US1459157A - Island - Google Patents

Description

June 19, 1923. 1,459,157

R. H. LAWSON KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF' FORMING REENFORCEMENTS Filed Jan. 20. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet l @TID June 19, 1923.

1,459,157 R. H. LAWSON KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD F FORMlNG REENFORCEMENTS Filed' dan. 2o. 192:5 'r sheets-sheet 2 2 RoefHLwon. 21g www fifa/1W may@ June '19, 1923.

1,459,157 R. H. LAWSON KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF FORMING REENFORCEMETS Filed dan. 2o, 1923 7 sheets-sheet z June I9, 1923. Lil/59,1527

R. l-LLAWSON KNI'ITING MACHINE AND'METHOD OF FORMING REENFORCEMENTS Filad dan. 20, 192.3 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 19, 1923. y 1,459,157

R. H. LAWSON KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF FORMING `REJJNFORCEMENTS Filed dan. 20. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF' FORMING REENFORCEMENTS Filed Jan. 2o, 1923 '7 shets-sheet e 3%@ WWW gg ,6

June 19, 1923.

1,459,157 R. H. LAWSON KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF FORMING REENFORCEMENTS Filed dan. 20, 1925 7 SheetS-Sheet '7 Innen/Z021.- BoeZHLawson.

77H W muy rfa/ZZ] Patented June 19, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT H. LAWSON, OF CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HEMPHILL COMPANY, OF CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF FORMING- REENFORCEMENTS.

Application filed January 20, 1923.

To all who-m t may concern:

Beit known that I, ROBERT H. LAWSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Central Falls, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented an Improvement in Knitting Machines and Methods of Forming Reenforcements, of which the kfollowing' description,

` in connection with the accompanying drawtion of the yarn feeding means, and to the method involved therein.

In order that the principle of the invention may readily be understood, I have in the accompanyingdrawings disclosed one embodiment of means for practicing my invention. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a knitting machine having my invent-ion applied theret0:

Fig. 2 is a view similar'to F ig. l, but upon an enlarged scale, of the upper part of the knitting machine and representing certain of the needles positioned for receiving the reinforcing yarn; i

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken through the knitting machine above the narrowing and widening kpickers for the needles;

Fig. 4 1sa horizontal section taken Vthrough the machine belowvthe narrowing and widening pickers, but above -the cams for controlling the jacks for certain of the needles;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through a part of the machine frame, and representing a part of the means for controlling one of the jack controlling cams;

-Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively an inside elevation and a side elevation of the needle restoring cam for those needles elevated to take the reinforcing yarn;

Fig. 8 shows in edge view and in side elevation one of the cams for controlling the jacks of those needles that take the reinforcing yarn;

Serial No. 613,853.

Fig. 9 shows in edge view and in side elevation the other of the cams for controlling the jacks of those needles that take the reinforcing yarn;

Fig. l() represents in elevation certain of the needles that take the reinforcing yarn and their controlling jacks;

Figs. l1, 12and 13 show in edge view and in side elevation the several forms of jacks for controlling the needles that take the reinforcing yarn; Fig. 12FL shows a modified form of central jacks.

. Figs. 14, l5 and 1G are diagrams illustrating the knitting cams and the cams shown in Figs. G, 7, 8 and 9, in their several positions;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of a stocking constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figs. 18 to 22 are diagrams showingthe contour of a few of the reinforced areas that may be formed in accordance with my invention; and

Figs. 23 and E24- `are enlarged details of portions of fabrics reinforced by the mechanism of my invention.

My invention both as to 'mechanism and method relating, as it does. to circular knitting machines, may be applied to or embodied in various types of such machines, but I have chosen to represent the same as applied to a machine of the well known Banner type disclosed in the patent to Joshua D. Hemphill. No. 933,4a3, dated September 7, 1909. In this type of machine, the needle cylinder is cylindricalv and rotates. while the cams remain stationary, and although the machinedisclosed is for the purpose of producing hosiery, it is obviously not limited to this class of Iwork. I will, however, describe my invention as applied to a machine of the said type without in all respects limiting it thereto.

Generally speaking, the machine `rincludes a rotating needle cylinder lmounted upon a suitable table 2 constituting a part of the frame of the knitting machine, and as is customary in this type of machine, said cylinder is arranged to be rotated and `reby the controlling cams, as, for example, for

the leg, the 'heel and toe, and the foot, etc. All of said yarn guides are pivoted at ff upon a partial ring 5, itself suitably pivoted so that 'it may be swung up out of action to afford aecessto the needles or for any other purpose. Said ring 5 is of the type usually employed in the Banner machine equipped with spring beard needles, but obviously my invention may be employed in connection ivith either spring beard or latch needles shown lin the said Hemphill patent.

and in the latter case a complete circle latch ring may be employed.

f Each of the yarn guides thus far referred to, is normally pressed or urged into action by one of a series of levers 6 certain of which are indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 as pivoted at 7 upon a standard 8 rising from the frame of the machine, each lever lhaving attached to its outer or right hand end, viewing Figs, land 2, a coiled spring 9 connected at its lower end to a screw or pin 10 on the standard 8, thus tending to move each of the specified levers into operative position. Suchmovement of said levers into operative position is, however, at times opposed and overcome by a series of levers, one for each of-said yarn guides. One of such levers is indicated at 11 in F igsT 1 and f2 as pivoted at 12 upon the standard 8 and to the outer end of each of said levers, as shown in Fig. 1, there is connected a link or wire 13 extending downward to and connected each to its proper lever 14 riding upon a suitable cam 15 on the cam shaft 16 in-a manner not herein necessary to describe, as it is similar to the construction Assuming that there are fouror five levers in the group already referred to, it is evident that according to the dictates of the Cams upon the disk or drum 16 the, 4said yarn guides y are permitted to act at suitable times as, for example, to supply a yarn or thread for the leg of the stocking, another for the heel. another `for the foot, etc.

Each of the said yarn guides supplies its yarn or thread in proximity to the knitting point and each yarn so taken is knitted upon all the needles in action; that is to say, such of said yarn guides as are in action during the knitting of a tubular portion of the stocking feed their yarn or thread to the entire circle of needles, and when the heel or toe is being knitted, the yarn guide then in action introduces the yarn to all the active needles.

In addition to the said group of yarn guides I provide another yarn guide which .l have indicated at 17 in Figs. 1 and 2. Said yarn guide may be mounted at any suitable place but desirably is formed as a lever and is mounted vupon the pivotal support 4c for the group of yarn guides. Desirably it is longer than any one of said group of yarn guides so that it may present yits reinforcing yarn to the selectedv needles at a point somewhat removed from the knitting point, the Construction `and operation of. parts being such that the said reinforcing yarn is received under the beards of the .needles or within the hooks thereof, but is not knitted until said needles approacl'i or arrive at the knitting,T point where they receive the regular yarn. Thus at the knitting point the .regular yarn and thev reinforcing yarn are both knitted into the fabric. y

The reinforcing yarn guide 17, in the disclosed. embodiment of the invention, has two positions, namely. the feeding position which is that shown in Fig'. 2 and the inactive position, whicn is that shown in Fig. 1. The active position shown in Fig. 2 is, in this embodiment of the invention, occupied during all circular work Whether or not the reinforcing yarn is to be taken by the needles, and the inactive position shown in Fig. 1, taken only duringthe knitting of the heel and toe, and is then. occupied merely so that said yarn guide will not interfere with the idle needles, which at such time occupy an elevated position. The said two positions of the reinforcing yarn guide 17 are given by the proper cam 15 on cam shaft 16, through the proper wire or link 13 and lever 111, said cam 15 being shaped to effect this result.

I am enabled to retain the reinforcing yarn `-guide 17 in the active position shown in Fig. 2 during all circular work whether or not the fabric is being reinforced, for the reason that the needles which take the reinforcing yarn rise as at 1.8 for that purpose aboveithe general level i9 of the needles.

ft will be observed that the active or feeding position of the reinforcing yarn guide 1.7 materially higher' than the feeding position of the regular yarn guides as indicated at 3 in Fig. 1.

in the disclosed embodimentof my invention the reinforcing yarn guide17 is for the purpose of introducing,r the yarn to form the high splice, vthough obviously my invention may be employed in reinforcing 'other portions of stockings or other fab-ries.Y Said yarn guide is raised into inactive position for and during thev knitting of the heel and toe. Said yarn guide is not thrown into action .for increasing vlengths of partial courses, but whenever thrown into act-ion is retained in action throughout entire courses, and in fact for thel knitting of the ent-ire stocking except the heel and toe, in this embodiment of the invention. In other words, .the said reinforcing yarn guide or finger 17 is not acted upon by means to cause said yarn guide or finger to be in operative position or operation for a successively increasing period to knit a high splice t-riangular in configuration.

On the contrary, the formation of the high splice is effected wholly through the manipulation and'control of certain needles. Sofar as I am aware I,am the first to effect the formation of a reinforced or contrasting zone of knitted fabric with non-parallel sides, through the control of the needles. as contrasted with the variable positioning` of the reinforcing yarn guide, and such mat ter is therefore claimed broadly.

lithin the scope of my invention the needle control maybe effected in any suitable rnanner. 'I will describe one type of means yfor effecting such control without limiting` my invention thereto.

In the-disclosed embodiment of my invention, I employ a series of jacks indicated as an entiret-yat 2O in Fig. 4. lVhile said jacks maybe placed inthe grooves of the desired number ofneedlesbelow said needles,

I have herein represented said jacks as positioiied in a semi-circle` beneath all the' Ashort butt needles, orv in other words beneath all but the instep needles.

Vith relation to one central jack, or in some cases'two central jacks, I provide a series of jacks or m'ore, as hereafter set forth, at the right and another series of jacks at the left of said central jack or jacksi In Fig. l2, I 'have illustrated la single central jack at 21. In this form of my invention, said jack 21 is provided with ay long butt 22. and is in this form of my invention, provided at some suitable point and preferably near its lower end with lateral projections 23, 24 extending oppositely. Said projections may be formed in any suitable way, but preferably they are formed b y cutting or stamping or dieing out suffi-4 cient of the material to provide lateral projections having flat upper edges as shown in Fig. 12. The exact position ofr said lateral projections is or may be immaterial, butwherever positioned, they are intended in the elevation of said middle jack to engage each projection upon the adjoining jacks at the right and theleft.

Iliflithin the scope of my inventioinI may instead of providing a. single central jack 2i with twoA lateral projections upon the right and the left respectively` provide two central jacks, one having a left projection and the other having a right projection, and in such case bot-h of said jacks would be pro vided with long butts 22, and I have shown such a construction in Fig. 12"L wherein such Iiacks are marked 21a and 2lb, respectively. the former having lateral projection 23a and the'latter having lateral projection 24F.

I have represented in Fig. ll one of the left hand jacks at 25, it being; understood that all the left hand jacks are or may be identical in formation, but that the disclosed embodiment of right and left hand jacks are selected more for purposes of illustration. and that the interengaging formation may be otherwise formed within the scope of my invention. I-Ierein each of the jacks 25 is provided with a. short butt 26 andwith an upper right hand projection 2T which may be struck therefrom or formed. or provided in any suitable way, it having a. lower level edge 28 adapted to be engaged in the disclosed embodiment of the invention, by the level upper edge 29 of the central jack 21, so

Such function is the lifting and engagement by said lateral projection 30 of the next adjoining jack to the left, it being' understood that each of the series of left hand jacks is constructed as shown in Fig. ll. so that each jack as lifted effects as hereinafter described the lifting of the next adjoining jack to the left. Y l In Fig. 13, I have represented one of the right hand jacks at 31. These jacks are rieversed in construction from the left hand jack 25. They are herein provided with short butts 32, with lower right hand proj ections 33 and upper left hand projections The project-ion 3l upon the first of the right hand jacks is engaged by the right hand projection 2A of the central jack to eifectfthe lifting of the said first right hand jack, and the right hand projection 33 is provided to engage the upper left hand projection of the neXt adjoining right hand jack, and so on, so that in sequence and at the p-roper times the left hand jacks and the right hand jacks will be elevated so as correspondingly to lift their needles into theelevated positions shown in Fig. 2 for receiving the reinforcing yarn. thereby to form a -reenforce ment such as shown in Fig. 28.

' I have stated. that the central jack or two central jacks may be pro-vided with a long butt 0i long butts 22. My invention is not limited in this respectl and in certain cases more than twojacks inav be provided 'with long' butts as, for example, where above the high splice or other tapered reenforcement I provide a stripe extending to a greater or less e-xtent lengthwise the stocking, in which case all the needles participating in the formation of said stripe. will have liacks prot vided with long butts 22, and only the end jacks of such series will act by interengagement with right and left jacks respectively, to lift such acks. I will, however, first describe that embodiment of my invention jw'herein a` single central jack is provided `provided With a stem 36 adapted to slide in a suitable bracket or guide 37 shown in Fig. 4 and. having a pin or screw`38 extending upwardly through a suitable slot 39 in said bracket or guide. Said pin or screw 38 is ffreceived in a slot 40 in ay lever 41 pivoted at 42 upon the framing. The end of said lever opposite the slot 40 is pivoted at 43 to a link 44 which at its opposite end is connected to the upper end 45 of a bell crank lever most clearly shown in Fig. 1. Said lever is mounted upon a. pivotal pin between ears 46 upon brackets 47 shown most clearly in Fig. 4 and the opposite arni of said Ybell crank is connected pivotally to a link 48 which at its lower end is connected to or is formed with a plunger 49 adapted to ride upon the cam disk 50 indicated in Fig. 1. A coil spring 51 tends to hold the cam 35 in its inner radial position but at times, de pending upon the contour of the cam disk 50, said cam 35 is moved out of action. The formation of the cam disk 50 is such that the cam 35 is in its outer radial or inactive position, except during the formation of the tapered reenforcement herein described or during the formation of any variation of said reenforcement or` of the stripe or combined stripe and reenforcement that is being provided upon the stocking being knitted.

Assuming that the cam 35 is in its inner radial or active position, it will act upon the jacks of the series in the manner hereinafter described.

The said cam 35 is provided with an inclined face 52 and said cani as indicated in Figs. 8 and 10 isl undercut at 53 to permit the movement thereunder of the short butt eov jacks when said cam is in its inner radial position. The said inclined face 52 extends tothe extreme point 54 of the base of the cam at the portion that is not removed by been lifted onto the inclined face 52. The

outer radial position of the cam 35 is such that the long but-t 22 cannot ride on any part of the inclined face 52 when said .cam 35 occupies said outermost radial position.

In addition to the said cam 35 for elevating the jacks, I provide a cam 56 shown most clearly in Figs. 4, 9 and 10, said cam functioning to move jacks from an intermediate level, as indicated in Fig. 10,'to the lowermost level when said cam is in its innermost radial position.

Said cam 56, which has an inner inclined face or edge 57 and an undercut portion 58, is mounted for radial movement and to that end is provided with a stem 59 received in a guide or bracket 60 secured to the frame and having a slot 61. Extending upwardly through said slot is a pin or screw 62 upon a lever 63 pivoted at 64 and having a reduced. or pointed outer end 65 which enters a slot 6G shown most clearly in Fig. 5 as formed in an arm 67 upon a shaft 68 mounted in a tubular or other suitable bearing 69 shown in Fig. 4. Upon the opposite end of the shaft 68 is fast a lever arm 7() which at its outer end is pivotally connect-ed at 7l to a downwardly extending link 72 having its lower end pivotally connected at 73 to one arm of a lever 74 pivoted at 75 upon a suitable bracket 76 depending from the framing. The end 77 of. the lever 74 rides against the internal cam surface 78 of the gear 79 mounted upon a stud shaft 80, said gear 79 being technically known in the Banner machine as the 104 gear. Said gear 79 meshes with a pinion on the main drive shaft. As customarily constructed the main drive` shaft makes one revolution to one revolution of the needle cylinder, and the needle cylinder makes four revolution to one revolution of the 104 gear 79.` The internal cam format-ion 78 thereof is such as to move the cam 5G in and out at the proper times during the formation of the tapered high splice or other reenforce-ment.

In the construction indicated in Fig. 5 and in order to produce a tapered high splice or t-he like reenforement as indicated at 81 in Fig. 18, said cam 56 is moved in and out in alternate courses or in other words said cam 5G is in its outer radial position 0n every second revolution of the needle cylinder during the formation of the form of high splice shown in Fig. 18.4

f a reinforcing stripe be formed upon the stocking,-as, for example, at the back of the leg above the high splice, which itself is indicated at 82 in Fig. 17, and which stripe rny invention not only as to the lrey or cen- 65 may be of any suitable length as, for cXample, a shortlength as indicated at 83 in Fig. 19 or at 8-'1 in Fig. 21, or any greater length, as, for example, to the bottom of the welt of the stocking-said cam 5G occupies its inner radial position constantly throughout the formation of such stripe. If, at the termination of said stripe, it be desired to form a tapered high splice, the upper end of such tapered high splice is preferably truncated as indicated in Fig. 19, and said tapered high splife may have any suitable angle of slope. For example, it may have the same slope as in Fig. 1S, such slope being indilment may be provided as indicated at 88 in Fig. 22 and for the formation thereof the cani 5G occupies its outer radial position on everv fourth revolution of the needle cylinder. u If on the other hand a less tapered high splice or reenforcement than that shown in Figs. 18 and 19 is desired, the cam 56 may occupy its outer adial position all of the time, but the cam 35 would occupy its inner radial position during the formation of such high splice or reeiiforcenient. 'I he result would be a tapered high splice or reenforcement of the shape indica-ted at 89 in Figs. 20 and 21 in which construction the reinforcing yarn is talzen by an additional needle at each end of the group on each successive. course to the base of the high splice.

As clearly indicated in the drawings, the number of the aclzs is in this embodiment of the invention, one half the entire number of needles, one jacli being provided for each needle except the instep needles. Preferably the machine is equipped with a large number of fine gage needles for malring ne mesh stockings, such for example as 240 or 260 needles. It will be observed that I provide what I may term a key ack or key jacks, one

such ley jack being shown in F ig. 12 and two such key jacks being shown Ain Fig. 12a, it being noted that where more than two Jacks vprovided with long butts are employed as tial jack with reference to the companion jack but of the companion jacks with' respect to each other. l

lVhile I have used the term jack, I have done this in a broad sense and have also used the term instrumentality in describing such parts or referring thereto in the claims. I will describe sufficiently the movement of representative jacks during the forma.-

tioii of the tapered high splice and like re# enforcement. Assuming for purposes of such description merely, that no stripe is formed above the high splice and that the latter is to commence upon a single needle, namely. that controlled by the central jack 2l of Fig. 12 and which is shown inFig. 10,-when the period in the operation arrives that the formation of the high splice is to commence, the cam 35 then occi'ipyingits,

inner position for this purpose,-upon the irst revolution of the needle cylinder during the making of the high splice, the long but-t 22 of said jack 21 rides upon the inclined surface 52 of said cam 35, being directed thereonto by the prolongation fof such surface. It. will be observed viewing Fig. 10 that there is a considerable space orgap between the lower ends 90 of the needles when they are at the level 19 of Figs. 2 and 10, and the upper ends of the jacks when those jacks are in their lowerinost position. As the said central jack 21 rides up along the inclined surface 52 of the cam 35,it, in this embodiment of my invention,'engages by its lateral projections 23, 24C the adjoining jacks at left and right numbered 25 and 31 respectively infF ig. 10. Such engagement., however, does not occur' until the jack 21 has ridden a substantial distance up the incline 52, and in the meantime said jacks 25 and 31 have moved tothe left viewing Fig. 10 along the undercut 53 and then when lifted by the cent-ral jack 21 they move up along or near the under side 91'of said cam 35, to a level which is lower than the top of the cam 56. Upon the continued movement of said jacks to the left viewing Fig. `10, the butts 26 and 32 of said jacks 25 and 31 encounter the inclined inner face 57' of the cam 56, and said jacks 25 and 31 are thereupon moved downward to their lowe'rmost level. Upon said first revolution of'the needle cylinder in the formation of the high splice the reinforcing yarn is taken onlyby the single needle which pertains to the central jack 21. After said needle governed by the central jack 21 takes said reinforcing yarnsaid needle is restored to the level 19 by means of a cam 92 (see Fig. 14), hereinafter more fully-'described and said central 4 jack 21 travels toward the lefty viewing Fig. 10 with its lower end at the level 93 of Fig. 10.

Upon the next revolution of the needle cylinder, the said central jack 21 again arrives at the inclined face 52 of the cam 35 andagain rides up said inclined face and receives the reinforcing yarn as before, and the adjoining jacks 25, 31 at the left and right of said central jack 21 respectively, again are lifted as before by said central jack and travel toward the left viewing Fig. 10 at an intermediate height at about the level of the line 94- in Fig. 10. Upon said second revolution of the needle cylinder, the cam 56 is out, and hence said tivo jacks Q5, 31 do not engage the inclined face 57 of said cam 56, and hence remain at the level 942. Upon said second revolution the reinforcing yarn is taken only by the needle governed by the said central jack 21. Upon the next, that is, the third revolution of the needle cylinder 'the central jack 21 again rides up the inclined face 52 of the cam 35, and it is accompanied at the left and right by the adjoining jacks 25, 31 because upon such third revolution of the needle cylinder, said jacks 25, 31 are sufficiently elevated to engage by their butts 26, 32 the inclined face 52 of the came 35. Therefore upon said third revolution of the needle cylinder the reinforcing yarn is taken by the .needles governed by the three jacks referred to, namely, the central jack 21 and a jack Q5 and a jack 31 next adjoining the same at 'the left and right respectively. Upon the fourth course or needle cylinder revolution the reinforcing yarn is taken by the needles of the said three jacks only. On the third revolution referred to, which is the first course upon which the `reinforcing yarn is taken by three needles,

thegjacks 25, 31 pertaining to the two outside needles, begin to act by their lateral projections 30, 33 upon the jacks next adjoining them at the left and right respectively, and the action already described is continued until the tapered high splice or other reen forcement is, completed. i

Still referring to the form of high splice shown in Fig. 18, it is evident that upon the first and second courses thereof, the reinforcing yarn is taken only by the needle governed by the central jack. Upon the `third and fourth courses said reinforcing yarn is taken vby three needles. Upon 'the fifth and sixthcourses, the yarn is taken by five needles. Upon the seventh and eighth courses the yarn is taken by seven needles and so on. I have in Fig. 23, upon an enlarged scale, represented the eight courses referred to.

From the foregoing description, it Will be understood that I have provided a set of independent needles of which certain needles are to be presented to take yarn-in t-he disclosed embodiment of the invention, they are to take reinforcing yarn. I provide for the needles-in this form of the invention, for

the short butt or back needles-instrumentalities which are individual to the needles and which in the disclosed embodiment of the invention have movement independent of those needles and which herein, When they function, always function on the same needles. Such instrumentalities in the present embodiment of the invention are jacks and they are herein disclosed as mounted for sliding movement in the needle grooves below the needles. I provide means for preselecting, in accordance with the desired needle presentation, a varying and preferably a constantly increasing portion only of said instrumentalities, (herein jacks) from among the entire set thereof, leaving the remainder temporarily idle-it being understood that the desired needle presentation varies in accordance with the yshape of the reenforcement or contrasting zone or area. Obviously, any suitable means may be provided for pre-selecting a varying portion of said instrumentalities but in the present case, the preselection is brought about by the conjoint or co-operating factors of interengagement of companion jacks and the active or inactive position. of the cam 56. Said cam 56 has an inner position which may be termed its active, functioning or positive position and an outer position which may be termed its inactive, non-functioning, negative or idle position.

I provide means to advance said portion of said instrumentalities (or jacks)as preselected-to engage their needles and thereby to present said needles to yarn-taking position. In the presen-t embodiment of the invention, such advancing means is the cam 35.

As already stated, the angle of slope may be varied as desired, and if the cam 56 is out constantly during the making of high splice or like reenforcement, then the Widening of the high splice or like reenforcement occurs upon each successive course, one needle being added at each end of the group upon each succeeding course throughouto the formation of the high splice or like reenforcement, such a high splice or reenforcement being represented in part in Fig. 24.

The cam 92 for restoring the needles which are elevated through the control of their' .feature of my invention may or may not be employed in conjunction with the needle y selection, although such features peculiarly cooperate with each other, and therefore both features are claimed, not only in conjunction but separately.

While I have described a construction of reinforce in which the knitting of the stocking begins at the top of the leg, my invention is not limited in this respect and the knitting of the stocking may be begun at the toe-and in such case the formation of the high splice or other reenforcement would be reversed.

Having-thus described one embodiment of the mechanism of my invention and the best mode knownk to me for practicing the method of my invention, I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular illustrative embodiments shown herein, the scope thereof being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

l. In combination with a circular knitting'` stocking machine having a high splicing finger, a circular series of movable needles,

and means for operating the same for tubular Work, and independent jacks in the grooves of the high splicing needles and rhavina re arator f movement inde endent of the movement of said needles for modifying the movements of the high splicing needles, and means cooperatingwvith the said jacks to cause a successively increasing number of the high splicing needles to take the highsplicing yarn, thereby to knit a high splice tapering in configuration.

2. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and means to introduce la main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, and means including independent instrumentalites individual to and having preparatory movement independent of the movement of a series of said needles and concentric therewith and acting to modify the needle action to effect the formation of a reinforcing or contrasting zone having at least one tapering side.

3. A knitting machine having independently movable needles and meansto introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn and independent jacks in the needle grooves and having preparatory movement independent of the movement of a series of said needles, and functioning in modification of t-he needle action to effect the formation of a reinforcing or contrasting zone having oppositely tapering sides.v

4. A knitting machine having independdelayed movement, said instrumentalities' having preparatory movement vdistinct from the movement of the needles, thereby functioning to modify the needle action to effect the formation of a tapering high splice.

5. A knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn and having independently movable needles. and mea-ns including a key ack and delayed-movement-companion jacks moved with delay, among themselves, by movement of the key jack, said ljacks (2o-operating with a series of the needles to present, in a series of courses, an increasing number of needles to l receive the reinforcing yarn, thereby to form a tapering reenforcement.

6. A circular knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to opierate theI same for the production of nonreinforced circular work` and means including al series of jacks individual to and having preparatory movement relativeito that of each of a group of the said needles, and also including means to impart movement to said jacks in a direction axially ofthe said needles to move a varying number of needles in a. plurality of predetermined courses, to take said reinforcing yarn.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a jack for imparting movement to a knitting needle of the so-called independent type, said jack being distinct from but adapted to move independent of its needle preparatorily to needle movement andalso with its needle to move the latter, said jack having a lateral projection adapted for temporary interengagement with a companion but independently movable jack for movement of one of said jacks by movement of the other.

8. Ay circular stocking knitting machine having means lto introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinfo-rced circular work, and means'including instrumentalities individual to and having preparato-ry movement relative to that of each of a group of said needles, and cam means movable into and out of functioning relation to said instrumentalities and participating in the preparatory movement thereof, said instrumentalities and cam means acting to modify the needle action for the formation of the high splice to cause a varying number of needles'in a plurality of predetermined courses, to take said reinforcing yarn.

9. A circular stockingknitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a. reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the saine for the production of nonreinforced circular work, and. means to modify the needle action for the formation of the high splice, said means including instrumentalities individual to each. of a group of said circular series of needles, advancing meansto move said instrumei'italities in one direction, withdrawing means to move said instrumentalities in another direction, and means to move the withdrawing means out of functioning relation without necessary movement of the advancing `means out of functioning relation, thereby to cause an increasing number of needles in a plurality of predetermined courses to take said reinforcing yarn. and thus to effect the formation of a tapered highsplice.

10. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of nonreinforced circular Work, and means including jacks in the grooves of a group of said needles and having preparatory movement distinct i from the subsequently imposed movement of said needles by their jacks to elevate a varying number `of needles in a plurality of predetern'iined courses to the reinforcing yarn, whereby said v'alrying number of needles take the reinforcing yarn in said courses. n

11. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and aireinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the productionbf non-reinforced circular Work, and means 1ncluding a plurality of cams independently movable into and out of functioning relation and together functioning in the elevation of a progressively varying number of needles Iin a plurality of predetermined courses to the reinforcing yarn whereby said progressively varying number of needles take the reinforcing yarn in said courses.

12. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn. a circular series of 1ndependentlyv movable 'needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular work, and means including instrumentalities in the grooves of the high splice needles and having preparatory movement which is permissivelydifferentiated among such instrumentalities, and which movement is distinct from the movementof the needles, said means acting during the vknitting `of the high splice, to move a varying number of needles in a plurality of predetermined courses, to the reinforcing yarn, whereby said varying number of needles Atake the reinforcing yarn during the'knitting of the high splice.

13. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently `movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work, and means including instrumentalities individual to each of the high splice needles, and having pre paratory movement which is -permissively differentiated among such instrumentalities and which movement is distinct from the movement of said needles; said means acting during the knitting of the high splicel to elevate a varying number of needles in a plurality of predetermined courses, to the reinforcing yarn, ,whereby said varying number of needles, as so elevated, take the reinforcing yarn during the knitting of the high splice. i i

14. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular seriesv of independently movable needles having meansy to opera-te the same for the production of non-reinforced vcircular work, and jack means confined to predetermined needle grooves and having movement therein preparatory to the subsequent movement of the corresponding needles by said jack means, thereby to elevate a varying number of needles in a plurality of predetermined courses,y to the reinforcing yarn, and means for controlling the action of the jack means'.

15. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular.' series ofindependently movable needles having means to operatethe same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work, jacks having among themselves formations adapted for temporary interengagement, withv consequent and permissively-contrasting movement of said jacks, thereby to elevate needles for the production of reinforced. Work and cam means to control said jacks.

16. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing. yarn, av circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work, jacks to elevate needles for the production of reinforced Work, said jacks having among themselves movements which are permissively respectively distinct, and which movements are distinct from the yarntaking movement of the corresponding needles, cam `means to control said jacks, and means to place said cam means in active and inactive positions,

17. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work, jacks to elevate needles for the production of reinforced Work, said jacks having among themselves permissively-preparatory movements which are distinct from the yarn taking movement of the needles, cam means to control said jacks, and means to change the radial position of said cam means. Y

18. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work, jacks to elevatey needles for the production of reinforced Work. said jacks having among themselves permissively-preparatory movements which are distinct from the yarn taking movement of the needles. and a plurality of cams to control said jacks, at least one of said cams being movable relative to the remainder of the said plurality.

19. A circular stocking knitting machine having meansto introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn. a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work. jacks to elevate needles for the production of reinforced work, said jacks having among y themselves permissively-preparatory movements which are distinct from the yarn taking movement of the needles, and a. jack elevating and a jack lowering cam, one of said cams being movable relative to the other.

20. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn.. aI circular series of independently movable needles having mea-ns to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work, jacks to elevate needles for the production of reinforced n Work, said jacks having permissively-contrasting movement among themselves. which movement is preparatory7 to and distinct from the reinforcing-varn-taking movement of the needles, a jack elevating cam, and means to render said cam operative at and for the commencement of reinforced Work.

21. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series o-findependently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of nonreinforced circular Work`l jacks to elevate needles for the production of reinforced work, said jacks having permissively-contrasting movement among themselves, which movement is preparatory to and distinct from the reinforcing-yarn-taking movement of the needles, a ack elevating cam, means to render said 'ca-m operative at and for the commencement of reinforced Work, and a `iack depressing cam.

22. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having meaIlSv to operate the same for the production. of non-reinforced circular Work, jacks to elevate needles for fthe production of rein` forced work, said jacks having permissivelycontrasting movement among themselves, which movement is preparatory to and distinct from the reinforcing-yarn-taking movement of the needles, a jack elevating cam, means to render said cam operative at and for the commencement of reinforced Work, a jack depressing cam, and meansl to render said jack depressing cam 'active and inactive.

23. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce ay main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular Work, jacks to elevate needles for the production of reinforced vv'ork, said jacks having permissivelycontrasting movement among themselves, which movement is preparatory to and distinct from the reinforcing-yarn-taking movement of the needles, a jack elevating cam, means to render said cam operative at and for the commencement of reinforced Work, a jack depressing cam, and cam means for controlling the periodicity of action of said jack depressing cam.

24, A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn anda reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independentlymovable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced circular work, jacks to elevate needles for the production of the high splice, said jacks having permissively-contrasting movement among themselves, which movement is preparatory to and distinct `from the reinforcing-yarntaking movement of the needles, a jack elevating cam, means to render said cam operative at and for the commencement of said high splice, a jack depressing cam, and meansv to control the periodicity of action of said jack depressing cam. l

25. A needle controlling instrumentality movable lengthwise of but independently of the needle and having a lateral operating projection, and an associated, needle-controlling instrumentality having a format-ion positioned for delayed interengagement with said lateral operating projection for functioning in such ylengthwise movement.

26. A needle controlling jack slidable in the needle groove, said jack being structurally distinct from and non-connected to its needle, and having capacity for prepari torymove'ment apart from the movement of its needle, having a lateral projection for cooperation with a companion jack, and such companion jack having a formation for delayedlinterengagement with said lateral projection, for imparting sliding movemend'J to said 'first mentioned jack.

27. A needle controlling jack slidable in the needle groove, said jack being structurally distinct .from and non-co-nnected lto its needle, and having capacity for preparatory movement apart from the movement of its needle; vhavinga lateral projection radially beyond said groove', and a companion jack having a formation for delayed linterengagement with said lateral projection, for imparti-ng sliding movement to the first mentioned jack. i

28. As a new article of manufacture, a jack for imparting movement to a knitting needleof the so-called independent type. said jack being distinct from but adapted to move independent of it-s needle, and also subsequently with its needle to move the latter, said jack having a lateral projection adapted for temporary interengagemen*` with a companion 'but independently'movable jack 'for delayed movement of one of said a'eks by movement of the other.

29'. A series of needle controlling jacks ls `...able in adjacent Yneedle grooves and each having a lateral projection positioned for delayed engagement with an adjacent jack, thereby to kfunction in delayed movement of such ladjacent jack. i.

30. A series of needle controlling jacks each distinct from and adapted to move independently of its needle, said jacks being slidable in adjacent grooves and having interengageable formations, located respectively for temporary, delayed interengagcment,-Whereby one of said jacks functions in imposing, delayed, sliding movement upon an i adjacent jack.

'31, Ay series of needle controlling jacks slidable in adjacent grooves and having provisions'whereby each jack imposes permissi'vely-delayed sliding'movement upon the next jack.

32. A series of jacks slidable in a series of needle grooves, said jacks including a socalled central jack having formations to iinpose permissively-delaved sliding movement uponthe next jack to the right and to the left respectively.

33. -A knitting machine having' a ina-in yarn finger and a reinforcing yarn finger, means to maintain said reinforcing yarn finger stationary during the formation of a series of courses, each of which is but partially reinforced, and jacks in the grooves of the needles to take the reinforciimr yarn, said jacks having permissively-contrasting movements among themselves, which movements are preparatoryto and respectively distinct from the reinforcing yarn-taking movements of the needles, and means for moving said jacks, thereby controlling the needle presentation to said reinforcing yarn finger whereby to effect the reenforccment of parts only, of said series of courses.

34. A circular knitting machine having a main yarn finger and a reinforcingyarn finger, a circular series of needles and knitting cams therefor, means to maintain said reinforcing yarn finger stationary duringthe formation of a series of circular courses, each of which is but partially reinforced, and means, acting through presentation of a varying number 0f needles to said stationary reinforcing yarn finger during circular work, to effect the partial reenforcement only, of each of said series of completecir-` cular sources, said latter means including instrumentalities individual to each of a seriesof the needles to take the.v reinforcing yarn, said instrumentalities having capacity for preparatory movement distinct from the subsequently imposed, reinforcing yarntaking movement of the corresponiling needles, and tivo cams for controlling said instrumentalities, one of said cams being movable independently of the other, into and out of functioning relation to saidinstrumentalities.

35. A circular knitting machine having a main yarn finger and a reinforcing yarn finger, a circular series of' needles and rknitting cams therefor, means to maintain said reinforcing yarn finger stationary ,during the formation of a series of circular courses, each of Which is but partially reinforced, and instrumentalities individual to each of a group of said needles, said instrumentalities having formations positioned for temporary.v delayed interengagement and movement, and acting during circular work t0 present a varying number of needles to said stationary reinforcing yarn finger to effect reenforcement only upon the needles sol presented.

36. A circular knitting machine having,r a main yarn linger and a reinforcing yarn finger, a circular series of needles and knitting cams therefor, means to maintain said reinforcing yarn finger stationary during the formation of a series of circular courses, each of which is but partially reinforced. and. means including jacks in selected needle grooves and having among themseives permissively-differentiated movement distinct from butfollowed by movement of the corresponding needles, and coacting means to cause said instrumentalities to act during circular Work to present an increasing number of needles to said stationary reinforcing yarn nnger to effect a tapered reenforcement. j j

37. A circular stocking knitting machine having a main yarn finger and a reinforcing' positioned for delayed interengagement, said instrumentalities acting in a series of successive courses to elevate an increasing number of needles to receive reinforcing yarn from said reinforcing` yarn finger, thereby to effeet the formation during circular knitting of a tapered reenforcement. i

38. A circular' stocking knitting machineV and having preparatory and permigsively contrasting movement distinct from the reinforcing-yarn-taking` movement ofv said needles, and acting during and for the knitting of the high splice, to elevate, in a series of successive courses, an increasing number of needles, to receive reinforcing yarn from said stati'oiiarily positioned reinforcing yarn finger, thereby to effect the formation of a tapered high splice. 1

39. A circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder with a series of needles and having one or more regular yarn `fingers movable into and out of action and having a predetermined, lowest position', for feeding, and a reinforcing yarn' finger having a feeding position substantially remote cireiimferentially from said regular yarn finger or fingers the feeding osition of said rein,

forcing varn finger beine higher `than that ci l ri t of the said regular yarn linger or ngers,

` and means to present selected needles to said reinforcing yarn finger, said means including instrumentalities individual to each of said selected needles and having capacity for determined lowest position for feeding, and a reinforcing yarn'finger having a feeding position substantially remote circumferentially from said regular yarn finger or fingers, the feeding position of said reinforcing yarn finger being higher than that of the said reOular yarn finger or fingers, and acks in selected needle grooves having permissively contrasting preparatory movement distinct from the reinforcing-yarn-taking movement of the needles, and means co-operating With said jacks to cause in a series of successive courses, the lifting of a gradually increasing number of needles, to take-the reinforcing yarn at said feeding position of said reinforcing yarn finger.

4l. In ,a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a series of independently movable needles, and a corresponding.;` series of ljacks each having preparatory movement independent of its needle and also movement with its needle, each of a plurality of said jacks having a lateral formation for engagement with a companion jack, whereby each j ack having a lateral formation is moved through engagement of a companion jack with that lateral formation.

lf2. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a series of independently movable needles, and a corresponding series of jacks each having movement independent of its needle and also with its needle, each of av plurality -of said jacks having` a lateral formation positioned for delayed. engagement With a companion jack, whereby each jack having a lateral formation is moved through engagement of aj companion jack With that lateral formation. y

43. In a knitting machine for making fabric vith contrasting zones or areas, a series of independently movable needles, and a corresponding `series of jacks each having movement independent of its needle and also with its needle, each of a plurality of said jacks having a lateral formation to be engaged by a companionjack, each lateral formation being so'positioned lengthwise its jack as to compel movement of such jack only after initial movement of that companion ark which is to engage such lateral formation and thereby cause movement.

44. ln a knitting machine for making fabric with' contrasting Zones or areas, a series of separately movable knitting instrumentalities each of a pluiality'of Which has a lateral formation positioned for delayed engagement With a companion instrumentality of said' series, whereby each instrumentality having a lateral formation is moved through engagement of a companion instrumentality of said series therewith.

45. In knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a

`initial movement of that companion instrumentality of the series which is to engage such lattral formation.

46. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting Zones or areas, a series of butted independent jacks for a series of knitting needles, and having movement independent of such needles preparatorily to needle movement, certain of said jacks having butts of one formation and one or more other of said jacks having a butt of a contrasting formation, said jack or jacks having such contrasting-formation. butt constituting a key jack or jacks and the other jacks of the series having lateral formations for interengagement with and movement by a companion jack of the series, whereby commencing with the key jack or jacks each jack moves a companion jack.

4:7. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting Zones or areas, a series'of butted jacks for a series of knitting needles, and having movement independent of such needles, certain of said jacks having butts of one formation and one or more other of said jacks having a butt of a contrasting formation, said jack or jacks having such contrasting-formation butt constituting a key jack or jacks and the other jacks of the series having lateral formations for interengagement with and movement by a companion jack of the series, whereby commencing with the key jack or jacks each jack moves a companion jack, each lateral formation being so positioned lengthwise its jack that such jack is moved only after initial movement of the jack which engages such lateral formation.

48. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a series of needles, and a series of instrimentalities individual thereto but having preparatory movement independent thereof and also movement therewith, each of said instrumentalities having a formation whereby it is individually moved toward its needle, and each of a plurality at least of said instrumentalities having a lateral formation to be engaged by and its instrumentality moved by a companion instrumentality of the series. v

49. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a series of needles, and a series of independent instrumentalities individual thereto but having preparatory movement independent thereof and also movement therewith, each of said instrumentalities having a formation whereby it is individually moved toward its needle, and each of a plurality at least of said instrumentalities having a lateral formation to be engaged by and its instrumentality moved by a companion instrumentality of the series, in combination with advancing cam means to engage the first mentioned formation and thereby move such instrumentality individually toward its needle.

50. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a series of needles and a series of independent instrumentalities individual thereto but having preparatory movement independent thereof and also movement therewith, each of said instrumentalities having a formation whereby it is individually moved toward its needle, and each of a plurality at least of said instrumentalities having a lateral formation to be engaged by and its instrumentality moved by a companion instrumentality of the series, in combination with ad-` vancing cam means to engage the first mentioned formation and thereby move such instrumentality individually toward its needle, and retracting cam means to engage said first mentioned formation and thereby move such instrumentality individually from its needle.

51. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a series of needles, and a series ofvindependent instrumentalities individual'thereto but having preparatory movement .independent thereof and also therewith, each of said instrumentalities having a formation whereby it is individually moved toward its needle,

and each of a plurality at least of said in? strumentalities having a lateral formation to be engaged by and its instrumentality moved by a companion instrumentality of the series, in combination with advancing cam means to engage the first mentioned formation and thereby move such instrumentality individually toward its needle, retracting cam means to engage said first mentioned formation and thereby move such instrumentality individually from its needle, and means to render the advancing cam means active or inactive.

52. In a knitting machine for making fabric with contrasting zones or areas, a series of needles, and a series of independent instrumentalities individual thereto but having preparatory movement independent thereof and also therewith, each of said instrumentalities having a formation whereby it is individually moved toward its needle, and each of a plurality at least of said instrumentalities having a lateral formation to be engaged by and its instrumentality moved by a companion instrumentality of the series, in combination with advancing cam means to engage the first mentioned formation and thereby move such instrumentality individually toward its needle, retracting cam means toengage said iirst'mentioned formation andthereby move such instrunientality individually from its needle, and means to render the retracting cam means active or inactive. i

53. A series of independent knitting needles; a series of .independent instrumentalities therefor and having preparatory movement independent of said needles and also having needle-actuating movement with said needles, companion members of said instrumentalities having. interengaging formations, and at least one of said instrumentalities being a key member of the series, and adapted to engage and move a companion instrumentality of the series through engagement of the inter-engaging formations of said key member and said companion instrumentality; and that companion instrumentality being adapted to move another instrumentality of the series by reason of the interengagement of their formations.

54. A series of independent knitting needles; a series of independent instrumentalities therefor and having preparatory movement independent of said needles and also having needle-actuating' movement with said needles, companion members of said instrumentalities having interengaging formations, and at least one of said instrumentalities being a key member ofthe series, and adapted to engage and move a. companion instrumentality of the series through engagement of the interengaging formations of said key member and said companion instrumentality; and that companion instrumentality being adapted to move another 1nstrumentality of the series by reason of the interengagement of their formations; means for advancing said instrumentalities; means for retracting said instrumentalities; and means for rendering inactive at least one of said two means.

55. A series of independent knitting needles; a series of independent instrumentalities therefor and having preparatory movement independent of said needles and also having needle-actuating movement with said needles, companion members of said instrumentahties having interengaging formations,

andv at least one of said instrumentalities being a key member of the series, and adapted to engage and move a companion instrumentality of the series through engagement of the interengaging formations of said key member and said companion instrumentality; and 'that companion instrumentality being adapted to move another instrumentality of the series by reason of the interengagement of their formations; means for advancing said instrumentalities; means for retracting said instrumentalities; and means for rendering said retractingmeans.inactive without necessary inactivity of said advancing means. i

56. In a knitting` machine for making fabric with contrasting Zones or areas, a se-. ries of independent butted jacks for a series of knitting needles and-having preparatory movement independent ofsuch needles, a

.plurality of said jacks having short butts and at least one other of said jacks havinga-v long butt, said jack or jacks having a long butt constituting a key jack or jacks'and the short butted jacks of the serieshaving lateral formations for interengagement with and movement by a companion lshort butt' jack whereby commencing with the key jack or jacks each jack moves a companion jack. 57. A circular stocking knitting machine having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of inde-*- pendently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production'of nonreinforced circular work, and means to modify the needle action for the formation of the high splice, said means inchiding instrumentalities individual to and movable preliminarily to movement of and also movable with each of a group of said circular series of needles. advancing` means to move said instrumentalities in one direction, withl drawing means to move said instrumentalities 'in another direction, and means to move the withdrawing means out of functioning relation without necessary movement of the advancing means out of functioning rela-1l tion, thereby to cause an increasing number vof needles in a plurality of predetermined courses to take said reinforcing yarn.

58. A circular stocking knitting machine I having means to introduce a main yarn and a reinforcing yarn, a circular series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the` production of nonreinforced circular work, and means to mod? ify the needle action for the'formation of the hi gh splice. said means including yinstrumentalities individual to and movable preliminarily to movement of and also movable with each of a group of said circular series of needles. advancing means to move said instrumentalities in one'direction, withdrawing means to move said instrumentalities in another direction, said advancing means and said withdrawing means being independently controllable.

'59. -A knitting` machine having means to introduce a main yarn and 'a reinforcing yarn. ya series of independently movable needles having means to operate the same for the production of non-reinforced work, jacks to elevate the needles for the produc-- tion of reinforced work and having preparatory, permissively-contrasting movement independent of the reinforeing-yarn-taking

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