to the rotatory motion of the spirals, that
each rotation of the spirals and each dropping of a mesh corresponds with one forward
and backward motion of the needle, or in other words, with the taking-up of the old
mesh and the hanging-up of the new mesh.
The formed meshes hang down like a hose and are taken up inside the ring y
(Fig. 2) which is arranged horizontally and fixed to the frame of the machine. To
the under side of the knitted hose is suspended a weight, for the purpose of drawing
down the new formed meshes.

page_text: It is evident that this working of a displaceable needle, which on being displaced
takes off and hangs up meshes in a congruent but yet reversed way, is only possible
if the ends of the spiral are parallel to each other or only slightly inclined to each
other. If the inclination of the spiral ends exceeds 30° the congruent but yet reversed
action of the displaceable needle to the two spiral-ends is impossible.
The employment of these two spirals, which incline to each other at a small angle
of 30°, is therefore a chief innovation in the present invention.
Another improvement of this knitting machine consists in the arrangement of
mechanisms by which the machine can be made to knit closer or looser. The
improvement consists in the application of two adjusting contrivances to the two
spiral ends s¹³, which latter incline to each other as mentioned above and as
shown in Fig. 3. It will be evident without further explanation, that if the two
spiral ends which incline towards each other (Fig. 3) are drawn forwards axially
they will approach each other owing to their inclined arrangement. The interstice
between the two spiral ends s¹³ will become smaller, and closer meshes than usual
can be made with the spiral-ends in this new position, because the distance that the
meshes always have to travel between the two spiral ends is shorter than when
the latter are in their usual position.
The needle must of course be moved forwards in the same way on the axle a or b,
so as to suit the displacement of the spiral ends and so as to be in its proper position
to the spiral ends when the latter are in their new position. The displacing of the
needle is done in the simplest way, that is to say, by altering its position on the
axles a or b on which ever it may be at the time.
The displacing of the spiral ends must however be carried out by a special
mechanism, which is shown in Figs. 15 and 16 in cross-section and in front view.
These two figures show that the actual transporting rollers v¹ and w¹ which make
the spiral ends rotate by means of their teeth i, are fixed to the respective axles vo
and 100, and are coupled to these axles by a special mechanism.
The arrangement of the two axles and 200 is the same. The axles v and wo
have a
screw thread on which is a disk or plate c¹ provided with notches .
This disk or plate c¹ can be held fast in any position by the counter-screw c
(Fig. 16). In Fig. 15 on the right side, the counter screw c and the disk c¹ are
removed from the shaft vº. The toothed rollers vw have each an elastic catch k
which gears into one of the notches c² of the disk c'. By means of this catch the
toothed rollers v¹ or w¹ are firmly connected with the axles to and are thus secured
for the time from being displaced longitudinally or being turned round the axle.
The longitudinal displacement of oor is prevented by the catch k being
U-shaped and by its reaching over the disk c¹. If after easing-up the counter-
screw c the disk c' is moved or rather turned further towards the end of the
axle voor too, the catch k with the rollers ¹ or to¹ must necessarily follow, and
the catch k after having caught again in one of the notches c holds the roller
fast in the new position. But the rollers v² to¹ gear with their teeth into the
perforation of the spirals and consequently the latter are likewise forced to move
in the same direction. Both ends of the spiral may be moved by this adjusting
contrivance and the inclined spiral ends are brought as close together as may be
desirable.
Another improvement in this knitting machine consists in the form of the cross-
section of the spiral as shown in the figures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25.
In order to explain this improvement and to make it better understood must be first
said, that similar arrangements have already been made in the German patents
Nos. 14, 6673 and 11402 for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the number of
meshes in knitted goods that forin a cylindrical hose. In these patents the knitting
spiral is composed of two spirals of different diameters one of which can be shoved
into the other. The smaller knitting spiral may be screwed into the larger spiral,
so that a number of the bows of the smaller spiral are perfectly covered by the
bows of the larger spiral. Owing to this it is possible to increase or diminish the

page_text: number of turns of the whole spiral by twisting the two spirals one against the
other.
In the many experiments made by the inventor it has been proved that owing to
the bend which the spiral must have in the machine the smaller spiral often springs
out of the larger spiral, so that the latter does not cover completely the inner spiral.
It was further shown that even when that did not occur the ends of the spirals, which
are screwed in each other do not always glide so close past each other as is desirable
for the meshes which are constantly gliding over this connecting point of the
spirals. On the contrary part of the yarn often presses into the interstice between
the two spiral points and either tears or prevents the knitting from being transported
further.
In order to prevent this the two spirals are made of ribbed drawn wire and twisted
in such manner that the rib or ribs of the spiral, which has a larger diameter are on
the inside, whereas the rib or ribs of the spiral, which has a smaller diameter, are
on the outside. In addition to this the ends of the two spirals are pointed in such a
way, that when both spirals are shoved together the rib of the one wire cross-cut
which is taken up by the recess of the other wire cross-cut, forms the point of each
spiral. In this manner the spiral ends & Fig. 23 protect each other, for the point a
is taken up by the recess of the wire cross-cut q' and the point a¹ is taken up
by the recess h of the wire cross-cut q. It is thus just as impossible for the yarn to
get between the two points, as it is for the inner spiral 7 to spring out of the outer
spiral q axially and laterally, no matter how great the inclination of the spirals
may be.
The form of the cross-cut can of course be modified, and in the drawing two of the
most suitable modifications are shown. q is the inner and, q' is the outer spiral.
Fig. 23 and 24 show the spirals with their points showed into each other. Fig. 22
and 25 represent two cross-cut modifications; of the two the cross-cut form in Fig. 25
seems to be the most practical and serviceable. Fig. 24 is a modified cross-cut.
are the ribs of the spiral.
Another improvement consists in a mesh-turner for the purpose to make a ribbed
hose.
This mesh-turner turns the mesh that falls off the spiral end by 180° before the
knitting needle passes through this mesh and forms a new mesh. The purpose of
this mesh-turner is to be able to knit ribs, to form a kind of ribbed knitting such as is
commonly seen in the upper ends and legs of stockings. With the aid of this mesh-
turner this ribbed knitting is performed by one needle without its being necessary to
unthread and re-thread it. The mesh-turners oscillates by about 180° and differs
already in the point from the mesh-turners known as yet, for their oscillation was to
between 60° and 90°. In this case the mesh is turned round completely and owing
to that it is of greater surety for the needle passing through the turned mesh.
Another characteristic peculiarity in this arrangement of the mesh-turner is, that,
unlike the mesh-turner used hitherto, it oscillates round an axle lying in front of the
two ends of the bent spirals. This oscillation-axle of the mesh-turner may either be
stationary or may perform a motion of its own.
A third characteristic peculiarity of this mesh-turner is, that it forms the ribs in
the knitting by merely hanging up and holding fast a certain number of the meshes
of the hose within turning them, and by turning a certain number of the meshes by
about 180°, by which actions a characteristic ribbed appearance is given to the hose.
Before it is possible to describe the construction of the mesh-turner and the way in
which it acts, it is necessary to describe this kind of knitting more exactly. When
a woman wants to knit with ribs in knitting stockings she puts the needle alter-
nately from the inside and from the outside into the last mesh that is on the knitting-
needle. With this needle she draws a new mesh alternately from the outside and
the inside through two old meshes and thus forms two new meshes, which lie opposite
each other. These meshes are termed right and left meshes. This distinction is
not very clear for if a mesh is seen from the outside it is "left," and if seen from
the inside it is "right." Owing to this the terms "right and left meshes" will not

page_text: be used in this specification, but instead of them it will be said that meshes have
been drawn in either from the outside or the inside. As the knitting is a hose there
can be no mistaking of these expressions. If the knitting is done in the way described
before in Figs. 7 to 14, the needle n must always form meshes which have been
drawn in from the ontside; we term them briefly outside-meshes. The needle n passes
on the outside through the falling off mesh, as it is represented in Figs. 6, 13 and 14
and described above. In order to be able to form with this needle n, which is
always moved and oscillated regularly, meshes that lie opposite to those just described,
or in other words to form inside-meshes the following conditions are necessary. First
of all a mesh-turner must be applied between the needle n and spiral-end s¹. This
mesh-turner must turn the mesh that falls off s¹ by 180° before the needle n passes
through the old mesh. The needle n passes therefore from the inside into this mesh
of the hose and consequently an inside-mesh is formed.
Secondly for the purpose of forming this inside-mesh the spiral-end s must be
displaced, must be turned back, by about 90° so that the position of the needle n to
the spiral end is altered. This gives the mesh-turner time enough to seize the
mesh falling off the spiral end and to turn it before the needle passes through the
mesh. When the spiral end s' is in the old position it has hitherto occupied (Fig. 1, 2)
the mesh falls direct off it on the needle n that stands under it.
Thirdly this mesh-turner must work by the formation of not only inside but also
outside meshes, because the spiral-end s¹ is turned back by 90°. If it did not work
the outside-meshes would fall off the spiral-end s without their being anything to
take them up.
The needle n is not yet arrived with its point under the spiral end s
which has been turned back. The mesh-turner must therefore also catch up the
outside-meshes when they fall off and hold them till the needle n passes through them
from the outside. As the mesh-turner does not turn the mesh in this case the motion
of the mesh-turner must be very slight of course. It must move forward only far
enough to catch up the mesh and hold it. It has not to turn the mesh in this case,
for to form an outside-mesh the mesh lies just right for the needle.
The mesh-turner can then be arranged in two ways, either with a stationary or
with a movable oscillation-axle. Both modifications are represented in the drawings.
For the sake of greater clearness, the mesh-turner with a movable os cillation-axle will
be described first.
Fig. 1 shows the front view of the knitting machine with the mesh-turner lying
before it.
Fig. 2 shows the top view of it with a partial section through X Y.
Fig. 3 shows a side view of it.
Fig. 4 shows the front view of the spiral ends with the mesh-turner.
Fig. 5 shows a top view of them.
Fig. 6 -13 show the different positions of the spiral ends and of those of the
mesh turner during the formation of a twisted mesh; the mechanisms for moving the
mesh-turner are not shown in these figures.
Fig. 14 shows a front view of the spiral ends and the position of the mesh-turner
during the formation of a common mesh.
Fig. 15-17* show a modification of the mesh-turner in different positions.
The entire arrangement of the machine is the same as that of the knitting-machine
described above and the different main parts are only repeated briefly.
⚫ is the
knitting-spiral with its two ends s¹²; n is the needle through which the yarn runs.
wo are the driving axles for rotating the knitting-spiral. In front of the oscillating
needle n moves the bent mesh-turner m. The motion and application of the mesh-
turner are as follows: the sickle-shaped bent mesh-turner m m¹ (Fig. 4) is firmly
connected with a cog-wheel (1) which sits loose on the pin (2) of the arm (3). The
arm (3) is in its turn firmly connected with the cog-wheel (4), which sits loose on the
axle (5). The bearing of the axle is in the support (T) and the axle cannot rotate in
it; the axle bears the non-rotating sector (6) which gears into the cog-wheel (1).
The rack (T) is moved to and fro by lever (T) and curve-disk (T), and whenever it
moves the cog-wheel 4 oscillates, the mesh-turner m m¹ is forced to oscillate also,

page_text: which it does in the way shown in Figs. 6ª—13ª. The centre of the mesh-turner
describes a semi-circle and the sickle of the mesh-turner likewise turns by 180°.
This turning of the sickle serves to turn the mesh, or in other words to form an
inside mesh. It proceeds in the following way: whenever the slide-roller (T5) of the
lever (T) is in a hollow of the curve-disk (T) (Fig. 2), the mesh-turner is in
the position shown in Fig. 6. The spring Tea makes T lie constantly against T*.
The needle n has just hung up the mesh x, x¹, on s and the spiral end s¹, which
turns in the direction of the arrow, will drop the mesh a in a moment. This would
occur if the sickle m of the mesh-turner m m³ did not pass into the mesh from the
right and catch it up. Fig. 7a shows the position of the mesh turner m when it has
turned so far and when its centre has sunk so much that it holds the mesh a securely.
It must be observed that the side of the mesh turned towards the sickle-arm m¹ was
that which was on the outside of the hose; the side that is turned towards the sickle-
point has therefore been the inside of the mesh.
During this time the needle n recedes completely; Fig. 8ª shows it in its extreme
position. In Fig. 9 the needle n has advanced again and in Fig. 10° the sickle of
the mesh-turner is in such a position that when the needle n advances it can pass
into the inside of the mesh a. In doing so the needle passes close behind the mesh-
turner.
The mesh-turner has thus completed its one oscillation; it recedes then and the
contrary oscillation takes place; now it draws itself out of the turned mesh, as it is
shown in Figs. 11ª, 12ª. The mesh a which has been taken off the spiral end s¹
and is now
hanging on the needle n in combination with the mesh ³, 2, 26 which
is hung up on when the needle has advanced enough (Fig. 13) forms_an_inside-
mesh, for x, x, has been conducted into the old mesh a from the inside. In Figs. 6"
to 13 the driving-wheels for the mesh-turner are not shown; the course of the axle
of the mesh-turner is indicated a dotted line. In the drawing the position of the
yarn is shown only in the first and last positions to render the turning of the mesh
more conspicuous in the other figures. When the needle recedes (Fig. 6 and 7*)
the hanging mesh slips off the needle n; Fig. 7 shows the mesh ẞ when it has
slipped off and is hanging in mesh ¹, ², .
The motion of the mesh turner m is dependent, as is evident, on the curve of the
curve-disk. If the elevation is so slight that the mesh-turner is moved a little only
out of the position Fig. 6, the mesh-turner will only catch up the falling mesh and
hold it as shown in Fig. 14. The mesh-turner reniains so long in this position till
the needle n has reached the position in Fig. 10 and the needle passes then from
outside into the unturned mesh. A common outside mesh is thus formed, and the
mesh-turner, which has performed only a short forward oscillation, moves back then
and draws itself out of the mesh. The latter is then hanging on the needle n which
on moving forwards hangs up a loop as a new common outside-mesh on 8.
It is therefore possible according to the choice in the curve-disk to make alternately
outside and inside meshes, or to make two outside-meshes successively and two
inside-meshes. This alternate formation of meshes is selfacting and occurs on each
revolution of the axle.
In the place of this doubly oscillating mesh-turner, a mesh-turner with a stationary
oscillation-axle may be employed as is shown in Figs. 15-17. In this case the
oscillation-axle o¹ of the mesh-turner m is placed between the two spiral-ends &¹ s².
An oscillating motion is given to this axle o¹ by the curve-disk T, roll T³, lever T
and ratchet bar T in the same way as it is shown in the case of axle 5 in Figs. 1—3ª.
It shall be described first shape of this mesh-turner more exactly. It has three
ribs,,; the two last named ribs are set opposite each other and the mesh-turner
is slightly narrow at that part on which the ribs are. In addition to this the
mesh-turner has a slit . The working (action) of this oscillating mesh-turner is as
follows:-
The mesh a that falls off s¹ is caught up by the mesh-turner, which owing to its
oscillating motion in the direction of the arrow y enters the mesh from the inside and
holds it up. If a common. outside mesh has to be formed, the mesh-turner remains in

page_text: the position shown in Fig. 15, and on its course the needle n will enter the mesh a
from the outside. The ribs assist the needle in entering the mesh for they form
a hollow under the mesh a while it lies on them and into this hollow the needle can enter
with ease.
In taking up the mesh the needle passes between the two ribs, catches up
the mesh and hangs it up on spiral-end s. The mesh-turner may remain in its
position till the needle has retired again and has drawn itself out of the mesh-turner.
But the mesh-turner can also go back before that.
But if an inside-mesh has to be formed, the mesh-turner does not remain in the
position indicated in Fig. 15, but continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow y.
In continuing this oscillating motion in the direction of arrow y the mesh-turner will
slide still further into the mesh a and finally carries the mesh along with it, as shown
in Fig. 16. It must be noticed, that during the oscillation of the mesh-turner, that
has just occurred and amounted to about 180°, the mesh itself has turned very little,
for the thick line indicating the outside & of the mesh is still quite on the outside of
the machine and besides that below. The mesh will turn not before the mesh turner
has oscillated farther, as is shown in Fig. 17* and in doing that it slides over the rib r².
The mesh is always endeavouring to move downwards, and as it is lifted by the last
oscillation of the mesh-turner (see Figs. 16", 17") and as it resists as much as possible
the twist given it by the mesh-turner it is forced out of the position Fig. 16* into
that of Fig. 17. In Fig. 16 the mesh lies over the narrowest part of the mesh-turner,
but owing to the oscillation it slips on to the breader part (Fig. 17*). When the
mesh is in this position the needle n enters the mesh-turner. As is evident from
Fig. 17 the needle enters the mesh from the former inside of the mesh a, and in this
way a twisted or inside mesh is formed. After the new mesh has been hanged up,
the mesh-turner withdraws from it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
In knitting machines with rotating-knitting-spiral.
1.) A needle which can be displaced and moved in such a manner that the two
courses of the needle are oppositely inclined to the plane laid through the axes of the
two knitting spiral ends, while the needle passes in both its positions outside the soul
of the one spiral end and penetrates into the soul of the other spiral end, for the
purpose of being able to obtain in knitting backwards and forwards a congruent
taking-off and hanging-on of the meshes by the same displaceable needle.
2.) Two oscillating axles a b on which the same needle can be mounted alternately,
for the purpose mentioned in claim 1.
3.) Axially displaceable spiral ends for the purpose of being able to knit closer or
looser by bringing the spiral ends nearer to each other or farther apart.
4.) An inner spiral provided with an outer rib and an outer recess in combination
with an outer spiral that takes up the outer rib and is provided with an inner rib and
an inner recess, in which combination the points of the two spirals are taken up by
the respective recesses, for the double purpose of preventing axial displacement of the
two spirals to each other and to hinder the meshes from getting between the points of
the spirals.
5.) The method of making meshes lying opposite to each other (ribbed knitting),
characterised by the arrangement and employment of an oscillating mesh-turner,
which is arranged in front of the spiral-ends and which takes the meshes that have
not to be twisted off the spiral-ends and holds them till the needle enters them, but
which likewise takes up those meshes that have to be twisted and twists them by more
than 90°.
6.) The employment and arrangement of a mesh-turner, which is arranged in
front of the spiral-ends and which performs alternately greater and smaller oscillations
for the purpose of forming meshes which lie opposite to each other.
7.) The combination of a bent knitting-spiral together with an eyed needle n with
an oscillating mesh-turner and with an oscillating axle, which is not only rotated

page_text: but also moved backwards and forwards for the purpose of forming outside and
inside meshes.
8.) The combination of a bent knitting-spiral together with an eyed needle n with
an oscillating mesh-turner m m³, with the oscillating arm 3 for the purpose of giving
the mesh-turner a double motion, before the knitting-spiral.
9.) The combination of a bent knitting-spiral together with an eyed needle with a
mesh-turner, with the cog wheels 1 6, with the oscillating arm 3, with the cog-wheel 4,
with the rack T' with the lever T³ and with a curved, grooved or not-round disk for
the purpose as specified.
10.) The using of a mesh-turner, which has a double motion of such a kind that it
oscillates on the one hand round an axle while on the other hand it alters its
oscillation centre owing to the backward and forward motion of its axle, for the
purpose of catching-up the meshes, to turn them and to extricate itself from them,
substantially as described.
11.) The application of a bent spiral or of two spirals, the free ends of which are
inclined to one another under an angle less than thirty degre in combination with an
eyed needle moving toward these ends.
87.
JOHANN SCHMITT.
JOHANN BAPTIST COBLENZER.
CARL GUSTAV ROMMENHÖLLER.
By A. Kuhnt & R Deissler,
38, Alexander Str., Berlin, Germany,
their Attorneys.
Dated this 19th day of October 1887.
JOHANN SCHMITT.
JOHANN BAPTIST COBLENZER.
CARL GUSTAV ROMMENHÖLLER.
By A. Kuhnt & R Deissler,
38, Alexander Str., Berlin, Germany,
their Attorneys.