US174763A - Improvement in circular-knitting machines - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-S heetl.

n. BICKFORD. CIRCULAR KNITTING-MACHINE. No. 174,763. Patented. March14, 1876.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2...

D. BICKFORD. CIRCULAR KNITTING -MACHINE.

No.174=,763". Patented March 14, 1878.

I21 rm Z02" fl 4/ AQW I'LPEIERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

3Sheet-s-Sheet3. D. BICKFORD.

CIRCULAR KNITTING-MACHINE. Patented March 14,1876.

6%? Wig/M NJEI'ERS. PHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D L UNITED STATES PATENT GFFIOE.

DAlNA BIOKFORD, OF. EW "YORK, .NQY,

IMPROVEMENT IN CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 174,763., dated March'14,"1876; application filed May 24, 1 875. 7

To all whom it may concemr V Be it known that I, DANA BIoKFoRp, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Knitting Machines; and 1 do hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawings which accompany and form part of this in a needle-rest made separate or detached from its adjacent parts, and so that the camcylinder or cam-plate, or the gear-ring, or ,both, can be taken off and put on at option without disturbing other parts; in combining the needle-rest, the cam-ring or plate, and the gear-ring, so that one, two, or all of them may serve to actuate the yarn-carrier; in resting a detached needle-rest directly on the bed of the machine, or upon slides, screws, or equivalent bearing or supports on the cam-ring or needlecylinder in such a construction of the needlecylinder in parts, one above the other, and with open space between them, so that, if desired, needles can be put in or taken out without disturbing the clasp that holds them in place; in a removable bar or rod, or equivalent device,'for holding down the work While knitting a heel or toe of a stocking, or similar work; in a scaled or index ring or segment for registering the number of courses knitted, combined with mechihismfor shifting ,itfor each course; in combining with the ringclasp which holds the needles in place a needle-cylinder constructed as hereinafter described, and whereby the needles may be readily removed or inserted without the displacement of the clasp; in the arrangement of the cam-plate and needle-rest relatively to each other, so that one of them may be shifted to or from the other, so as to overcome the distancebetween the needle rest or guide and the cams in other'details hereinafter stated, and the construction as a whole, whereby-the machine is rendered completely automatic in its action. 1

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying my improve merits; Fig. 2, a modification of the'take-up; Fig. 3, a section, showingthe adjustable and removable hanger for the driving-wheel, and also the balanced-wheel; Fig. 4, a section, showing the detractable needle-rest, the gear-ring, thecam-plate, and the pivoted thread-carrier;

Fig. 5, a detail view of a device for adjusting the driving-wheel. Fig. 6 shows a device for automatically operating the switches. Fig. 7 shows the extra weight and the position of the crossbar andfabric when knitting a heel or toe;vFig. 8, a section, showing the adjustabilityof the upper part of the needle-cylinder, with theneedle-c'las'p below the open space; and Fig. 9, a modification, showing the upper section of the upper cylinder projecting over a lower portion.

Ais the frame; B, the cam-cylinder C, the needlecylinder; D, the needle-rest; E, the cam-plate; F, the scaled or registering ring; G, the yarn-carrier; H, the balanced drivingwheel. 1

The cam-cylinderl make in two or more parts, and the needle-rest D is made separate and distinct therefrom, and is made to fit loosely inside of, the ca'm'plate or ring, and so that they may shift relatively to each other,

and it rests on the gear-ring or driving part whenever it may be advisable to leave the machine with work upon it, or to revolve it without making stitches.

The needle-rest D may rest directly on the bed of the machine, upon separate bearings inside the cam-ring, or upon the needle-cylinder; and it may be so arranged that, as the machine is revolved in either direction, the forward part-of the cams orswitches will strike against the needle-rest and carry it around, (if not otherwiseconnected,) so that it will come in contact with the other side of the cams. This overcomes a serious objection to fixed or stationary cams amtneedle-rests, as it fills and overcomes the space existiiig between the ends of the cams and the needlerest, and altogether dispenses with any need of devices for making the switches automatic.

The yarn-carrier may also be attached to the needle-rest, or arranged-in such a manner as to be automatically changed by it; or it can be connected with the gear-ring or cam-plate.

1 have shown it as centered on the cam-plate,

and arranged to be shifted as the cam-ring or restis shifted. These parts, being constructed substantially as shown, allow the cam cylinder to be taken entirely ofl, or raised out of action with the gear or driving part, and yet to leave the needles and the needle-restinposition; or the cam and gear part can all be taken ofl", leaving the other parts in position.

. K is a ring or'clasp,f0r'h01ding the needles to place. I V

The needle-cylinder or comb I make in two or more parts, such as are illustrated at lm in Fig. 1,-and connect them together, so as' to leave a separationor space between them.

The clasp-K may be placed either in the upper or lower part of this separation or space; or it may be placed in an ordinary groove at any point below such separation.

The part I may he vertically adjustable relatively to the part m by having its connectingpiece (a simpleform of which is shown at a) movable in dovetails or otherwise, and held by adjusting-screws. This permits a lengthenin g or shortening of the stitches.

The space between 1 and m facilitates the insertion and removal of the needles, and does not require the removal or loosening of the ring-clasp; and another advantage due to making the part I separate is that it may bemade of harder metal or steel than the lower parts of the cylinder require, thus eeonomizing the cost of making and grooving the needle-cylinder, and also afi'ording facility of substituting one part l for another, and permitting the casting in molds of the grooved parts.

The driving-wheel I make-larger than usual, in order to secure more speed of the machine for the same number of the revolutions of the wheel. I also, whenever found desirable, make the wheel and handle to balance, weighting the wheel on theside opposite its handle, or otherwise, so as to equalize and balance the handle, thus allowing the wheel, when the machine is stopped, to remain in the position in which it is left, instead of making a partial revolution or falling back, as heretofore. This prevents an y; bad .results due to falling back or moving forward beyond the precise point where the operator finds it necessary to stop the work. A weight on the wheel for suchpurpose isshown at 0 in Fig. 3.

The bearings or support for the hanger which sustain the wheel I sometimes make adjustable, as shown at p p in Fig. 3. This not only permits the wheel to be readily put into or out of engagement with the other driving parts of the machine; but it also allows. the readyremoval of the hanger, bearing, and wheel, for packing and transportation or other purposes. These parts may be held to any adjusted position by any appropriate device. By way of illustration, I have shown thumbscrews qrq, put in in such a way as to bear against that part of the hanger which is to be connected to the machine. 1

In Fig. 5, 1 have shown also anadjusting device, whereby the wheel may be adjusted in the hanger without adjusting the hanger, r in this figure. indicating a portion of the hanger.

The bearing for the wheel may be placed on either side of the wheel, as preferred.

The take-up device and yarn-guide are shown I in Fig. 1.

The arm's extends over the center of the and its free end, having an eye for the yarn, is V then bent upward, substantially as shown. The arm 8 has appropriate open slots to, into and out of which the yarn may be slipped;

and it has a peculiar eye.-u, with two lapping parts, which, while permitting the ready iTl-' 'sertion of the yarn, prevent its slipping out when the machine is in rapid motion. When the take-up is in use the yarn takes the route shown in the drawing, and the double or bend it presses the yarn upon this arm until the pull of the yarn rocks the spring on its curve t{, and lifts the bend t to release the yarn at that point, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2. 1

In this described construction of the spring take-up, its'back portion actsas' a check to prevent the yarnbeing drawn from the spool instead of from the yarn-carrier, when the spring'reacts.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modification of this take-up, the spring in this case being coiled at one part, as seen at o, and-having a lateral bend or projection at w, for the purpose of causing the hacker doubled end to be lifted to the position shown in dotted lines, when the spring has been pulled down enough to bear on such projection.

The-devices t'orregistermg the number of courses is shown in Fig. 1. The ringF is provided with a scale and notched. It may beeither an entire ring or a portion or segment of a ring. The notches may be of any appro-- priate size or form, (two different sizes being shown by way of illustration,) adapted to receive a spring tooth or detent, m, which,in .every revolution of the machine, will come in contact with a pin, 3 on the frame, and thus be forced into the notch next adjacent to the one in which it previously lodged. 1 The scale or index thus, at any stage, indicates the number-of courses knitted. The pin may be shifted to any of the holes 2, as desired. Theregistering of the number of courses also gives the number of stitches, as each full course has a defined number of stitches, corresponding with the number of needles employed in the cylinder. The ring F is held down by a friction spring or springs, f.

The bobbin-winder and its stand or support are shown in Fig. 1. It consists of a spindle to receive the bobbin, mounted in a bearing in a hanger or bracket, removably secured to the machine in any appropriate manner, the spindle having a friction-wheel, 2, which may brought at will into or out of contact with the driving-wheel H, or it may be so located as to be driven by any other running part of the machine.

The adjustment of the driving-wheel admits of the latter being used to actuate. the winder, while disengaged from the gear-ring. Under such adjustment the winder only may be driven, while the machine proper is atrest.

The removability of the winding device from the machine allows of greater com pact ness in packing machines for the market, and the operator can put it on or off at option in a moment; and the device also is less expensive than the separate winding-machines.

For holding down the work when knitting a heel or toe of a stocking, or similar work, I

employ a simple rod or bar, 3, (see Fig. 1,)

lodged loosely and removably in notches 4 made in the inside of the needle-ring, and the A main body of the knitted goods being held down by the customary weights. After the leg of a stocking or sock, &c., has been made, this bar is put in place, as shown, and under the knitted fabric, and the buckle and weight are then drawn up close to the machine, and an extra weight, as shown at 5 in Fig. 7,is then laid into that part of the knitted goods which hangs on the other side of the bar 3, and this weight will then run down with and carry the work being knitted, as the machine is being run backward and forward. This bar is a most important improvement and aids in knitting the heel or toe of a stocking, or other goods of that shape.

Instead of the extra weight, the hand may be used in connection with the bar to hold the work down, or both, if required.

The upper part or sectionl of the needlecylinder may have its outer circumference larger than that of the lower part 121., (see Fig. 9,) so as 'toproject beyond it, and thus serve to hold down the cam-ringto place. This construction is shown in Fig. 9. Or the ring it for holding the needles to place may be attached to the lower or under section of the needle-cylinder, as shown in Fig.8, and in such case this needle ring or clasp can also admit of the needles being put in or taken out without the needof opening or removing the clasp. The clasp may remain fixed in position, and the needle-cylinder may be unclamped or unscrewed at the bottom, when it is necessary'to take the machine to piecesthe said yarn-carrier is automatically operated and brought into proper relative position to deliver the yarn to the needles upon the rotation of the machine in either direction, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

.2. Theneedle-cylinder 0, formed of the two grooved parts lm, constructed substantially as described, whereby the needles may be inserted or removed without the necessity of disturbing the clasp.

3. Thecombination,with theneedle-cylinder, having notches 4, of the bar or rod for holdin g down the work, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the scaled'or ind'exed ring or segment, of the pin 3 springtooth x, and friction spring or springs f.

. 5. The-cam-carrying plate and needle-rest, constructed and combined as described, so that one of them may be shifted upon the other, to overcome the distance between the needle rest or guide and the cams, substantially as shown and described.

6. A yarn-stand, constructed substantially as shown and described, in combination with the take-up wire, the yarn-carrier, and spoolstand, all constructed and arranged to operatesubstantially' as described.

7. In combination with the cam-ring B, and the cams or switches 6 6 connected thereto, the detachable and movable needle-rest D, arranged as described, whereby all the needles are automatically operated in knitting a heel,

toe, or flat web, with all needles in place, sub-. tantially as described.

DANA BIOKFORD. Witnesses:

WILLIAM FrroH, GEo. T. SMALLwooD, Jr.

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