GB540407A - Improvements in means for controlling the pattern chains of knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

540,407. Knitting - machines. SCOTT & WILLIAMS, Inc. Jan. 12, 1940, No. 739. Convention date, Jan. 12, 1939. [Class 74 (ii)] Means are provided to enable the length of pattern chain of a circular machine, e.g. a threefeed stocking machine, to be changed with respect to the revolutions of the needle cylinder by a fraction of a length of the chain link, so that the machine can be used for knitting stocking feet of successive sizes. In one form, a ratchet wheel 86 operating the pattern chain sprocket wheel is advanced by a pawl 45 actuated by a cam 42 on a sleeve 46 driven by the usual drive pulley. The pawl 45 is carried by a lever 50, one arm 50a of which normally is out of range of the cam 42. A second arm 50b is engaged by a pin 95 on a pattern drum 90 to raise the arm 50a into position to be operated by the cam 42. A cam 50c is adjustably mounted at the end of the arm 50b, and the arms 50a, 50b are so proportioned that in one adjusted position of cam 50c, the pawl 45 moves the wheel 86 to the extent of one tooth, and in the second adjusted position of the cam 50c the wheel 86 is moved to the extent of two teeth. In a modification, the chain sprocket obtains its additional rotation from a pawl 102 having a laterally projecting pin 103 engaging a ratchet plate 55 secured to a gear 52 meshing with a gear 51 secured to the sprocket 84. The pawl 102 is pivotally mounted upon a lever 100 provided with a cam 105 engaging cams on the main pattern drum 120. The drum 120 is rotated by a pawl 79 having a lug 94 engaging the pattern drum ratchet wheel 97. The pawl 79 is actuated by an arm 78 connected to the usual quadrant 75 and is normally held out of operation by a pin 63 at the end of one arm 62b of a lever 62. The other arm 62a of the lever has a gear section formed upon it engaging a gear section upon a lever 56 carrying a cam 58 engaged by lugs 59 upon the pattern chain. The movement of the drum 120 by the pawl 79 is so timed that the additional movement imparted to the chain by the pawl 102 does not synchronize with the usual movement imparted to it by a pawl 68a. Specification 12722/13, [Class 74 (ii)], is referred to.