US1708675A - Method of and apparatus for repairing fabrics - Google Patents

Description

April 9,

W. H. LEAVIN ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING FABRICS Filed Jan. 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l ufff' IIII IIIIIIIINS 'Il IIA April 9, 1929- w. H. LEAvlN ET AL METHOD oF AND APPARATUS RoR REPAIRING FABRICS l Filed Jan. 23, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet Plil 9, 1929. w. H. LEAVIN ET 1. 1,708,675

METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING FABRICS Filed Jan. 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 9, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.v

WILLIAM H. vLEAVIN AND SAMUEL B. LEAVIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS, BY lIMFSNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GOTHAlVI KNITBAC MACHINE CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

'METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING FABRICS.

Application filed January 23, 1928. Serial No. 248,806.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for repairing fabrics and more particularly for repairing runs, ravels, dropped stitches, and the like, in knitted goodssuch -as hosiery, underwear, -andlike articles.

The object-of theinvention is to provide a simple and efficient method, and a p iictical apparatus for carrying out` the same of repairing runs, ravels, dropped stitches,

and the like, in knitted fabrics, such as hosiery, underwear, and similar articles.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus of the nature referred to which enables the repair of .knitted fabrics to be effected quickly, easily and automatically without requiring the expenditure of tedious toil, care, or skilled attention on the part of theoperator in carrying out the method.

A further object is to provide a simple, efficient, and easily constructed and operated apparatus of the nature and for the purpose referred to and which is economical to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in steps andoperations, and in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully'hereinafter set forth, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views and reference signs appearing thereon,-

Figure l is a view partlyin side elevation and partly in vertical', longitudinal central section, of one form of apparatus embody- A ing our invention and suitable for use in carrying out the method of operation 1n successively presented threads into loops and inter-engaging said loops together, and of feeding devices for the fabric, the fabric supporting cover or saddle being removed.

Fig. 3 is a broken view in horizontal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the structure of- Fig. 2 in top plan'with the cover or saddle in place.

Fig. 4 is a similar view in central longitudinal section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical transverse section on the line 5 5, Fig. 4, looking in the direct-ion of the arrows.

Figs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and ll are diagrammatic views illustrating the successive steps employed and mode of operation involved in effectingla repair of a fabric in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 12 `is a detached detail view in elevation of a portion of the apparatus conform of looping tool or needle capable of use in connection with the apparatus and in carrying out the method of our invention.

The same part is designated by the same reference character wherever it occurs throughout the-several views.

It is a common practice for .commercial establishments engaged in the manufacture or sale of fabric products, particularly of products made of knitted fabrics, such, for example, as hosiery, underwear, and the like, to extend to the customers of their products the offer to repair any run, ravel, dropped stitch portion, or t-he like, occurring in'the use by such customers of the purchased article. This practice has grown to be an important feature of many of the larger estabof the fabric product from the effects of a run, ravel, dropped stitching, or the'like, has been to manipulate by hand a specially constructed tool somewhat similar toa darn' and the exercise of skill. By reason of these' conditions this repair work is slow and expensive. .It is among the special purposes of our present invention to overcome these difficul- 'ties and to provide a method of repair of articles made from knitted fabrics, or of the repair of runs, ravels, dropped stitching, or the like, occurring therein which is exceedingly simple, efficient, expeditious, economical and automatic, and also to provide aform of apparatus suitable for carrying out said method which, likewise, is simple, efficient, and economical to manufacture, and which does not require any special skill to operate? it in carrying out the method of our invention. y

In accordance with the method of our in- 4 30 vention We propose to successively pick up and form a loop in each successive thread of the fabric Which extends tranversely across the run, ravel, or the like, to be repaired and to interengage the successive loops each vvith the next succeeding one, the

fabric being advanced step by step in pre- 'determined timely relation to the loop forming operations, the successive transverse threads being properly spaced and presented 'L0 in such spaced relation to form the loops and to permit the one loop to interengage With the next'succeeding-one, the entire op.- eration being accomplished automatically .in the several steps thereof.

AWhile We have shown and Will describe a structure of appara-tus suitable for carrying out these automatic operations, and Which We have devised for the purpose, it is to be understood that in the broad concept ofthe .50 method of our invention, the manner of carrying it out is not dependent upon any specific mechanical structure. The essential steps of the method are, as above indicated, the successive loopingl of the individual l threads which cross the run, ravel, or the like,l the interengagement of tliefsuccessive loops, the properand timelyl successive spacing and presentation of the threads to be formedinto loops, the feeding or progression of the fabric, and the proper tensioning of the interengaged loops, all these operations and steps being carried out and accomplishedy automaticallyy and in timed relation to each other, So far as' the carrying out of ourl method is concerned the particular structure of tool or needle employed to form a loop in each succeeding .thread is immate rial,-as is also the means for spacing and presenting the successive threads so as to be .formed into loopsand the means for the through one or more o f the precedingly lformed loops, thereby effecting the interengagement of the successive loops.

For the purpose of explaining thenature of our invention, and the manner in which' and a form of apparatus by which the same may be carried out, We will refer to a run in a stocking as being the repair to be made. It is to be understood, however, that our invention is equally Well adapted for repairing ravels, dropped stitches and other equivalent defects existing or developing 'in fabrics Whether such articles be stockings, underwear, or otherwise,

In Fig. 13 We have illustrated a portion ofa fabric, such, for. example, as a stocking,

having a runto be repaired, as indicated at 80, with threads C extending transversely auv 'across the run.A Now, in carrying out enr y' improved method of repairing We forma loop, as indicated at b, in the first transverse thread c Where the repair operation is to commence. This loop,in carrying out the operation, is formed by picking or lifting up the thread out of the plane of the fabric, as indicated in Fig. 7. While this loop is being raised and held in raised position the fabric is advanced a definite space ahead and the next succeeding transverse thread o. is

brought Within the area of the loop b, pre-` viously formed, and is also definitely spaced apart from the next succeeding transverse thread. The previously formed loop b is then released and-another loop is formed in lthe next succeeding transverse thread o,

advancement of the fabric, of spacing of the transverse threads, of forming-the loops and interengaging them successively with each other, until the end of the run is reached -When the operation is stopped and the repair finished off inthe'usual manner by hand stitching., By applying suitable tension in carrying out these several steps, the fabric is restored to its original condition, it being practically impossible to distinguish therein where the repair was made.

lVe regard as important features of our process the consecutive advancement of the fabric a definite and predetermined distance during the formation of each loop, the uniform spacing apart of the successive threads prej'iaratory to the formation of the loop therein, and the forinationof each succeedand characteristics thereof, we will now (lescribe a structure vof apparatus which we have devised for carrying out the same.

This apparatus, in the form shown in the drawings as illustrative of the principles involved, and of the best form in which we at present contemplate carrying out our invention, includes, generally, a base 1 from which rises a hollow frame 2 having upper and lower 'laterally projecting arm portions 3 and 4 as shown in Figure 1. The upper arm 3 terminates in a head 5 through which a tubular member or sleeve 6 is mounted to slide. A floating rod 7 is mounted in said member 6. At one end the rod 7 is provided with a head 8 in which the loop piek up or needle member is suitably clamped as by means of a set screw 10. At its other end v11 is irmly held against the opposite end of sleeve 6.

The tool or needle is constructed, in this instance, as illustrated in Fig. 14. The particular structure of the tool or needle illusmay be used for other classes of fabrics.

The needle here shown comprises, in general, a hook-shaped member 15, having a shank portion 9 and a latch .member 17 pivotally eoacting therewith. The latch member 17 is normally held under the influence of a slight spring tension applied thereto by means of a spring 8l, fitted into a slot in the shank 9 ot' the needle behind thepivotedl end of the latch. Adjacent the hook portion 15 the shank is inclined at an angle as at 16. Ithas been found in practice in this particular type of needle for repairing runs in hosiery, that the angle of the portion 16of the shank of the needle member should be preferably about 45 degrees. The latch member 17 should be of such a length that when itis closed upon the bill ofthe hook portion 15 its lfree end will lie upon the tip of the hook. It has been found that the preferable length of the latch member when closed on the4 hook is approximately .146 of an inch. The width of the hook portion is proportioned so that when the latch is closed thereon, said vlatch will lie at a predetermined angle with respect to the bill of the hook. In order to hare/the latch coact with the hook at the desired angle in closed position, it has been found that the preferable width of the hook portion 15 should be approximately .013 of an inch.

The above specified proportions of the eleinents forming the structure of the needle and? the angles at which these elements are disposed in'i'espect to each other aie important for the proper functioning of the needle -in its coaction with the operation of the fab- `ric feeding and thread spacer mechanism as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

At a convenient point intermediate its length the sleeve or member G, in which the bar 7 is mounted, is formed with a forked projection 18 in which the end 19 of a rocking lever 20 is received, said lever 2 0 being pivoted at 21 within the arm 3. A block 22 is slidably adjustable upon the opposite end of lever 2O and is fixed iii place by suitable means such as set screw 23. block 22 is pivotally connected at 2li with the forked end of a link 25 forming part of and projecting radially from a ring 26 connectedV with or carried by an eccentric, the latter.

being mounted on the driving shaft 27, joui-- naled in the frame 2. The shaft 27 carries a iywheel 28 (shown in dotted lines Fig. 1) and may be driven in any suitable manner, as, for example, by means such as an electric motor 30, a driving belt or chain and pulley 29. The motor 30 is shown as secured to the base 1 of the machine in any suitable manner such as by bolts 30,

The lower arm t' of the machine terminates in a head 31 which is open towards the opposed end of arm 3, and normally closed byV means of a removable saddle 32. A wheel 33, having its peripheral edges serrated? to form teeth 34 and constituting what we term a thread spacer. is carried by a shaft 35 journaled in the head 31. The shaft 35 is located so as to cause the serrated periphery of the wheel 33 to project to a predetermined extent beyond the outer surface 0f the saddle 32 through a slot 36 with which the latter is provided. rllie seri-ations or teeth 34 of the wheel 33 are equally spaced apart to a predetermined extent in accordance with the character of the repair work for which the particular wheel 33 is intended. However we do not regard as our invention any preferred shape of the inclined The edges of thc teeth or serrations of these spacing wheels. Different wheels 33 may be substituted having a different spacing of the teeth 34 to pmeet the' requirements of different repair operations on different fabrics and articles and to coact with different structures of 'needles and different fabric feed speeds. The wheel 33 is preferably made with two spaced apart annular portions, having an annular groove 37, between them.

The annular vmembers of the wheel 33 are formed with coriesponding and respectively matching or coinciding teeth 34. The annular space 37 permits the needle 9 to pass between the annular portions of the thread spacer to the required extent in the operation o f the machine as will be more fully described hei'einafter.

The thread spacer or wheel 33 may be rotatably advanced periodically and to a uniform and predetermined extent in any suitable inanner, as by means of a pawl 38, positioned to. successively engage the notches between the teeth thereof and rotate the spacer wheel ina clockwise direction the space of one tooth or more at a time. The pawl 38 is shownfpivotally connected to one end of a i'ock'lever 39 pivoted at 40 within thearm 4 and provided at its opposite end (see Fig. 1), with a sliding block 41 fixed in an adjusted position thereon by means of a set screw 42. The block 41 is pivotally connected at- 43 with the forked end. of a link 44 projecting from a ring 45 which,is carried by another eccentric on shaft 27.

The pawl 38 may be held in engagement with the teeth of the spacer wheel 37 in any suitable manner, as by the spring 46 secured to a removable plate 47 in any suitablernanner, as by bolts 48. spring 46 againstpawl 38 may be' adjusted as, forexample, by means of a screw 49 mounted in plate 47. To prevent the pawl 38 from progressing the spacer wheel more than one notched space at a time, a spring 50 is provided which is secured to the rocking lever 39 and is positioned to bear against thepawl in opposition to the action of vthe spring 46.

The plate 47 is provided with an inwardly projecting `member 51 to which is secured in any suitable manner, an arm 51a. Pivoted to the arm 51"L is a pawl 53. Also secured to the arm 51a is a spring 52 which is positioned so as to act against the pawl 53. The pawl 53 engages the notches between the teeth of the spacer wheel 53 and with the help of the tension of the spring 52 .prevents vback lash or a counter-clockwise movement of the spacer wheel.

- In operation upon each rotation of the 'main drive shaft 27 one complete oscillation is imparted to rock lever 39. This .causes one stepof rotative movement of predeter-- gears 58, 57.

The tension of device 33 thereby accurately and to a prei determined extent spacing apart each of the succeeding threads which Across the run to be repaired thereby secuiing`a'ccurate and uniform spacing ofv said transverse threads.

W'e will now describe means to secure uniform feed or progression of the fabric to be repaired in proper timed relation to the step-by-step operationof the thread spacing device, and`to the operation of lthe so-called members 33 and .59 have respectively connected to them, or to the shafts 35, 55, carrying them, the gears 58, 57. An intermediate shaft 54 mountedin head 31,.carries a gear 56 which respectively mesheswith the In this manner each step of rotative movement` imparted to the thread spacer imparts a corresponding predetermined step of relative fabric feed movement to feed roll 59.

The machine further lincludes a presser foot carried by a presser bar 62 slidably mounted in the headv 5-so as to position 'the spring fingers 61, thereof on opposite sides of the slot 36 of the saddle 32 and so that the said spring fingers are spaced a predetermined distance on either side of the spacer wheel 33. A spring 63 interposed between the end of the presser bar 62 and the` opposedV operative position. The screw 64 is thread-y A its operative position. The cam. is manip- -ulated by means of a-nger piece 67 which forms a pai-t thereof.

A presser roll 70 to cooperate with the feed roll 59 is mounted in pivoted links 69, and may be raised and lowered by manipulatingthe cani 66, through arms 67, 68.

The wheel 70 is positioned to bear upon the wheel 59 and to rotate therewith.

The space 73 between the spring. fingers of the presser foot (see Fig. 3) Nmust be of such a width as to allow theproper disposal of the loops of the fabric being repaired after said loops have been formed by the operation of the needle and the, fabric is being advanced by the feed wheel 59 and its cooper- .L with the needle 9.

ating mechanism ,as will be presently explained.

Detachably mounted upon the head 31 of arm 4, in any suitable manner', is a member 74 shaped in such a manner as to form a support for the fabric to be repaired and while the repair operations are kbeing Ypel'- fornicd to facilitate the feeding of the same to the repairing mechanism.

The operation of the entire mechanism may be outlined as follows: y

Assuming that a run in a stocking is to repaired, the stocking is placed over the saddle 3Q, with one end of the run in registry The cross threads of the run at this point are separated apart lfrom each other by the teeth of the'k spacer wheel 33 which protrudes through the opening 36 in said saddle. The presser foot 61 is then lowered to hold the stocking in place against the saddle 32and in proper relation to the thread spacer wheel. The lowering of. the presser foot also causes the presser roll 7 0 to be lowered so as to grip the portion of the stocking beyond the run between it and thc feed wheel 59. The needle is then lowered by operating the wheel 28 by hand so that it descends through the Ifirst loop 7; of the run and down into the annular space 37 lof the spacer wheel as indicatrd diagrainmatically in Fig. 6. The

wheel is then rotated suliciently to raise the needle carrying with it the loop b which is grasped by the hook of the needle, thereby raising the same above the plane of the fabric and into the position indicated in Fig. 7.

displaced in clockwise direction and that the latch 17 of the needle is in raised or' open position being-held in such position Vby means of the spring mounted in the shank of the needle as previously described.

The motor 30 is then started and by reason of its operative connection with the pulley 29, the arms 2O and 39 are caused to be rocked on their pivots 21 and 40.

The rocking movement of the arm 20 by reason of its connection with the slidable sleeve 6 Lcauses the bar 7 to raise and lower the needle 9 in and out of the space 37 of the spacer wheel 33. The rocking movement of the arm 39 by reason of its connection with the pawl 38 causes said pawl to advance the spacer wheel in successive steps in a clockwise direction.

spacer wheel is timed with relation to the movement of the needle so as to allow the needle to dip into the annular space in the ls acer wheel without striking the next cross Itwill lbe understood that duringthis operation the spacerA wheel is rotatively of the various parts the needle 9 proceedsd to move from itsposition shown in Fig.` 7 and the loop b slides along the shank lof the needle. The4 sliding movement of the loop is facilitated by reason of the angularly disposed portion 16 of the shank of the needle.

space 37 the spacer wheel progresses the next cross thread c of theArun into such a position that the hook of the needle when it again moves Aout of the space 37 will grasp and raise said cross thread c through the previously formed or raised loop b. It

`will be seen` that when the needle reaches the limit of its movement, into the space 37 (see Fig. 9), the loop b has passed over and beyond the free end ofthe latch 17 and has forced said'latch back against the shank of the needle. The forcing of the latch into this position on the stroke of the needle into the space 37prevents the latch from becoming entangled with the next cross thread. vAs the needle again commences to ascend, the loop b slides down the same and forces the l'atch downwards so as to gradually close it upon the hook and just after the hook grasps the next succeeding cross thread c the latch closes on the hook and the loop slides olf the needle as the needle continues its upward movement and the cross` thread c caught by the needle is drawn through the loop b to form a new loop. As the loop I) falls off the needle it is caught over the teeth d of the spacer wheel (Fig. 11) and from there progressed between the wheels 59 and70. The action of the spacer wheel and the needle continues in this manner until all the loops in the run are reestablished.A

It willbe understood that as the successive loops are interlocked with each other by the above described'repairing operation the tension developed during the operative -steps of the needle, the spacer wheel, the feeding devices, and their cooperating parts, on the fabric will draw the sides of the run together and will restore -the fabric to its .The progressive rotative movement of the initial condition.

When the inal cross thread c in the run has been reached and manipulated, as above described, it is secured in place in the stocking or other fabric in any convenient manner, as for instance, by manually sewing it into the fabric with an ordinary needle. If the run is a multiple run, it may be necessary to repeatthe above operation several During this movement of the needle. and as the hook thereof passes into thef times by repassing said multiple run between the needle as. often as may ibe required; by multiplerun is meant. a plurality of runsnext adjacent to eachother.

. This application is a continuation in part of our application, Serial No. 183,941, filed April l15, 1927, for machine for repairing fabrics. e

Various changes in the specific form of the machine and its parts and details, as shown and described', may be made Without.v departing from the spirit and scope of our invention. 1

What We claim as'neW and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method 'of 'repairingruns in knitted fabrics Whichcomprises engaging 'and acting upon each thread Which extenils transversely across the run to be repaired to uniformly space the Isame from its adjacent thread, automatically. looping successive spaced .threads through loops formed in the respective preceding threads, under .substantially uniform tension and progressivelyfeeding the fabric.

2. The method of repairing runs in knitted fabrics, which comprises automatically engaging and acting upon each successive thread which crosses the run to 'uniformly-space the same from its adja- 3. The method of repairingl runs in knitted fabrics which comprises engaging and actingv upon threads which extend across a. run in the fabric to space thel same, drawing the threads through loops formed in the said preceding threadsv under sub-` stantially constanttension and progressing movement of the fabric.

4. The method of repairing runsl in knitted fabrics, Which comprises uniformly and individually 4engaging and spacing apart from each other the threads of the fabric Which extend across the run in said fabric, and looping said spaced apart threads through loops formeelin the preceding. threads.

5. rThe method of repairing runs 'in knitted fabrics', Which comprises uniformt'ly and individually engaging and spacing apart from each other -the threads of the fabric Which extend 'across the run in said fabric, y and looping said spaced apart threads under substantially uniform tension through similar loops formed in the y preceding spaced apart threads.

6. The method of repairing runs in knitted fabrics, which comprises `uniformly and individually engaging and spacing apart from cach other the lthreads of the, fabric which extend across'the run in saidfabric, .and looping said? spaced apart threads under substantially uniform ten-4 sion through similar loops formed in the preceding lspaced apart threads and fpromeans to draw each of said loops successively through a similar loop formed in thepreceding thread.

8. In an apparatus for repairing runs in knitted fabrics, means for engaging and actingy upon each thread4 which extends across the run Ato be repaired, `to uniformly space -the same from its adjacent threads, meansto successively loop the succeeding threads which cross' the run to be repaired, said means operating todraw each loop under Auniform tensionr successively through.

a similar loop formed in a preceding cross thread. y

9. In an apparatus for repairing runs in knitted fabrics, means vfor engaging. and acting upon the succeeding threads of the run to be repaired, to uniformlyspace the same from the adjacent threads, means to automatically loop the succeeding threads of the run to be repaired,-means coacting with said looping means to apply substantially uniform tension in forming said loops, -and'means to draw eacli successive loop through the loop formed in the preceding cross thread.

be repaired, to uniformly yspace `the same from the adjacent threads, means vto* successively loop the succeeding threads of the run to be repaired, said means operating to draw each successive loop through a similar loop formed in 'a preceding cross thread, and

means cooperating with said looping means to apply substantially constant tension in the loop forming and drawing'operations.

i 11. In an apparatus for repairing runs in p kmtted fabrics, means for engagmgand acting upon the successive threads of the run to be repaired, to uniformly space the same from adjacent threads, means for forming a loop in each spacedlthread of the run to be repaired, means to draw each successive loop through the loop formed inthe preceding cross thread under substantially constant and uniform tension, and means to auto-i.A

matically progress n the fabric.

12. In an apparatus for repairing runs in knitted fabrics, means for individually encessive` fabric threads which cross the run to be repaired, means to form loops' in the' 'spaced apart threads in successive order,

and means to draw each loop through the loop' formed 1n the preceding cross thread.

13. In an apparatus for repairing runs in .knitted fabrics, means to engage and uniapart cross threads of a run, a hooked needle member, fabric feeding devices, and actuating means to operatev automatically said spacer wheel, needle member and feeding devices all in timed relation to one another.

19. In an apparatus for repairing runs 'in a knitted fabric,l a spacer having teeth knitted` fabrics, means t-o automatically ad- Vance the fabric uniformly and to individually engage and space apartthe successive fabriethreads which cross the run to be repaired,'1neans1to"form loops in the spacedapartV threads in successive order, means to draw each loop -under uniform tension lthrough the loop formed in the preceding cross thread, and means to hold the fabric under tension during the looping operations.

15. In an apparatus forrepairing runs in a knitted fabric, thel combination with means to automatically and uniformly en gage 'and space apart-from each other in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to. be repaired, of a reciprocable needle member Ihaving a hooked engaging portion arranged to operate between successive spaced apartcross threads to engage said threads, and means to operate said spacer means and needle memberin timed relation to each other 16. In an apparatusf'f'or repairing runs in a knitted .,fabrie, the combination with means to individually engage and uniformly space apart from each other in successive order the fabric threads whichcross the run to be repaired, of aneedle member having a hooked engaging portion arranged to operate between successive spaced 'apart cross threads, a fabric progressing mechanism, and means to automatically operate said spacer, needle member and progressing mechanism in timed relation to Veach other.

17. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacer having teeth to` space apart from each other the successive Land means cooperating with the spacer wheel Aand needle member to impose a substantially uniform tension upon the loop forming and` fabric -threads which cross the run to be repaired, a needle member arranged to operate between successive spaced apart threads to engage and form loops therein, each succeeding loop being drawn through the preceding loop, feeding devices to progress the fabric, and means to coincidently actuate said spacer, needle member and feeding devices in timed relation to each other.

18. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, Aa spacer wheel having peripheral teeth adapted to engage and space arranged in parallel rows and adapted to engage and space apart cross threads of a run, a needle member operating between said rows of teeth to form loops 1n the successively spaced threads of the run to be re-A paired, and means to operate said spacer and needle member in timed relation to draw each loop through the preceding loop.

20. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacer having teeth arranged in parallel rows, a needle member operating between said rows of teeth to form loops .in the successively spaced threads of 'the run to be repaired, and means to operate said spacer and needle member in timed relation to draw each loop through the preceding loop, said needle having an inclined portion to facilitate'the loop forming operation.

21. In an apparatus for repairing runs in al knitted fabric, a spacer wheel having parallel toothed peripheral portions to uniformly space apart .in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to be repaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out-,of the space between said peripheral portions, and between successive spaced apartcross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, and means to operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relation with each other to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding loop.

22. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacer wheel having parallel toothed peripheral portions to uni# formly space apart in successive order the fabric threads which crossvthe run to be repaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of the space between said peripheral portions, and between successive spaced apart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, means to'operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relation with each other to draw each succeeding looprthrough the preceding loop,

drawing operations.

23. an apparatus for repairing runs in a. knitted fabric, a spacer Wheel having parallel toothed*peripheral portions, to uniformly space apart in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to be repaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of the space between said peripheral portions, and between successive spaced apart cross threads, to engage the crate vsaid spacer Wheel and needle in timedv latter' and form loops therein, means to eprocate into and out of the space between saidy peripheral portions, Vand between .successwe spaced apart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, means to operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relation with each other to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding loop, and,l

a manually operable pressure foot cooperating with the spacer wheel to hold thefabric inV position during the loop forming and drawing operations.

c 25. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacer wheel having parallel toothed peripheral portions `to luniformly space apart in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to be repaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of the space between said peripheral portions, and between successive spaced apart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, means to operate said spacer wheel and needle in timed relationy with eachother to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding loop, a

feed Aroll and a pressure roll cooperating therewithL .to' feed` the fabric, the spacer wheel and needle actuating means also operating to actuate said feed roll.

26. In an apparatus for repairing runs in a knitted fabric, a spacer wheel having parallel toothed peripheral v.portions to uniformly space apart in successive order the fabric threads which cross the run to be repaired, a needle member mounted to reciprocate into and out of the space between said peripheral portions, and between successive spaced apart cross threads, to engage the latter and form loops therein, means to op` crate said spacer wheel and needle in timed Y relation with each other to draw each succeeding loop through the preceding'loop, and a manually controlled presser foot having spring fingers to straddle said spacer wheel and hold the fabric in position. f

27. In an apparatus for repairing runs in va knitted fabric, a frame having spaced apart arms, a needle member mounted in one of said arms and spacer devices mounted in the other of said arms, the latter operating to uniformly Vspace apart from each other in successive order the threads of the fabric which cross the run to be repaired,

and means mounted in said framework to coincidently operate said needle andjspacer devices.

In testimony whereof we have Ihereunto set our hands on this 21st day of January A. D., 1928.

WILLIAM LEAVIN.- SAMUEL B. LEAVIN.

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