IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH KNITTING MACHINERY
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY
AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH KNITTING MACHINERY."-A com
munication from abroad by Thomas Crane, of Fort Atkinson, in the
State of Wisconsin, United States of America.
Sealed the 4th December 1868, and dated the 7th October 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 7th October 1868.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY
AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH KNITTING MACHINERY," to be as
follows:
This Invention relates to that class of knitting machinery wherein
rectilinear reciprocating latch needles are arranged in a row parallel

page_text: to each other, and operated by means of a cam, to which a rectilinear
reciprocating motion is communicated.
"
The knitting machine is composed of a needle bed having grooves
or channels in its upper surface extending transversely across it in
parallel lines for the reception of the needles, and is provided with end
bracket clamps for attaching the machine to a table. Upon the front
edge of the needle bed, or attached thereto, is a jack bar constructed
with thin blades projecting perpendicularly for the passage of the
needles back and forth between them while knitting. A bar or "gib
secured longitudinally across the needle bed edgewise holds the needles in
place and serves as a support and guide for the reciprocating slide of the
yarn carrier, and also as a guide for the carriage of a reciprocating cam,
and
which causes the needles to advance in order to receive the yarn
to recede, so as to cast off the loops. This cam and its carriage are
moved to and fro over the needles, which have their rear ends turned
up at right angles to enter and be operated by the grooves of the said
cam by means of a handle. The cam is formed of two V-shaped plates
of metal, one of which is fixed to the carriage and the other is pivotted,
so as to be capable of being oscillated horizontally by means of the
handle used for reciprocating the carriage and its cam; this arm or
handle is fitted with an adjustable screw stop for limiting the oscillations
of one of the plates of the cam and to regulate the length of the loops,
so as to admit of knitting loosely or tightly. This screw stop works
within a flaring opening in the cam carriage, so that the length of
vibration being adjustable the throw of the cam can be increased or
diminished at pleasure. In front of and parallel to the jack bar is a
needle bar or work holder provided with teeth arranged at regular
distances apart on its upper surface and which form short grooves or
channels for receiving the ends of the needles as they advance to receive
the yarn. These teeth will hold back the work and allow the needles
to slip freely through the loops upon them far enough to bring the loops
to the back of the latches, thereby preventing the work from rising or
moving forward with the needles. A bar carried by a hinged frame is
arranged longitudinally in front of and slightly above the plane of the
needles, so that while the hooked ends of the needles pass beneath it will
operate as a latch holder to prevent the latches (when thrown back) from
falling on top of the hooked points of the needles. This latch holder is so
connected with the moveable work holder that when the hinged frame

page_text: of the former is turned over out of the working position it will move
the work holder a sufficient distance away from the jack bar to allow
free access to and an inspection of the work upon the needles. A
groove is made in the needle bed just in rear of and parallel to the jacks,
into which a fine wire is placed to serve as a means for shutting the
latches when the needles are drawn fully back, and for opening them
when the needles are moved forward to a working position, and also for
holding them back and preventing them from being casually thrown
forward when it is desired to keep any number of needles out of
working position.
The
The thread or yarn carrier slide is slotted cr opened so as to form
two hooks, into which enters alternately a tongue on the cam carriage
for the purpose of imparting a reciprocating motion thereto.
length of the opening being greater than the width of the tongue allows
of the slide and carriage having movements independent of each other.
The arm of the thread carrier is furnished with a bow spring for producing
an upward tension of the yarn, and an auxiliary tension spring to give
uniformity to its action.
The thread guide for distributing the yarn upon the needles consists
of a triangular plate attached to the under side of the thread carrier, so
that its perforated end lies just over the edge of the work. The edges
of the eye portion are made angular for the purpose of guiding and
holding up the needle latches during the delivery of the thread.
An apparatus is provided for counting and recording the number of
reciprocations of the cam carriage. This apparatus consists of a ratchet
wheel, a vibrating lever pawl on the cam carriage to actuate or push
round the ratchet wheel, and there is also a stationary cam upon the
needle bed.
The work roller or "swinging temple" is constructed of a number of
short cylindrical sections, between which are toothed wheels of greater
diameter, both being mounted loosely on a horizontal shaft attached by
swinging arms to the frame of the machine. This arrangement allows
the work to be distended and drawn down uniformly.
The Invention also relates to an improved yarn spool, which may be
used as a reel when desired to wind yarn upon it. It is made in the
form of a cone with an annular flange some distance above its base and
carries a tubular finger piece or thimble set excentrically in a hollow
formed in the base of the spool. On inverting the spool and employing

page_text: a rod (as a stud axle) which is inserted through the centre of the spool,
the spool may be readily rotated for the purpose of reeling on the
yarn.
The Invention also relates to a "setting-up" apparatus to be employed
at the commencement of knitting, and consists of a shouldered plate
adapted for receiving a weight; its upper edge is pierced with a line of
rectangular holes corresponding to the spaces between the jacks, and
which holes are adapted for receiving through them the needles when
advanced to receive the yarn; on their withdrawal the loops will be
drawn through the openings. A form of work hook is provided, con-
sisting of a triangular plate furnished with hooks and having a weight
attached to draw down the work.
The Invention lastly relates to means whereby the needles may be
readily moved into or out of position in any desired number. For this
purpose rectangular plates are provided of unequal sides marked with
the number of needles for which they are adapted. Either side may be
pressed against the upturned shanks of the needles according to the
number it is desired to move. These plates may have serrated edges of
any desired pattern in order to act either upon every other needle or
upon a selection of needles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 7th April 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her
special licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times

page_text: thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED
WITH KNITTING MACHINERY," being a communication to me from Thomas
Crane, of Fort Atkinson, in the State of Wisconsin, United States, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Edward Newton,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):
This Invention relates to that class of knitting machinery wherein
rectilinear reciprocating latch needles are arranged in a row parallel to
each other, and operated by means of a cam which receives a rectilinear
reciprocating motion over the needle bed, and which causes the needles
to advance and receive the yarn and then recede far enough to cast off
the loops.
One object of the Invention is to arrange a bar in front of, and
slightly above the plane of the needles, so that while the hooked
ends of the needles pass beneath the bar will operate as a latch
holder to prevent the latches (when thrown back) from falling on top
of the hooked points of the needles when the needles advance to.
receive the yarn from a yarn distributor.
The bar is also arranged,
that it will serve as a support for the outer end of the yarn carrier
so as to keep the yarn distributor always at a given height over the-
needles as they advance to receive the yarn.
Another object of the Invention is to connect a latch holding bar
with a moveable work holder so that when the hinged frame of the
former is turned over out of working position it will move the work

page_text: holder a sufficient distance away from the jack bar to allow free access,
to, and an inspection of the work upon the needles.
Another object of the Invention is to apply a fine wire in a groove
made in the needle bed just in rear of and parallel to the jacks, so
that such wire shall serve as a means for shutting the latches when
the needles are drawn fully back, also as a means for opening the latches
when the needles are moved forward to a working position, and also as a
means for holding back the needles and preventing them from being
casually thrown forward when it is desired to keep any number of needles
out of working position. In front of, and parallel to the jack bar is
another bar or work holder, provided with teeth arranged at regular
distances apart on its upper surface, and which form short grooves,
channels, or spaces between them for receiving the ends of the needles
as they advance to receive the yarn. These teeth will hold back the
work, and allow the needles to slip freely through the loops upon them
far enough to bring the loops behind the latches, thereby preventing the
work from rising or moving forward with the needles.
Another part of the Invention consists in providing for regulating
the length of the loops for the purpose of knitting loosely or tightly.
This is effected by applying an adjustable set screw to the arm which
oscillates the needle cam and arranging this screw stop to work within
a flaring opening in the cam carriage, so, that the length of vibration and
throw of the cam can be increased or diminished at pleasure.
Another object of the Invention is to so construct the slide of the
tension spring or yarn carrier that this slide and its attachments can be
readily removed from or applied to its guide way and cam carriage at
any point in the stroke of the latter across the needle bed. At the same
time the slide is constructed with hooks upon it into which will
alternately enter a tongue on the cam carriage, so as to keep the
slide down in place while in operation.
Another improvement consists in employing a bow spring for pro-
ducing an upward tension of the yarn and an auxiliary tension spring
to cause the bow spring to operate uniformly at all times upon the yarn
and take up any slack which might be produced in the yarn during
the operation of knitting.
Another object of the Invention is to so construct the device which
is applied to the yarn carrier for distributing the yarn upon the needles
that it will servo as a means for insuring the delivery of the yarn

page_text: upon the needles in front of the latches, and preventing the latches
from closing upon the hooks before the yarn is laid therein.
Another object of the Invention is to provide for counting and
recording the number of strokes of the cam carriage over the needle
bed independently of the vibrating movements of the cam arm.. This
is effected by means of a rotary tooth ratchet wheel and a vibrating
lever pawl on the cam carriage and a stationary cam upon the
needle bed.
Another improvement consists in applying to the arm (by which the
needle cam and cam carriage are moved) a sectional handle, each one of
the sections of which is free to turn on a fixed stem, so that when the
handle is grasped in the hand the sections will both rock freely and
allow the cam to be oscillated without restrairt.
Another part of the Invention is to use the yarn carrying spool as.a
reel when it is desired to wind yarn upon it.. This is effected by pro-
viding the spool with a tubular finger piece or thimble, and inserting
a rod through the centre of the spool and into a hole made in one end
of the needle bar when the reeling is to be performed.
Another part of the Invention consists in employing (in a straight
knitting machine) a swinging temple, which is constructed of rolling
toothed sections arranged beneath the needle bed in such manner that
it will serve as a means for keeping the work distended, and allow it to
be drawn down uniformly.
Another part of the Invention relates to the use of a setting-up device
for introducing the yarn upon the needles in loops at the commencement
of knitting. This device consists of a shouldered plate adapted for
receiving a weight, and is constructed with rectangular holes cor-
responding to the spaces between the jacks. These holes are adapted
for receiving through them the needles as the latter are advanced to
receive the yarn.
Another part of the Invention consists in providing a work hook for
receiving a weight to draw down the work. This hook is adapted for
being readily detached from the work, and again attached at any desired
distance from the needles, or at any desired part of the work during the
operation of knitting.
The last part of the Invention consists in providing means for readily

page_text: moving into or out of operation any desired or given number of needles
according to the character of the work to be performed.
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1, Sheet I., is a view of the top
of the machine complete, representing the cam carriage at one end thereof
and its cam in the act of moving the needles to form the loops. It also
represents two needle movers, and the manner of using them to adjust
a given number of needles into or out of operation.
Fig. 2, Sheet I., is a top view of the spool which supplies the yarn to
the yarn carrier.
Fig. 3, Sheet I., is a vertical central section through the spool repre-
senting it inverted and applied to a spindle as it would appear when
arranged for reeling yarn upon it.
Fig. 4, Sheet II., is a vertical section taken transversely through the
bed of the machine, through the cam carriage, and the yarn carrier, and
also through the latch holder and work holder, all of which parts are
represented in working position.
Fig. 5, Sheet II., is a vertical section taken transversely through the
machine, and representing the end of the cam carriage, and shewing
the tension spring, the work holder, and latch holder out of working
position.
Fig. 6, Sheet II., is a view shewing the construction of the improved
setting-up plate, which is represented in section and in position against
the jack bar in Fig. 4.
Figures 7 and 8, Sheet II., represent the construction of the improved
work hook by which a weight is attached at any point to the work for
drawing it down in place while knitting.
Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, Sheet III., show the construction of the
cam carriage, the counting device, and the adjustable gauge screw for
regulating the tightness of the loops.
Fig. 13, Sheet III., is a perspective view of the tension spring yarn
carrier and distributor.
Fig. 14 is a top view of a portion of the work holder and jack bar
enlarged, showing the operation of the teeth of the work holder upon
the loops as the needles are moved forward to receive the yarn in their
hooks.
Fig. 15 is a sectional and side view of the temple for keeping the work

page_text: spread out evenly directly below the work holder during the operation
of knitting.
Fig. 16, Sheet IV., is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4,
shewing rotary jacks applied to the edge of the bed plate A, instead of
fixed jacks.
Fig. 17 is a top view of a portion of the machine having rotary jack
plates.
In the accompanying Drawings, A represents the needle bed, which
has grooves or channels in its upper surface, extending transversely
across it in parallel lines for the purpose of receiving the needles and
allowing them to reciprocate freely. Upon the front edge of the needle
bed or attached thereto is a jack bar A', which is constructed with thin
blades or jacks a, a, projecting perpendicularly upward in front of and
above the front straight edge of the needle bed A, so as to allow the
needles in the grooves to pass back and forth between them while
knitting. If desirable the jacks may be constructed upon the
front edge of the needle bed instead of being made upon a separate
bar A as described. In rear of the row of jacks a a dovetail groove is
made in the needle bed in a direction with the length thereof, into
which is inserted a straight bar C, which may be called a gib as it
serves as a means for keeping the needles down in place in their grooves
and prevents them from being casually drawn out of place endwise. This
gib C¹ also serves as an elevated support and guide for the reciprocating
slide F of the yarn carrier, and also as one of the guides for the cam
carriage G¹. The extremities of the gib C₁ extend beyond the extre-
mities of the front portion of the needle bed A, as shewn in Fig. 1,
and are provided with stop pins for preventing the yarn carrier and cam
carriage from being moved off the ends of the machine while knitting.
In the back side and near the upper edge of the gib C¹ a groove g* is
made in the direction of its length. This groove receives a narrow
tongue p, formed on the front edge of the cam carriage G¹ in the middle
of the length thereof. The back edge of the carriage is turned down-
ward and forward, forming two right angles, and a tongue g³, which
latter is fitted with an L-shaped groove g³ made in the upper surface of
the needle bed in rear of the grooved surface which receives the needles,
as shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 5. The grooves g* and * extend from end
to end of the needle bed A, so that the cam carriage can be introduced
in place from either end.

page_text: Beneath the upper horizontal portion of the cam carriage g¹ are two
V-shaped cams k, k¹, shown clearly in Figs. 11 and 12, one of which k
is rigidly fixed to the carriage and the other is pivotted to it at A so as
to oscillate horizontally to allow it to assume the two positions shewn
by Figures 11 and 12. The oscillating cam ¹ has an arm G³, formed
on it and extending backward through a slot made through the fixed
cam k, and also through a slot or opening made through the
back of the carriage, and to the rear end of the arm Ga rod H is
secured fast, which extends perpendicularly above and below it, and
receives two sections H, H, that form a handle to be grasped by the
operator for moving the carriage and its cam. The two sections H, H,
(forming the handle) should be allowed to turn freely about their rod
or stem H, so that the arm G and its cam k can be vibrated freely
while the sections of the handle are held firmly in the hand. A portion
of the top plate of the cam carriage G¹ is cut away so as to form a
flaring or tapering opening 7 through it, and through the arın G an
oblong slot is made beneath this opening r³, through which passes a
screw having a clamp nut G upon it. By loosening the nut G³ and
moving it toward or from the pivot pin the throw of the cam can
be lengthened or shortened, and the work knitted more or less tightly
as may be required. For the purpose of effecting this adjustment with
accuracy the arm G² may be marked off or graduated and numbered
as shewn in Figures 9 and 10, which marks will indicate the different
degrees of tightness or looseness of the fabric, which can be knitted by
adjusting the nut G* as described. The two cams k, k³, operate upon
the upturned portions f³ of the needles, so as to move these needles up
to and from the work. The rear cam k is fixed to the carriage G and
does not oscillate with the front cam k¹. Consequently there will be
more space between the ends of the cams when open as in Figures 11
and 12, in going forward or backward, than could be practically made
if both cams oscillated together. By this means the cams will gather
in needles, which may be moved casually out of a direct line either
forward or backward. In front of the jack bar A¹ is a bar B which is
parallel thereto, and is guided at its extremities by means of oblong
slots and set screws 6*, 6*, or in any other suitable manner. This bar B
may be termed a work holder, as it is designed for preventing the
work, from being carried forward by the needles when they advance to
receive the yarn to form new loops. It is constructed with teeth 8, 8,
upon its upper surface at its rear edge, or that edge next the jacks which

page_text: leave spaces between them in which the needles play as they advance
and recede. A work holder (made adjustable and provided with teeth
upon its edge) is not new, broadly considered, but teeth have not hitherto
been produced upon the upper surface of a work holder in such manner
that they would serve as guides for the needles, and at the same time
prevent the loops upon the needles from being carried forward as
represented in Fig. 14, Sheet III. It will also be seen that by having
the teeth or elevations 8 on top of the work holder, instead of upon its
edge next the work, these teeth s will not catch into the work, but
allow it to be drawn down as fast as new loops are produced. The
extremities of the work holder B are supported upon the forward
extended portions A² of the needle bed, which portions are constructed
with jaws As beneath them for receiving the edge of a table or
other object, and allowing the machine to be secured to such
object by means of the clamp screws A* shewn in Figures 4 and 5.
Two arms b, b, are secured to the work holder near its extremities,
which arms project forward and are attached excentrically to an os-
cillating rod B', which has its end bearings in the forward exten-
sions A and which is parallel to the work holder as shewn in Fig. 1.
To the rod B' two arms 6', 6', are secured carrying upon their opposite
extremities a bar O which in cross section may be made of the shape
shewn in Figures 4 and 5, or of any other suitable shape. This bar C
is a latch holder as it is designed to serve for preventing the needle
latches f when open from falling on the hooks f¹ of the needles when
the needles are passing under it. This latch holder C is supported upon
the work holder B when in working position, as shewn in Figures 1
and 4, so that the hooked ends of the needles can pass freely beneath it
when they advance to receive yarn. When out of working position
the holder O is turned forward and rests upon the object to which the
machine is confined, as shewn in Fig. 5. The latch holder also serves
to pick the latches f from the hooks f, as the needles are moved
under it should any of the latches fall forward so that they would not
allow yarn to be delivered to their hooks. It also serves as a handlo
by which to move the work holder B far enough from the jacks to obtain
access to the work or to use a setting up plate at the commencement
of knitting. Between the jacks a, a, and the gib C₁ is a fine wire g
which is let into a groove or channel made in the upper surface of
the needle bed A and which is held under tension by means of studs g*
inserted into the ends of the needle bed, as shewn in Fig. 1. This wire

page_text: serves as a needle holder and also as a latch shutter and opener.
It
is let into the surface of the needle bed across the needle receiving
grooves far enough to allow the hooked ends of the needles f to abut
against it, when the needles are drawn behind it and then gently pressed
forward against it. This wire is designed to prevent needles (which
it is required to hold back out of operation) from being casually thrown
forward into operation by offering a slight resistance to their forward
movement; it is also designed to and will open the latches f of the
needles when they are moved forward into working positions and it
will also close the latches f of all needles which are moved behind
it out of working position. The yarn carrier consists of a slide F, an
arm F, a distributor G, and a bow spring I carrying a tension spring
on its free end. The slide F fits over the upper edge of the gib C¹
and has its rear vertical side opened so as to form two hooks j, j,
between the opposite ends of which a space is left for receiving through
it the tongue p on the cam carriage G. This slide is shewn clearly
by Fig. 13, Sheet III. wherein it will be seen that the length of the
opening above the hooks j, j, is greater than the width of the tongue p,
thereby allowing the slide and the carriage to have movements
independent of each other and also allowing the slide to be readily
applied to and removed from its gib C¹ at any point in the stroke of
the carriage G¹. The hooks j, j, over which the tongue p is alternately
moved during the reciprocations of the carriage and slide are designed
to allow the tongue p to hold the slide down in place upon its gib and
guide way. An arm F" is secured rigidly to the slide F in the middle
of its length and projects over the work holder B and over the latch
holder C and is turned upward, as shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 5. This
arm F has a bow spring I secured to its upturned end and has its free
end twisted at right angles or one quarter around so as to serve in
conjunction with a spring m as an auxiliary tension device for pre-
venting the yarn from being fed too freely to the work.
The yarn
is carried from a spool N or other suitable yarn holder and passed up
through a hole h', through the arm F, thence up and over a portion m³
of the tension device m, thence down and through an opening i
which is made through a tapering and curved distributor G. The
wire mis bent so as to form an eye m³, a clamping portion m³, and
a hook m³, which latter passes through a hole made through the
twisted portion I¹ of the bow spring. The twisted portion I serves
in conjunction with the straight portion m² of the wire m for receiving

page_text: between the clamping portions. This will keep the yarn under proper
tension at all times and prevent it from being supplied too freely to the
needles.
The distributor G (which lays the yarn upon the needles so that the
hooks on the needles will take the yarn) consists of a triangular plate
curved as shewn in Figures 4 and 5, and perforated at i to receive yarn
through its depressed angle. This distributor G is secured to the
bottom side of the arm F¹, so that its perforated end shall lie just over
the front edge of the work holder, allowing space enough between it
and this work holder for the movement of the needles to receive the
yarn. The eye portion of the distributor G is made with angling edges
for the purpose of guiding and holding up the needle latches until the
yarn is delivered into the hooks of the needles, and then allowing the
latches to fall upon the hooks as quickly as the yarn is delivered into
them during the movement of the yarn carrier from one end to the other
of the machine. Without such a device G the needle latches would be
liable sometimes to fall upon the hooks of the needles before receiving
the yarn. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 4, Sheet II., that when
the latch holder C is in working position it affords a support for the
arm F of the yarn carrier, and prevents this arm from sagging, which
would cause the distributor G to strike the needles or their latches and
derange the machine. On top of the cam carrying carriage G₁ is a
circular plate o, having ratchet teeth around its periphery. This plate is
properly graduated and numbered, and is centrally pivotted to the said
carriage so as to rotate freely; on the back edge of the carriage G¹ a
cam lever is pivotted so as to vibrate freely, and to the upper end of
this lever a spring pawl t is secured, so as to engage with the teeth of
the counting wheel O, and to move this wheel a certain distance about
its axis at every vibration of the cam lever t¹. At the middle of the
length of the needle bed and in the same vertical plane as the lever t¹ is
a double inclined cam S, which will act upon the lower end of the cam
lever every time the carriage G¹ is moved forward or backward, so
that when the carriage makes two strokes the wheel O will indicate by a
fixed arrow or other mark on the carriage these movements. Heretofore
counter plates have been operated by pawls placed upon the vibrating
arms of cam carriages, but in this instance they operate the counter plate

page_text: or wheel by a fixed cam on the needle bed so as not to interfere with the
vibrating movements of the arm. Between the vertical portions of the
jaws As is an oscillating rod D, having arms d depending from it
carrying a bar d, which is parallel to the toothed edge of the work
holder B. Upon this bar is loosely placed a number of short cylindrical
sections d, between which are circular toothed wheels d³, the diameter of
which is slightly greater than that of the interposed spacing sections d³,
as clearly shown in Fig. 15, Sheet III. The spurred wheels are free
to turn around the bar d' independently of each other, and are designed
to catch into the work and keep it distended in width during the
operation of knitting. This device serves as a "temple," and is made
up of independently turning sections, so that none of these sections will
drag or act unequally upon the work; it also admits of the use of this
temple" while knitting gored work where one portion of the work is
knitted longer than another portion, and is drawn down over one part of
the "temple" while the portion of work which is not being lengthened
is held distended by another part of the temple.
85
The spool shewn in Figures 2 and 3 is intended for paying off yarn-
during the operation of knitting; it consists of a cone N, which is
provided with legs ₁₁ at its base, and also with an annular flange N³ some
distance above its base, which flange forms, in conjunction with the
wide flaring base of the cone a receptacle for yarn as shewn in Fig. 3.
The cone N is also provided with a bar N', which is secured diametrically
across it a little above its base, and is constructed with a tube or
thimble N on one side of a central hole made through the bar. When
the spool is to be supplied with yarn it is inverted over a hole Y made in
or through the needle bed A near one end thereof, so that the apex of
the spool rests upon the needle bed. A rod J is then dropped through
the centre of the spool, so that its lower end will enter the hole Y, thus
holding the spool in an upright position, and allowing it to be rotated by
inserting the finger into the thimble N2. In this manner the spool is
adapted to serve as a reel for winding yarn upon it. When the spool
has been supplied with yarn the rod J is removed, and the yarn carried
up outside of the cone N and passed in through its apex, and thence
carried out and off to the yarn carrier, as shown in Fig. 2.
To commence the operation of knitting it is necessary to employ a
device for producing loons unon the needles at the first passage of the

page_text: yarn carrier over the needles, so that at every subsequent passage of the
yarn carrier new loops will be formed, and the old loops cast off the
needles. For this purpose plates having rows of wire hooks affixed to
their edges have been used, but are attended with objections which are
overcome by the setting up device shewn in Figures 4 and 6, Sheet II.
This device consists of a plate E, having a row of rectangular holes e¹
made through it near its upper straight edge, and above a shoulder e,
which is parallel to the row of holes. The holes e¹ correspond in width
and distance apart to the spaces between the jacks a, a, and the shoulder
or bend at e is intended to abut against the lower surface at the front
edge of the jack bar A', as shewn in Fig. 4, when the holes e¹ are in
proper position in front of the needles to allow the needles to pass freely
through them. This plate E is made tapering, as shewn, and is per-
forated to receive a hook W₁ carrying a drawing-down weight W, as
shown in Fig. 4. When the set-up device is properly adjusted in front
of the jacks a and the yarn carrier is passed once across the needles yarn
will be laid upon the the needles and drawn through the openings e¹
in the form of loops; the set up device is then drawn down so that at
the next throw of the needles they will pass over its upper edge and
receive yarn cast off the first loops, and form new loops. A weight is
then attached to the set up device and the work proceeded with without
further attention to it. The set-up device represented in Fig. 6 is made
for only twenty-two needles, but in practice this device will be made of
such length and with a proper number of openings e¹ through it to
adapt it for all the needles used upon the needle bed of the machine.
In knitting some varieties of work it will be necessary to employ a
device which can be readily attached to the work at different points for
the purpose of employing a drawing down weight. Such a device is
represented at Figures 7 and 8, and consists of a triangular plate Z
having a hole made through it for receiving a weight hook, and also
having a number 2 of sharp pointed hooks or fingers 3, 3, secured at
regular distances apart along its upper straight edge. These hooks 3, 3,
are bent at right angles to the flat surface of the plate Z, and are
designed for hooking into the knit fabric at any point for the purpose
of readily attaching a weight to the fabric and detaching it therefrom,
and having such weight drawn down uniformly upon the entire width
of the fabric. I am aware that hooked set up plates adapted for receiving
weights for drawing down knitted fabric during the process of knitting

page_text: are not new, and broadly considered, I lay no claim to such devices.
The device above described for attaching a weight at any desired point
to the fabric is not a set up device and cannot be used as such, nor can
the set up devices hitherto used be made to serve the purposes described
for the work hook just described.
In Fig. 1 are represented two devices which are designed for moving
needles into and out of working position. The plate P is designed
for moving any given number of needles lying side by side out of
working position or into working position. In the operation of knitting
stockings it is frequently necessary to skip a given number of needles
and to recover these needles again. For this purpose a flat plate P
is used which has unequal sides which are numbered according to the
number of needles each side will cover. To use such a plate the edge
or side corresponding in length to the number of needles it is desired
to move is adjusted against the upturned shanks fs of the needles
and held in an inclined position upon the needle bed as shown in Fig. 1.
Such a device not only serves as a means for readily moving the needles,
but it renders it unnecessary to count off the number of needles which
it is required to move, as the numbers stamped upon the several sides
or edges of the plate P will indicate at a glance the number of needles
which such edges will.move. Sometimes it is found necessary to move
out of and into working position every alternate needle, or to move the
needles in alternate rows. To effect this with facility a plate R having
teeth w, w, and w¹ formed on one or two of its edges is employed; the
central tooth o' of this plate is pointed, so that it will enter one of
the needle grooves in the needle bed and thus guide the other teeth w.
The teeth are all properly spaced so that they will take some of the
needles and skip or leave others. Those teeth on the plate R which
are represented as in the act of moving some of the needles in Fig. 1
are spaced for taking every alternate needle, and those teeth which are
represented upon the opposite edge of the plate R are spaced so as
to leave two needles between every two which are moved. If desired
other arrangements of teeth may be adopted according to the kind
of stitch or work which it is desired to produce.
In Figures 16 and 17, Sheet IV., are represented rotary jacks a applied
to the needle bed instead of the fixed jacks a shewn in Figures 14
and 5. There is also shown a slotted base extension formed on the
bar which is called the latch holder; the circular plates or jacks a are

page_text: all applied loosely upon an axial rod Z, so that these jacks are allowed
to rotate freely and thus offer less frictional resistance to the work while
knitting. The latch holder C shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 5 is a simple
bar of metal for preventing the needle latches from falling on the
hooked ends. of the needles when the needles advance to receive yarn
upon them to form new stitches. The latch holder C shewn in Figures 16
and 17 has a slotted extension O formed on it, the slots of which receive
the ends of the needles as the latter advance to receive yarn, and the
side walls forming these slots serve as lateral guides for preventing
side deflection of the needles.
Having now described the Invention which has been communicated
to me as aforesaid, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,
First. An adjustable latch holder C arranged to operate as described.
Second. Connecting the latch holder C to the work holder B, so that
they both move together as described.
Third. So arranging a latch holder C that it will serve as a support
for the arm F of the yarn carrier as described.
Fourth. Constructing the teeth 8, 8, of the work holder B, so that
they will project above grooves on the upper surface of this holder
as described.
Fifth. The use of the wire g or its equivalent applied to the needle
bed A and adapted to serve as a needle holder and a latch shutter and
opener as described.
Sixth. The use of the device g or its equivalent which will operate
to open and close the needle latches in rear of the jacks as described.
Seventh. Providing for regulating the length of the loops when
knitting by means of an adjustable nut G³ applied to the vibrating
arm G of the carriage G, and arranged within an opening r¹ made in
he carriage or their respective equivalents as described.
Eighth. The construction of the slide F of the yarn carrier with an
pening in one side and with hooks j, j, for receiving a tongue p on
he cam carriage as described.
Ninth. The application of an auxiliary tension spring to a bow
pring I as described.
:-

page_text: Tenth. The use of the perforated curved and angular shaped yarn
distributor G for the purpose herein set forth.
Eleventh. The use of an upwardly acting tension device in com-
bination with a yarn distributor G, which distributor will operate to
guide the latches of the needles as described.
Twelfth. The use of the pawl t and cam lever t¹ on the cam carriage G
in combination with a cam S on the needle bed or frame A, such parts
being adapted for communicating an intermittent rotary motion to the
counting plate O as described.
5
Thirteenth. The use of the handle upon the cam arm G* which is 1
composed of two independently turning sections H, H, as described.
Fourteenth. The employment of the vibrating cam in combination
with a cam k which is rigidly fixed to the cam carriage as described.
Fifteenth. The use of a yarn carrying spool consisting of a hollow
cone N and an annular flange N³ as described.
Sixteenth. Providing the yarn carrying spool with a cross bar N¹, a
thimble N° and a rod J for the purpose of adapting the spool to serve
as a reel in winding yarn upon it as described.
Seventeenth. Providing a knitting machine with a temple D' which
will operate to distend the work during the operation of knitting as
described.
Eighteenth. Constructing the temple D' of loose serrated sections as
described.
Nineteenth. The use of a setting up device consisting of a plate E
having rectangular openings e¹ made through it and constructed with
or without a shoulder e as described.
Twentieth. The employment of a work hook consisting of a plate Z
adapted for having a weight attached to it, and having a row of pointed
hooks 3, 3, secured to its straight edge as described.
Twenty-first. The use of a needle counter and mover P for the purpose
herein set forth.
Twenty-second. The use of the toothed needle mover R for the
purpose described.
Twenty-third. The application of the circular rotary jack plates a
to a knitting machine as described.

page_text: Twenty-fourth. The use of the slotted extension of the latch holder
adapted to serve as guides for the needles as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Second day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.