US1087954A

US1087954A - Circular-knitting machine.

Info

Publication number: US1087954A
Application number: US55078410A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward E Kilbourn; William E Smith; Isaac W Kilbourn
Original assignee: KILBOURN Manufacturing CORP
Current assignee: KILBOURN Manufacturing CORP
Priority date: 1910-03-21
Filing date: 1910-03-21
Publication date: 1914-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 1931-02-24

Description

E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH @z I. W. KLBRN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE, APPLICATION FILED humm. 1910.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

ll SHEETS--SHBET 1.

E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH L W. MLBGURN;

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

5y 3 W KMWW E. E. KILBOURN, Wt E. SMITH L I. W. KILBCURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

Patented P61024, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

INVENTUM E. E. KILBOURN, VV. E. SMITH & I. W. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.21,1910.

Patented P91024, 1914.

E. E. KILBOURN, W. B. SMITH cz I. VV. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

ll...@@.5. Patented Feb. 24, 19m.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

.Imi I will E'. E. KLBOURN, VV. E. SMITH @L I. W. KILBOURDLI CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910.

Patented 11610.21, 19M.

1l SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' E. E1 IHLBOURN, VV. B. SMITH L I. W. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1111111.21, 1910.

menta/1 11111. 21, 111141.

11 SHEETS-SHEET l E. E. KILBOURN, W. E. SMITH L I. W. KILBOURN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.-

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910,

Patented Feb. 24, 19M.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

Fl HE,

[NVE/WOM E. EL MLBOURM W. BfSMITH L L W. KILBUUR'CL CIRCULAR KNITTINC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.21, 1910.

l1 SHEBTS-BHEET 9.

RE. KLBOURN, W. E. SMTH 8L I. W KILBOURN CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 21,1910.

Patented JEeb. 24, i914.

11 SHEET-SHEET 10.

F/GE.

[NVE/vrom Q mmwm W 2b.

Ed' E.. KLBOURN, W. E. SMITH @L L W..KILB0URN.

GIRCULRKNITTING MACHINE.

. 'AIPLIOATION FILED MAR. 21, 1910. wm., A A menwemmm.

11 SHEETS-SHEET l1.

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UNITED STATES GFFICE.

EDWARD E. KILBOURN, WILLIAM E. SIVII'IHv AND ISAAC W. KILPOURN, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS T0 KILBOURN MANUFACTURING COR- PORATION, OF NEW BRUNSWICK. NEW JERSEY.

CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

llatented Feb. 24, 1914.

To all 'whom 'it may concern y Be it known that we, EDWARD E. KIL- noURN, WILLIAM E. SMITH, and ISAAC W'. KILoUnmcitizens of the United States, re` siding at New Brunswick, in the county of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, have invented "certain new and useful Improvements in Circular-Inittin Machines; and we do hereby declare the ollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as lwill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and 'use the same.

Our present 'invention is an improved knitting machine, the novel features of which enable the lengt-h of the stitch formed by the machine t-o be changed at any point in the article being knit and they also enable a machine in' which movable sinkers or-web holders are employed to itself set up or begin an article by) merely introducing a thread into the-mac ine so as to be engaged by the needles, thus saving much time in starting the knitting oi anyl article. .In case a stitch should be dropped the machine will itself pick it up and resume correct knitting'.

In the drawings we have shown our invention as applied to a circular knitting machine of the general type shown in the 'various patents granted to Mr. E. E. Kilbourn, more especially Nos. 66,9,730 and 679281 In the patents to which reference has been made provisionwa's made for automatically lengthening the stitches 'of the entire web. @un present improvements may be used in place of the devices shown and described therein or those devices maybe retained and our improved means added to the machine, and' the machine made to embody Aboth forms. 'In such case the older arrangement nl devices .will be used when it is desired to' lengthen the stitches entirely around the web and our present construction when 1t 1s ldesired to lengthen the stitches for the front or rear half of the stocking or other web.

In the-said drawings,'F1gure 1 is a view in lelevation of the left hand end of a-circular knitting machine of the character 'already indicated without improvements embodiedtherein. Fig. "2 is a like view et part of the rear of sucha machine. Fig. 3 is apartial front view. Fig. t 1s'4 a verticalsectiowof thev needle` cylinder. Figs. 5

and 6 are views ot' the needle jacks used with the upper cam cylinder. Fig. 7 is a view of the needle jack of the lower cam cylinder. F 1g. 7a (Sheet three) is a detail view showing three flat wire needles corresponding to those shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, but drawn to a smaller scale. F ige. 8 and 9 are views of two different forms of movable sinker or web holder forming a part of our machine. Fig. 10 is a partial inside view of the upper cam cylinder. Fig. 11 is an under side view of parts shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an outside view of the parts shown 1n Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a view showing a detaill of the cani construction shown in Figs. 10 to l2 inclusive. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the means for causing the knitting cam to vary the lengths of stitches. Fig. 15 is a view in perspective of the pattern wheel and connect-lons for changing the position 'of the knitting cam. Fig. 16 is an inside View of a bracket secured at one side of the cam cylinder and devices connected therewith. Fig. 17 is a view of the outside of said bracket; Fig. 18 is a transverse section of the devices shown in Fig. 17 taken on line -x Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a section of said bracket on line y--y Fig. 17. Fig. 20 is a top or plan View of said bracket. Fig. 21 is a partial horizontal section thereof. Fig. 22 is adetail view showing a certain relative relation of the bracket and a lever operating in conjunction therewith. Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken on line z--e Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is a detail view of the parts shown in Fig. 22 in a different position. Fig. 25 is a sectional view on line c4-mt Fig. 24. Fig. 26v is-anothe'r View of same parts. Fig. 27 1s an enlarged plan view of the part of the cam cylinder shown in Fig. 14. Figs. 28, 29' and v30 are sectional-views illustrating details of the cam cylinder and connected parts. Fig. 31 is a partial View on an enlarged scale of the inside of the lower cam cylinder. Fig. 32 is a like view of the outside of the same parts. Fig. 33 is a top or plan view of the lower cam cylinder. Figs. 84 and 85 are sectional views showing details of construction. Fig 36 isa partial underl side vlew of same cylinder.

In the machine shown in the drawings, A is the main or power shaft, extending longitudinallyof 'the' machine beneath the bed plate ofthe same. B- is a shaft extending transversely of the bed plate of the machine and is connected by gearing with the cam cylinders to give them a constant rotary motion-during circular work' and a reciprocating motion to the upper cam cylinder during reciprocating Work, as fully described in the patents hereinbefore referred to. The needle cylinder C is of the general form shown in said patents, but 'at 0 is provided with a circumferential notch or groove in which is located a small spiral spring band C for holding the needle jacks elastically in the grooves of the cylinder.

The needle jacks used in the machine are of the form shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Of those shown in Figs. 5 and 6, c and c are those operated by the upper cam cylinder, while the jacks c2 are connected with the needles operated by the lower cam cylinder. Each of these jacks is provided with the rebounding shoulder or incline o3 which, when the needle is depressed by the knitting cam, is brought down against the spring band C. WVhen the nibs of the needles are engaged by the riser cam incline thereafter the spring band acting on the incline tends to raise the jack and needle thereby aiding in the initial movement of the jacks and needles upward. The jacks c, o are also provided with inclined rebounding shoulders c", cl and the jacks c2 with the shoulder c5. These shoulders engage the spring band C when moved to their highest point upward in knitting and the spring band in like manner assists the initial downward movement. This construction is of very material advantage, and enables the machine to be run at a higher rate of speed than is possible without it.

The fashioning needle jacks c are formed with the notch or recess c below the shoulder c4. When these needles are raised out of operative position in narrowing, the shoulder c* passes under the band C', the spring yenters the recess c and holds'the jacks and needles in their elevated position until depressed to their active position in the operation of widening. In addition to these forms of needle jacks, others of like construction having longer or shorter nibs may be employed, common in knitting machines of various forms for various purposes. This feature of varying the length of the nibs of jacks or needles, is of such common use that illustration and particular description thereof and designation by reference letter is unnecessary. It is to be understood that the i narrowing. and widening mechanism of our present machine is substantially the same asthat shown and described in the said patents. In place of needle jacks as described, we. may employ flattened wire needles having the inclines and shoulders referred to, as shown for example in Fig'. 7 a, Sheet 3. 1

To the upper end of the needle cylinder is secured the bed D and cam disk T for a series of movable sinkers or web holders t alternating with the needles of the needle cylinder in the usual way. These web holders are of the form shown in the drawings and described hereafter.

In the patents hereinbefore referred to, two cam cylinders are employed. We provide our improved machine with a like number, the upper cam cylinder as in the machine shown in the patents, knits the back half of the stocking and the lower cylinder knits the front half. While for convenience the term half is used to designate the part knit by the upper and lower cam cylinders, it is to be understood that this term does not limit the applicants to an exactly equal division of the needles between the cams as it may some time be found advisable to have a greater number of needles in one cylinder than the other. In the drawings K is the upper cam cylinder cam connected therewith, see Figs. 10 and 12, and K2 is the needle supporting ledge. The cam K is secured to a block lo movably supported in a recess in the cam cylinder. A strip la on the top of the cam cylinder extends across the recess in which the block is placed and is secured firmly to the cam cylinder by screws 7a2, 7a2. To the block 7c below the cam K is secured the plate 702x which forms the lower part of the needle cam groove below the cam K and the lower part of the riser cams k3, 7c". At its inner side the plate k2* is provided with flanges c, h5, see Fig. 11, extending on each side, and between these ianges and the block lo are placed reduced portions of the plates la, k7 which are cut away at the upper part of the same to form the upper part of the riser cams. These plates are secured to the inside of the cam cylinder and the reduced portions form a. guide for the block 7c in its movements to vary the position of the cam K. A bolt ks passes through the strip k and is secured to -the block k. A. s iral spring 7:9 extends between the head o the bolt los and the strip k and serves to hold the block and the cam in an elevated position against the strip. In this position the cam will only draw down the thread t form the shortest stitches made by the machine except this be changed by the raising of the nosing.

It will be seen that the flanges las, L5 overlap the edges of the plates le, Il:7 and avoid the forming of a fissure or line of division directly across the bottom of the' cam groove that might be engaged by the nibs of the needle jacks. The inner upper corners of the reduced portions of the plates lcs, k7 are cut away or rounded to prevent these parts from presenting a. sharp shoulder when the cam' ,Kis moved downward and the upper outer' corners of the'ii'anges- 765,' c are also rounded or cut away in the same manner.

and K the knitting.

The cam K is depressed to increase the length of stitch by the following instrumentalities. f

To the outer side of the block is secured the arm or projection 11:10 the outer end of which is provided with inclines 7c and It. At one side of the projection l, a lever L is pivoted to the cam cylinder, at Z to a plate or bracket L', secured to the outer side of the cam cylinder. See Figs. 14, and 22 to 27.

Adjacent to the smaller end or head ZX of the lever L, two bolts or screws Z Z2 pass downward through threaded apertures in the lever L. These bolts or screws have their lower ends rounded and are in such a position that when this'end of the lever is thrown inward they will impinge upon the inclines 7c and k12 of the projection icl", and move the cam K downward. rl`he bolt or screw Z is in line with and will engage the incline Z111 and the bolt or screw Z2 is in line with and will engage .the incline 7*;12. These bolts or screws are each provided with a cramp or jam nut Z8 to hold them firmly in the position to which they may be turned.

On the stationary flange surrounding the base of the upper cam cylinder is mounted a bracket M, see Figs. 1G to 26 inclusive. This bracket is provided with two vertical slots in which are movably mounted blocks m, m. rlhe block or slide m is shorter than the slot in which it is placed and a spring m2 is placed beneath it holding it normally in the upper part of the slot and against the plate m secured to the top of the bracket.v

The block or slide is held within the slot by the plate m4 secured to the outer side of the block or slide and extending on each side of the slot and by the knocker cam m secured to the inner side of the slide.

The block or slide m is in like manner shorter than the slot in which it is mounted and is normally held in the lower part of the said slot by a pin n inserted in said block or slide. Said pin extends outwardly and engages a cam slot a in a plate n2 secured to a slide N, which is movably mounted on the base of the bracket M by screws or pins n4, a4 passing through horizontal slots as, n into the base of the bracket. The block or slide m is provided with or has secured to it on its outer side, a retaining plate m and on its inner side the two knocker cams m7, m8. The cam m7 has two cam grades the lower one 'mix extends outward a less distance than the cam grade mi.

The outer end of the shaft B is provided withmeans to actuate a pattern cylinder H through pawls /z/ and t and ratchet h2, secured to the said cylinder. The pattern cylinder is mounted on a shaft H and gears with a spur gear I on a pattern wheel I'. The arrangementis such that the pattern wheel makes one entire revolution during the knitting of a single stocking, and as set forth in the patents to which reference has been made, this pattern wheel brings about certain changes in the operation of the machine.

ln addition to the features of construction shown in said patents, the pattern wheel is provided with an outwardly extending liange ix and risers t' are provided which may be placed on the inner side'of said flange so that at the time desired they will engage one arm of a bell crank lever z". The other arm of the bell crank lever is pivoted to a link 2, see Figs. l, 2, 3 and l5. The link 2 is in turn pivoted to an arm j secured to a rock shaft J mounted in bearings secured to the top of the bed plate of the machine. The shaft extends rearwardly to near the rearward side of the machine and is there provided with an arm j connected by a link j2 to an arm y'3 of a rock shaft J', extending longitudinally of the machine at the back of the same. Nea-r the opposite end of the shaft J an arm j4 is secured thereto. Said arm j* extends upwardly and at its upper end has an eye through which is passed a rod or link jf. Aspring j surrounding the rod bears against the inner side of the arm i4 and the opposite end of the spring bears against a collar I7'7 on the rod j5 which, in this instance, is secured in place by a cotter js. A Cotter j passes through the rod y' on the outer side of the arm jt. The other end of the rod j is pivoted to a pin n? secured to the slide N. The rock shaft J has secured thereto a coiled spring jl surrounding the same and so connected to the shaft and to the frame of the machine, that the said spring tends to move the arm [i4 and rod j outwardly drawing the slide N in such position that the pin n of the slide m will be in the lower part of the cam slot n in the cam plate nl. The spring also through the connections ja, jz, j, rock shaft J and arm j', link 2, holds the lever t in Contact with the inner side of the flange X on the pattern wheel -I' or against the risers when they are brought in contact with said arm. It will thus be seen that the slide N is moved in both directions by spring pressure which enables the slide N to be operated in a satisfactory manner without the extreme nicety of adjustment of its connections with the pattern wheel that would be otherwise required.

In knitting circular work the lever z" ordinai-ily engages the inner side of the flange on the 'pattern wheel and the knocker cams mT and 'ms are in their lower position. The cam cylinder rotates in the direction ofthe arrow Figs. 22 and 24 to bring the head of the lever L to the bracket' M before the tail of the same.

Assuming that the head of the lever L is in its most outward position and the block come in contact with the cams of the block or slide m'. The tail of the lever being in a higher horizontal plane will take the course indicated by the arrow and dotted line in Fig. 24 and will come in contact with `the knocker cam mi. The tail Zz of the lever will then be forced inward throwing the head Zx outward, freeing the knitting cam from the pressure of the screws or tappets Z, Z2 which will thereupon be raised by the spring fr to its highest position as shown in Fig. 28 to knit a short stitch. Thereafter the lever during the operation of the cam cylinder will take the course indicated by the arrow 1 and dotted line in Fig. 22 and will not be moved as it passes the bracket M. Should the lever z" now engage a riser i', on the pattern wheel I', this lever through its connections will move the slide N to bring the pin n into the upper horizontal part of -the slot n. This will raise the slide m with the knocker cams 'mi and m into its higher position. The continued forward movement of the knocker cam cylinder will move the head of the lever L over the cam m5, as before described, and will bring it in contact with the knocker cam m8 which will throw the head of the lever inward bringing the bolt or tappet Z into engagement with the incline 7cm, depressin the knitting cam. The plate or brac et L adjacent to the head of the lever L, is provided with a boss Z6 in which is mounted the spring bolt Z7. The spring tends to force the upper end of this bolt against the underside of the head of the lever L and the lower face of the tail is provided with a recess shown in Fig. l2 with which the bolt engages when the said lever is moved by vthe cam m8 engaging the head of the lever, in which case the parts will be in the position shown -in Fig. 29, that is, when the lever has been moved to cause the tappet-Z to engage the incline L11. The engagement of this bolt with the recess will hold the lever from accidental displacement. The lever may be provided with recesses of like character to be engaged by the bolt when the lever has been moved to the other positions described if preferred, but it has been found that this is not necessary as the lever will remain in the other positions to which it is moved vwithout any retaining means.

In knitting ladies hose, on beginning the stocking at the `top of the' leg, the pattern wheel will raise the nosing Cx which forms the upper end of the needle cylinder and give a lengthened stitch entirely around the web. This continues until the calf has been knitted when thev stitch is gradually shortened until the normal length is reached as explained in the patents to which reference has been made.

In case the stocking is to be strengthened or spliced on the back, at the point that the additional thread is thrown in, a riser i on the pattern wheel raises the lever d and moves the slide N to raise the cams m7 and f 5 to their higher position. The continued revolution of the cam cylinder will cause the lever L to assume the middle position as just explained, lowering the knitting cam K and lengthening the stitch. This continues until the beginning of the narrowing operation for knitting the heel.

At the close of circular work the cam cylinder is left in a position in which on the first reverse movement thev lever L will pass the bracket M. As the tail Zz of the lever passes the bracket M it passes under the cam m7 and the lever is not moved. The head ZX of the lever', however, engages cam m5 and is thrown into its most inward position, the pin Z2 engaging and passing the incline la to the position shown in Fig. 30-and depressing the knitting cam K to its lowest osit-ion. The position of the bracket M is such that the lever L will not come into engagement with the cams of the bracket during the remainder of the reciprocating knitting for the toe or heel.

lf the bottom of the stocking is to be reinforced the slide N. is maintained vin positio-n to keep the cams mi and m8 in their higher position, and as circular knitting is resumed the lever L is again carried past the bracket M land the tail of the lever engaging the cam grade m the lever is thrown into the position occupied by it during the splicing of the back of the ankle, causin the upper cam cylinder to knit a stitch o they same length as duringthe splicing opera'- tion. This is continued until the toe' is reached when the stitch will be again lengthened as in knitting the heel. That is to say on the first reversing movement the head ZX of the lever L strikes cam m5 (see Fig. 2 6) pushing the head`in to its fullest extent and setting the cam for the longest stitch, as in the case of the heel.

lVhen the toe is completed, it is to be noted, the machine must be placed in position to knit the upper part of the leg of another stocking and with the tightest stitch. At this point therefore, the lever z" passes from the riser or series of risers z' and causes the knocker cam slide m to drop to its lower position. This brings the cam m" in the plane of the' tail Zz' of the lever L, and on resuming circular work-thejt'ailll 'strikes cam mi, and throws the head ZX to its outermost position thus allowing the knitting cain to return to its highest position for knitting the shortest stitch.

In order to make the operation of the knocker cams and lever L more easily understood we. will briefly reca itulate the various posit-ions of the saine c uring the knitting oa stocking.

1. Knttng Zeg with tight stft0/zV.-.Head lx 'of lever in outermost position, knocker cams in lower position, head ZX strikes, depi'esses and passes over knocker cam m5 in each course. (Fig. 22.)

2. Knitting leg Iwith high splice above lieeZ.-Knocker cani slide is raised by pattern mechanism, head lx strikes knocker cam l 11i/Sand pushes head half in, lowering knit- 1 tingy cam and lengthening stitch, head ZX continues to depress and pass over knocker Y cani m5 ineach course, but tail Zz will merely pass under knocker cam m7 (Fig. 24;). As'

this kiiittin cani only o crates the needles Ifor the baer of the stoc ing the stitch re- 4,mains as set during the complete revolutions offthe cam cylinder.

3. Knitting heel-On first return reciprocating movement the head Zx strikes knocker cam m5 and is pushed in to greatest extent depressing knitting cam to set longest stitch.

'-'Ifphe ltail yZz'is now in outermost position but doesvnot strike any of the cams during reciprocating work. (Fig. 26.) l

4. Knttz'ng.s0Ze.- he knocker cam slide still being in elevated osition, on resuming "circular work after y tnitting heel tail Zz strikes knocker cam mit and throws head l to median position setting knitting cam for sole stitch. (Fig. 24.)

5. Knitting toa-On first reciprocationi head l strikes knocker cam m5 and is moved in to greatest extent,-setting extra long stitch for toe; after the toe is knit slide m g is lowered, and on resuming circular work r to commence leg of next stocking, the tail Z strikes the cani mT throwinf head ZX all the l way out, and setting knitting cam for the Y short or tight sti-tch.

`The lower cam cylinder U is in like inanf lner provided with a movable knitting cam 4 0', see Figs. 31 and 32 and this cam is provided with an outwardly extending projeci tion having like inclines. rllhe cylinder has also a. lever I which is a counterpart of the lever L and is operated by a bracket F havings cams m7 and m similar to those of the bracket M; The bracket l does not have der as there is no necessity for providing for lost motion. The cams of the bracket I f are raised and loweredby a slide Q which is operated in a manner similar to the slide i N by devices connecting it with the pattern l wheel I. In this lower cam cylinder, 0 is l the needle supporting ledge. A little in ad- Vance of the knitting cam O this ledge is cnt away to a lower level o. and a cani R engages and depresses the nibs of the needles tothe lower level.

A riser cam R is movably mounted in the cylinder with its uppermost point normally i below the level o. The cam R is, in this instance, secured to a block r which has a part r ext-endin upward inside of the gear teeth ot' the cy inder but outside of that part of the cylinder extending above the said teeth. This upwardly extending -part is provided with an outwardl extending projection r2 from which exten s an arni r3. The part r2 at one side of the same is formed with two inclines or bevels r", 15. Adjacent to this side of the part- '12 is a spring pressed slide S which is provided with a pointed or double inclined end e extending toward the part r2 but passing by the extreme end adjacent thereto. the position shown in Figs. 34. and 32 thc slide holds the cam R from being moved the cam R is raised the incline r* engages the end s of the slide and forces it back against the tension of its spring. When the cam R has reached its higher position the spring forces the end s of the slide S beneath the part r2 and into engagement with the inclinel rf and holds the cani iii the position to which it has been moved, The cani R `can be raised or lowered by hand or automatic means controlled by the pattern cylinder or a pattern wheel may be employed for the purpose.

The cani R is of less thickness than the cams R and O. The ledge o is of Sullicient height to enable'the needles resting thereon to take the thread from the main thread guide. By supplyin a splicing thread carried at a higher eevation than the main thread, and employing needles having nibs of different lengths any given portion of the front of the stocking can be spliced or reinforced with the appropriate length of stitch. In doing this such needles as are not to take the reinforcing thread are provided with nibs of a length that will not en age the cam R when raised and those tiat are to take the rein- 4forcing thread will be provided with a longer nib to engage the cam R.

Whenever the cani R is raised to its higher position the needles with the longer nibs will be raised by the cam siiiiciently to take the splicing or reinforcing thread and when moved downward by the knitting j cam O will also take the main thread and knit them together into the web. In such case the cam U will be depressed by the lever P and its controlling device to l lengthen the stitch. rIhese parts will be "arranged to be called intoaction when for cams being capable of operating all of said `the stitches formed by the needles operated any purpose it is desired to lengthen the stitches on the front of the leg of the stocking, for example when it is desired to throw in an additional thread to strengthen the web at the knee of childrens stockings.

The devices for moving the cam of the lower cylinder'are most clearly shown in Fig. 15. To automatically control this cam the pattern wheel is provided with an addi-l tional lange ix or the flange xi is made of double width to which risers i may be secured in such positions as to move the lever P when desired through the connecting mechanism. Such mechanism in this case is the bell crank lever z', link 02, rock shaft J0, with its arms j), 3'0, link j, rock shaft J0', its arms j3 and j, and rod oi' link 7'05 connected with slide Q, the same being merely a duplication of the devices for actuating the cams for moving the lever L.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is zl. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a circular series of needles, a plurality of independent cams each of which operates a number of consecutive needles of the circular series of needles, said needles by conjoint operation, land independently actuated means for adjusting each of said cams to change the length of thereby.

2. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with two independently operable cam cylinders each lprovided with a knitting cam, one of said knitting cams operating the needles for knitting the back portion of the stocking and the other of said cams operating the needles for knittin the front portion of the stocking, and in ependently actuated means for changing the length of the stitches formed by each of said sets of needles and the cam operating in conjunction therewith.

3. In a circular knitting machine, the

combination with two independently operable camv cylinders, each provided with a knitting cam, one of said cams operating the needles for knitting the back portion of the stocking, and the other of said cams operating the needles for knitting the front portion of the stocking, each of said cams being provided with means for independentlj7 by the needles operated thereby, and means for actuating said independent adjusting means conjointly to vary the length of the stitches in the entire course.

4. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with two independently operable cam cylinders, Aeach provided with a knitting cam, one of said knitting cams op i erating the needles for knitting the back i l adjusting the length of the stitches formed i l portion of the stocking and the other of said cams operating the needles Vfor knitting the front portion of the stocking each of said cam cylinders being provided with means for varying the position of its knitting cam to correspondingly vary the length of the stitches, and for holding said cam in its adjusted position during the entire rotation of the cam cylinder, whereby said cam or cams may be set in adjusted position and rotated without affecting the operation of the needles operated by the other cam.

5. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the stitch forming mechanism, of means for changing the length of all the stitchesof the web at once, means for changing the length of the stitches in one part of the web and independent means for changing the stitches in another and different part of the web, and means for independently operating each stitch changing v vknitting stockings, the combination with the stitch forming mechanism, ofv means for changing the length of the stitches of the stitch-forming mechanism for knitting the front of the stocking, independent means for changing the length of the stitches of the stitch forming mechanism for knitting the back of the stocking and controlling devices for bringing said stitch changing means into operation conjointly to change the length of stitches all the way around the tube, and independently.

7. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with two independent-ly operable cam cylinders, each provided with a knitting cam, one of said cams operating the needles for knitting the back of the stocking, and the other operating the needles for knitting the front of the stocking. means for adjusting and holding the cani for operating the needles which knit the back of the stocking in a plurality of different vertical positionsl` to lengthen the stitches to different extents during the knitting ot' the leg, heel, sole, and toe, whereby said adjusting means may be operated and permitted to remain in adjusted position for a plurality of courses withoutatfecting the needles which'knit the front portion of the stocking.

S. In a circular knitting machine for knitting stockings, the' combination with the stitch forming mechanism of means for enlarging the gage of the stitches formed. by the stitch `forming mechanism for the rear part of the leg, independent means for enlai-ging the gage of stitches produced by the stitch forming mechanism for the front of the leg. means for actuating said stitch enlarging means for the Aback of the leg, when knitting the portion thereof above the heel, means for actuating said stitch enlarging` ing both of said stitch enlarging means to i enlai'ge the stitches ot' both stitch forming mechanisms for front and rear oft' the stocking` when knitting the portion of the foot adjacent to the toe pocket.

S). In a circular knitting machine,thecom hination with a circular series of' needles, a cani cylinder, a cam carried thereby t'or engaging a number of consecutive needles only of said series. a second cam cylinder, a kuit` ting cam carried thereby for engaging only the needles not operated by the other cam, means for depressing one of said cams into and holding it in al plurality of different positions other than its normal position, whereby the needles operated thereby can be made to knit a normal stitch and stitches of a plurality of different sizes, according to the adjustment of the cam, without affecting the operation of the other needles, and Whereby said adjustable cani may be completely rotated in any position to which it may be adjusted without affecting the needles operated by the other cam.

10. ln a circular knitting machine, the combination with a circular series of needles, of a cam cylinder, a vertically adjustable knitting cam carried thereby, a plurality of devices i'or depressing said cani to different extents, means for bringing one or other of said devices into operative relation with the cam, a certain number of consecutive needles of said seiies being provided with nibs for engaging said cam, an independently operable cam cylinder, a knitting cam carried thereby, the consecutive needles of the series not operated by the first mentioned cam being provided with nibs for engaging the said second mentioned cam, and independent means for vertically adjusting said second cam to change the length of the stitches formed b v the needles'operated;

thereby.

l1. ln a circular knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles, of a cani cylinder provided with a down 'ardly f and upwardly extending groove for engag- 1 ing the nibs of the needles, actuated thereby to lower and raise the same, to eect the j formation of a stitch, the portion ot said cani cylinder forming the upper edge ot said groove, and portions ot the lower edge 1 of said groove being simultaneously vertically adjustable, and said movable portions i forming the lower edge of said groove, being pro-vided at cach side of the lowest part of the 'groove with portions overlapping contiguoiis stationary portions forming part ot' j the lower edge ot said groove. to facilitate j the passage of the needle nibs across the meeting edges of said fixed and movable portions of the cam.

l.. lu a circnlariknitting machine, thc

combination with a series of needles, of a knitting cam provided with a depressing Cain grade, and an elevating grade, said depressing grade being vertically adjustable, and the portion of the elevating grade adjacent to the lowest portion of the depressing gi'ade being vertically adjustable, the fixed and movable portions ot' the elevating grade having overlapping portions, to facilitate the passage of the needle nibs from the adjustable portion to the fixed portion of the elevating grade.

13. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles, of a knitting cani provided vs ith a depressing cam grade, and an elevating grade, said depressing grade being vertically adjustable, and the portion ot' the elevating grade adj acent to the lowest portions of the depressing grade being vertically adjustable, the fixed and movable portions of the elevating grade having overlapping portions and said overlapping portions liaving their upper edges adjacent to their end portions beveled to t'acilitate the passage of the needle nibs from the adjustable to the fixed portion notwithstanding the adjustments of the cani.

14. In a circular knitting machine, the combination With a knitting cylinder, a series of' needles therein, a cam cylinder, a vertically movable block in said cylinder, a depressing cam secured to said block, an elevating cani having fixed portions secured to said cylinder and adjustable portions secured to said block, the adjustable portion having its lateral edges lapping the adjacent edges of the stationary portion ot' the elevating cam, means for depressing said block f in the cam cylinder and means for restoring said block to normal elevated position.

15. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a knitting cylinder, a Series of needles therein, a cani cylinder, a vertically movable block in` said cylinder, a depressing cam secured to said block, an elevating cani having fixed portions secured to said cylinder and adjustable portions secured to said block, the adjustable portion having its latei'al edges lapping the adjacent edges of the stationary portion of the` elevating cam, means for depressing said block in the cam cylinder. and means for restoring said block to normal elevated position, a plurality ot' actuating devices for depressing said block to a plurality ot diflerent positions and pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said actuating devices.

1G. ln a circular knitting machine, the conibinatiou with a cam cylinder, oi a needle depressing cam carried thereby, and adjustable vertically to form stitches ot different lengths. a horizontally movable lever, mounted on said cylinder and provided with means for depressing said cam, a vertically yielding knocker cani located on a stationary Aneedle `depressing cam carrie part of the machine in the path of a part of said lever, for actuating said lever when the cam cylinder is moved in one direction, said knocker cam having a grade to engage said lever and depress the knocker cam when the cam cylinder is moved in the opposite direction.

17. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a cam c linder, of a thereby, and adjustable vertically to form stitches of dit'- ferent lengths, a horizontally movable lever, mounted on said cylinder and provided with means for depressing said cam, a vertically yielding knocker cam locatedon a stationary part of the machine in the path of a. part of said lever, for actuatin said lever when the cam cylinder is move in one direction, said knocker cam having a grade to engage said lever and depress the -knocker cam when the cam cylinder is moved in the opposite direction, va separate vertically adjustable knocker cam mounted on a stationary part of the machine for engaging said lever when the cam cylinder is moved in a direction to depress said yielding knocker' cam, and pattern controlled mechanism for operating said vertically adjustable knocker cam.

18. In a circular' knitting machine, the combination with the needle cylinder and needles, of a cam cylinder provided with a vertically movable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder' and provided at one end with a head carrying actuating devices for moving said cam to a plurality forcing the said head of different positions and having a ,tail on the opposite side of its point of pivoting, in a different horizontal plane from its head, a stationary part adjacent to the cam cylinder provided with movable devices for inward to different positions to bring one er other of said actuating devices into operative engagement with said cam, and for engaging the tail of said lever to move said head outward to diii'erent positions.

19. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the needle cylinder and needles. of a cam cylinder provided with a vertically movable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder and provided at one end with a head carrying actuating devices for moving said cam to a plurality ot' different positionsand having a tail on the opposite side of its point of pivoting in a. different horizontal plane from its head, a stationary part adjacent to said cam cylinder` vertically movable devices carried thereby, having portions for engaging the head and tail of said lever, and pattern mechanism operatively connected with said devices for adjusting them so as to move the lever and said cam actuating devices carried thereby to dierent positions.

20. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the needle cylinder and needles, of a cam cylinder provided with a vertically movable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder and provided at one end` with a head carrying actuating devices for moving said cam to a plurality of different positions and having a tail on the opposite side of its point of pivoting in a different plane Jfrom its head, a stationary part adjacent to said cam cylinder, a yielding knocker cam carried by said stationary part, adapted to be depressed by said lever during circular Work, and to actuate said lever When the cylinder is moved reversely. j

21. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the needle cylinder and needles, of a cam cylinder, provided With a vertically movable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder and provided at one end with a head carrying actuating devices for moving said cam to a plurality of dierent positions and having a tail on the opposite side of its point of pivoting in a different plane from its head, a stationary part adjacent to said cam cylinder, a yielding knocker cam carried by said stationary part, adapted to be depressed by said lever durin circular Work, and to actuate said lever W en the cylinder is moved reversely, a

slide on said stationary part, knocker cams carried thereby for engaging the lever, and pattern mechanism operatively connected with said slide.

Q2. In a circular combination With the needle cylinder and needles, of a cam cylinder provided with a vertically movable depressing cam, a lever mounted on the cam cylinder and provided at one end Witha lever carrying actuating devices for moving said cam to a plurality of different positions and having a tail on the opposite side of its point of pivoting in a different plane from its head, a stationary part adjacent to said cam cylinder, a yielding knocker cam carried by said stationary part, adapted to be depressed by said lever during circular Work, and to actuate said lever when the cylinder is moved reversely, a vertically movable slide on said stationary part, a knocker cam onsaid slide for engaging the head of the lever, and

moving it inward to a diiierent distance from that to which it is moved by said yielding knocker cam, a plurality of knocker cams for engaging the tail of the lever and moving it different distances, and means for moving said slide to dierent positions.

23. In a circular knitting machine the combination with the needle cylinder, and needles, and a cam cylinder provided with a knitting cam for engaging the nibs of the needles, of an elastic band surrounding portions of the needles, said cylinder being provertically movable knit-ting machine, the y i so manana vided with means for retaining said band in engagement therewith, the portions of said needles adjacent to said band being provided with rebounding shoulders, for engaging said band previous to the close of their' movement in one direction to slightly distort said band, and impart an impulse in the reverse direction to the needles, the por- Y tions of the needles reciprocating within said band having straight exterior edges.

24. llii a circular knitting machine thc combination with the needle cylinder, and

needles, and a cam cylinder provided with a knitting cam tor engaging the nibs of the Q needles, of an elastic band surrounding portions ot the needles, said needles being provided witli rebounding shoulders, above and below said band for engaging said band and slightly distorting it previous to the close of their upward and downward movements, to facilitate the reversing oil the direction ot' movement of the needles, and to relieve the action ot the knitting cam on the nibs theieof, said needles having the exterior edges of the portions between the said shoulders,`

straight,

25. ln a circular knitting machine the combination with the needle cylinder and needles, and a cam cylinder provided with a knitting cam itor engaging the nibs of tile needles, of an elastic band surrounding por-` g tions ot' the needles, said cylinder being pro vided with means for retaining said band in engagement therewith, the portions of said needles adjacent to said band being provided with rebounding shoulders, for cngag v ing said band previous to the close of their .movement in one direction, said shoulders being inclined outwardly from the vertical i slightly distorted and an impulse in the reverse direction is imparted to the needles, the portions oi said needles reciprocating within said band having their exterior edges straight.

2G. ln a circular knitting machine the combination with the needle cylinder, and needles, and a cani cylinder provided with a knitting cam for engaging the nibs of the needles, oft an elastic band surrounding portions ot' the needles, said cylinder being provided with means :'or retaining said band fin engagement therewith, the portions ot' j said needles adjacent to said band being pron I|vided with rebounding shoulders, for engaging said band previous to the close of their movement in one direction to slightly l distort said band, and impart an impulse to the needle in the reverse direction, the portions of said needles reciprocating within the band having theirexterior edges straight, l the ashioning needles being also provided with notched portions below said shoulders l for engaging said band when the fasliionin i needles are raised out of operation to hold i them in inoperative position.

ln testimony whereof we affix our signa.- f tures, in the presence of witnesses.

EDWARD lil. hllLBUUlEtN. ,l Wllillililld E. tllldlTl-l. 1 LSAAC lW. llllildfllllthl.

l lllliriiniaivi d., hitman, l JOHN lniciison,

l Sernin. l?. l'Wifi-inria 'titi