GB497106A - Improvements in and relating to knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

497,106. Photo-electric control of knitting - machines and looms. FISHER, G., TANDLER, W. S., and CARLISLE, R. W. July 23, 1937, No. 20412. Convention date, July 23, 1936. [Class 40 (iii)] [Also in Groups VIII and IX] The needles or other knitting-parts of a knitting-machine are electrically controlled by means comprising a pattern drum 30 scanning means therefor and an electromagnet operating directly upon selector jacks in line with the needles or knitting-parts. In one form, Fig. 3, light from a lamp 75a or 75b is focused upon the pattern 32, and is reflected into passages 82a, 82b and thence to a photoelectric cell 74. In each form, an electric current is set up in circuits 107, 109, 110 which current actuates a control device 27 comprising an electromagnetically operated lever 28. The lever 28 moves selector jacks 24 inwardly so that they miss a raising cam 26, and the corresponding needles 22 or knitting-parts are not raised. The pattern is in two parts 29a, 29b so arranged that, by using two lamps 75a, 75b, and providing means for bringing the lamps alternatively into operation upon change of direction of movement of the support 33 for the lamps, the pattern produced is continuous. The support 33 is slidably mounted upon rods 34 and carries a split nut 43 which can be brought into engagement with either of two oppositely rotating screws 38a, 38b. The shifting of the nut 43 at the end of each stroke of the support 33 may be effected by electromagnet and relays or by mechanical means. In the form shown in Fig. 3, the lamps 75a 75b are rendered inoperative by rotating mirrors 83a, 83b. A scale 147 may be provided upon the pattern drum support together with pointers 149a, 149b movable with the support 33 for indicating the progress of the patterning. Specification 357,132, [Group VIII], is referred to. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 states that the invention may be applied to looms and to machines for punching Jacquard cards. This statement does not appear in the Specification as accepted.