US1525609A - Striping mechanism for knitting machines - Google Patents

Description

STRIPING MECHANISM FOR` KNITTING MACHINES K, HOWIE. ET AL STRIPING MECHANISM FOR -KNITTING MACHINES Feb. l0` 1925..

Filed Nov:

'26, 1920 4 sheets-sheet n Le Uehofrs: Jf'en Teeth. Jl/owl'efgi Feb. 10. 1925. 1,525,609

K. HOWIE ET AL l STRIPING MECHANISM'FOR K NITTING MACHINES,

Fil NOV: 26, 3,920 4 sheets-*Sheet 4 Wzllz'azn 0. Tutylor, l 9%@ YMQWMVM Patented eb. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KENNETH HOWIE, or NonnIs'roWN. 'AND WILLraM o. TAxLon, on LIMERIGK, :PENN- SYLVANIA, AssIGNons To WILDMAN MFG. coi., or NoRnIs'rovqN, PENNSYLVANIA,

# A CORPORATION F PENNSYLVANIA.

STRIPING MCHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

Ap'pncatioamed November es, 1920. semi No. 426,564.

@"0 all whom t mayconcera: v

Be it known that we, KENNETH I-IoWI and WILLIAM O. TAYLOR, citizens of the United States, and residents of Norristown, Pennsylvania, and Limerick, Pennsylvania, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Striping Mechanism for Knitting Machines, of which the` following is Ia specification.

In carrying out Athe inventiomwhile the control .of the changes in the` feed of the yarns` is initiated by electro-magnetic means, the power employed in effecting the changes is transmitted mechanically from the line shaft, or other source of power, and

preferably through a rotating part of the machine. Therefore, the work imposed upon the electro-magnetic means is compar y atively slight, and the time during which .0 the electro-magnetic means is performing its workat each change of the yarn'fee'd is of short. duration.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side'view of a part -of a knitting machine with our invention applied thereto. I

Fig. '2 is a vplan View in` thenature of a diagram of the electric-jac uard or pattern Vmechanism and the means or operating the same from a part of the knitting machine. Fig. 3 is a plan View of part of a knitting machine with a part of the invention in place. f A Fig. 4 is .a detail plan view @of a star wheel and cam device and'the arm and rod operated thereby.

Fig. 5 is .a vertical sectional view through a part `of the `con-trolling:mechanism Fig. f6 is :a l.detail'view yof :a cam.

Fig. .7 `is a Idetail view. Fig. v8 is 7a diagrammatic plan view. of the feed finger, presser -cam and associated parts. In these drawings 1 represents a part of the head of a knitting machine, this being supported'from .a .base 2 by frame parts 3, only 'one of which Ais shown, Vthe machine 'being of that typejin which 'the cam ring is fixed the needle carrier rotates. At 4 is indicatedthe revolving '.taikeaip ring, the takenip being omitted., as this forms no part of the present invention.

The invention is :shown in connection with a .spring needle machine olf the type disclosed in application for Letters Patent 'of the United States, filed Sept. 9, 1920, S.

#409,265, though it will be understood that the invention is not 'limited to this type of machine. l l

There may 'be any desiredV number of feeds. The machine shown has eight feeds.

.The yarn fingers, one of which is shown at 5, .are pivotally mounted. The immediate actuating mechanism for these yarn lingers may be the same as that described 'in thev said application involving a cam denoted generally at 6, operated by a star wheel f7, which is shifted to different horizontal planes by'a vertical shaft or stem 8 so that the arms of the star wheel will be located either in or out of the path of theA dogs 9, 10, travelling with the rotary knitting head. W'hen the dogs operate the star wheel step bystep, for .one-half revolution,y I'

the yarn feed finger will be shifted in or out bythe cam controlling-the shaft 11 of the yarn feed finger by a slide 12 and aA toothed collar 13, va-s in the`application referred to. The vertical stem or shaft of the 'star wheel is depressed to vary the height of the' star `wheel by a bell crank lever 14 pivoted to a bracket l'fixed to the stationary cam ring 16 of the knitting-head. A spring such as disclosed at l22 of our previous application raises the .star wheel with its shaft.

This bell crank lever is operated by a rod 17 reaching'in towards the.vertical axis of the knitting head.

.It is .guided yat-its inner end in a part of I a track ring 18, held against rotation by a post '1.9 to which it is secured by a screw. This post 119 is'at the axial center of the ki'iittingfhead, and it depends from va braclnat 21 Iof the knitting head.V In an leight feed machine there will be `eight of these rods,

energized, its armature will be pulled up and it will be arrested in substantially a horizontal positiondby coming jagainst the head of a stud or pin 26.. Its tooth or or 2O extending up from the 'fixed base projection 27 will then lie in the same horizontal plane with the tooth of a star wheel 28 and in position to engage said tooth and give the star `wheel a quarter turn as a result of the movement of the oscillating ring carrying the armature with it n its stroke in the arrow direction Fig. 3.

The turning of the star wheel, which is mounted by its shaft 29 in. the fixed plate or bracket 18, will tur'n a cam 30 mounted-` on` the lower end of the said shaft. This cam bears upon a pin 31 carried by an arm 32 pivoted at 33 to the underside of the plate 18. rlhe end of the arm has a stud 33 adapted to bear on the end of the rod 17 and control the position thereof, so that when the high part 30 of thecam presses upon the pin the arm 32 will be turned to move the rod 17 radially outward to cause the bell crank lever 14 to depress the eenter stern 8 of the immediate controlling mechan-ism of the yarn feed finger. will effect a change at this particular feed finger, and the parts will remain in this position until the next change is to be'made, when the star wheel 28 at the central controlling'mechanism will be given another quarter turn, thus turningthe cam to carry its high part 30' away from the pin 31 and bringing its low part 30 opposite the pin, which immediately moves into this low part under the pressure ofthe spring 34 and this willcause the projection 33 to recede from the end of the rod17 and allow said rod t-o recede under pressure of. the spring which lifts the center stem 8 of the star wheel 7, so that this star wheel will be lifted with the result thatthe position of the yarn feed finger will be changed by the vtravelling dogs 9, 10, operating upon the arms thereof, which have' been brought into their plane of travel. The cam 30 has de pressions or notches at its high and low parts and thepin 31 of the pivoted arm 32 falls into these notches and thus acts as a detent to preventthe cam from over."-

'throwing, the said arm as before stated being under pressure of the spring 34.

It will be seen that the step by step movementv of the cam 30 operates the arm 32 to push the rod 17 radially outward or allows the arm to be retracted by its spring to allow the said rod to move radially towards the center of the machine and at all ltimes the armacts to hold the 'cam against overthrow.

One oscillation or back and forth movement of the ring 22`takes place at each revolution of the knitting head and therefore' all of,the armatures perform a. back and forth movement laterally in a horizontal Vplane for each revolution of themachine, and if any armature be raised by its magnet, the companion sta-r wheel 28 will be operated one' step by the tooth of This n annabee the armature contacting therewith. -The ring 22 is oscillated by a rod 3G connected .with a pin 37 depending from the oscillating ring through a slot 38 in the fixed bracket or track ring 18. The other eind. of the rod is connected with an arm 39 fixed on a vertical rock shaft 40 suitablt joui-nailed in fixed frame parts'andhaying an arm 41 fixed thereto at its lower end and extending under the take-up ring to be operated by a cam 42 secured by posts 43 to the under side of the rotating take-up ring 4. The oscillation 'of' the ring 22 is comparatively short. are supported by and depend from a plate 44'secured to the center post before described and the`electric circuit connections `magnets in any prescribed order to make the patterm'a jacquard mechanism is employed, consisting of an endless band of The electro-magnetsV paper 47, or other nonecgnducting material provided with openings 48 disposed accordingto the pattcrnto be formed, it being understood that one or more vfeeds will have one color of yarn and another feed or feeds will 'have another color of yarn, or more colors than two mayfbe employed. The openings in the paper band, are arranged in transverse lines. Some lines may have one opening and other lines two or more openings. The paper band is hung on a drum 49 having a surface of conducting material, such as brass. and the paper is fed by teeth 50 on the drum,4 engaging openings near the margins of the paper band. Overlying the drum are a series of contact fingers 51 of brass, and in the present eight feed machine there are eight vof these contact fingers.' Each has a stud or contact point adapted to pass through the open-.

ings in the paper band to make electric contactl with the brass surface of the drum, and it will be clear` that eachcontact finger cooperates with vone lengthwise row of openings in the band.

The drum is in circuit by the binding post 52. and contact spring-53, Fig. 1. The

whole series of contact fingers or strips 51A frame at 58 and having its lower end in the path of a cam bar 59 secured by brackets 60 to the take-up ring. W'hen the contact fingers are lowered, and if a hole in the paper band has arrived in'proper position beneath the corresponding finger, the contact point thereon will pass through the arrow Fig. 3.

the drum and a circuit will be closed through the arm and as this arm is in the circuit with one `of the magnets, this will be energized, raising its armature, and, due

to the movement of the ring 22, this raised armature will turn the star wheel 28 and the connections before described will be'operated to change theposition of the. yarn feed finger. The lelectro-magnetic means merely control 'the armatures, and vthereafter the armature, which is in movement, due to the motion of the oscillating ring 22, willmechanically operate the connections to change the feed. The work imposed upon the electro-magnetic means is therefore slight, while the work of operating the connections is performed by the power leading from the line shaft or other prin-1e mover,which rotates lthe knitting head.' As soon as the movement of the ring `22` in the arrow direction is completed, the circuit to the electro-,magnet is broken and the armature falls so .that it is in its low position when the ring 22 moves back to normal position in a direction reverse from the For controlling the electric circuit fin proper time `in relation to the rotation of the knitting machine, .a circuit breaker is employed, consisting ofthe contact members 61, 62, mounted on the insulating block 68 fixed to the fixed base 2 of the machine. This circuit breaker is closed by a cam 64 on the take-'up Vring 3 lifting the member 61 into contact with the other member 62. This cam is lelongated and is in the form of a track or bar.

Its forward end has an lincline at '65 to ride under and lift the, lower contact member, which is in the form of a' leaf spring,

which, when the cam passes from beneath it,-

these 'fingers is longer than the cam track 64' and reaches beyond it both in advance -and towards the rear thereof, as a result of which the fingers 5l are lowered int-o contact withthe brass drum (according to the disposition of the holes the paper)` before the circuit Iis closed at the contacts '61, 62

and hence there will be`no sparking at the drum when the contact .fingers 5l` are lowered, and, on the other hand, it. will be seen that the circuit is broken at '6l-62` before the contact lingers '51 are lliftethfrom 'the drum and here again sparking and dan age to the paper strip will be avoided. ln other words, the current is not supplied until after the Contactfingers 5l have been `the slide. A range of a pin 73 on an arm 74 fixed tothe pressed down on the drum and theyare raised only after the circuit is broken at The drinn 49 is rotated stepv by step by a ratchet'66 on the shaft thereof, and a pawl 67. This pawl is pivoted to a slide 68 which 1s `mounted and guided in the boxing 69 secured to the supporting bracket, the slide being moved forwardly by a lever 70,' pivoted at 71 and connected by a pin 7 2 with The end of the lever is in the vertical rock shaft 40.

The pawl slide is retracted by a spring 75 bearing on a head 76 of a rod 77 fixed to the slide.

All three cams 42, 59 and 64 are 'carried by the rotary take-up ring 3.

A detent 78 engages a toothed wheel 79 on the shaft of the drum to prevent overthrow.

Means are provided foi-,cutting the yarn when raised out of work, this 'involving a cutting blade 8O (Figs 5 and 7) 'pivoted `:1t-81 atthe lower end of post 19 and cooperating witna fixed cutter blade 81 se; cured to said post'in any suitable way. The pivoted blade is held in open position by a spring 82, the upper: end of which is fixed at 83 to the hase of' the head or ring 18. The pivoted cutter blade is operated by a rod 84 pivoted thereto at 85 and operated when the ring 22 is operated. This rod is vmoved vertically by an arm 86 engaging therewith said arm being mounted on a rock shaft 87 journaled in bearings 88. This shaft is operated by an arm 89 which is lifted by a wedge or cam member 90 car ried by a cross piece 91 which is connected to the ring 22 by the depending posts 37, 37X. This cross piece, oi' course, moves with the ring and thus vbrings its wedge under arm 89. n

This cutter is located at about the level of the knitting plane. In Eig. 7, the dotted line` g/-yj indicates the Vupper lever of the knittin head.

' The inactive yarns when cut are held by the yarn retaining finger 92, one for each feed,vthis retaining finger being pivoted at 93v to a bracket .9i which `supports the loop, 95 across which the yarn rests and within which the retaining finger operates.

Thev means for automatically controllingT the cam a which effects the pressing of the needle beards is the same as that described in the said application for preventing the fabric running olf from the needle whenthe yarn is thrown out of feeding position.

-This means consists of a slide 12x operated by the cam 6 and l'iearing on an incline l2a of the .shank 12b of the presser cam a. The shank is pressed by. a spring 12d. parts are shown diagrami'naticallyV in Fig. 8. When the slide 12X is moved to the left in These v y Fig. 8 by the cam 6 it will retract `the presser cam to where it will not press the needle beards. lThis takes place When the cam 6 throws the yarn nnger to its inoperative position of Fig. 8.'

The mechanism just described for controlling'the presser cam a is the same as that .disclosed in ourrapplication above referred to.

'1. In combination in aknitting machine, knitting. instruments, a plurality of yarn fee-d, fingers, electro-magnets one for each feed finger, armatures therefor, a support for4 said armatures having travelling movement, means for moving said support, connections leading tothe yarnafeedfingers for controlling the'positions 'ofthe same, said connections being operated by the travel-. ling armatures, when the-latter are 1n al prescribed position relative to their velectroiiiagnets and pattern means forcontrolling the energizing of the electro-magnets, substantially as described.

i 2. l In combination in a knitting machine,

- knitting instruments, a plurality .of yarn feed fingers, electro-magnets one for each feed finger, armatures therefor, a carrier for said armatures, having a back and forth movement, means for operating the armature carrier, Yconnections leading to the yarn feed fingers for controlling the positions of the'same, said connections being operated by the armatures travelling with the carrier When 'said armatures are in a prescribed position relative to their electromagnets, and pattern means for controlling the energizing of the electro-magnets, substantially as described.

3. ln combination in a `knitting machine, knitting instruments, a plurality of yarn -feed lingers, electro-magnets one for each feed finger, armatures therefor, a carrier for said armatures having a back and forth movement, means for operating the armature carrier, connections leading to the yarn feed fingers for controlling the positions of the same, said connections-being operated by the armatures vtravelling with the carrier when said armatures are in a prescribed position relative to their electron'iagnets, and pattern means for controlling the energizing of the electro-magnets, said armature carrier in performing its back' and forth movement turning about an axis, substantially as described.

4. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a plurality o'f yarn feed fingers,

one at each feed, a head arranged coaxially with the knitting head, .movable carrier means turning about the. axis of the head, electro-magnets, armatures therefor mounted on the carrier and controlled by saidV mechanism for electro-magnets, pattern selecting which of the electro-magnetsv are to be energized, circuit connections, means for operating the carrier means, and connections leading to thefeed fingers and arranged to 'be operated lby the armatures moving with the carrier, when said armatures are in a prescribed relation to their electro-magnets, substantially as described.

`carrier to swing vertically to and from the electro-magnets, means for turning the car- BO rier, pattern means for selecting and energizing the electro-magnets, and means operated by the movement of the armatures with the carrier, when the armatures are in their elevated positions :under the` infiuence of the magnets said means rendering the feeds effective or ineffective, substantially as described.

6. In combination with a circular knitting machine having v a plurality of feeds, an electro-magnet and armature for each feed, means 'for giving travelling movement to the armatures independent of their movement towards -and from the magnets, pattern mechanism for selecting and energizing the electro-magnets in a prescribed order to attract their armatures, means for rendering the feeds effective or ineffective, operated by the armatures in their travelling movement, 'comprising star Wheels to be operated by 1U" the armatures, cams operated by the star wheels, levers operated by the cams, and rods operated by the levers, substantially as described.

7 ln combination with a circular knitting 10rmachine having a plurality of feeds, a rotatable member arranged coaxially with the knitting head, a reciprocating rod connected to said member for giving the same oscillating movement about the axis of theknitting iin head, a series of pivoted armatures carried by said rotatable member and movable vertically about their pivots, a series of electromagnets, one for each armature, arranged .about the axis of the rotatable member and im in fixed positionpattern control means for 4energizing said electro-magnets vin a prethe travelling movement ofsaid armatures with the rotatable member, and connections leading 'from the star Wheels for rendering the feeds effective or ineffective, substantially as described.

8. ln combination with a circular knitting machine havinga plurality of feeds, a movable' carrier,"a plurality of armatures pivot-/ ally mountedon said carrier, means for oslc illatingthe carrier, electro-magnets for ele- A30 effective, substantially as described.

l9. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a plurality offeeds, a controlling mechanism arranged coaxiallyvwith the knitting head, said controlling means.

comprising a mechanically operated, member,

electro-magnetic means at the controlling mechanism, connections extending from the controlling mechanism to render the several feeds effective orineffectire, said connections'A deriving their power from the power operated means of the controlling mechanism, and

rendered effective or ineffective by the elec-l tro-magnetlc means, and pattern mechanism for controlling the electromagnetic means inl a prescribed order, substantially as described.

"10. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds, a take-up rino' rotating with the rotaryy part of the knitting head, a Vertical shaft, means carried by the rotary take-up ring for operating the vertical shaft-,controlling means for the feeds comprising' a member operated from the said vertical shaft` connections 'leading from the said controlling means to render the feeds effective or ineffective, elec tromagn`etic means .for connecting the said i connections with the power operated vertical shaft of the controlling mechanism, and pattern controlled mea-ns4 forv `energizing the 'electro-magnetic means, substantially as de scribed. l

11. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds,` connections rendering the same effective or ineffective, a power operated member at the axis of the knitting head, means for operating the said connections from the said power operated member, electro-magnetic means for controlling the operation of said operating means, a rotary take-up ring rotating with the rotary member of the knitting head, ay connection operated by the rotary take-up ring for operating the power member of the.

controlling mechanism, pattern means for controlling the electro-magnetic means, and circuit breaking means controlled by the ro tation of the take-up ring, substantially as describedsy l l2. In combination with a circular knitting` machine having-a plurality of feeds, controlling mechanism for rendering said `feeds effective or ineffective'in a prescribed order, comprising a mechanically operated member and electro-magnetic means for rendering the same effective or ineii'ective, a member rotating m unison with therotary y member of the knitting head, means on saidrotary member-'for actuating'tlie mechanicall-y operated member of the controlling mechanism, circuit connections leading tothe said electro-magnetic means, pattern means operated from said rotary member and in cluding circuit closers for the circuits of the electro-magnetic means, and aL main circuit breaker with means on the said rotary1 mcmber for operating the same, substantially as described.

\ 13. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds, controlling mechanism for rendering said feeds effective or vineffective in'a prescribed order, comprising a mechanically operated member and electro-magnetic means for ren dering the same effective or ineffective, a member rotating in unison with the rotary member of the knitting head, means on said rotary member for actuating the mechanically operated member ofthe controlling mechanism, circuit connections leading to` the said electro-magnetic means, pattern means operated from said rotary member and including circuit closers for the circuits of the electro-magnetic means, and a main circuit breaker with means on the said ro- -Controlling mechanism` for rendering said feeds effective or ineffectivein a prescribed order, comprising a mechanically operated member and electro-magnetic` means for rendering the same effective or ineffective, a member rotating in unison with the rotarymember of the knitting head,'means on* said rotary member for actuating the mechanically operated member of the controlling mechanism` circuit connections leading to the said electro-magnetic means, pattern means operated from said rotary member and including circuit closers for the circuits of the electro-magnetic means, and aniain circuit breaker with means on the said rotary member for operatingthe same, said rotary member being the takeup ring. substantially as described. n

. l5. ln combination witlnacircular knitting "machine havingsa plurality of feeds, controlling` mechanism for rendering said feeds effective or ineffective ina prescribed order. comprising' a mechanically operated member and electro-magnetic'means for rendering the same effective vor ineffective, a member rotating in unison with the `rotary member of the knitting head, means on said rotaryn'iember for actuating the mechanically operated member of the controlling mechanism. circuit connections leading 'to the said electro-magnetic means, pattern mechanism including a drum, a series of circuit closing fingers, means on the drum cooperatng with said circuit closing fingers for closing the circuits to the electro-magnetic means, connections for operating the circuit closing fingers from the rotary member and a main circuit breaker operated from the rotary member, substantially as described.

16. In combination with al circular knitting machine havingv a plurality of feeds, controlling mechanism for rendering the feeds effective or ineffective in a prescribed order, comprising a mechanically operated member and electro-magnetic means for rendering the same effective or ineffective, a member rotating in unison With the rotary member of the knitting head, means on said rotary member for actuatingthe mechanically operated member of the con..- trolling mechanism, circuit leading to the said electro-magnetic means, pattern mechanism including a drum having electric conductivity, a perforated band passing over said drum, a series of contact fingers to close the lcircuits to the electro-magnetic means through the perforations of said band, means'operated by the said rotary member for depressing all of the circuit closing fingers, means operated by the said rotary member for giving the drum a 'step by step movement and for actuating the said mechanically operated member of the controlling mechanism, a main circuit breaker and means for operating the same fromA the rotary member,

substantially as described.

17. In combination with a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds, controlling means therefor including mechanically operating connections and electro-magnetic selective means, 'a rotary take-up ring moving in unison with the knitting head, and means carried thereby for actuating the mechanically operating connections and controlling the electromagnetic selective means, substantially as described. e

18. In combinationV with a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds. controlling means therefor for rendering them effective er ineffective for-knitting in a prescribed order, said controlling means including mechanically operated connections and electro-magnetic selective means, electric circuits to said electro-magnetic means, one for each feed, a plurality of circuit closers, for closing the circuits to the electro-magnetic means in a prescribed order to select the connections which are to be operated for controlling the feeds, and

connectionsmeans carried by a rotary member of the machine for controllin0r the operation of the circuit closers anc the mechanically operated connections, substantially as described. Y,

19. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds, controlling mechanism therefor to render them effective or ineffective inV a prescribed order-,a rotary take-.up plate, a cam thereon, connections actuated by the cam for operating a part of said controlling mechanism, power transmitting connections leading to the feeds, said controlling mechanism including' electro-magnetic selective elements for connecting in a prescribed order the-transmitting connections With the said cam voperated connections, pattern means for energizing the selective elements in a prescribed order and a cam on the rotary take-up plate With connections therefrom for operating the pattern means, substantially as described.

20. In combination with a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of yarn feed lingers, aconneetion for each yarn feed finger for controlling the same, controlling means for said connections including lmechanical power operated driving means, and electro-magnetic selective elements for selecting in a prescribed order the yarn linger conne: tions which .are to be operated by said driving means, and pattern ymeans for energizing. the electro-magnetic selective elements in a prescribed order, substantially as described.

2l. In combination With a circular knitting vmachine having a plurality of feeds. a controlling connection .for each feed, electro-magnetic selective elements, pattern mechanism for determining the order in which the selective electro-magnetic elements Will be set for operating the said controlling connections, a rock shaft, a rotary take-up plate, a cam thereon for operatingI the rock shaft, means for operating the pattern mechanism from the rock shaft, and a connection from the` rock shaft for giving the selective elements a travelling movement to actuate the selected yarn finger connections. p

22. In .combination with a circular knifting machine, having a plurality of feeds. a controlling connection for each feed. clertro-magnetic selective elements. pattern -meclianism for determining the order in which the selective electro-magnetic element will be. set for operating the said controllingl connections, a rock shaft. a rotary take-up plate, 'a earn thereon for operating the rock shaft. means for operating the pattern mechanism from the rock shaft, and a connection from the rock shaft for giving the selective elements a travelling movement to' actuate the seleetedffeed controlling conlill) i nections, said pattern mechanism includingv circuit closers for closing the circuits to the electro-magnetic selective means and a cam on the take-up plate for`controlling said circuit closers, substantially as described.

23. In combination with a circular knitting machinetliavinga plurality of yarn feeds, a controlling, connection for each feed, electro-magnetic selective elements, pattern mechanism` for determining the order in which the selective electro-magnetic elements will beset for operating the said controlling connections, a rock shaft, a rotary take-up plate, a cam thereon for operatingl the rock shaft, means for operating the pattern mechanism from the rock shaft, and a connection from the rock shaft for giving the selective elements a travelling movement to actuate the selected feed controlling connections, said patternA mechanism including circuit closers for closing the circuits to the electro-magnetic selective means and a cam on the take-up plate for controlling said circuit close'rs, a main circuit breaker and a cam on the takeup` plate for Vcontrolling the main circuit breaker, substantially as described.

24. In combination in a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of yarn feeds, star Wheels With connections between the same and the feeds, Contact means travelling with the rotary member of the knitting head for operating said star Wheels, means for adjusting said star Wheels to bring different arms thereof into the plane. of movement `ofthe contact means, said adjusting Vmeans comprising a member arranged coaxially with the. knitting head, armatures pivotally mounted on said member, means for giving said member a travelling movement, electro-magnets, means for selectively energizing said electro-magnets to raise the armatures in a prescribed orderand connections operated by travellingl movement of the armatures when raised for changing the position yof the star Wheels, substantially as described. l

In combination in a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds, star Wheels with connections between the same and the feeds, contact means travelling with the rotary member of the knitting head for operating said star Wheels, means for adjusting said star wheels to bringdiffercnt arms thereof into theplane of movement of the contact means, said adjusting means comprising a 'member' arranged coax'ially with the knitted head, armatures pivotally mounted on said member, means for giving said member a travellingmovement, electromagnets, means for selectively energizing said electro-magnets to raise the armatures in a! 4prescribed orden and connections operated by the-travelling movement of the armatures whenv raised for changing the posi-tion ofthe star wheels, said last mentioned connections including a -star wheel operated by contact of the armatures therewith, substantially as described.

2G.' In combination in a circular knitting machine. having a plurality of feeds. a controlling mechanism arranged coaxially with the knitting head. and including a back and forth moving member, armatures pivotally mounted thereon` electro-nmgnets for elevating` the armatures, connections operated by the armatures for controlling the feeds, a varn cutter for severing the yarn when raised out of work and means for operating said yarn cutter from the back and forth moving member, substantially as described.

27. In combination in a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds, controllingm'echanism for the feeds including an oscillating member and electro-magnetic selective means with connections therefrom to the feedsa vertical post supporting said controlling mechanism. a yarn cutter sup` ported on said post, and meansfor operating said `yarn cutter from the oscillating for aut miatieall)v preienting thc work from A running off from the needles when the yarn `feed lfingers are thrown out of4 operation,

all the needles. in passing an idle feed. simply holding their old loops.

29. In combination in a circular knitting machine needles. a plurality of feeds disposed at separated points about the same. including yarn feed fingers to be thrown into and out of working position, selector mechanism disposed above and lcoaxially with the knitting machine, and comprising" selecting devices` one for each-feed linger.v connections. one for each selecting device to be operated or not operated b v said device according to the position of the latter and extending therefrom to thedvaru feed finger it isrto bperate. pattern meclianism controlling thel .setting of the selecting devices in selecting punition` and pou/'er operated connections for-moving the selecting devices -to drive the select-ed connections leading to the Ifeed fingers, eachof said feeds also including means for preventing the ivorlmfrom running oft' from the needles. when the yarn feedhngers are thrown out andy operating points about Ithe same, and each including a movable yarn feed ,finger to be set in or out of working position, pattern mechanism,

selecting devices controlled by the said pat-V tern. mechanism to change .theposition of the yarn feed ingers,`to knit or not to knit,

-a carrier for the selecting devices having y when the yarn feed fingers are thrown out` travelling movement, means for driving the said carrier, and connections leading to the several feed fingersfroiii the selecting devices to change the position thereof, said connections being operable by the travelling Y selecting devices when the latter are set in selecting positionby the pattern mechanisni, but remaining idle when the selecting devices are not so set, each feed also :including means for automatically preventing the work from running off from the needles when the yarn feed lingers are thrown out of operative position all the said needles, in

passing an idle feed, then holding their old loops.

31, In combination in a knitting machine, a plurality of feeds disposed at separate points aboutthe same, and each including a movable yarn feed finger to be set in or out of working position,4 pattern mechanism, selecting devices controlled by the saidpattern mechanism to change the position of the yarn feed fingers,v to knit or not to knit,

a carrier for the. selecting devices having travelling movement, means for driving the Isaid carrier, and connections 'leading to the several feed fingers from the selectingdevices to change the position thereof, said connections being operable by the traveling lselecting devices when the latter are setin selecting position by the pattern mechanism, but remaining idle when the selecting devices are not so set, each feed also including means for automatically preventing the work from running off from the needles of operative position, said traveling movement of the carrier being reciprocatory, all the said needles, in passing an idle feed, then holding their old loops substantially as described.

v32.. In combination in "a knitting machine, a plurality of feedsdisposed at separate points about tlielsame, and each including a movable yarn feed linger to be set in or outiof working position, pattern mechanism, selecting devices controlled by the said pattern mechanism to change ythe position of the yarn feed fingers, to knit or not to knit, a carrier for the selecting devices having travelling niovement, means for driving the said carrier, and connections leading to the several feed fingers from the selecting deviceA to change theposition thereof, saidconiiections being operable by the travelling selecting devices when the latter are set in selecting position by the pattern mechanism. but remaining idle when the selecting devices are not so set, each feed also including means for automatically preventing the work from running 'off from the needles when the yarn feed lingers are thrown out of operative position, said travelling movement being oscillatory about the axis of the knitting head all the said needles, in passing an idle feed then holding their old loops.

33. In combination-in a circular knitting -machine, a plurality of feedseach'including a-yar'n feed finger to be set in or out of working position, a plurality of selecting devices each comprising a member pivotally mountedto move in a vertical plane,

"a carrier for the selecting devices, means for moving the carrier, pattern mechanism, means controlled thereby'for setting the selecting devices in prescribed positions, and connections operated by the selecting devices when setv in selecting position and moved' by the carrier for controlling the positions of the yarn feed fingers, each of said feeds also including means'for causing all the needles, in passing an idle feed, to hold their old loops and thus preventing the work from running ofi' when the yarn feed finger is thrown out of feeding position.

34. In combination in a circular knitting machine a plurality of feeds eachincluding a yarn feed finger to be setin or out of working'position, a plurality of selecting devices each comprising a member pivotally mounted to move in a vertical plane, a carrier for the selecting devices, means for moving the carrier, pattern mechanism, means controlledtliereby for setting the selecting devices in prescribed positions, and connections operated by the selecting devices when set in selecting position and moved by the carrier for controlling the positions of the yarn feed fingers. each feed includin'g means for preventing the work from running off when the yarn -feed finger is thrown out of feeding position, said carprescribed order, and connections extending ico a shiftable yarn'feed finger at each feed adapted tobe thrown into and 4out of Work, a rotatable carr1er member arranged coaxially of the knitting head, a reciproca-ting rod connected to said member for giving the same oscillating movement about the axis of the knitting head, a series of selecting vdevices mounted on the carrier and movable vertically, means including pattern mechanism for movingthe selectingmembers vertically in a prescribed order, star Wheels arranged to be contacted by the selecting devicesin their travelling movement when the latter are in their selecting positions and connections leading from the star Wheels for controlling the yarn `feed fingers at the feeds, each feedl including means for preventing the Work from runningoif the needles when a yarn feed finger is Withdrawn, substantially4 as describe-d.

37.In combination in' a knitting machine, knitting instruments, aI plurality of y feeds, electro-magnets, one for each feed,

Ving

armatures therefor, a Vsupport for said armatures having travelling movement, means for moving said support, means for rendering the feeds effective or ineffective, operated by the travelling armatures when the latter arc in a prescribed position relative vto their electro-magnets, and pattern mechanism for controlling Vthe energizing of the electro-magnets, substantially as described.

38. In combination in a knitting machine, knitting instruments, aplurality of feeds, electro-magnets, one for each feed, armatures therefor, a support for said armatures having travelling movement, means for moving said support, means for rendering the feeds effective or ineffective, operated by the travelling armatures When the latter `are inHV a prescribed position relative to their electro-magnets, and pattern mechanism for controllingthe energizing ofthe electro-magnets, said armature support. having a bac-k and forth movement.

In combination in a knitting machine, knitting instruments, a plurality ot feeds, electro-magnets, one for' each feed, armatures therefor, a support for -said armatures haimfi-ng 4travelling movement, means for moving said support, meansfor renderthe feeds effective or` ineffective,

operated'by the travelling armatures When the latter are in a prescribed position relative to their electro-magnets, and pattern mechanism for controlling the energizing ot the electro-magnets, said armature support having back and forth turning movement about an anis.v

40. In combination in a. knitting machine, knitting instrumentsga plurality of feeds, electro-magnets, one for each feed, armatures therefor, a support for said armatures having trayyelling movement, means for moving said support, means for rendering the feeds eective or inetfective, operated by the travelling armatures when the latter are in a prescribed position relative to their electromagnets, and pattern mechanism for e011-,

trolling .the Aenergizing of the electromagnets, 4said armature support being arranged abo-ve and coaxially with the knit-` ting head and having oscillating movement about the axis of said head.

4l. In combination in a circular knitting machine having a pluralityof feeds disposed at separated points about the saine, a connection for each 'feed to render the same effecfor-said connections including mechanical power operated driving means, and electromagnetic sclective elements for selecting in a prescribed order the feeds which are to be. rendered effective, or ineffective by said driving means, and pattern mechanism for energizing the electro-magnetic selective elements in a prescribed order.

K 42. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a support oscillating about the axis of the machine, armatures carried thereby, electro-magnets for controlling the position of the armatures, pattern mechanism 4for controlling the energizing of the armatures in a prescribed order, and connections` operated by the armatures when in a certain position relative to their electro-magnets for controlling changes in the Work produced.

43. In combination in acircular knitting lli) machine, a carrier, power means for giving i movement thereto, armatures movably mounted on the carrier electro-magnets for controlling the positions of the armatures, pattern mechanism for controlling the energizing of the electi-o-magnets in a prescribed order, and connections operated by the armatures when in acci-tain position relative to their electro-magnets for controlling changes in the` work produced, sub- .v stantially as described.

44e. In combination in a` circular knitting machine, a plurality of feeds disposed' at separated points about the knitting head with means at. each feed to be adjusted for rendering said feed' active or inactive, operating connections leading' tol each of said means, a mechanical power operated memlit) ber common to all of said connections, de-

` vices carried thereby to transmit movement to said connections when set to contact therewith, electro-magnets for setting said devices in contacting position, ,and 'pattern mechanism controlling the energizing of said electro-magnets.

45.. I-n combination in a circular knitting machine, a plurality of feeds disposed at separated points about the same," and each including a movable yarn finger for moving the yarn to and from-the needles, and a cam acting on the needles and adjustable to make the needles hold their old loops, in passing the feed, connections extending towards the center of the machine for operating the yarn fingers and adjusting the jcams, hit and miss members at the inner ends of said connections, one of which has travelling movement, for operating said connections, and pattern mechanism for selecting .which connection will be operated and for relatively adjusting the hit and miss members of theselected connection to operate the same. p

46. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a plurality of feeds disposed at separated points about the same` and each including a movable yarn finger for moving the yarn to and from the needles, and a cani acting on the needles and adjustable to make' the needles hold their old loops, in

passing the feed, connections extending to- Wards the center of the machine for operating the yarn fingers and adjusting the cams, an oscillating carrier, members movably mounted thereon to at times contact with and operate said connections, and at other times tomiss them, and pattern mechanism for adjusting the said members in a prescribed order into line with said connections for operating the same, substantially as described.

l 47. In combination With a circular knitting machine, needles, a plurality of feeds spaced apart around the machine, 'including a yarn linger at each feed movable up- Wardly from its yarn feeding position to float'the yarn to the interior of the machine, yarn retaining means at each feed arranged .on the inside of the needle row to receive the yarn when floated to the interior of the machine, a needle beard presser'cam at each feed, mechanism for rendering the feeds idle by raising the yarn feed fingers and adj usting the presser cams, including a back and forth 'moving carrier having contact devicesthereon, and connections operated by said contact devices leading to the yarn feed fingers and cams, pat-tern mechanism for setting the contact devices to hit or miss

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