GB438214A - Improvements in or relating to circular knitting machines of the double axially opposed needle cylinder type - Google Patents

Abstract

438,214. Knitting - machines. SPIERS, Ltd., W., Walnut Street, Leicester, and KENT, A. W., Swithland, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicestershire. June 20, 1934, No. 18261. [Class 74 (ii)] Pattern-controlled variable selective means for transferring double-ended needles selectively from one cylinder to the other, in a circular machine of the double axially opposed cylinder type comprises a rotary drum carrying radially pivotable and longitudinally slidable selectors acting on needle sliders or jacks, which bear differentially placed butts, and a pattern controlling device such as a drum or cylinder having cam actuating pins or the like for positioning the selectors radially and longitudinally. During the production of a leg, after the formation of a rib top, a transfer cam 3 in the bottom cam box 4 is moved radially inwards to engage transfer butts 2a, 2b, of the sliders in the bottom cylinder 1, and so transfer any needles associated therewith to the top cylinder 10. A rotary drum 19 carries selectors 20 which are rocked radially outwards about their ends 20<c> by a cam 41 carried in a stationary upper cap 38. Certain of the sliders are returned radially inwards by cams 21 acting on differently positioned butts 20<a>, and operated by a pattern controlling drum 22 carrying cam engaging pins 23 and racked round when necessary by a pawl and ratchet device operated by a cam 30 revolving with the top cylinder 10. The selectors are moved downwards by a cam 38<a>, and the hooked extremities 20<b> of those which have not been moved radially inwards, depress associated sliders 11, whereby their transfer butts engage a fixed transfer cam 121 and their needles are returned to the lower cylinder. The depressed sliders are now raised again by a cam 12a. A cam 37<a> in the lower cap of the drum 19 imparts reverse endwise movement to the selectors 20. Any selector left partly projected, is pushed down by a cam 38<b> so that its hook is below the transfer butt of the opposing slider, which might otherwise be damaged by partial depression. In forming heel and toe pouches, the cam 3 is rendered inoperative, and the selectors 20 are also rendered inoperative by a cam 45, movable to and from an operative position by the main controlling means. A radially movable transfer cam 12, in the top cylinder, is now put partly into action so as to miss the short butts of the sliders associated with the instep needles, whilst engaging the medium butts of the sliders associated with the heel and toe needles, so transferring any such needles left in the top cylinder, to the bottom cylinder. (This cam 12 may similarly be actuated if a narrow plain portion is required just above the heel.) On reverting to circular knitting, the cam 3 and the patterning mechanism, are again rendered operative. If desired, in order to restrict patterning to the instep, cam 12 may be put partly into action to act upon medium butted sliders, so restricting patterning to needles associated with short butted sliders. Instead, a split cam 46 may be employed in the bottom cam box. When fully operative, it engages both long and short knitting butts 2<c>, 2<d>, to cause all sliders to engage the bottom transfer cam, if operative. The cam is also made to engage the short butts during heel and toe knitting. To knit a plain portion above the heel, or a plain foot bottom, the part 46<b> is lowered, so that the short butts are missed, the cam 12 being operated for a few courses, to transfer any heel and toe needles left in the top cylinder. To change from reciprocatory to circular knitting, the cam 3 is made to engage the long knitting butts on the first forward stroke after the change. Preferably, long butted sliders are placed in the top cylinder opposite short butted sliders in the bottom cylinder so that any needles accidentally transferred to the top cylinder are immediately returned by the cam 12, after which the cam may be made to engage medium butts. Specifications 15008/00, [Class 74], 24290/12, [Class 74 (ii)], and 426,276 are referred to.