US753260A - Pattern-switch for knitting-machines - Google Patents

Description

No. 753,260. P'ATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

E. A; HIRNER. PATTERN SWITCH FOR KNITTING MAGHINBS. 'APPLIUATIOK FILED 1mm. 7, 190;.

HO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-BHEBT 1- INVENTOR: 5 w. a N I M WITNESSES:

No. 753,260. PATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

E. A. HIRNEB.

PATTERN SWITCH FOR KNITTING MAGHINES. I

' APPLICATION FILED DEG. T. 1901. I0 MODEL. I 2 SHEETS-BRIGHT 2- INVENTORQV WITNESSES;

UNITED STATES Patented March 1, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PATTERN-SWITCH FOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 753,260, dated March 1, 1904.

Application filed December 7, 1901. Serial No. 85,040. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMLL A. HIRNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allentown, in the county of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pattern-Switches for Knitting-Machines, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a pattern-switch to be employed in circular-knitting machines whereby certain of the needles are raised to a higher level than the others and thereafter caused to pursue, during at least a portion of the knitting operation, a different path than the others, whereby special functions are performed by them.

My invention also relates to a switch-cam of special construction, which I call a rotating jack-cam. As shown in the drawings, this rotating jack-cam is used for the purpose of switching the needles up over the patternswitch in such a way as to make it inoperative for the purpose of separating or sorting the needles. the pattern-switch intermittent in its action. It will, however, be understood that this rotating jack-cam is aswitch-cam of general application for any of the numerous purposes in knitting machines where it is desired by throwing in the switch-cam to cause all of the needles to be raised by it as they pass over it to a higher level than that upon which they were running.

There are many varieties of switch-cams which have been invented for the purpose just stated. The diificulty which arises in the construction of such a cam is to make it accurately selective in its action at the time when it is being thrown into or out of action-that is to say, it must never leave "any needles only partly raised. The problem thus presented is of particular difficulty at the time of throwing a switch-cam out of action. With most cams this involves leaving a series of needles occupying an incline between the upper and lower plane in which they move. Needles in such an intermediate position are liable to run against the point of some succeeding cam 01' It is therefore used to render becomeinvolved in some other part of the apparatus, whereby their butts are broken or trouble is otherwise caused.

The rotating jack-cam which I have invented is accurately selective in itsaction and can never, either when going in or out of action,

leave any needles in aposition intermediate is a vertical cross-section taken along the line 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2, showing the rotating pattern-switch in section. Fig. & is a similar section taken along the line 4: 4:, Figs. 1 and 2, showing the rotating jack-cam in section. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are detail views of the rotating jack-cam.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the interior of the cam-cylinder contains a race or groove formed by the ledge A, in which the hubs of the needles run, as in all circularknitting machines. This needle-groove is interrupted by, knitting-cams, which may be of any of the usual varieties. As I have shown them, a; a are the paired stitch-cams, Z) the top center cam, andc the bottom center cam. In a plane tangential to this groove and in the relation thereto which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is set the rotating pattern-switch D, with its upper segment projecting above the needle-groove A. This switch consists of a wheel journaled in a block d, which is set on the base of the outside of the cam-cylinder, in proximity to which the wall of the cam-cylinder is removed sufliciently to allow the wheel to project through it into contact'with the needle-hubs. On the other end of the shaft which carries the wheel D is a small gear-wheel (Z, which meshes with acorresponding gearing thus described the wheel D is caused to rotate at a rate which corresponds to the motion of the cam-cylinder. The periphery of the wheel D is furnished with two sorts of transverse grooves-namely, a series of small notches s, which are placed at intervals corresponding to the distance between the hubs of successive needles in the needle-cylinder, and aseries of larger recesses t, which at stated intervals take the place of one or more of the small notches 8. These larger recesses t have a depth equal to the height of the segment of the wheel D which projects above the ledge A. They are preferably enlarged circularly, as seen in Fig. 2, so that the hub of a needle passing along the needle-groove A if it enters one of the large recesses 6 will continue to run along the groove without alteration of the vertical position. On the other hand, the hub of a needle which comes in contact with one of the small notches s is positively lifted by the wheel D as it rotates, owing to the engagement of the hub with the notch, and is delivered by the wheel at .the level of its top.

Between the wheel D and the nearest stitchcam a is placed a triangular cam F, the apex of which is'directed toward the wheel and set with its point slightly below the top of the wheel. Needles the hubs of which enter the larger recesses 6 pass along the groove and are deflected by the cam F below the leading stitch-cam a, while needles the hubs of which meet the notches s and are raised by the wheel are delivered by the cam F above the point of the leading stitch-cam and are by it raised preparatory to their depression by the top center cam Z and the following stitchcam a, as in ordinary knitting. The method of knitting by which certain of the needles are deflected into the groove below the leading stitch-cam, while others pass over it, forms small peripheral notches s, in combination with means for positively rotating the wheel atthe proper rate 'of speed; By omitting the notches s, so that the smooth peripheral surface of the wheel must raise the needles, a harsh action is occasioned by reason of the angle at which the needle-hubs first meet this periphery. It will be noticed, further, that if the wheel D were not positively rotated, but derived its motion only from the engagement of the needle-hubs with the small notches 8 other difficulties would be encountered, for there would'be a tendency to lose the proper relation between the wheel and the needlehubs, especially if the recess twere made broad enough to receive two needles. Furthermore, in an automatic stocking-knitter where at intervals during the knitting operation a fashioning operation is to be performed it is not possible to have the needle-hubs maintain the relation of the wheel D to the knitting operation, because during the enlargement and contraction of the active set of needles the proper relation is necessarily lost and the pattern spoiled. WVhen it is desired to change the pat tern, the wheel D is removed and another one having the notches s and recesses t difierently grouped is substituted therefor. The latchcam f, pivoted at the base of cam F, allows needles traveling from the direction of the wheel D to pass freely under it. It serves to prevent needles traveling in the opposite direction (as during. reciprocation of the machine) from coming in contact with wheel D.

' I will now describe the rotating jack-cam,

which, as shown in the drawings, is soplaced as to be capable of throwing the pattern-switch mechanism into or out of action, whereby courses or intervals of figured knitting may he succeeded by courses or intervals of plain knitting. This jack-cam is in the form of a disk G, set in a plane tangential to the needlegroove, with its upper segment projecting above the groove and in the relation to it which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The disk Gr consists of two similar and united circular plates g 9. Of these the inner plate g is partially cut away,

so that a portion (say about a quarter) of the periphery is altogether lacking. The greater part of the intact periphery is fitted with teeth It at intervals corresponding to the distance between the needle-hubs. These teeth are succeeded by a smooth and partially-flattened surface it, which is itself succeeded by a single tooth if, after which the cut-away portion again recurs. The outer plate 9 has formed upon its outer face two stop-holes 7' and carries two fixed pins 76 k. The jack-cam is j ournaled in block H, set on the base of the outside of the cam-cylinder, in proximity to which the wall of the cam-cylinder is removed suf,

ficiently to allow the projection through it of the jack-cam into the plane in which the needle-hubs travel. Within block H is also set the spring-projected stop-pin J, the rounded end of which falls into the stop-holes j j as the jack-cam rotates. These stop-holes have an elongated edge on the advancing side,whereby, although the entrance of the stop-pin into them is abrupt, its exit is easily accomplished.

The pins kk are farther from the center of the disk than the stop-holes, and an annular groove n is cut in the face of the block H, within which they rotate. This groove is interrupted atone point by the insertion of an oscillating block Z, having-a diagonal groove Z cut in that face which is opposed to the jackcam. The oscillating block Z is pivoted within block H and has an outwardly-projecting arm Z to the end of which is pivoted a link M, the other end of which is pivoted-to the.

. pivotal attachment to the arm Z by its tenhubs.

' When, however, it is desired to prevent the sion maintains the block Z in the position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, where the diagonal groove Z completely interrupts the annular groove n, so that rotation of the jack-cam is prevented by contact of one of the pins it is with the side of the diagonal groove Z. The pins k k are set so that this stoppage of the jack-cam occurs in two positions, the first of which (in which 70 is in the groove Z) is shown in Fig. 5, while the second (in which is is in the groove) is that shown in Fig. 6. In both of these positions the jack-cam while held from forward rotation by the pins Z; k is held from backward rotation by the entrance of stop-pin J into one of the stopholes j which oppose their abrupt edges to such backward motion. The position of Fig. 5 is that in which the jack-cam is wholly inoperative, because its cut-away portion is uppermost and offers no resistance to the continued travel of the needle-hubs along the level of the ledge A, which level is indicated by the dotted lines A A of the figure. Itis true that, as shown in Fig. 5 and also in Fig.2,the far corner of the jack-cam, carrying the single tooth 7L projects slightly above the level of the ledge A, upon which the hubs of the needles run; but this does not disturb the operation of the machine, because,

as shown more clearly in Fig. l, the disk G is so set in relation to the wheel of the camcylinder that this far corner of the jack-cam is removed beyond the reach ofthe needlemains in this position the needle-hubs travel along the ledge continuously until they meet the pattern-switch D and are by it sorted in accordance with the pattern to which it is out.

further action of the pattern-switch, the jackcam is thrown into operation. This is effected by an oscillation of block Z, effected by pressure upon the projecting end of lever m,

which communicates its motion through the link M to the oscillating block. Such pres sure may be applied by a cam-surface pre-' sented in proper relation to the cylinder as it revolves and capable of being moved into and out of operation at proper intervals. This cam-surface and the method of'its operation,

As long, therefore, as the jack-cam rewhich is in engagement with it sufliciently to compel it to clear the other end of the groove, whereby it is delivered into the annular groove n. upon the farther side of the oscillating block. This movement effects a sufiicient partial rotation of the jack-cam to bring one or more of the teethon its intact portion above the level of the ledge A, whereupon the contact of the advancing needle-hubs with these teeth continues the rotation of the jack-cam until the other pin, 72, comes in contact with the oscillating block Z, which has in the mean time returned to its normal position. This effects the stoppage of the jack-cam inthe position of Fig. 6, where, as will be observed,

without sorting. When now the time comes to again throw switch D into operation, the pressure is again applied to the lever m,whereupon the oscillation of block Z thus effected slightly advances the rotating jack-cam, bringing the single notch if above the level of the ledge A. This is engaged by the first advancingneedle, which rotates the jack-cam until'its further motion is stopped by the pin k. Inthe course of this rotation the single needle, which has engaged the notch [this raised to the level which removes it from the operation of the switch D; but all the succeeding needles passing over the cut-away; portion of the jack-cam proceed without change of level and are therefore within the range of the operation of the switch D. By the operation of the jack-cam ,thus described it is possible to throw its camincline into and out of operation at intervals without ever leaving any needles in a position intermediate between the highest and lowest level which mark its field of operation.

The rotating jack-cam admits of great variation in its details, the essential element being the rotating partially-cut-away discoid cam interposed segmentally in the needle.- groovei By the phrase interposed segmentally, as used here and in the claims, I mean the interposition of the wheel in the needle-groove in such a way that the normal continuance of the needle-groove would divide the wheel into segments and with its plane tangential to the periphery of the needle-cylinder. Having thus described my invention, I

ery at intervals corresponding to the spaces.

between the needle-hubs; a fixed rack outside the cam-cylinder; a pinion engaging said rack mounted on a shaft which carries another pinion which engages a third pinion upon the aXis of the wheel, whereby its outer segment is caused to rotate in the same direction as the travel of the needle-hubs and at the same speed, substantially as described.

2. In a circular-knitting machine, the combination of the cam-cylinder having a needlegroove with stitch-cams interposed therein; a pattern-switch consisting of a wheel the upper part of which is interposedsegmentally in the needle-groove alongside of the, leading stitchcam, said wheel having small notches cut in I its periphery by which the needle-hubs are delivered over the leading stitch-cam and large recesses cut in its periphery by which the needle-hubs are delivered below. the leading stitch-cam, substantially as described.

3. In a circular-knitting machine. a rotatingdiscoid caminterposed segmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder; a part of said disk, not less than the segment cut off by the cam-groove, being cut away; in combination with means for intermittently rotating said cam so as to present at intervals to the needles, either the intact or the cut-away portion, whereby the transition of the cam from one portion to the other can never leave any needle in a position intermediate between the extreme planes bounding its sphere of action, substantially as described. 1

4. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid, cam interposed segmentally in the needle-grooveof the cam-cylinder; a .part of said disk, substantially equal to the segment cut ofl by the camgroove, being cut away;

in combinationwith means for intermittently rotating said camso ,as tov present atintervals.

to the needles, either the intactor the cutaway'portion, whereby the transition of the.

cam from one position tothe other can never 1eave.any needle in a position intermediate between the extreme planes bounding its sphere of action, substantially as described.

5. In a circular-knitting machine, apatternswitch consisting of a grooved. wheel interposed segmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, whereby certain of the needles are raisedv to a higher level than the others; in combination with a jack-cam consisting of a partially cut-away rotating disk also interposed segmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, whereby the pattern-switch is rendered intermittent in its action, substantially as described.

6. In a circular-knitting machine,the combination of mechanism operating upon the needle-hubs of the. needle-groove for sorting said needles according to a set pattern; a rotating jackcam, also set in the needle-groove, consisting of a disk having part of its periphery cut away; and mechanism for partially 7 In a circular-knitting machine, the combination of mechanism, operating upon the needle-hubs within the needle-groove, for sorting said needles according to a set pattern; a rotating jack-cam, also set in the needlegroove, consisting of a disk having part of its periphery cut away, and the intact portion toothed with a smooth cam-surface intervening among the teeth; mechanism for advancing the disk one or more teeth at set intervals; and stops whereby its further rotation by the action of the needle-hubs is caused to cease alternately at the cut-away portion and at the smooth cam-surface, the former leaving all of the needles within reach of the sorting mechanism and the latter throwing all of them out of reach of the sorting mechanism, substantially as described.

8. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid cam interposed segmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, the periphery of said discoid cam presenting successively a cut-away portion, a single tooth, a partiallyflattened cam-surface, and a series of teeth, substantially as described.

9. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid cam interposed segmentallyin the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, having a cut-away portion, a toothed portion, and acam portion which occupies the balance of its periphery, substantially as described.

10. In a circular-knitting machine, arotating discoid cam interposed segmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, having a cut-away portion not less than its projecting segment, and a cam portion; means whereby it is normally sustained at rest with either the cut-awayportion or the cam portion opposed to 'the advancing line of the needles; and one or more teeth intervening betweenthe cam portion and the cut-away portion at either side, whereby a slight motion of rotation given it causes a tooth to meet the advancing needles, whereby its further intermittent-rotation for the reversal of its position is effected by the needles themselves, substantially as described.

11. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid cam interposedsegmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, having a cut-away portion, and also a cam portion of which the part which first meets the advancing line of needles is flattened, substantially as described.

12. In acircular-knitting machine, a switchcam consisting of apartial segment of a disk pivoted below theneedle-groove of the camcylinder in a plane tangential to the periphery ery forms a earn-incline which raises the neeof the needle-cylinder; in combination with dies above the needle-groove, substantially as means for rotating said segmentupon its pivot described.

either to a position Where it is Whollybelow. V EMIL A. HIRNER. the needle-groove, whereby the needles are Witnesses:

allowed to pass it Without action, or further JAMES H. BELL,

to a position whereby a portion of its periph- E. REESE.-

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