A NEW KNITTING MACHINE
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Albert Shaw, of Biddeford, of the County of
York and State of Maine, of the United States of America, for the In-
vention of "A NEW KNITTING MACHINE."-A communication by Jonas
Hinkley, residing at Norwalk, of the County of Huron and State of
Ohio, of the said United States.
Sealed the 8th June 1866, and dated the 3rd April 1866.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Charles Albert Shaw at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Decla-
ration, on the 3rd April 1866, pursuant to the 9th Section of the
Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, BE IT
KNOWN that I, CHARLES ALBERT SHAW, of Biddeford, of the County of York
and State of Maine, of the United States of America, am in possession of an
Invention of "A NEW KNITTING MACHINE," (a communication to me by
Jonas Hinkley, a person resident at Norwalk, of the County of Huron and
State of Ohio, of the said United States,) and I do hereby declare the nature
thereof, and the manner in which it is to be performed or is constructed and
operates, to be herein-after particularly set forth and described, reference
being had to the accompanying Drawings, of which, Figure 1 is a top view,
Figure 2 a front elevation, Figure 3 a rear elevation, and Figures 4 and 5
are end elevations of it; Figure 6 is a vertical and transverse section of it,

page_text: 33
such section being taken through the needle; Figure 7 is a vertical section
taken longitudinally through the work supporting comb and the mechanism
for changing its motions and effecting the "narrowing" and "widening
of the work or fabric; Figure 8 is a top view, and Figures 9 and 10 are side
elevations of the needle and its carrier; Figure 11 is a vertical and longi-
tudinal section of the clutch shaft and the mechanism thereof. The
remaining Figures are herein-after referred to and described.
This machine is distinguished from others for the production of knit fabrics
by the means which it contains for the performance or production of the
knitting stitch.
A pointed needle (provided with an eye near its point, or
with the same and another eye as herein-after described), a looper, and a work
supporting comb, with their operative mechanisms, are the principal instru-
mentalities or the constituents of the main combination of this machine.
With these certain auxiliaries are employed as and for the objects or
purposes to be herein-after particularly explained.
In the Drawings A denotes the said needle, which is pointed at its working
extremity, and is provided with an eye a near its point, such eye going trans-
versely through the needle. The needle is more particularly represented in
top view in Figure 12, and in longitudinal section in Figure 13. Its shank
is curved as shown in these Figures, and it has a groove b extending from or
near its point back to another eye c, which goes down through the needle at
or near the junction of the curved and straight portions of the shank. The
needle so made is fastened in a carrier or slider B, duly supported between
and by parallel guides d, d, in order that it with the needle may be moved
rectilinearly with reciprocating movements relatively to the comb I. The
yarn do to be used may be wound upon a spool or bobbin c, which may be
supported on the base plate D of the machine, and connected therewith by
a screw. From the said spool the yarn is led upward through a guide g placed
over the spool, thence downward toward and into the notch e of a tension spring
E, which is applied to the side of the needle carrier, and is provided with a
screw for regulating its pressure on the yarn. After passing into the said
notch the yarn is led between the needle carrier and the tension.spring and
thence upward through the rear eye of the needle, thence along in the groove,
and thence down through the front eye of the needle, through which it
should be drawn two or three inches preparatory to operating the machine.
A rod or pitman h, jointed to the needle carrier, connects. it with the wrist of
a crank i, fixed on the clutch shaft k, the rod h being so made as to enable
it to be readily slipped off the said wrist as occasion may require for the
removal of the carrier and needle from the rest of the mechanism, which is

page_text: usually done in order to thread the needle more readily. The shaft k has a
clutch arranged upon it between two bevel gears m, n, provided with teeth
to engage with the clutch: Two connecting gears o, p, engage with the
gears m, n, the said connecting gears being duly supported within a
standard u. Each of the connecting gears m, n, is fixed to one of two
tubular shafts q, r, which encompasses the clutch shaft or are arranged thereon
as represented. The said clutch shaft is supported in bearings s, s, formed in
two standards t, t, erected on the base plate D. Another standard v serves
to aid in supporting the shaft q. A friction disc w is fixed on the clutch
shaft q, and is arranged by the side of another disc a, which is carried
by a tubular and. chambered shaft y that encompasses the shaft g and
contains a helical spring z. The said spring also encircles the shaft q
and bears at one end against the disc a, and operates to press the two discs
apart and against the sides of a groove a', formed in the circumference of
a fly or driving wheel F, duly supported on a journal 6", projecting from a
standard c extending upward from the base plate. A stud d²; extending
from the disc w, enters the disc a, and serves to so couple the two discs as to
cause them to revolve together. By revolving the fly wheel by manual power
applied to a crank e" extending from it, or by power otherwise suitably
directed upon the said wheel, the friction of the wheel against the discs will
produce a rotary motion of the shaft 2, which by means of the series of bevel
gears m, n, o, p, will impart to the shaft r a rotary motion in a direction
contrary to that in which the shaft q may revolve. The clutch I should be so
applied to the shaft k as to revolve with it, and be capable of being slid or
moved endwise on it in a manner to engage the clutch with either of the
gears m, n. From the above it will be seen, that when the clutch is in
engagement with the gear m the shaft k will be revolved in one direction,
but when the clutch is engaged with the gear n the shaft will be revolved in
an opposite direction; but in whichever of 'these directions the shaft may be
turned its crank i will impart to the needle carrier reciprocating rectilinear
movements. The "cast-off" is exhibited at G as projecting from the needle
carrier and situated over the needle, it being a simple tongue of steel formed
and arranged as represented, it being for the purpose herein-after described.
A long wedge-pointed arm or detent H, formed and extended from the needle
carrier in the manner shown in the Drawings, enters the rack of the comb I
while the needle is advancing, and serves to maintain or keep the comb in its
due position with respect to the needle during the production of the stitch.
During the retreat of the needle the arm H passes out of the rack. The said
comb, formed as represented in the Drawings, that is, with a series of short

page_text: teeth b¹, b', projecting from its front edge, is arranged directly over the path
of the needle and at right angles to such path. A rack c¹ is fixed on the rear
part of the upper surface of the comb, its teeth being arranged directly
opposite or nearly so to the spaces between the teeth of the comb. The
distance between the middles or centers of each of the two next adjacent
teeth of the rack corresponds with that between the middles of any two next
adjacent teeth of the comb. The comb thus made is supported on suitable
guides or ways t, u², so as to enable it to be moved longitudinally. A short
pin or stud d, projecting from one end of a shaft e¹, and arranged eccentrically
with respect to the axis of the shaft, imparts to the rack during each
revolution of the shaft an intermittent rectilinear motion. The said shaft
derives its rotary motion by means of or through two spiral toothed gears
f, g, one of which is fixed on it, the other being attached to the clutch shaft k.
The shaft e¹ is sustained by one stationary bearing h¹ (in which it is loosely
arranged) and by a movable plate 2¹.
Figure 14 is a side view of the shaft e', and Figure 15 is a vertical section
of its lifter and the arch k¹, in which it is sustained. There are two notches
, m', on the edge of the shaft lifter 1, and there is also a spring n' attached to
it for pressing it laterally, so as to engage either of the said notches with the
standard or arch. By means of the said lifter the shaft may be elevated so as to
carry its stud out of action with the rack, or it may be depressed so as to introduce
or bring the stud into action with the said rack. A shifting lever o¹, properly
applied to the clutch and arranged as represented, serves to move such clutch
into engagement with either of the gears m, n. The longer arm of the said
lever
goes between two adjustable studs p', p', projecting from a slide rod q',
see Figure 7 and also Figure 15¹, which is a top view of the two studs and
the slide rod, and shows the studs as consisting of a piece of metal bent in
the form exhibited arranged on a long screw r³ (made on the rod), and held in
place thereon by nuts s', s'. The rod q¹ is jointed to a hand lever t', which carries
a roller u¹ to work against a spring u, provided with a projection, the whole
being as shown in the Drawings. By means of the hand lever the shifting lever
can be moved so as to move the clutch. In this way the extent of movement
of the comb in either direction may be determined by an attendant with his
hand applied to the said hand lever, but the machine contains a mechanism by
which these movements of the comb may be effected automatically. For this
purpose the comb plate is provided with a row of holes as shown at w³, there being
one of such holes to each tooth of the comb, they being arranged with respect
to the comb teeth in the manner as represented. Two pins a¹, x¹, projecting
downward from the index plates y¹, y', formed as shown in the Drawings, a e

page_text: inserted in any two of the series of holes and are to be placed at such distances
apart from time to time as may be necessary to cause the machine to knit
such a distance on the comb as may be desirable. These pins x1, x¹, are to
operate with an arched piece or projection z¹ fixed on the slide rod q¹, and
arranged as shown in Figure 7. When by the traversing movements of the
comb either pin is carried against the projection 21, it will move the slide rod
so as to cause the clutch to be moved from one to the other of the gears m, n,
and thus reverse the motion of the comb. In this way the " narrowing" or
"widening" of the work may be effected as circumstances may require.
Furthermore, each of the index plates y¹ is provided with a pointer c', and
with another and shorter stud d, the latter being to enter one of the holes of
the comb and to steady the plate, or aid in keeping it in place in the comb.
The pointer by extending down or nearly to the teeth of the comb enable the
longer stud of the plate to be properly adjusted for any one of the teeth, thus
serving as a guide to the operator in "narrowing" and "widening" the work.
A rod a², affixed at its two ends to arms 60, 20, projecting from the comb,
serves by extending along in front of the fabric being knit to keep it properly
suspended on the comb during the operation of knitting such fabric.
The next part of the machine to be described is the looper K and its
operative mechanism. This looper, which is formed as shown in side view of
Figure 16, in top view in Figure 17, and in rear view in Figure 18, is
projected down from a slide rod or looper rod c, whose rear end is jointed to
the upper end of a tri-armed lever f³, arranged as shown in the Drawings, and
having its fulcrum at 9. The middle or shortest arm of the lever has a
stud h projecting from it into a long slot made in the needle carrier, said
slot being straight, except at or near one end of it, which is cam shaped or
formed as represented. This shape or form of the slot is for the purpose of
effecting the forward and backward movements of the looper through the
stud h operating in connection therewith. The looper also has lateral and
vertical movements imparted to it, the lateral motions being produced by a
cam groove k³, in which the shank of the looper is arranged, said shank being
connected to the looper rod by a joint, as represented at a. Figure 19
exhibits this cam groove and the mechanism contiguous to and below it as
applied to or disposed in the extremity of a curved bracket projecting from
the arch . The bracket not only supports the parts or pieces of metal m³, n³,
which form the cam groove, but it also serves to support a plate o² in which
there is another cam groove p³, whose office it is to raise and depress or give
vertical movements to the looper. A stud q* carried by a projection from
the looper rod, or to which the looper rod is attached, or on which it is

page_text: partly supported enters the groove p², and during the longitudinal movements
of the looper slide rod it will be moved in the slot in such a manner as to
cause the slot to effect the necessary vertical movements of the looper. A
small finger spring s*, which is arranged on the bracket in the manner as
represented, and which is formed as shown in Figures 19 and 20 (the latter
being a side view of it), serves to assist the looper in taking the loop from the
needle, and to prevent the escape of the loop of yarn from the looper prior to
such loop being elevated into the proper position to be discharged from the
looper and received on a tooth of the comb. It also serves to assist in pre-
venting the loop which is taken from the comb by the advancing needle or by
the action of the "cast-off" (after the first series or row of loops or stitches
is formed) from being carried too far forward or away from the tooth by the
needle. There is also disposed in the bracket and near to or about the
path of the needle a peculiarly shaped guard or throat piece 5¹ made of metal,
and so formed and arranged with respect to the needle as to partly surround
it when the same is in position for the looper to take the loop from it. This
guard has a part 6¹ which projects over the path of the needle, and by which
the needle is kept from being sprung or bent upward by the action of the
looper. It also has another part 71 projecting forward or toward the teeth of
the comb, and in the side of the needle opposite the spring finger s³, and in
such a position in respect to the needle as to serve alone or in conjunction
with the said finger to prevent the loop which the needle takes from the comb
in forming the second or any subsequent row of stitches from being carried
along with the needle, and so far from the comb as to break the yarn or draw
the adjacent loops or stitches from their supporting teeth. The extreme end
of the bracket, or parts attached thereto, are grooved or slotted, as shown
at 81 in Figures 4, 5, & 6, and so arranged with respect to the comb that the
teeth of the comb pass through the slot as the comb traverses; this slotted end
or part operates or serves to keep the loops or stitches in the vicinity of the
needle from being improperly thrown off or dropped from the teeth of the
comb by the action of the needle or from any other cause, and may be
extended to any desired distance on either side of the needle, and can be so
contracted and arranged as to be adjustable with reference to the comb to
enable the work to more easily removed from the machine. The bracket
may also be made or constructed and arranged so as to be adjustable with
reference to the comb. I will here state that the body part of the said comb
could be made of cast iron, the teeth being made of steel and properly
attached thereto, and the teeth may be so constructed and arranged as to bo
individually removable from the comb, and may be bent or turned slightly

page_text: upward or downward at the points, but I prefer the construction described
and shown. A looping mechanism can also be arranged to traverse the comb
remaining stationary, but instead thereof I prefer that the comb should
traverse. There is made in the inner end of the clutch shaft k a screw
socket, and there is also projected from the bottom of the spool a screw
to enter and screw into such socket, the same being to enable the spool
to be so connected with the shaft k or its crank as to be capable of being
revolved with such shaft for the purpose of enabling an attendant to readily
wind yarn on the spool as occasion may require.
The operation of knitting by means of the said machine may be thus
explained. During the advance of the needle the looper will be depressed,
and caused to pass under or about the needle and across and back of the yarn
on its under side. Owing to the peculiar form of the looper and the needle
not having completed its advance movement, the looper will not catch the yarn
while so passing. Next the looper will be moved in an opposite direction, so
as to catch the yarn upon it, the needle at the same time retreating. The
looper continuing to move will bring the loop of yarn (on it) up to one of
the teeth of the comb, the end of the looper resting on or being just above
the upper surface of the tooth, so that while the needle may continue in retreat
it may draw the loop away from the looper and upon the tooth of the comb.
The comb is thus advanced; bringing the next adjacent tooth opposite the
After a row
looper, when another loop may be formed in the same manner.
of loops may have thus been formed on the comb a reverse motion of the
comb follows preparatory to forming or knitting the next row of stitches, and
the needle being caused to advance will enter and pass through one of the
While the needle is
loops on the comb and carry the yarn through it.
advancing through the loop the loop will be kept on the tooth until the
needle has fairly entered it by means of the point of the looper, which is so
arranged and operated as to prevent the loop from being pushed from the
tooth by the needle until the needle has sufficiently entered it to secure it from
being "dropped." The looper is then moved away from the tooth, and the
loop on the tooth being left without means sufficient to resist the action of
the advancing needle will usually be pushed or slipped off the tooth on to the
needle by the friction of the needle advancing through it, but when this does
not occur the "east-off" intended for this purpose, will push the loop from the
tooth and prepare the way for a new loop. The loop when thus pushed from
the tooth is suspended by or supported on the advancing needle, and will
usually be carried forward with it until brought in contact with the spring
fingers or the part 71 of the guard 5¹, or with both, when the discharged

page_text: loop will be held back by them while the needle will continue to advance to
the extent of its course. In order that the needle may pass easily and readily
through the loop suspended on it after said loop is in contact with the
fingers or part 7', and in order to make room for the old loop to pass back
under the vacant tooth on the retreat of the needle as the new loop is passed or
the tooth the needle is made or formed in the bent or crooked manner shown
A new loop is now taken from the needle by the looper as before described
and deposited on the tooth thus vacated or from which the old loop was
pushed as set forth. The new loop being deposited on the tooth the retreating
needle "discharges" or is withdrawn from the old loop, and is left suspended
by the new loop or becomes a part of the work. The comb is then advanced
preparatory to the production of the next loop or stitch, which is produced
in the same manner. Thus the machine may be continued to work, the dis-
tances of movement of the comb from time to time being regulated by
the
apparatus for effecting the "narrowing" and "widening." of the work.
As soon as one row of stitches may have been completed the motion of the
comb will be reversed automatically, or may be changed by the operator, and
another row of stitches will be commenced and made. I term the needle
described an "eye-pointed needle;" the looper K and parts working more
immediately in connection therewith; the "looping mechanism," the lever o¹,
and parts operating more immediately in connection therewith, the "shipping
mechanism;" the spring E, and parts operating more immediately in connection
therewith, the "tension mechanism; " the shaft e¹, and parts operating more
immediately in connection therewith; the "traversing mechanism," the parts
operating to detain or hold the comb in position while the stitch is being
formed, the "detent mechanism;" the parts operating to push the loop from
the tooth when the same is not done by the needle and yarn passing through
it, the "cast-off mechanism;" the parts operating to prevent the old or dis-
charged loop being carried too far from the tooth by the advancing needle,
the "guard mechanism;" and the comb I denominate the "work-supporting
comb."
In the machine described it will be seen that the needle A is arranged with
its grooved side upward, the yarn being passed through and under the tension
spring, thence upward through the rear eye, along in the groove, and down-
ward through the front eye.
I do not confine myself strictly to the construction or arrangement of the
needle as described, as the same may be differently constructed and arranged
and yet perform the same office. The groove may be on the side of or under
the needle, or may pass around it spirally, or the needle may have but one

page_text: eye or more than two (to obtain tension), and the eyes may be made
differently from those shown, and the same will apply to the other parts or
mechanisms.
In constructing my machine I have sought to adopt whatever has appeared
to be the simplest means of attaining certain results, the main or distinguishing
features of the machine always being retained. I do not therefore confine
myself strictly to the method herein described for carrying out any of the
details of the mechanisms shown so that substantially the same results are
produced.
I am also aware that a needle similar to the one herein described is used in
that class of sewing machines making what is commonly known as the
"Grover and Baker" stitch, I therefore do not claim such needle in and of
itself considered; but what is claimed as of my Invention in knitting machines
or machinery for producing knit fabrics it as follows:-
1st, I claim an "eye-pointed needle" (for carrying a thread or yarn), a
"work-supporting comb" (on which the work or fabric is set up or sup-
ported), and a looper or "looping mechanism" (by means of which the stitch
or loop is taken from the needle and conveyed to or deposited on the comb),
or their equivalents combined and to operate for the production of knit fabrics
substantially in the manner set forth and specified.
2nd, I also claim an organism or combination consisting of an "eye-pointed
needle," a work-supporting comb," a "looping mechanism," substantially
such as described, and a "traversing mechanism," by which traversing move-
ments of the said comb may be produced essentially in the manner and for
the purposes set forth and specified.
3rd, I also claim an organism or combination consisting of an "eye-pointed
needle," a "work-supporting comb," and a "looping mechanism," substantially
such as described; a "tension mechanism," by means of which a proper
friction or tension is exerted on the yarn or thread while in the act of being
knit as and for the purposes set forth.
"
4th, I also claim an organism or combination consisting of a "work-
supporting comb" and "traversing mechanism substantially such as
described, and a "shipping mechanism" by which the movements of the said
comb may be reversed in the manner and for the purposes shown.
5th, I also claim an organism or combination consisting of a "work-
supporting comb" and its "traversing mechanism" substantially such as
described, and a "detent mechanism which operates to detain or hold the
comb while the loop or stitch is being formed in the manner and for the
purposes set forth.

page_text: 6th, I also claim an organism or combination consisting of an "eye-pointed
needle," a "work-supporting comb," a "looping mechanism," substantially
such as described, and a "cast-off mechanism "by which the loop is pushed
from the tooth in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
€6
7th, I also claim an organism or combination consisting of an "eye-pointed
needle," for carrying the yarn being used; a work-supporting comb, on
which the work is "set up" or supported; a "looping mechanism," by which a
loop or loops are taken from the-needle and conveyed to or deposited on the
comb; a traversing mechanism," by which traversing movements of the
comb are produced; a "shipping mechanism," by which the traversing move-
ments of the comb are reversed; a "detent mechanism," by means of which
the comb held while the loop is being formed; and a "cast-off mechanism,"
by which the loop is pushed from the tooth of a comb; and a "tension
mechanism," by which tension is applied to the yarn; the said instrumentalities,
parts, or mechanisms being substantially as berein-before described, and
combined and used for the production of knit fabrics essentially in the manner
and for the purposes set forth.
8th, I also claim the combination of a "work-supporting comb" sub-
stantially such as described, and a device by which the "shipping mechanism "
may be automatically operated essentially in the manner and for the purposes
set forth.
.9th, I also claim the combination of a "work-supporting comb " substan-
tially such as described, and an "index mechanism or means as explained
(or its equivalent) for indicating at what point the movement of the comb will
be reversed substantially in the manner and for the purposes specified.
10th, I claim the application of the rod a³ with the comb teeth in such a
manner as to traverse therewith substantially in the manuer and for the
purposes specified.
11th, I claim a "work-supporting comb" constructed with a rod a³ and a
rack and teeth substantially as set forth and described.
12th, I claim the combination of a "work-supporting comb" substantially
such as described and a slotted or grooved end or piece of metal (8¹), or its
equivalent, so arranged or disposed in relation to the comb that the teeth of
the comb may pass through the groove or slot, whereby the loop, especially in
the vicinity of the needle, will be more securely kept upon the said teeth,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
18th, I claim the bracket (for supporting or holding the parts disposed
in or upon the same) as constructed and arranged substantially as described.
14th, I also claim a combination composed of an "eye-pointed needle" and

page_text: "
a "work-supporting comb" substantially such as described, and a guard
mechanism by which the discharged loop is prevented from being carried
too far from the comb by the advancing needle as described.
15th, I also claim a combination consisting of a "work-supporting comb,"
an "eye-pointed needle," a looper substantially as described, and the projecting
piece 6¹, or its equivalent, so arranged as to prevent the needle from being
sprung upward by the action of the looper substantially as set forth.
16th, I also claim a combination consisting of an "eye-pointed needle," &
"work-supporting comb," a looper substantially such as described, and a
spring fingers for assisting in the conveyance of the loops from the needle to
the tooth as specified.
"guard
17th, I also claim the fingers so constructed and arranged as not only to
assist in conveying the loop as stated, but also to act as a part of the ",
mechanism" substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
18th, I claim a "guard mechanism," one part of which is a spring so
arranged that it will yield to admit of the use of a large or small needle as
circumstances may require substantially as shown.
19th, I claim the combination of the "cast-off" G directly with the needle
carrier so as to be operated by it in the manner set forth and described.
20th, I claim the combination of the tension spring E directly with the
needle carrier so as to operate with and be operated by it substantially in the
manner shown.
21st,
I claim the combination of the arm or detent H directly with the
needle carrier so as to be operated by it substantially in the manner set
forth.
"
22nd, I claim the combination and arrangement of an " eye-pointed
needle A, a "tension mechanism" or spring E, a "cast-off" G, and a
detent H, or their equivalents, so that any two or more of them will have but
one carrier substantially as set forth and described.
23rd, I claim the extension of the tension spring E back to the pitman or
rod h, so that the same may also act to keep the said rod on the crank wrist
substantially in the manner shown and specified.
.
24th, I claim the needle carrier and " looping mechanism" so combined
and arranged with respect to each other that the looping mechanism will be
operated by the needle carrier substantially in manner as set forth.
25th, I claim the needle carrier as constructed with a cam-shaped slot ³,
or its equivalent, for operating the looping mechanism substantially as shown.
26th, I claim the combination of the slot 1, tri-armed lever f, stud h³,
looper rod, cam groove k³, cam groove p³, projection ³, and stud y', or

page_text: their equivalents, for producing the compound movements of the looper sub-
stantially as set forth and described.
27th, I claim a "looping mechanism" considered or taken as a whole con-
structed and operating substantially as set forth and described.
28th, I claim the combination and arrangement of the socket t³, or its
equivalent, with the clutch shaft or its crank for connecting the spool or
bobbin to the said shaft preparatory to filling it substantially as described.
29th, I claim a "narrowing" and a "widening" mechanism consisting of
the row of holes w³, the pins x, x¹, the slide rod y', provided with projec..
tions p', p', and ', to operate with the pins x1, x¹, aud clutch lever o, or their
equivalents, substantially as set forth and described.
30th, I claim the application of the shipping pins ¹, x¹, directly to the
index plates y', y', substantially in the manner and for the purposes specified.
31st, I claim the means of holding or keeping the loop on the tooth until
the needle has fairly entered the loop, such being effected by the looper itself
substantially in the manner set forth and described.
32nd, I also claim a combination composed of an "eye-pointed needle,"
a "tension mechanism," a "work-supporting comb," a "looping mechanism "
substantially such as described, and a yarn guide 9, arranged and used in the
manner and for the purposes specified.
33rd, I claim the peculiar construction of the eye-pointed needle, that
is, the bent or crooked form described, so that the old loop may have room
to pass back under the tooth when said needle is arranged and used sub-
stantially in the manner set forth.
84th, I claim the arch ¹, or its equivalent, arranged with respect to the
comb as shown for supporting the plate and bracket substantially in the
manner set forth.
35th, and finally, I claim a knitting machine composed of all the instru-
mentalities herein-before mentioned, or their equivalents, when constructed,
combined, and used substantially in the manner and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 8th
day of March 1866.