US1505973A

US1505973A - Knitting machine

Info

Publication number: US1505973A
Application number: US587689A
Authority: US
Inventors: Seiders Heister
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1922-09-12
Filing date: 1922-09-12
Publication date: 1924-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 1941-08-26

Description

Augc 26 R924. ,505,973

l A H. sEuDERs KNITTTNG MACHINE Filed Sept. l2, 1922 lO Sheets-Sheet l Mr l1 ugilq HI Illunm un lli www Ill W @s I l,

MUM(

A TTORNEYS.

Aug. 26 w24., @95%,913

' H. SEDERS KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. l2, 1922 lO Sheets-Sheet 5v L E 193 Z215 (542% Il l 1.190#rv jg;

WITNESSES:

Aug. 26 B924. ,505,973

H. SEHDERS KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. l2 1922 lO Sheets-Sheet 4 FIC?. ZZIZ W l TNESSES:

All@ 25, w22@ @95%,973

H. SEHDERS KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. l2o 1922 10 SheetsuShee; 5

WITNESSES:

Aug@ 26 v 39M Filed Sept. 12 1922 W1 TNESSES:

www@

H. SEHDERS KNITTING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 uw iillllllllmllll.I ZZ' win Si 19.7 ZM

Aug 26 11924. 3505,93@

H.SEIDERS KNITTING MACHINE El@ m A 1 j f lmmlllllllf 11 L ,69 L; WITNESSES.- y 59 E 457 t, by fl INI/ENTOR- KNITTING MACHINE Filed sept. 12 1922 lo sheets-sheet 9 INVENTOR: Y ,Zzser Slrs,

B y WM TTORNE YS.

Am@ 2 W24., 1955y973 H. SEHDERS KNITTINGMCHINE Filed Sept.v l2 1922 1 0 Sheets-Shag?, l0

ATTORNEYS.

MAC

nppica'ton xled september i2, 292%,

A "he nuxiiinry ods ric'srrninc ish@ j of cornncncsmcn'b of (ins ciocir strip-cs, prom-action of ornamentation. one oncis of the cocir stripes, cessation of che opsrsfcion of 'ins arc nary foods during ne of the imei pooirsss resumption aciviy of the :if/sois at thc confoision one licei pocirc' so chain che ciocir iA f menta'ion "no continued sions bho fooi: porions ne stock' @ther objscs and n To @55 whom 25 may @0f/wem:

if@ known that L Hns'rnn grimms, s oof tho Unire@ Stat-es, residing nt Bending, coun'y or. Barks5 and Sta-.ro lcjcnnsylVania9 have invsnsci certain 3W nn i nssn nprovomcns in Kniing l cifnss, whereof ino oiiowing is a, snscnsationv reference being "had to fino accomcirWingse MJ invention roa'tcs no knitting fnac'J and iizs primary object is fa-o snanic procuro- -crnnnicnation such for srampio as my n Jsn'tion Wiii be rondiiy -1 so-csiisd clock srijncs upon hosiery concnriii@ cieaiied ciescripion anni reni/ij; wish in@ irntbing fthe fabric so Sno scops ofmy invention Wii? v 21' ons@ an a'lfbrsc'aivo and sainbio produc in die aposnricd ciains,

be obfnincd Wi'rbhouft ne objsctionsbie *groinc @ra-.Wings Figure s mnsrnncos cimraceristic of hosi ry whore View of a iniing mach on ornsrnsn vsion subs/sc 'xeniy rnpiier. embodying my invention as it iis en obra by sion @sans Viewec, from *one Viront7 v whsrsby nnxiiiary to ne noedies 'ons sfzsndun silnui'nnsonsy n@no Figur/'s l; nim/sci 'to proucs the bod c viewed moans 'whereby ons 'csoinrf o s is porsoeofrs c convonicndiy when scc'zionsi View of ics-sci oy 'ins nr such as s1 moans i cci Sti? anofiior objec' of my inver prow/ido summary yarn feeding mechanism for producing ornamental sfccs for use in as indicdsd. by conjuncion with machines especially ndsptarrows "if l Figure ed :for rho manu'scisuro o1?. nerfs *full or naif Figure A is n oisai' sectional View Laken hose in which after n ribbs top, knit on a as inc icaied by the arrows X-l in spcciai nia-chine, is transform@ 'for compiouro "WH,

ion of the ieg ami foot portions in pro- Figure X is a fragnicniary -esii socsion m5 ongation. Wish die @noi in View if 'provide of che rocker arm which is instrlnnen'ai in mea-ns for automaticaiy withdrawing the imparting osoiila'fory motion 'o ne. auxiauxiiary yarn :feeding moans from a normai iary yarn scs'. v y position in proximity 'bo the imirtng eie- Figure U is 2idcta-ii sectional 'View baken No as ndicaed by the arrows X--X in Figure XV.,

Flgurs XM is @n amai sectional 'nsw o' ments so as to permit access to faire needle cyiincr necessary 1n @Hearing transfer, together Wlth means ror controihng she operathe housing for the auxiliary yarn feeds together with the means whereby it is supported.

Figure Xlll is a sectional plan taken as indicated by the arrows Xlll-Xlll in Figure Xlll.

Figure XFV is an axial section indicated by the arrows XlV-Xll in Figure XH.

Figure XV is an elevation of the housing for the auxiliary yarn feeds as it appears when viewed from the left of Figure XH, and showing the manner in which the auxiliary yarn is fed to the knitting needles.

Figures Xll and XVM are sectional views taken as indicated by the arrows XVl-Xl/'l and XVlll-XVH respectively in Figure XH.

Figure Xlllll is an inverted plan view taken as indicated by the arrows Xlflll- XVlll in Figure XH.

Figures XIX and XX are diagrammatic fragmentary sectional views showing the means by which the depressors for the auxiliary yarn are actuated.

Figure XXl is a perspective view of one of the auxiliary yarn feeds in isolation.

Figure XXlll is a similar View of the holder element to which the auxiliary yarn feed is adjustably attached.

Figurej XXlll is a detail cross-sectional view showing the means whereby the auxiliary feed is clamped to the holder element after the proper adjustment has been se.

cured. o

Figure XXF is a perspective view of one of the jacks whereto the holder for the auxiliary yarn feed is fulcrumed.

Figure XXV illustrates the appearance of a stocking produced by my improved knitting machine.

Figure XXVI is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the auxiliary yarn is wrapped about a definite group of knitting needles under sweeping action of the auxiliary yarn feed.

Figure XXVlfll is an illustration of thel sprocket chain which determines the length of the stocking knitted. on the machine.

Figure XXVHI is a similar view of the supplemental sprocket chain which controls the raising and lowering of the auxiliary yarn feeding mechanism also certain of the elements embodied in said mechanism; and Figure XXlX is a fragmentary view of the measuring chain showing the same in the performance of one of the special functions alloted to it.

Referring first to the general illustrations Figures l to V inclusive, it will be observed that the knitting machine therein shown comprises a knitting mechanism generally indicated by the numeral l, and an auxiliary yarn feeding mechanism with appropriate control devices comprehensively indicated at '30. The knitting mechanism includes a .height from the floor..

Menara needle cylinder and various other parts of' the knitting machine. rJlhe bed plate 6 is in turn mounted upon an appropriate standard 7 so as to be sustained at a convenient The drive for vthe cam cylinder 4 further includes a shaft 8 with tight and loose pulleys 9 and l0., respectively, adapted to be coordinated by means of a belt (not shown) with driving v means which may be of any approved type suitable for the purpose., A trigger actuated belt shifting mechanism l1 capable of automatic operation as later set forth serves to transfer the driving belt from the tight pulley 9 to the loose pulley 10 to stop the machine at various stages in the knitting of a stocking. lln order that the cam cylinder d may be oscillated in the production of heel and toe pockets, a suitable clutch organization 12 is also provided, the shifting of said clutch mechanism being controllable through a hand lever shown at 1.3 in Figure ll. rllhe clutchmechanism 12 aforesaid is of standard design and the details thereof have therefore been omitted from the drawings. 'llhe cam cylinder 4, in addition to the usual knitting cams has also associated with it, pickers which are operative upon the needles during the formation of the heel and toe pockets in a well known manner and other standard accessories usual as well as necessary to the production of hosiery. The main -or body yarn M is supplied to the needles 3 from a bobbin B mounted with others upon a carrier 14: attached to the cam cylinder 1land guided first between friction disks 15 supported byv the carrier thence through a notch in a bow of bent wire 16 to an eyelet 17 at the end of a tension spring arm 18, and finally through a feed aperture in a latch guard ring 19 which encircles the protruding ends of the knitting needles 3, (see Figures ll and lll). The length of the stocking is controlled in a well known manner by al measuring chain 20 passing about a driving sprocket 21 which is mounted on a shaft 22 Journaledin suitable bearings of the bed plate 6. Secured upon the shaft 22 with the sprocket 2l is a ratchet wheel 23 (See Figure dill) arrangeur` to be intermittently progressed by a pawl 24 reciprocated by an eccentric or analogous means coordinated with the main driving shaft 8 of the machine. rllhe measurin chain 20 carries at one side, a series of hig links 25, 25a, and 25b which cooperate with shifting mechanism 11 aforementioned. The

osciiiacory a beei @ooi/iet5 i? the pickers, eiul ',ions so iba@ *son knitting may be of die inst/e9 of ooninuousij/ as ion oi ine Mac-ned Where die eye again Jae automaticaiiy so foiin the s Te'aiatoiy to e @bis eycie of i'epeated 't stockings,

aions being;` oonunuousiy eoesswe poouo'ion of 1in-e ce 'ine inavonine is arranged a ooez? oi in oiiei Words, "io con n n :ijaorics on einer machines and subsequently ansfe'freof 'ne machine undei eonsideia'zion for ooinp ance Wien estab oracice in oi. o neini, Wiidce feeds ny 'Winoo 'the auiiii tion of oin special consid in Lne sto-siiing,

Coming nos' meenamsm7 eetij; above and having ingiaiiy oinied ibeieiv bi'aciet eaten designed ibo oveibang tbe needie (1j/'ia Suspended zbe end of 'die bracite' ex'cension 33 is a housing in which die operaibing mechanism for `he auxiiiaij,7 j/ain feed is conceaied and protected. Eefeiiingj now more paiticuaiiy to Figures l io XVH inoiusiven it wiii be noted that 'ine housing 34 inciudes a su p" porting niembei 3G which is generaiiy oiicniai' in form and secured o the lower end of a sieeve 37 axially aligned wich iie neede cylinder 2. This sleeve 3'? is heid, Wib. provisions for-adjustment, in a spii't clamp boss 38 forming part of the oveibanging extension oi be ffaune 3L The suppoiing ineinbei' 36 has *Cadiai slots Si# foi guidance of jacks 38a ffoin which depend integrai buts or spuds 39 for actuation by a cam groove C0 in a disk al secured to the iower end of Veiicai shaft a2; fine ia'tei being iouinaed foi iosation wionin tbe sieeve 37 aforemen- *ioned The portion of the shaft. 4:2 above sieeve 3"? has suppoit afbeaiing 43 aise oinino an'c oi #be ovcibanging baeiaet. Fiona igufe if; is *no be especiaiiiy obseived iie conguiaion of c in tbe diei ii is snob as 'to deceiinine iecipiocaloi] motion of be jacks This motion is iinpa'f'ed io holders for 'die auxiiiay feeds 55 in the oiin of aiins fl y 'vircue o. die pivoa. eonneccion oi the dbe aois 08; The auxiiiaiy -eeds L( guie l? '--i have i'eaii n g siianks 3, so bai; "Lbey o in adiiised ooeiions go (the e I i by -means of si which einbiace said ainis f The ciamping action fefiotaabie clamping devices 8 ecoenLie jooiions i3 enga, adjacent 'be ends ie et' tbe are "if une auxiio ne ends i;- aie oion suon as to comH diary Vai-n .L o groups n j as may be on 4' enai pa- A 11s oeiiiatoiy "ii-ging iibe cfa cai'ovided ependmgn pins i eizs 52 guided iol i'eoipiooa'tion ifadi y in grooves 53 oi guide pieces which are set, in Jche peiipberai flange 'mili of a cover ineinber o5 oiining pari Jdie housing 34. rThis @over member has an inegrai aXiai proiongaion in she oiin of an upwardly eX- ending sieeve 5Gy capable of moving independently about the fixed sleeve 37 of the supporting ineinber 3G of the housing 34 The seeve 56 eiminates at a iegion between CIJ the split clamp boss 38 and a bearing 57 of the Overhang32 and secured thereto at this point7 is a lever arm 58 which, in being swung back and forth imparts oscillatory movement to the housing member such oscillation being in turn transmitted to the auxiliary yarn feeds 35. rlhese yarn feeds 35 are thus given a compound motion which, as will be best understood from Figure XXVl, begins with the full line position from whence said feeds are first shifted substantially concentrically with the needles 3 at the inside of the latter, thence projected forward through said needles lmmediately following this latter movement the feeds 35 are swept along the needles 3 to to the outside of the latter and finally retracted radially to the original position of starting thereby laying or wrapping the auxiliary yarn about a number of said nee? dles, the number comprehended in the sweep of t-he feeds being determined by governing mechanism yet to be explained.

rllhe appearance of the auxiliary yarn A upon the face of the knitted fabric is predetermined by definitely controlling the laying Y of said yarn at the time of its feeding to the needles 3 with respect to the feeding level of the main or body yarn lvl; or, in other words, in order to obtain the desired effect it is necessary that the auxiliary yarn A be placed on the shanks of the needles 3 below the level at which the body yarn M is fed. l accordingly provide for depressing the auxiliary yarn A immediately upon its being wrapped about the needles 3 as previously explained and before the region of the feeding of the main or body yarn M is reached. rlhe means which l employ to this end comprises arcuate depressors 6() curved in conformity with the periphery of the housing 3st to move in close proximity to the latter. rFliese depressors are secured to the ends of arms 61 mounted to swing independently about the shaft 42 as an axis. The forward or leading ends of the depressors 60 are beveled as at 62 to afford inclined edges which, as said depressors are moved to pass over the portions of the auxiliary yarn A wrapped about the needles 3 and .in reaching a position indicated in dot and dash lines in Figure XV, depress said auxiliary yarn A to a level slightly above the tips of the needle latches when in open position` thereby allowing ample leeway for feeding of the main or body yarn M above the same. rlhe arms 61 of the depressors 60 move within recesses 63 in the bottom face of the member 36 of the housing 34-7. At a point approximately midway of their lengths, the arms 61 are apertured as at 64 to receive balls 65 of such a diameter that they normally project beyond said arms at the lower side as clearly shown in the diagrammatic illustrations of Figure XIX, so

ioaeva as to be engageable by an upstanding projection or interruption 66 in a concentric groove 67 formed in the cam disk 41 previously referred to. IConsidering the direction of rotation of the cam disk Lll to be that indicated by the arrow in Figure XIX it will be apparent that the projection 66 will successively engage the balls 65 thereby carrying along the arms 6l in the direction of rotation of said cam disk to an extent limited by the recession of the balls 65 into receiving cavities 68 in the recesses 63 as clearly shown in Figure XX. See also Figure Xlllll. After the passage of the projections 66 beyond the regions of the pockets 68, the balls 65 are released so that the depresser arms 61 may be retracted to normal position against stop shoulders of the' recesses 63 at one side under the pull of helical springs 69 accommodated in cavities 70.

rlhe auxiliary yarn A is supplied from bobbins l supported upon al carrier 71 sup ported by the bracket extenson 32 of the frame 31. Beginning with the bobbins B the course of the auxiliary yarn threads is first through guide eyelets 72 supported by a tree 73 thence through friction disks 74. The auxiliary yarn threads are next directed to guide eyelets 75 supported by plates 76 sustained by short posts 77 at an elevation from the housing 34 for the auxiliary yarn feeds 35 as clearly shown in Figures ll, XH, Xlll'and XV. ln addition to the eyelets 75 said plates carry spring tension devices 78 which assist in maintaining the auxiliary yarns taut enroute to the eyes of the auxiliary yarn feeds 35.

For the purpose of controlling the action of the auxiliary yarn -feeds 35 so that th@ extent of their oscillation and hence the scope of their feeding may be varied to p-roduce corresponding variat-ions in the ornamental design effects, l have provided control or governing mechanism which comprises instrumentalities as follows:

'lhe lever arm 58 previously described as being secured to the slee-ve 66 of the movable housing member 36 is coordinated through the medium of a link 79 with a rocker arm 80. This arm 8O is formed with` an integral rock shaft 81 for journalling in a bearing boss 82 of the bracket 31. rlhe rocker arm 8O (see Figure X) is made hollow to receive a block 83 capable of being moved longitudinally of said arm in order that the effect of the latter upon the amplitude of oscillation of the auxiliary yarn feeds 35 may be correspondingly varied.

The upper end of the block 83 has a clevis formed therein for reception and pivotal attachment of the rear end of the link 79. The block 83 is secured by means of a clamp plate 84 to an endless belt 85 of flexible material preferably steel passing over a re-difia modera recting idler pulley 86 rotatably mounted in a bracket arm 87 depending from the rocker arm thence horizontally through an opening in the rock shaft 81 of the rocker arm 80 where it parallels its return run.A Uudue friction between the parallel runs of the belt 85 at the region of directional change is avoided through separation by an arcuate plate 88.

Referring now to Figures l, 11 and 1V, the belt 85 will be observed to emerge from the opening through the rock shaft 81 and to pass over idler pulleys 89 at the end of a supporting arm 90 fulcrumed about ashaft 91 which is journalled in the upright portions 93-94 of the bracket frame 31. rllhe idlers 89 serve in their turn to re-direct the two strands of the belt toward a drive pulley 95 fixed upon theshaft 91. The tiexible belt 85 is maintained under tension by a strut interposed between the upper end of the supporting arm 90 and the bracket 31 said strut being in the form of a rod 96 with one end threaded for longitudinal adjustment in a sleeve member 97 whereby said rod is pivotally attached to the arm 90. 'llhe shaft 91 is rotated in one direction or the other by a reversible ratchet mechanisml including a ratchet wheel 98 having two sets of

teeth

99 and 100 which are oppositely pitched as clearly shown in Figure V for selective picking by

pawls

101 and 102 respectively. These

pawls

101, 102 are spring pressed in a direction toward the ratchet wheel 98 and pivoted adjacent the ends of lever arms 103 .freely rotatable about the shaft 91. The segmental gears 104 secured to the pawl arms 103 are engaged by racks 105 slidable in guide members 106 also freely movable about the shaft 91 and connected at their upper ends by a common pivot pin to the outer end of a lever 107 which is pivoted intermediate its ends to a lug 108 of the bracket 31. rlhe free end of the lever 107 carries a roller 109 designed to engage a rotary cam 110 appropriately configured to impart rocking motion to said lever. The cam 110 is secured to a shaft 111 which extends in a direction longitudinally of a machine under support of journal bearings of the bracket 31, and which serves to drive the shaft 42 of the auxiliary yarn feed mechanism through a miter gear couple 112,v see Figure X11. Activity of the pawls 101-102 is selectively controlled by a guard 113 whose opposite ends are adapted to uncover one or the other set of

teeth

99, 100 of the ratchet 98. The pawl guard 113 is also mounted for independent rotation about the shaft 91 by virtue of attachment to a plate 114 hung from said shaft. rllhe gear 'teeth 115 of this plate are in mesh with an oscillating sector 116 fulcrumed about a fixed pin 117 engaged in the bracket 31. rllhe sector 116 is in a form of a bell crank lever with its shorter extremity connected by means of a link 118 to a lever arm 119 fulcrumed at 120 to a post depending from the horizontal portion 32 of the frame 31, see Figure V. The opposite end of the lever 119 is in turn connected by a. link 121 to a tappet arm 122 pivoted to an upstanding post 123 also secured in the plate 32. 'lhe free end of the tappet arm 122 is beveled as at 124 for co-operation with a pattern wheel 125 having peripheral notches comprehend.- ed by the numeral 126 with subscripts, and elevations or projections similarly desig. nated generally by the numeral 127. rl'his pattern wheel 125 is fixed to a shaft 128 journalled in bearing bosses of the

upright portions

93 and 94 of the bracket 31 and extends in parallelism to the shaft 91 aforementioned. The shaft 128 has also mounted upon it a driving ratchet wheel 129 arranged to be intermittently actuated by a pawl 130 upon the free end of an arm 131 independently swingable about the shaft 128. 'llhe arm 131 is oscillated by reason of being connected through interposition of a rod 132 with an eccentric 133 on the horizontal overhead shaft 111 so that as the latter is rotated, continuous oscillatory motion is imparted to the pawl 130. The action of said pawl 130 is however controlled by a guard 134 pivotally attached to one end of a double armed lever 135 free upon the shaft 128, the opposite end of said lever being in turn coordinated by a link 136 with an arm 137 secured to a rock shaft 138, see Figures 1V and V. rl`he latter shaft 138 is supported for rotation in bearing pieces 139 secured to the plate 32 of frame 31 and extends forward toward the knitting mechanism 1 to afford attachment for a linger 140 normally occupying a position within the path of movement of the pin 141 secured in the outer end of a dog 142 which is swingable about a stud 143 fixed in a lug of the bed plate 6 of the knitting mechanism 1. The dog 142 has a projection 144 which rides upon the links of the measuring chain 20. To one of the links of the chain is pivotally hung a bow shaped engagingmember 145 whose free end rests upon a special high link 146 several plain links intervening. Other

special cam links

147 and 148 also serve to engage the dog 142 as will be later explained. rlllhe curvature of the member 145 is such as to be concentric with the sprocket wheel 21 in passing about the latter as clearly shown in Figure XXlX, and its length is such as to determine several successive pickings of the ratchet wheel 129. rl`he pattern wheel 125 lis thus directly subject to the measuring chain 20. ln accordance with the present arrangement, the pattern wheel 125 is normally inactive and, as a consequence of this and since the point of attachment of the link 79 to the rocker arm 8O normally occupies the position shown in Figure lll oscillatory motion of unvarying amplitude will be imparted to the auxiliary `feeds 35 through a range say over one or two needles 3 so that the ornamentation is preordered as clock stripes. However, when the bow member 145 of the measuring chain 20 encounters the dog 142, the pattern wheel 125 is set in motion since through the movement of said dog and the motion imparted through intervening elements, the guard 134 for the pawl 130 is retracted thereby permitting progressive rotation of the driving ratchet 129 for the pattern wheel 125.

Pausing for a moment at this juncture to study the function of the pattern wheel 125 it will be noted that as' the same turns in the direction of the arrow in Figure V, the free end 124 of the tappet 122 first encounters the notch 126 in the periphery of said wheel as a consequence of which the sector 116 connected by the linkage 118-119 and 121 already explained to said tappet is shifted to uncover a number of the teeth 99 of the ratchet 98 thus permitting the pawl 101 to progress said ratchet in a clockwise direction. This movement is communicated through the medium of the shaft 91 and the driving pulley to the elastic band 85 thereby shifting the block 83 in the rocker arm 8O and hence lowering the pivotal connection with the link 79. This results in impartation of a greater throw to the oscillation of the auxiliary yarn feeds 35 with correspondingly greater range of feeding so that the needles 3 supplied in each special group is increased. When the tappet 122 encounters the first projection 127 of the pattern wheel 125 as considered with reference to the direction of rotation, (Figure V), the pawl guard 113 is swung to uncover the teeth l with the result that the ratchet wheel 98 is shifted counterclockwise thereby restoring the pivotal connection of link 79 to the rocker arm 80 to its original position. The operation of the pattern mechanism up to this point determines the formation of a cross bar C in the clock stripe liD as illustrated in Figure XXV. The three notches 126, 1261, 126c are functional in magnifying the -amplitude of oscillation of the auxiliary yarn feeds 35 for the next three courses of the knitting while the three succeeding projections 127% 1271, 127c reverse the process thereby determining an ornamental head H at the top end of the pin stripe P. The last of the notches of the pattern Wheel indicated at 126d determines the production of a second cross bar C in the clock stripe l), While the last of the projections 127d effects restoration of the parts of the control mechanism to normal so that from this point on the oscillations of the auxiliary yarn feeds 35S-are unvaried thereby determining the production of plain stripes in continuation. Oveibanking in the course of the shiftings of the pattern wheel 125 is obviated by a spring pressed brake shoe 149, see Figure TT and V. Tn case the normal position of the shaft 91 is disturbed by accident or otherwise it may be restored to Such position by turning a winged collar provided for the purpose until arrested byy the engagement of a stop finger 151 with -a portion of the frame 31, see Figure T 'and' Tllll. A brake collar 152 effective upon the shaft 91 prevents impartation' of excess movement in the course of the operation of the' reversible pawling mechanism.

Motion of the rocker arm 80 is induced by a disk cam'155 (Figure HI) fixed upon a vertical shaft 156 supported within bearings 157 of the upright member 94 of the frame 31, said shaft serving also to drive the shaft 111 by a bevel gear couple indicated at 158.

The cam has peripheral protuberances.

159 and also a groove 160, said protuberances and groove operating in concert to eect 0scillation of a bell crank lever 161. This lever 161 is fulcrumed about a iXed pivotv post -162 and at its shorter arm carries a roller 163 which engages with the cam groove while its longer end is slotted as shown at 164 to engage with a pin 165 mounted in the end of av slide bar 166 comprised in a motion translating device indicated by the numeral 167 in Figure HT. To the lower end of the pin 165 aforesaid is secured a roller 168 whlcli engages the periphery of the cam 155. The bar 166 is slidably guided within a casin of the device 167 which is screwed to the p ate 32 and, at its inner end, has gear teeth in mesh with a segmental pinion ,169 concealed Within said casing. This pinion 169 is secured to a shaft 170 which extends upwardly from the casing to a second motion translating device 171 whose details are shown in Figure XT. The lat-ter device 171, like the first, comprises a toothed slide bar 172 to which motion is imparted by virtue of intermeshing with another segmental pinion 173 also secured to the vertical shaft 170. A. coiled spring 174 surrounds the shaft 170 and imparts torsion to maintain the rollers 163 and 168 of the bell crank lever 161 in engagement with the cam 155. The upper end of the shaft 17 0 is `iournalled in a bearing member 175 formed with a boss 176 which embraces the horizontal shaft 111, hereinbefore mentioned, and which is held from displacement thereon between the cam 110 and the eccentric 133. Movement of the slide bar 172 is in turn imparted, through an interposed link 177, to a lever 178 attached to the end of the shaft of the rocker army 80 which protrudes to the opposite side of the bearing 82. As best shown in Figure X, the pivotal connection between the link 177 and the lever 178 consists of a pin 179 carried in a block 180 whose rear face is serrated for engagement with the complementarily serrated face of said lever, see Figure X. The

escasas transmission to-the arm 178, such amplification being directly communicated to the auxiliary feeds 35 so that further variations may be obtained in the ornamental eEect produced by them.

Although the machine as herein arranged is adapted to production of clock stripes' upon hosiery, it is apparent that in lieu of such stripes various ornamental design patterns may be produced by successive rotations of the pattern wheel 125 and also hy varying its peripheral configuration in accordance with the design or ornamentation desired. Also, if desired the number of stripes may beincreased simply by employment of additional auxiliary yarn feeds 35.

As previously stated, l have shown my invention in association with a so-called semi-automatic machine of the type used in completing half hose after transfer of ribbed tops to the machine. rlherefore, in order to make such transfer possible it becomes necessary to effect withdrawal, or as in the present case, elevation of the housing 34 of the auxiliary yarn feeds 35 above the top of the needle cylinder 2 so that either the latter may be removed for transfer or the ribbed top applied to the needles 3. This desideratum l secure by mounting the bracket fra-ine 31 which carries the auxiliary yarn feeds 35, together with their operating mechanism, upon a vertical post 185 which is slidalole in a bearing 186 formed as an integral part of an extension plate 187 bolted to the main bed plate 6 of the machine. At one side, said post 185 is longitudinally grooved to accommodate with provision for independent movement a slide rod 188* F ig. Vllf-with gear teeth 189 which are engaged by a gear pinion 190 (Fig. V1) appropriately journalled adjacent the bearing 186. rl`his gear pinion 190 is in turn, in mesh with a worm 191 fastened upon a vertical shaft 192 whose lower end projects into a gear casing 193 for attachment thereto of a beveled gear 194C, see Fig. VH. The bevel gear 194; is arranged to be driven by one or the other of two

intermeshing pinions

195, 196 mounted for independent rotation upon a shaft'197 journalled in the gear casing 193. To the right hand or protruding end of the shaft 197 (Fig. VH) is secured a drive pulley 198 which may be co-ordinated by belt with the source of power which drives the machine proper, and is constantly rotated. ln order that the

pinions

195 and 196 may be selectively coupled to the shaft 192 according as to whether the post 185 is to be elevated or lowered, l have provided a clutch sleeve 199 whose opposite ends are appropriately configured to engage with projections on the contiguous faces of the pinions 1953-196. rllhe clutch sleeve 199 has a central .circumferential groove for engagement by a shifting fork 200 secured to a slide rod 201. An actuating finger 202 engages within a bifurcation formed in a depending lug of the fork 200, and is secured to a rock shaft 203 which protrudes to the exterior of the gear casing 193 for attachment thereto of a lever 204. rThe end of this lever 204 lies within the path of collars 205-206, secured upon a rod 207 free to slide in guides 208-209, of which the first is secured lto the horizontal portion 32 of the frame 31 while the other projects laterally from the lower end of the toothed bar 188., A spring 210 whose function will be later disclosed encircles the rod 207 and is interposed between the collar 206 and the guide 209. 'llhe operation of the means whereby the bracket frame 31 with its adjuncts is elevated, is initiated under control of a sprocket chain 215 which is progressed synchronously with the measuring chain 20 and moves about a sprocket wheel 216 mounted upon the shaft 22 with the sprocket wheel 21. The chain 215 has at one side, cam projections 217, 218 which pass beneath the linger 220 secured upon a rock shaft 221 supported jointly by a lug on the main frame 6 of the machine, and a similar lug formed on an integral appendage of the guide bearing 186 for the post 185. The movements of the rock shaft 221 are imparted through a lever 222 secured to said shaft and a connecting link 223 to a lock mechanism 22d shown in detail in lFig. TLX of the drawings. This lock mechanism 224 consists of a rod 225 with a latch blade 226 which is urged upwardly under the pressure of a spring 227 toward the clutch actuating slide rod 201 which is notched as at 228 to receive said latch blade. Upon withdrawal of the latch blade 226 from the notch 228 the slide rod 201 after being released is drawn to the left (Fig. VH) as a result of gravity acting upon the arm 204. rlhe consequent engagement of the clutch sleeve 199 with the bevel pinion 195 results in the rotation of the worm gear 190 in a direction to elevate the bracket frame 31. ln the course of the upward movement of the latter, the collar 206 on the rod 207 engages the lever 204 and is arrested until the spring 210 is fully compressed whereupon further yielding ceases. As a consequence, with forced shifting of the rod 207 which takes place immediately the lever 20d is swung upwardly until its movement is intercepted hy engagement of the latch blade 226 of the locking mechanism 224 with the notch 228 in the shifter rod 201. The clutch sleeve 199 is thus restored to and held in the normal neutral position with the bracket 31 fully elevated and at rest, with the housing 34 which supports the auxiliary yarn feeds 35 entirely clear of the needle cylinder 2 so that the latter is accessible for transfer purposes. It is important to note that at this time, the spring 210 is still compressed in readiness to efect shifting of the clutch lever 204 for subsequent lowering of the auxiliary yarn feeding mechanism 30 as later explained in connection. with the operation of the machine. i

The vertical propulsion shaft 156 is arranged to be driven by an aligned short shaft section 230 journalled in the extension member 187 of the main frame 6 and coordinated with the main shaft 8 of the machine through a bevel gear couple 231. Interposed. between the shaft 156 and the aligned section 230 is a clutch comprising the members 232 and 233, the former being splined for shifting on the shaft 156, while thelatter is secured directly to the companion section 230. The clutch member 232 is shifted by means of a fork 234 secured upon a shaft 235 whereto is also secured an arm 236 which is connected by a link 237 with a `push rod 239 slidably mounted in a guide bearing 240 screwed `(to the plate 32 of bracket extension 31. This push rod 239 is subject to a spring concealed within the bearing 240 which urges the protruding chamfered end of the rod (Fig. 111) toward the pattern wheel 125 and into the path of lateral cam projections 241, 242 of the latter. To said pattern wheel 125 is thus assigned the additional function of actuating the clutch for the propulsion shaft 156 for the auxiliary yarn feed drive. This clutch shifting is however subject to the control of the sprocket chain 215 which carries on the side opposite the cam projections 217-218, additional projections 243--244 for engaging a finger 245, said finger being secured upon a shaft 246 journalled with the shaft 138 in the brackets 139, see Fig. II. An arm 247 fixed to the shaft 246 is coupled by means of a link 248 with the slide pin 249 of a lock mechanism which is identical with the lock mechanism 224 and shown in Figs. Il, 111, V, and VH as incorporated in the guide bearing 240 for the push rod 239. The slide pin 249 is spring-pressed so that the appended latch plate 250 is urged toward the push rod 239 which is provided with a lnotch for engaging said plate, see Fig. 1V. When locked, the push rod 239 is held retracted with its chamfered end out of the path of the lateral cam projections 241, 242 of the pattern wheel 125 and with the clutch collars 232-233 disengaged as illustrated in Fig. Vl.

:escasas belt to the tight pulley 9 on the main drive shaft 8, and in the process of knitting the leg portion of the stocking in direct continuation with a ribbed top previously applied to the needles 3. Concurrently with the rotation of the main shaft 8, the sprocket chains 2O and 215 are continuously progressed by picking of the ratchet wheel 23. Plain knitting proceeds until the cam projection 243 on the sprocket chain 215 engages the finger 245 which results in the unlatching of the lock mechanism, 238, release of the push rod 239 to spring action, and, through the intervening parts already understood, the clutching of the propulsion shaft 156 with the short shaft section 23() for direct actuation by the main shaft 8 of the machine. rl`he auxiliary yarn feeding mechanism 30 is thus set in motion for plain stripe production which proceeds for but a few courses when the arcuate element 145 on the measuring chain 20 engages the dog 142 to initiate pawling of the pattern wheel 125, with consequent production of the ornamentations H at the tops of the clock stripes as shown in Fig. XXV. The length of the element 145, it will be remembered is such that the pawling of the pattern wheel 125 continues only until the lateral cam projection 141 is positioned in readiness to engage the push rod 239. In this position the pattern wheel 125 rests while plain stripes are continued down to the point at which the heel pocket is to begin. l/Vhen this point is reached the link 147 of the chain 20 engages the finger 142 to cause the single stepping of the ratchet wheel 129, and with it the corresponding movement of the pattern wheel 125, to bring the cam projection 141 on said wheel into engagement with the push rod 239 for effecting separation of the clutch collars 232, 233. As a result of this disconnection, the auxiliary yarn feeding mechanism 30 is rendered inactive. Simultaneously withthe events just described, the cam projection 25 of the pattern `chain 20 engages the trip finger 26 in causing the driving belt to be shifted from thetight pulley 9 to the loose pulley 10, with consequent stoppage of the machine. As previously stated this stoppage enables the operator to perform the function necessary or desirable in preparing the machine'for oscillatory knitting in 'the production of the heel pocket which immediately follows. rlhe driving belt is then shifted manually and the knitting of the last mentioned portion of the stocking takes place automatically until the cam projection 25a of the asoaers e;

measuring chain 2O encounters the trigger ringer 26 to eil'ect stoppage of the machine a second time. Here the operator is given the opportunity to malte restorations necessary u to circular knitting so that the lrnitting of the foot portion of the stocking may "follow, bout the same time that the high link 25- ot the chain functions, the projection on chain 215 engages the linger 245 to permit restoration ci' the clutch members 232 and into activity so that upon subsequent restarting of the machine, by manual shitting ot the driving belt, continuations of the clock stripes are produced si1nuleously with the knitting of the stocking Yfoot. rthe length oi" the segments of the cloflY stripe along the stocking toot is clemined by the positioning oi' the high link n on the measuring chain 2G which in enthe clog irl-2 causes another single n the ratchet Wheel and with whereby the iateral earn projecf-P ci said pattern Wheel. is brought te engagement oint on 'the stocking root 'i l i the usual manner un 'the measuring chain machine to permit tne operator in i ire the necessary adjustments ess-ary oscillatory lrni to produce This like the A the heele eutomaticaily to completion, when iinlr C on i neasuring 'ects the sin of the machine to. a stop stoern f the toe Qecket `nroclret chain 2 cooieiinat "ie clutcn 'ism which controls the raising antl the auxiliary yajn mechanism s clutch mechanism 3G is operate@ bracket 3i with its apgendages z isecl -position in the manner previousiy *il* ilescribetlg P The nnishecl stocking may then emoverl 'from the needle cylinder 2 anfl by a ribbed top a new stoeltminecliately. after the machine is started a cam projection Q18 on sprocket cliain 215 engages the linger 220 thereby tripping the lock mechanism 224i andthrough the intermediate parts releasing the clutch shift lever 204 to the action of the spring 210 placed in compression during the elevation or" the bracket 31. The raisingot this lever Q04, it vwill be noted by reference to Fig. Vil, will result in the engagement of the clutch collar l99 with the pinion 1% so that the bevel gear 194 and the Worm gear ninion 190 are driven in a direction reverse of that ot the previous action, theren by bringing about the lowering of the aus? iliary yarn feed mechanism to the position shown in the drawings. The bracket 3l ottlie latter mechanism comes to rest upon the top ot bearing 186 and immediately thereupon the collar 205 on roel 207 engages the clutch lever 204 to depress the saine to the normal or neutral position with clutch collar l99 retracted from the pinion 196. any excess motion ot the gearing is absorbetl by virtue ot the iereeclom accorclecl the bar i853 in the post so that the various parts orQ the last described mechanism are protected against derangement or possible breakage.

lllliile have particularly 4clescribed one practical emboelinient of my invention9 it ivill be apparent the saine is susceptible or considerable detail motiilication anti varia tion Without departing from the spirit ancl intent ot said invention as speciiically cietinerl by the appencleci claims,

' thus described my invention9 machine comprising a neeelle cylinder a main yarn reeel7 a number of auxiliary yarn teecls5 a sin rt for saicl auxiliary teecls co-a iai with ie needle cylinder, anti independently rotatable means -tor osciilating the support cause said auX- auxiliary eecls eo-ai;ial with the neeule cylm intlepenclently rotatable means for os- -niating the sunnort to cause saint auainarv J c l eers to supply yarn to cleiinite groups or Yhe needles, anni pattern means *for controlknitting mac ine com- 1 a neeauxiliary `leeds cc--aaial with the neeclle cyiinfler., independently rotatabl means osciliating the sujjnimrt9 anclmeans for incifientiy reciprocating saic` auxiliary yarn M supaort to cause yarn iieetls radi/ll of the ctenite groups the of the needles to produce ornamental pattern effects in the knitted web.

5. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder and a main yarn feed cooperating with the needles thereof in knitting tubular fabric; in combination with a multiplicity of auxiliary yarn feeds, fulcrumed for horizontal oscillation to slides in turn mounted for radial guidance in a supporting element concentrically disposed within the needle cylinder, a rotatable grooved cam engaging butts on said slides to effect projection and retraction of the auxiliary feeds with respect to the needles, and a housing member oscillatable independently of the supporting element provided with means for engaging the yarn feeds to swing the same about their fulcra to wrap auxiliary yarn arounddefinite groups of needles in order to produce ornamental pattern eects in the knitted tube..

6. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder and a main yarn feed cooperating with the needles thereof in knitting tubular fabric; in combination with a multiplicity of auxiliary yarn feeds mounted in a support concentrically disposed Within the needle cylinder, means for actuating the feeds to wrap auxiliary yarn about definite groups of the needles, and a depressor associated with each auxiliary yarn feed, said depressors being independently swingable about the axis of the aforesaid support so as to move over the auxiliary yarn to depress the same well downward along the shanks of the needles to a position below the feeding level of the main or body yarn thereby to insure the auxiliary yarn appearing on the face of the knitted web in producing ornamental pattern effects.

7. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder and a main yarn feed cooperating with the needles thereof in knitting a tubular fabric; in combination with a multiplicity of auxiliary yarn feeds mounted in a support concentrically disposed within the needle cylinder, means for actuating the feeds to wrap auxiliary yarn about definite groups of needles, and depressors, one associated with each auxiliary yarn feed, the dep-ressors being independently swingable about the axis of the said support, and means for actuating the depressors so as to move over the auxiliary yarn to depress the same well downward along the Shanks of the needles thereby to insure its appearing on the face of the knitted web in producing ornamental pattern effects, the last mentioned means including a rotating element with a cam projection adapted to successively engage protruding portions of balls seated in lever arms of the depressors to carry the latter along to an extent limited by recession of the balls into cavities in the support aforesaid whereupon the depressors tubular fabric; in combination with a multiplicity of auxiliary feeds supported in a housing concentrically disposed within the circle of needles; and mechanism for oscillating the housing to c-ause the feeds to supply auxiliary yarn to definite groups of the needles for production of ornamental effects in the knitted tube including; a rocker arm coordinated with the housing through a connect-ing link, and means whereby the point of pivotal attachment of the link is shifted longitudinally of the rocker arm so that the range of feeding the yauxiliary yarn is increased or decreased with corresponding variations in the ornamental effect produced.

9. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder and a main yarn feed cooperating'with the needles thereof in knitting a tubular fabric; in combination with a multiplicity of auxiliary feeds supported in a housing concentrically disposed within the circle of needles, and mechanism for oscillating the housing to cause t-he feeds to supply auxiliary yarn to definite groups of the needles for production or ornamental effects in the knitted tube including; a rocker arm coordinated with the housing thrnugh a connecting link, a block slidable longitudinally in the rocker arm to which the link is pivot-ally connected, and a flexible band subject to governing mechanism controlling shifting of the block so-that the range of feeding the auxiliary yarn is increased ordecreased with corresponding variations in the ornamental effect produced.

10. A knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder and a main yarn feed cooperating with the needles thereof in knitting a tubular fabric; in combination with a multiplicity of auxiliary feed-s supported in a housing concentric-ally disposed within the circle of needles; and mechanism for oscillating the housing to cause the feeds to supply auxiliary yarn to definite groups of the needles for production of ornamental effects in the knitted tube including; a rocker arm coordina-ted with the housing through a connecting link, a block whereto .the link is pivotally connected slidable longitudinally of the rocker arm, said block being secured to a flexible endless band arranged to be driven by a pulley disk rotatable in one direction or the other under actuation c-f a reversible ratchet mechanism, so that the range of feeding of the auxiliary yarn is thereby increased or decreased with cor-respending variation in the ornamental effect produced.

1l. A knitting machine comprising a nee-