Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1889
Specification Accepted, 8th June, 1889
I, CHARLES TERROT, of Cannstrad, near Stuttgart, Germany, Machine Maker,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to improvement in circular-head knitting machines and its
object is to facilitate connecting the ends of different consecutive threads or yarn
together in a secure manner.
In circular-head knitting machines the operation of changing the thread or yarn,
particularly to alter the colour, has been effected by severing the thread in operation
(hereinafter termed the old thread) and passing the end of another thread (herein-
after termed the. new thread) simultaneously with the end of the old thread over a
number of needles thus interlacing the two ends so that they sufficiently cling
together to enable the knitting to be continued with the new thread, but this method
besides being more or less clumsy leaves the ends thus united liable to become
disconnected.
My improvements consist of the general construction and arrangement of mechanism
hereinafter described by which the ends of the old and new threads are tied or knotted
together thus forming a compact and secure connection without interrupting the
knitting mechanism.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the figures.
Figure 14, represents the course and arrangements of the threads preparatory to
tying or connecting their ends.
Figure 24, is an elevation on a small scale of such parts of the tying apparatus
together with such parts of an ordinary circular knitting machine as are necessary
to illustrate the attachment of such apparatus and the method of driving.
And
Figure 1, is an elevation on a larger scale of the tying apparatus at right angles
to the position it is shown in figure 2A, with the bobbin frame broken away.
figure 2 is a side elevation in the position represented in figure 2ª.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 4, is a similar view to figure 1 with certain parts omitted to clearly show
the mechanism behind, and the bobbin frame is also represented in position.

page_text: Figure 5, is an end view of the lower part of figure 4..
Figures & to 23 are views of detail hereinafter referred to.
the yarn or thread when shown is represented by broken lines.
In the above figures
The old thread is shown in figure 1A, by the dotted line A passing from the
bobbin S and is guided through an eye round the rollers 1. 2. & 3 forming a
loop A, A, such thread then passes through an eye 4* to a spring guide N from, which
it is guided by an eye 5" to the needle . The spring guide N is arranged to reserve
a certain length of thread provided to enable the knitting mechanism to remain in
operation when the end of a new thread is connected to the old notwithstanding
the supply of thread from the regular source is temporarily suspended, as herein-
after described.
When it is required to change the thread the new end marked B is automatically
looped round A so that one loop is interlooped with the other in the manner shown in
Figure 10. Then the plate or brake Y is pressed against the rollers & 3 so as to
stop the thread but the knitting mechanism continues in operation and uses the
reserve thread extending from 4" & N to 5 by bending or drawing N to 4* & 5°.
In the meantime the loops A & B are firmly drawn together into a knot and the
threads A & B cut between the rollers 1 & 2 so that when the pressure of the plate Y
is removed the thread B thus connected to A will pass into the knitting mechanism
instead of the former thread. The guide eye 0 and bobbin S is now moved away
and the bobbin supplying the new thread and 02* assume their place.
In this manner the thread is changed as frequently as may be desired a tight and
compact knot connecting the consecutive ends.
The tying apparatus is shown in figure 24 in conjunction with an ordinary French
circular knitting machine comprising the usual parts such as the circular rotating
needle head with the needles and the rigid disc P upon a rigid axis A¹. The
tying apparatus is mounted on the left hand from R³ upwards.
The annular rack mounted on the face of the nee:lle head n drives the
vertical spindle P3 by means of the intermediate gearing R R² & R. The
spindle R is coupled in any simple manner to the top of the spindle P³, by
coupling discs R and R so as to permit that portion of the apparatus above P to
be readily removed and replaced. The horizontal shaft W is driven from the spindle R8
by means of the bevel wheels R & R and such shaft controls almost all the motions
hereinafter described and is thrown in and out of gear as required by means of a
clutch shown in figures 2, 4 & 5. The bevel wheel R is loosely mounted upon the
shaft W but it carries a hooked pawl W arranged to engage the ratchet wheel W
firmly keyed to said shaft when it is necessary to rotate such shaft, and such pawl is
disengaged from the ratchet when such shaft is required to remain stationary as for
instance: If a thread A, Figure 14, is being knitted the tying apparatus remains
in motion after the commencement of such thread until the next thread B is loosely
passed round thread A as shown in figure 14. The pawl W³ is then disengaged
from W and the tying apparatus remains stationary with B in this position until
such thread is required to be introduced, thread A having in the mean time been
continuously knitted. When a change of thread is required the pattern wheel M
Figure 1 is arranged to start several parts of the apparatus by which the old thread is
disengaged from the roller 2, the interlooped end of B is tightly drawn upon and
knotted to A, and A is cut off then its end knotted to B begins to draw the latter into
the knitting mechanism. The pawl W now engages with the ratchet W₁ and thus
placing the required parts in operation the end of the consecutive thread is interlooped
round the thread just introduced in position for the next change.
The mechanism effecting the tying and changing of the different threads is
constructed and arranged as follows:
The frame R carries the spindle L upon which the bobbin frame K revolves and
carries as many bobbins S as it has arins K upon the disc K*, six are represented;
in the drawings. The disc K and the bobbin frame is rotated when the thread is
changed the distance dividing the arms, in this instance through sixty degrees, by
means of the pawl T carried by the reciprocating bar T engaging the ratchet

page_text: wheel T secured to K' and moving it one tooth. The bobbin frame is held stationary
during the intervals between its motion by means of a projection upon T' engaging
one of a corresponding number of recesses to the number of arms formed in K*.
The disc W carrying an antifriction roller T reciprocates T, T first engaging the
projection beneath TT (figure 1) vibrates the upper arm of the lever T2 to which T' is
coupled, thus through the medium of the rod T3 sliding Tso as to move the pawl T
into the next tooth of the ratchet wheel T, and the opposite end of T bas an inclined
face which simultaneously lifts T7 and disengages it from K leaves the latter free to
revolve. Then We continuing its motion T engages the horizontal arm of T
depressing the latter and thereby sliding T in the reverse direction the pawl T
roiates the ratchet T until the projection upon T7 engages the next recess in K and
arrests its motion. The bobbin frame K follows the motion of K as it is coupled to
it by the spring F (figure 4) introduced to impart a smooth motion to such fraine and
avoid jerks.
Each arm K carries a thread in its eye 02 guided from the bobbins above and it is
held by the projection O' and guide hook 03 (figure 11) if the second arm K²
pivoted upon K is not removed by the arm K³ pivoted to the next arm as shown in
figure 3, but is held against K' by its spring as represented in figure 11.
Without interrupting the steady working of the thread A figure 1 from the eye 0*
the new thread B is interlooped loosely round it by the grip D and held by the thread
guide a which carries two pairs of pincers or tweezers a¹ & a² which are closed by
means of springs and opened by the lever E (figures 4, 22 and 23) introduced between
them. The thread guide a is pivoted to the lever E3 which is drawn towards the left
(figure 4) by the spring F and pushed to the right by the antifriction roller T8,
besides being thus reciprocated it is raised up and down by its roller V engaging
the inclined groove or race e figure 1.
The thread guide a moves to the left figures + & 12 to take hold of the end of new
thread B hanging down from 02 and the vibrating arm U now separates K' and K²
by means of its upper end engaging a pin V2 projecting from the short arm of. K³.
The pincers a then close and a moves with the thread B to the right down under the
roller 2 figure 14 and up again behind the latter in which position it is stopped by
the catch lever a³. A grip D (figures 6, 7 & 14 to 17) now takes hold of the end of
the new thread B held by the pincers a' between the loop A A and after such
pincers have released the thread carries it through the successive stages shown in
figures 14 to 17 round the loop A A. The necessary movement for this is communi-
cated to the grip D in the following manner. Such grip is mounted in the oscillating
plate D pivoted to the slide D2 and projects below through a transverse slot in
such slide and through a horizontal slot in D₁ and is pivoted to a slide block D sliding
in a longitudinal groove formed in D. The slide D² is reciprocated by the lever D³
which is vibrated by its anti-friction roller engaging the cam groove in the periphery
of W and moves D transversely from one side to the other of the loop A Å
carrying the end of thread B with it and the slide D being also reciprocatad by
a lever D guides D round the rollers 1 and 3 as it passes from side to side. During
the transverse motion of such slide it is lowered below the loop A A and raised
on the opposite side by the horizontal arm of D upon which it rests having an up
and down motion imparted to it from the lever D' raised and lowered by its anti-
friction roller engaging the cam groove Ds in W (figure 6). The jaws of the grip D
are preferably closed by a spiral spring compressed in a hole down the centre of the
grip spindle and tending to press the pin D upward against the projecting end
of the top jaw thus closing it and it is opened when such end is depressed by
coming in contact with D figure 4. As D moves from one side of the loop A Å
of the old thread to the other it is turned half a revolution so that on the motion
being completed the jaws point towards such loop. This half revolution is effected
by means of the block or guide piece D° fixed to the spindle of D and provided with
teeth d which engage corresponding teeth D" in the form of a rack projecting from
the side of the slot in D' (figure 13), as D traverses such slot. thus turning it and the
ends of the slot are formed to fit the block and keep D from rotating except as it passes

page_text: from side to side of the loop A A. In this manner the loop B is formed round the
old thread A A as indicated in figures 14 to 17 but kept clear of such thread by
the angle wires until drawn tight. In the last position figure 17 the grip Dis
lowered so as to enable the second pair of pincers a² to take hold of the end of the
thread B and such pincers then close thus securing the end of the completed loop
(figure 8). Then a slide U³ disengages by means of its projection i (figure 4) the
paw! W from W¼ thus leaving the shaft W stationary and consequently stopping
the tying apparatus.
The motion of the pattern wheel M is however continuous and the periphery of this
wheel carries at intervals, necesssary to produce the changes required in the threads,
projection pieces of sheet metal M and each time one of these comes in contact with
the left arm of the lever M³ (figure 1) the right arm of such lever is lowered
disengaging the plate or brake Y which now free will under the influence of a
spring be pressed against the rollers 1 and 3 (figures 4 and 9) thus stopping the passage
of the thread and the tying apparatus now uses the reserve thread passing through
the eye Nahove mentioned and such eye is gradually drawn towards 4* and 5* owing
to the tension of the thread.
As soon as Y moves against the rollers 1 and 3 the lever C previously held by Y
is lifted by means of a spring into the position shown (figure 4) as well as the roller 2
carried thereby thus slackening the loop A A and immediately dropping it. The
lever Con rising also lifts through the medium of C3 and C the lever a which frees
the thread guide a so that the latter is sharply drawn away by the spring F and as
it holds the ends of the loop 13 interlooped with A A both loops are by this latter
movement drawn tightly together into a knot (figure 9). And also when the thread
guide a is drawn by the spring it lifts the arm G of the lever G (Figure 9) and
disengaging G from a stud G of the lever S' this lever is now by the spring F³
(figure 3) moved at its free end towards the knot of the two loops. This lever carries
two pairs of scissors which seize the threads B and A. nearest to them and cut
such threads being actuated by a crank S³ and grooved slide S. The lever S' is
provided with a stud K³ which engages the arm K³and moves it so far to the left that
it disengages K2 which is turned by its spring K close to its arm and carries the
cut end of the thread A with it. The lever S' also moves at the same time hy
means of a stud S' (figure 4) the plate U³ so as to disengage the latter from the
lever E3 which is moved to the left by its spring F towards E and opens the
pincers al and and also removes the plate Y from the rollers 1 and 3 by means
of E³ and E. During the motion of the projection i disengages the pawl W³
from the teeth of W and the tying apparatus is again coupled with the knitting
machine. The cam W (figure 2) which now turns moves the lever S with the
scissors back until it is stopped by G (figure 9). A notch m in the periphery of one
of the discs mounted upon W now lifts the lar C (figure 4) coupled to the guide
arm C and lowers the lever by means of C and C³ until it is again held by the
plate Y. The bobbin frame K also turns as above described and the new thread B
passes from 02 direct to roller 2 as shown in figure 12 by finely dotted lines but now
roller 4 moving from the position shown passes along the course of the dotted arc
carries the new thread with it and leaves it round roller 1. To accomplish this the
roller 4 is mounted at the extremity of the horizontal arm C7 pivoted to the bracket (
by its pivot C provided with a pinion C which engages a rack (reciprocated
horizontally by means of the lever ("vibrated by the cain W. The roller 4 first
moves over the top of the roller i then dropping to its level slips the thread off on
to 1 and returns to its original position. As the shaft W rotates the cam N°
(Figure 1 and 2) depresses the lower end of the lever N° and the opposite end of the
latter pressing against the under side of the spring guide N lifts it to its highest
position. The thread guide a is as mentioned above moved to the left by the spring Fl
but only until E reachies E' and as the shaft W rotates lever E is operated by T and
through the medium of the rod E moves E' on one side clear of which
allows the spring F to draw a further back to reach the next thread thus
.commencing the formation of the loop preparatory to tying the next knot. The
:

page_text: thread guide a has during this movement turned so that it engages o
stationary.
are no
The pattern wheel M is slowly rotated by the ratchet M* turned a tooth at a time by
the pawl M mounted upon the free end of the lever M which lever is raised at intervals
by the rod M operated by the knitting mechanism.
It will be clearly seen from the foregoing description that the loop of the new
thread is slowly formed round the old thread without interrupting the working of the
machine or the knitting process and that the tying and cutting of the threads
is perforined quickly the operating parts being rapidly actuated by springs. And
the several parts and arrangements of mechanism above described are so relatively
arranged and operated that the various movements and changes are effected at the
required time to interloop the new thread with the old without jerking the parts.
A pair of scissors K7 (figures 4. 20 and 21) are employed to cut off the long
ends at O so as to only leave sufficient thread projecting as can be seized by the
pincers a¹.
•
by
The movable arm of the scissors is pivoted to the rigid portion and is operated
by the arm engaging the end of h. The arim his vibrated upon its pivot
means of the connecting rod 45 conecting it to the lever which is vibrated at its
free end by means of the pins 2 projecting from the slide 1 (figure 1) each time
the bobbin frame K is turned.
The two pairs of scissors S are represented in plan and side elevation on a larger
scale by figures 18 and 19 they consist of the fixed outer cutters S between which
the pair of movable inner cutters S' is pivoted. The pivot S* is rigidly fixed to the
latter and projecting at one end is provided with a crank S having a pin S engaging
the cam groove or race S" in the rigid plate S. It will thus be seen that as $' is
operated and the scissors S₁ reach the old and new thread to be cut the crank
pin S sliding in the cam groove S" operates the movable cutters S7 and severs such
thread.
The pincers a and a² are illustrated in plan and end view on a large scale by
figures 22 and 23. The movable jaws a³ are pivoted to the thread guide a carrying
the fixed jaws a'. The jaws a³ when holding the thread are pressed against at by the
springs a and they are opened to release the thread by the welge shaped nose aº upon
the end of the before mentioned lever E being introduced between the rear end of
the jaws a when such lever is vibrated by E³ thus moving the opposite ends of such
jaws away from a' and opening the pincers.
The hereinbefore mentioned guide hook 03 is a small hook fixed below K'
which supports and carries the thread during the movement of K². The pro-
jections project below the extremities of the arms K and are provided to
hold the thread in conjunction with 03 until the long ends are cut off by the
scissors K.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare what I
claim is:
1. A circular knitting machine which without interrupting the knitting process
introduces a new thread and interloops it with a loop formed by the course of
the old thread, stops the passage of the old thread, draws or tightens said loops
into a knot, severs the old thread and continues knitting the new substantially
as herein shown and described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a circular knitting machine the method of, and the arrangement of
mechanism for, interlooping the consecutive ends of the old and new threads by
looping the new thread round a loop formed in the course of the old thread,
substantially as herein shown and described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of apparatus for interlooping and tying
together the ends of consecutive threads, fed to a circular knitting machine, adapted
to interloop the following thread with the thread last introduced thus providing a

page_text: reserve loop immediately a change of thread is made, substantially as herein shown
and described and for the purpose specified.
4. In tying mechanism of a circular knitting machine the combination of the
rollers 1, 2 and 3 forming a loop in the course of the thread in operation, the plate Y
adapted to stop such rollers and arrest the progress of said thread and the spring
guide N, substantially as herein described.
. The general construction and arrangement of the interlooping and tying apparatus
in combination with a circular knitting machine substantially as shown and described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1 1
CALL 1000
DRACUP & NOWELL,
Bradford, Agents.