US180250A - Improvement in knitting-machines - Google Patents

Improvement in knitting-machines Download PDF

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US180250A
US180250A US180250DA US180250A US 180250 A US180250 A US 180250A US 180250D A US180250D A US 180250DA US 180250 A US180250 A US 180250A
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needles
cams
bits
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    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04BKNITTING
    • D04B9/00Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles
    • D04B9/06Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles with needle cylinder and dial for ribbed goods

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  • N FETERS PHOTO-L;THOGRAPHER, WASHXNGTON. n CA l GSh'eeffS-Shet M MARSHALL.
  • Knitting-lVIachines of which the followingis a specification:
  • My invention consists in various improvements in that class ot' circular-knitting machines which contain both vertical and horizontal needles for the production of ribbed fabrics. Gertain'of the features are also applicable to the machines having vertical needles only, for the production of plain fabrics; but as they are considered of secondary importance, 1 have in the accompanying drawings shown a machine-of the first-mentioned class, constructed to lay two threads into the fabric at each revolution, and in the following description l will confine myself thereto.
  • My first improvement consists in the em- -ployment of a suspending-rod, serving to sustain the dial-plate, in which the horizontal needles are mountedto hold the same from turning, and also to adjust it with its needles vertically, the object of this arrangement being to provide for the ready and accurate adjustment ot' the dial, to render the machine simple and compact, and to dispense with certain devices hitherto used for holding the dialplate, which were objectionable on account ol' their producing an injurious strain and friction upon the fabric during its passage down through the machine.
  • My second improvement consists in mounting the horizontal needle-cams, the bobbincarrier, and the take-up devices on a sleeve surrounding the above-mentioned suspending- ,rod, androtated bythe action of the machine,
  • the object being to take up automatically the slack which occurs in the yarn when the motion of the machine is reversed, as, for example, when knitting a Hat web with selvage edges, which is accomplished by giving the needle-cylinder a reciprocating instead of a continuous rotary motion.
  • the fourth improvement consists in the employment of small slides, technically termed Lueedle-bits,7 mounted in the grooves by the side ot' the-needles, and operated by special adjustable cams, for the, purpose of setting the needles in the proper position to be acted upon by the fixed operating-cams, as usual.
  • the bits serve simply to move the needles up into the path of the operating-cams, which act entirely independent of the bits advancing and retracting the needles, and causing them to form the stitches in the usual manner.
  • the object in using the bits and their special adjustable cams is to so control the needles that all ora portionof them may be operated in unison, and so that a portion ot' them may be operated while the remainder are standing idle, whereby the machine is adapted for knitting different fabrics'without removing the needles, 'a simple instantaneous shifting of either bit-cam serving to throw the needles controlled thereby into or out of action, while the remainder continue to operate.
  • the fifth improvement consists in a special manner of arranging certain of the adjustable needle-bit cams, and in connecting the cams of the vertical needle-bits with those ot' the horizontal needle-bits, in such manner that the two may be adjusted simultaneously.
  • the sixth improvement consists in a special arrangement ot' the remaining needle-bit cams other than those above mentioned, so that they may be adjusted separately, lso as to opcrate the needles in conjunction with the main operating-cams and the other needle-bit cams, in the special manner required for the production ot' different fabrics.
  • the seventh improvement consists in th'e employment Vof spring pressure-feet in the cam-plate of the horizontal needles, to press the needle-bits down upon theneedles and holding the latter in place, so that when the needles are not required to operate there will be no danger of their being 4accidentally moved so as to be caught by the operatingcams.
  • the eighth improvement consists in giving the cam-groove, by which the horizontalneedles are operated, a peculiar form at certain points, in order to arrest the inward or backward movement of each of said needles until the adjoining vertical needles have completed their downward movementand drawn over the stationary needle a sulicientamount of yarn to form the stitch.
  • Ilhis arrangement in addition to its other advantages, admits of the cam-groove in the dial-plate being coutracted, so as to at'tord room for from two to four cams, where heretofore only one could be used in machines of small size.
  • the ninth improvement consists in beveling the upper inner edge of the vertical needlecylinder and the jacks or ribs between the vertical needles, in order tohave them cast the stitches over inside of and below the tops of theljacks as fast asthey are formed, in order to avoid the usual strain of drawing the fabric down over the jacks, and apply the strain and tension to the working-needles while the stitch is being formed.
  • the tenth improvement consists in making the needle-cylinder ⁇ adjustable vertically, in order to raise and lowerthe jacks, and thereby change the length of the stitches without changing the adjustmentof the needle-operating camsor the movement of the needles.
  • ⁇ Figure l represents a side elevation of my complete machine, and illustrates its general i'orm and construction, and the manner in which the dial-plate, the horizontal cam-plate, the bobbin-holder, and the take-up devices are sustained.
  • Fig. 2 is a vertical central section on the line 40 of Fig.
  • Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one ofthe take-up devices and its actuating mechanism.
  • Fin. 4 is a horizontal section on the ⁇ line 50 ot' Fig. 2, looking downward, and showing the take-up device and yarn guides or carriers.
  • Fig. 5 is another section' on the same line as the last, looking upward instead of downward, andillustrating the action of the pivoted ily, by which the take-up arm is operated. ⁇ Fig.6vis a vertical setion on the line ⁇ 41 Vof Fig.
  • Fig. 7 a horizontal cross-section of the same on the line 42 ot'FiU. 3 5 Fig. 8, ra vertical section through the lower end ofthe suspension rod and sleeve, and the cam-plate by which the horizontal needles are operated, illustrating the manner in which said plate is attached to the ⁇ sleeve and rendered capable of a vertical adjustment to correspond. with the ⁇ adjustmentot' the dial-plate.
  • Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal section, taken on ⁇ the lille 51 5l of Figs. l0, 14, and 15,
  • Fi 0. 10 represents a vertical central section on the line 43 43 of Fig. 9, illustrating clearly the "form and arrangement ot' the needle-bits, and
  • Fig. 11 a vertical radial section through the lei'thand side ot' the machine on the line 44 'of Fig. 13, showing the needle partially raised by the operating-cam.
  • Fig. 12 is a vertical radial section through the right-hand side ot' the machine, showing the cal needle at its highest point;
  • Fig. 13, a "top-plan View ot' the knitting-machine proper complete, the bobbin-carrier and take-up not being included;
  • Fig. 14 a vertical central section of the machine on the line 44 of Fig. 13, with'the dial-plate sustained and held by the usual devices instead of my suspending-rod.
  • Fig. ⁇ 15 is a vertical central section through the carnplate by which the horizontal needles and needle-bits are operated, showing the manner in which the needle-bit cams are mounted and adjusted, and also the arms which serve as pressers, yarn-carriers, and latch-openers.
  • Fig. 16 is a bottom-plan view ot' said camplate, showing the cams, cam-grooves, latchopeners, and spring pressuret'eet.
  • Fig; 17 is a side view otone ot' the needles and a long needle-bit.
  • Fig. 18 is an edge view ot' thc same.
  • Fig. 1.) is a side view of one ot' the needles and a short needle-bit.
  • Fig. 20 is lan edge view of the same.
  • Fig. 21. is a horizontal cross-section of the stationary vertical cylinder, in which the vertical needles are mounted as usual.
  • Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the needlebit-operating cams attached to the revolving ring, illustrating the manner in which it is mounted, so that it 4can be thrown into and out of action at will.
  • y Fie. 28 is a plan view ot' the needle-bit cam situated on the opposite side ofthe machine from the one shown in the last figure, showing'the manner in which it is adjusted and heldin position.
  • Fig. 21. is a horizontal cross-section of the stationary vertical cylinder, in which the vertical needles are mounted as usual.
  • Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the needlebit-operating cams attached to the revolving ring, illustrating the manner in which it is mounted, so that it 4can be thrown into and out of action at will.
  • y Fie. 28 is a plan view
  • Fig. 29 is' a plan view oi' a shiftingring, carrying three slot-cams and a springarm, for the purpose of making the required changes in the position of the needle-bit cams, andsecuring them in position.
  • Fig. 30 is a side elevation of the cam, by means of which motion is communicated from the shifting-ring tothe devices employed for moving the horizontal needle-bit cams.
  • Fig. 31 is a side or edge view of a portion of the annular shifting-ring and one of its slot-cams for operating the bits the motion is reversed and thestud carried' toward the free end of the ily, as shown in Fig.
  • the machine is adapted for the production ot' either a tubular web or a single or two ⁇ separate ilat webs with selvage edges, 'theriotthem with a plain or a ribbed surface, s referred.
  • the bits for setting the needles consist simply ot ⁇ small metal slides ,s s', such as shown in Figs. 17 1S, 19,.and 20, of such size and form as to tit into the needle-grooves upon the back ends ot' the needles, ⁇ and ill said grooves out flush with the surface ot'l the dial and cylinder, as shownin Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12.
  • the needles and the bits are free to slide in the grooves independently Aof each other, except when the forward ends -ot' ⁇ the bits strike against the heels. 22 of ⁇ the needles.
  • bits are used in the same manner with both the vertical and horizontal needles, although the difference in location, of course, necessitates a corresponding di'erence in the form and arrangement ot' theoperating-cams.
  • 1I provide two dili'erent sets ot' bits and corresponding cams, so that eachcam, while operating one 1set ot' bits and necdles,rwill permit the ⁇ others to pass by without moving them, so that both ⁇ sets ot' needles maybe operated at once, or
  • Figs. 9, 10,14, 15, and lb' illustrate the mauner in which the horizontal needles audytheir bits are moved.
  • lt, Fig. 9, represents the horrizontal cam-plate, and 13 the cam-groove therein, made ot' a circular concentric form and provided on opposite sides ot' the machine with the two eccentric or cam portions 13', by which the needles are advanced and ⁇ retracted, as usual.
  • rlhe oiiice ofthe cams is to push the needles outward until their heels enter the eccentric or cam portions' 13', for unless this is done the heels will continue to travel within the circular groove, and the needles will remain at restin the dial-plate, notwithstanding the rotation ot4 the camplate.
  • cam-plate 1t is provided with grooves for the ends ot' the bits to travel in, and in these Agrooves there are mounted two cams, k and m, on opposite sides otl the' center, to act upon the
  • the cams j, k, l, and m act against the bits, and pushing th'em to ope 1late, bu
  • the bits do ',not move the needles far enough to'cause imply set them so that they can be operated by the usual cams ⁇ ,'as before stated.
  • the special bit-operating cams are all of them attached to verticallysliding rods, as shown in Fig. l0, so that they can be drawn upoutof action independently of each other.
  • all the needles may be ad 'an'eed and retracted twice during each rotation ot' the dial, or eitherv set operated in this lmanner while the others are at rest, or either set caused to operate twice while the others are operating once, orboth sets caused to operate'oneeat leach revolution, or, nally, both sets stopped entirely.
  • cams and needle-bits of the vertical needles arearranged and operate in the same manner as those of the horizontal needles, although, as before-stated,-the cams are differently shaped, owing to the fact that, instead ot' beingn atlat plate, they are in the inner face of the ring Y surrounding the needle-eylinder,.as shown in Figs. 11, '12, 25, and 26.
  • rlhe vertical needles like the horizontal, are divided into two equal sets, those on one side of the machine being provided' with the long bits, and those on the opposite side with .short bits, as shown in Figs. 1l and 12, in which igures n and p represent the cams for operating the short bits; o and'q the cams for operating the long bits, and y1 the main operating-cam groove, by which the needles are op- 'I'hc cam-groove y1 extends around within thering Y, ina continuons straight line,.so that the ring can rotate without operating the needles; but on opposite sides of the machine the groove is provided with deviatin g portions y2, forming cams, as shown in Figs.
  • TheA bit-operating cams aap, o, and q are so arranged that they can slide outward clear of the bits, so as not to act thereon,- and are each provided Lwith an operatin g stem or rod extending through the ring, and protruding on theioutside, 'as shown in Figs.
  • shifting-ring is also provided with a vertical slotted cam-plate, f, assh'o'wn in Figs. 29 and 30, which engages, asshown in Fig. 14, with the lowerend of a verticallysliding rod, h, pivoted'at its top to a lever, t',
  • cams l, imp, and q need not, necessarily, be provided wit-h fastening devices, but it is preferred to provide the stem of each cam with two notches, andl to lock tlfe same by a rotating pin, flattened on on'eiside,"as shown in Fig. 2S.
  • Another ot' my improvements consists in so shaping the P horizontal needle-operating cam thatA the needles pause during their in ⁇ ward movement until the adjoining vertical needles have descended' past them and drawn over them sufficient thread to form the stitches. This is accomplished, as shown in 9, by widening the'cam-groove 13 at the points g3 so that, although'the movement of the dialplate continues, the needlpsreinain at rest therenwhile their heels are passing through the widened spaces.
  • the needle-cylinder is arranged so that it can be raised and lowered in the frame or base-plate of the machine, and is secured by screws 1 and 2 passing through said plate.
  • the screws are distributed at suitable dis. tances apart, and half ot' them arranged to bear upward against the cylinder, whilethe others are arranged to draw the Vsaine down- ⁇ ward, so that by turning one set upward and the other downwardthe cylinder can bereadf,l ily adjusted, as required.
  • the vertical nonrotating suspension-rod P having its lower end secured rigidly to the dial-plate S, and its upper end sustained in the standard by means ot' the thumb-lint Q, as shown, whereby the dial-plate is held from rotating without obstructin g the interior of the needle-cylinder, ⁇ and rendered capable of a vertical adjustment by simply turning the nut.
  • the take-up mechanism consisting of the stationary grooved plate J, provided with the stud c5, and the rotating plate I, provided with the arm N, disk L, and lever or arm K, having the pivoted ily c4 thereon.
  • a sliding bit mounted by the side thereof and acting thereon, substantially as shown and described, whereby the needle is brought into position to be acted upon by the operating-cam.
  • the needle-cylinder X provided with the jacks lia-ving their upper ends beveled on the inner or rear side to a point forward of the rear side of the needles, as shown and vdescribed, whereby the tension applied to the web is thrown directly and'wliolly upon the stitches held bythe needles.

Description

V 6 Sheets-Sheet Z. M.A MARSH-ALL. KNITTING-.MACHINE.
No. 180,250. Patente@ July 25,1876.
.3 W @f4 @d Win 6666;,"
Z I l M @y @Mya/M 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.
M. MARSHALL. KNIVTT'ING-MACHINE. No.180,2'50. Patented'J'uly 25,1876.
N FETERS. PHOTO-L;THOGRAPHER, WASHXNGTON. n CA l GSh'eeffS-Shet M MARSHALL.
KNITTING-MACHINE.
No.180,Z50. Patented July 25,1876.
W .'/m 4% ,gygddagxa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
MOSES MARSHALL, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.
IMPROVEMENT IN KNlTTlNG-MACHINES.
Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 180,250', dated July 25, 1876; application led January 27, 1876.
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, MOSES MARSHALL, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Knitting-lVIachines, of which the followingis a specification:
,My invention consists in various improvements in that class ot' circular-knitting machines which contain both vertical and horizontal needles for the production of ribbed fabrics. Gertain'of the features are also applicable to the machines having vertical needles only, for the production of plain fabrics; but as they are considered of secondary importance, 1 have in the accompanying drawings shown a machine-of the first-mentioned class, constructed to lay two threads into the fabric at each revolution, and in the following description l will confine myself thereto.
My first improvement consists in the em- -ployment of a suspending-rod, serving to sustain the dial-plate, in which the horizontal needles are mountedto hold the same from turning, and also to adjust it with its needles vertically, the object of this arrangement being to provide for the ready and accurate adjustment ot' the dial, to render the machine simple and compact, and to dispense with certain devices hitherto used for holding the dialplate, which were objectionable on account ol' their producing an injurious strain and friction upon the fabric during its passage down through the machine.
My second improvement consists in mounting the horizontal needle-cams, the bobbincarrier, and the take-up devices on a sleeve surrounding the above-mentioned suspending- ,rod, androtated bythe action of the machine,
y the object being to take up automatically the slack which occurs in the yarn when the motion of the machine is reversed, as, for example, when knitting a Hat web with selvage edges, which is accomplished by giving the needle-cylinder a reciprocating instead of a continuous rotary motion.
The fourth improvement consists in the employment of small slides, technically termed Lueedle-bits,7 mounted in the grooves by the side ot' the-needles, and operated by special adjustable cams, for the, purpose of setting the needles in the proper position to be acted upon by the fixed operating-cams, as usual. The bits serve simply to move the needles up into the path of the operating-cams, which act entirely independent of the bits advancing and retracting the needles, and causing them to form the stitches in the usual manner. The object in using the bits and their special adjustable cams is to so control the needles that all ora portionof them may be operated in unison, and so that a portion ot' them may be operated while the remainder are standing idle, whereby the machine is adapted for knitting different fabrics'without removing the needles, 'a simple instantaneous shifting of either bit-cam serving to throw the needles controlled thereby into or out of action, while the remainder continue to operate.
The fifth improvement ,consists ina special manner of arranging certain of the adjustable needle-bit cams, and in connecting the cams of the vertical needle-bits with those ot' the horizontal needle-bits, in such manner that the two may be adjusted simultaneously.
The sixth improvement consists in a special arrangement ot' the remaining needle-bit cams other than those above mentioned, so that they may be adjusted separately, lso as to opcrate the needles in conjunction with the main operating-cams and the other needle-bit cams, in the special manner required for the production ot' different fabrics.
' The seventh improvement consists in th'e employment Vof spring pressure-feet in the cam-plate of the horizontal needles, to press the needle-bits down upon theneedles and holding the latter in place, so that when the needles are not required to operate there will be no danger of their being 4accidentally moved so as to be caught by the operatingcams.
The eighth improvement consists in giving the cam-groove, by which the horizontalneedles are operated, a peculiar form at certain points, in order to arrest the inward or backward movement of each of said needles until the adjoining vertical needles have completed their downward movementand drawn over the stationary needle a sulicientamount of yarn to form the stitch. Ilhis arrangement, in addition to its other advantages, admits of the cam-groove in the dial-plate being coutracted, so as to at'tord room for from two to four cams, where heretofore only one could be used in machines of small size.
The ninth improvement consists in beveling the upper inner edge of the vertical needlecylinder and the jacks or ribs between the vertical needles, in order tohave them cast the stitches over inside of and below the tops of theljacks as fast asthey are formed, in order to avoid the usual strain of drawing the fabric down over the jacks, and apply the strain and tension to the working-needles while the stitch is being formed. Y
The tenth improvement consists in making the needle-cylinder` adjustable vertically, in order to raise and lowerthe jacks, and thereby change the length of the stitches without changing the adjustmentof the needle-operating camsor the movement of the needles. `Figure l represents a side elevation of my complete machine, and illustrates its general i'orm and construction, and the manner in which the dial-plate, the horizontal cam-plate, the bobbin-holder, and the take-up devices are sustained. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section on the line 40 of Fig. 1, showing the suspen sion-rod with the dial-plate lattached to its lower end, the sleeve surrounding said rod, and carrying the bobbin-holder, the take-up devices, and the cams by which the horizontal y needles are operated. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one ofthe take-up devices and its actuating mechanism. Fin. 4 is a horizontal section on the` line 50 ot' Fig. 2, looking downward, and showing the take-up device and yarn guides or carriers. Fig. 5 is another section' on the same line as the last, looking upward instead of downward, andillustrating the action of the pivoted ily, by which the take-up arm is operated.` Fig.6vis a vertical setion on the line` 41 Vof Fig. 3, showing the manner in which the spring take-up arm is attached and supported; Fig. 7, a horizontal cross-section of the same on the line 42 ot'FiU. 3 5 Fig. 8, ra vertical section through the lower end ofthe suspension rod and sleeve, and the cam-plate by which the horizontal needles are operated, illustrating the manner in which said plate is attached to the `sleeve and rendered capable of a vertical adjustment to correspond. with the` adjustmentot' the dial-plate. Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal section, taken on `the lille 51 5l of Figs. l0, 14, and 15,
` showing` theform and arrangement of the "cams bywhich the horizontal needles and e dle-blts are operated, the arrangement and tio of the `needles and bits, and the spring pressure-feet; by which the needles and bits are prevented from moving accidentally. Fi 0. 10 represents a vertical central section on the line 43 43 of Fig. 9, illustrating clearly the "form and arrangement ot' the needle-bits, and
the difference between the long and short bits used on opposite` sidesof the machine. Fie'.
11, a vertical radial section through the lei'thand side ot' the machine on the line 44 'of Fig. 13, showing the needle partially raised by the operating-cam. Fig. 12 is a vertical radial section through the right-hand side ot' the machine, showing the cal needle at its highest point; Fig. 13, a "top-plan View ot' the knitting-machine proper complete, the bobbin-carrier and take-up not being included; Fig. 14, a vertical central section of the machine on the line 44 of Fig. 13, with'the dial-plate sustained and held by the usual devices instead of my suspending-rod. Fig.\15 is a vertical central section through the carnplate by which the horizontal needles and needle-bits are operated, showing the manner in which the needle-bit cams are mounted and adjusted, and also the arms which serve as pressers, yarn-carriers, and latch-openers.` Fig. 16 is a bottom-plan view ot' said camplate, showing the cams, cam-grooves, latchopeners, and spring pressuret'eet. Fig; 17 is a side view otone ot' the needles and a long needle-bit. Fig. 18 is an edge view ot' thc same. Fig. 1.) is a side view of one ot' the needles and a short needle-bit. Fig. 20 is lan edge view of the same. Fig. 21. is a horizontal cross-section of the stationary vertical cylinder, in which the vertical needles are mounted as usual. Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the needlebit-operating cams attached to the revolving ring, illustrating the manner in which it is mounted, so that it 4can be thrown into and out of action at will.y Fie. 28 is a plan view ot' the needle-bit cam situated on the opposite side ofthe machine from the one shown in the last figure, showing'the manner in which it is adjusted and heldin position. Fig. 29 is' a plan view oi' a shiftingring, carrying three slot-cams and a springarm, for the purpose of making the required changes in the position of the needle-bit cams, andsecuring them in position. Fig. 30 is a side elevation of the cam, by means of which motion is communicated from the shifting-ring tothe devices employed for moving the horizontal needle-bit cams. Fig. 31 is a side or edge view of a portion of the annular shifting-ring and one of its slot-cams for operating the bits the motion is reversed and thestud carried' toward the free end of the ily, as shown in Fig. 4, it engages therein, and turns the ly over upon its pivot, and in -so doing causes Y the y to push the arm K back, as shown iu Fig. 5, and thereby operate the take-up arm N. l After the fly is turned the parts may continue their motion in the new direction without causing any further action of the y or take-up, but the instant the motion is reversed the ii y and take-up will be again operated.
It will thusbe seeufthat, although, the machine can run continuously in eithcrdirection without operating the take-up, the latter is autolnatically brought into action `each and every time the reversal ot' the motion occurs to produce a slack thread.
The essential feature ot' thc take-up is the pivoted'fly, acting asdescribed, and it is obvious that it may be` used with take up devices otl any suitable construction other than that shown. 4
1n order to provide for the adjustment and operation of the needles to produce dit'erent fabrics and accomplish results not attainable in other circular machines, hereinafter described, I employ a series of small slides called needlebits, operated by a special set of cams,
for the purpose ot` moving the needles into such position that they will be operated and caused to form stitches by the usual cams in the usual manner.
Instead ot arranging the parts as usual, so y that the needles always remain in position to he caught andmoved by their operating-cams, I so arrange them that, although the motion ot' the operating-cams continues, they will not move the needles until the latter have rst been moved up thereto by means of the needle-bitsfactuated'by the special cams. 'lhe cams which operate thel needle-bits are arranged so that they can be thrown into and out ot' action at will, so that in order to have the needles remain at rest out ot' action it is only necessary to throw the needle-bit cams out ot action, the result ot' which is that the bits are not moved, and, consequently, th'e needles not pushed up into the path otA their operatingcams. By this arrangement l am enabledto'throw thcncedles out ot` action instantly without removing them from the ma chine. Y
In order to permit a portion of the needles to be thrown out ot action without aieeting the operation ot' the others, I use bits of dit'- terent forms operated by ditferent cams,\so
that although one series of cams and bits may be thrown out ot' operation the remainder will be unaffected thereby. By this arrangement the machine is adapted for the production ot' either a tubular web or a single or two` separate ilat webs with selvage edges, 'theriotthem with a plain or a ribbed surface, s referred.
` "nstruction `and operation ot' the needle-bits will be readily understood upon reference to Figs. 9, 10, 11, l2, 17,18, 19, and20. rJhe needles are made of theusual form, as
shown in Figs.17,aud 19, witha lateral pro-` jection or heel, 22, at 4the middle, to engage with the operating-cam, and,` as usual in this class of machines, they are simply placed loosely in grooves in the cylinder andthe dial-plate, so as to slide freely therein.
The bits for setting the needles consist simply ot `small metal slides ,s s', such as shown in Figs. 17 1S, 19,.and 20, of such size and form as to tit into the needle-grooves upon the back ends ot' the needles, `and ill said grooves out flush with the surface ot'l the dial and cylinder, as shownin Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12. The needles and the bits are free to slide in the grooves independently Aof each other, except when the forward ends -ot'` the bits strike against the heels. 22 of `the needles.
The bits are used in the same manner with both the vertical and horizontal needles, although the difference in location, of course, necessitates a corresponding di'erence in the form and arrangement ot' theoperating-cams. In order to permit the operation of the ,bits and needles ou one sideot' the machine, while those ou the other side are idle,1I provide two dili'erent sets ot' bits and corresponding cams, so that eachcam, while operating one 1set ot' bits and necdles,rwill permit the` others to pass by without moving them, so that both `sets ot' needles maybe operated at once, or
either set operated alone,or the two operated alternately, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
Figs. 9, 10,14, 15, and lb' illustrate the mauner in which the horizontal needles audytheir bits are moved. lt, Fig. 9, represents the horrizontal cam-plate, and 13 the cam-groove therein, made ot' a circular concentric form and provided on opposite sides ot' the machine with the two eccentric or cam portions 13', by which the needles are advanced and `retracted, as usual. rlhe oiiice ofthe cams is to push the needles outward until their heels enter the eccentric or cam portions' 13', for unless this is done the heels will continue to travel within the circular groove, and the needles will remain at restin the dial-plate, notwithstanding the rotation ot4 the camplate. The
needles on one side ot' the dial-plate are proin Fie. 19, as' will be' clearly seen in both' Figs. 9 and 10. rlhe cam-plate 1t is provided with grooves for the ends ot' the bits to travel in, and in these Agrooves there are mounted two cams, k and m, on opposite sides otl the' center, to act upon the| short bits s', and'two ca1ns,j and l, also on opposite sides otfthe` center, to act upon the short bits s', as clear--v ly represented in Figs. 9 and 10.`
As the needles and bits are carried around by the rotation ot' the dial-plate, the cams j, k, l, and m act against the bits, and pushing th'em to ope 1late, bu
`erated alter being raised by the bits.
themfoutward, cause them to push the needles outward far enough to be caught and operated bythe main operating cams 13. The bits do ',not move the needles far enough to'cause imply set them so that they can be operated by the usual cams`,'as before stated. The special bit-operating cams are all of them attached to verticallysliding rods, as shown in Fig. l0, so that they can be drawn upoutof action independently of each other. By adjusting the cams, all the needles may be ad 'an'eed and retracted twice during each rotation ot' the dial, or eitherv set operated in this lmanner while the others are at rest, or either set caused to operate twice while the others are operating once, orboth sets caused to operate'oneeat leach revolution, or, nally, both sets stopped entirely.
The manner in which the above cams are held and adjusted, and their connection with the cams ot' the vertical needles, will be here'- inafter explained. The cams and needle-bits of the vertical needles arearranged and operate in the same manner as those of the horizontal needles, although, as before-stated,-the cams are differently shaped, owing to the fact that, instead ot' beingn atlat plate, they are in the inner face of the ring Y surrounding the needle-eylinder,.as shown in Figs. 11, '12, 25, and 26.
rlhe vertical needles, like the horizontal, are divided into two equal sets, those on one side of the machine being provided' with the long bits, and those on the opposite side with .short bits, as shown in Figs. 1l and 12, in which igures n and p represent the cams for operating the short bits; o and'q the cams for operating the long bits, and y1 the main operating-cam groove, by which the needles are op- 'I'hc cam-groove y1 extends around within thering Y, ina continuons straight line,.so that the ring can rotate without operating the needles; but on opposite sides of the machine the groove is provided with deviatin g portions y2, forming cams, as shown in Figs. l1, 12,25, and 26, which serve to operate the needles whenever they are started up therein bythe action of tlie bits. When the bits fail to raise the needles out of the straight portion ofthe groove, the cams pass by without moving the needles. TheA bit-operating cams aap, o, and q are so arranged that they can slide outward clear of the bits, so as not to act thereon,- and are each provided Lwith an operatin g stem or rod extending through the ring, and protruding on theioutside, 'as shown in Figs. l1, l2, 26, 27, and- 28, by means of which rods the cams may be thrown into and out of action at will, 'independently of each other, so as to obtain the same action of the needles as before described,'in speaking of the horizontal needles.
` It will be observed that there are in the machine four 4pairs ot' needle-bit cams,'one pair for the long, and anothery pair for the short, bits of the horizontal needles', and the ynot be increased.
same forthe long and .short'bits of the vertical needles. Four of the cams, one of each' Vthe cam-ring Y a loose ring-or plate, c, pro- Y y vided with slotted cam -plates Z and @,as shown in Fig. 29, 011e of said plates operating along bit-cam, 0, on one side ot' the machine, while the other operates a' short bit-cam, n, on the Aopposite side of themachine. The'ring-c,
termed the. shifting-ring, is also provided with a vertical slotted cam-plate, f, assh'o'wn in Figs. 29 and 30, which engages, asshown in Fig. 14, with the lowerend of a verticallysliding rod, h, pivoted'at its top to a lever, t',
`which is pivoted at its middle tothe horizontal cam-plate It, andprovided at its inner end with two arms, which are pivoted, as shown in Fig. 15, tothe shifting rods or stems ofthe ltwolhorizontal needlebit cams j and 7c.
Upon turning the ring'c aroundthe camring Y, the slot-cams d and e shit't the cams -o and q of the vertical needles, while the cam f, through the rod h and lever t', shifts the camsj and 7c of the horizontal needles, all four cams being thus shifted simultaneously by simply turning the ring. In order to hold the ring from turning accidentally, it is vpro-l vided, as shown in Fig. 29, with a'spring-arm, &, to engage in notchesA in the cam-ring Y. The cams l, imp, and q need not, necessarily, be provided wit-h fastening devices, but it is preferred to provide the stem of each cam with two notches, andl to lock tlfe same by a rotating pin, flattened on on'eiside,"as shown in Fig. 2S.
By the above'described arrangement of long and short bits, and the' various cams for oper-h A atngthem, I am enabled to so controlv the needles as to produce a ribbed or a plain fab# ric, and to knit the same in a tubular seamless web, or in a singleor two separate fiat webs with selvage edges. When the machine is not required to perform allL the Voperations above named the parts may be modifiedaccordingly.' The essential vand important feature is the bits arranged'in the grooves by the side of the needles, so thatthe length ot' the grooves and the size of the machine need I am aware that an attempt has been made to use false shanks, sliding in the groovel behind and against the ends of the needles, to-
-push themv up and leave them standing, the
parts being operated by the usual cam, divided into two parts, which were yseparated 'from each other in such manner that the shank was raised to push the needle upward, and then 'drawn down and the needle left standing withV the stitches thereon.. In their purpose and operation these Shanks were totally different from the bits of my machine; and, moreover,
as they required an increased spacebchind Instead ofsimply dividing each series into two sets, they may be divided into as Amany sets as desired by providing a corresponding number ot' differentbits and cams. Theditl'er-- ent bits `may be distributed among the needles at will, and thereby the fneedles divided into independentlyoperating setsl or y groups in j such manner as to produce fabrics ot' various.
stylesand forms;thearrangement shown' in the drawings being intended more especially for the production of stocking-legs madeof a tubular seamless form dow'n tofacertain point, and below that point provided with a slitand selvage edges on each side. Y
Another ot' my improvements consists in so shaping the P horizontal needle-operating cam thatA the needles pause during their in` ward movement until the adjoining vertical needles have descended' past them and drawn over them sufficient thread to form the stitches. This is accomplished, as shown in 9, by widening the'cam-groove 13 at the points g3 so that, although'the movement of the dialplate continues, the needlpsreinain at rest therenwhile their heels are passing through the widened spaces. By thus: arranging the parts so that the vertical needlestake the thread or yarn for the stitches or loops ot' the horizontal needles also, I ain enabled to increase the length of the`stitches for ribbed work to any extentrequired in practice by simply raising the dial-plate without changing the cams or'the movement. of the needles.
Another ot' my improvements consists in the employment of spring pressure-feet in the horizontal cam'plate, bearing upon the needle-bits, and preventing any accidental movement ofthe lbits or needles.' These feet are made of a dovetail form, and arranged to slide in vertical grooves, and are pressed down by spiral springs, as shown at 12, Figs. 9 and 32,'
upon top of the bits, and pressing them upon the needles; but any other form ol" parts may be used. l
Another of my improvements consists in a peculiar manner ot' adjusting the needle-cylinder vertically without giving it a rotation, in order to raise and lower the jacks, for the purpose of changing the length otl the stitches, With or without a corresponding adjustment ofthe dial-plate. As shown in Figs. 11, l2,
and 14 the needle-cylinder is arranged so that it can be raised and lowered in the frame or base-plate of the machine, and is secured by screws 1 and 2 passing through said plate. The screws are distributed at suitable dis. tances apart, and half ot' them arranged to bear upward against the cylinder, whilethe others are arranged to draw the Vsaine down-` ward, so that by turning one set upward and the other downwardthe cylinder can bereadf,l ily adjusted, as required.
Another of my improvements `consists iii. lieveling ott the inner upper edge of the nee? (lle-cylinder, and the inner corners ot' thejacks -as the ribs between the needles are technically termed.` Y'
Heretofore it` has been customary to bevel the inside of the cylinder in order to facilitate` the downward passage ot' the' fabric,` as it iS produced by the needles; but the inner or back corners of the jacks have been left square and flat on top, "the consequence ot whichwas that one or two loopslalways rested on top of` the jacks, and that there was great.friction.` l
upon thefabric in drawing `it down over the inner corners of thejacks; and also that in-` stead ofthe strain and tension being received upoii'the operating-needles', and the stitches` in course of formation, it was received upon the `stitches or loops resting on thejaclis.` These diliiculties I overcome by beveling ctt` not only the cylinder, as usual, but `also the` inner or rear corners ot' the jacks, as shown` at 7, Fig. 36, thus giving' each jack an inclined, rear face at the Lipper end, and bringing the` upper rear corner of the jacks forward ofthe rear side of the needles.
i, When the jacksare thus constructed thei loop or stitches are castdown over and `be#` low their tops i as fast as formed, the .usual` lfriction avoided, and the strain applied to the fabric received upon the working-needles.
Having thus described my invention, whatv 1. In combinationwitli the stationarystand,
ard A' and the knittingniachine G, havinga stationary needle-cylinder, the vertical nonrotating suspension-rod P, having its lower end secured rigidly to the dial-plate S, and its upper end sustained in the standard by means ot' the thumb-lint Q, as shown, whereby the dial-plate is held from rotating without obstructin g the interior of the needle-cylinder, `and rendered capable of a vertical adjustment by simply turning the nut.
2. In combination with the rigid rod P, having the dial-plate S attached, the rotating sleeve I-I surrounding said rod, and provided up N attached thereto, the stationary plate J and mechanism for operating the talieup, said parts being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as shown and described.
4. The combination, in a take-np Lmechanism, of a grooved plate, J, provided with a stud or shoulder, c", and a vibratory arm, K, provided with a pivoted fly, c4, substantially` as shown and described.
5. The take-up mechanism consisting of the stationary grooved plate J, provided with the stud c5, and the rotating plate I, provided with the arm N, disk L, and lever or arm K, having the pivoted ily c4 thereon.
6. In combination with a'sli'ding knittingmachine needle, a sliding bit mounted by the side thereof and acting thereon, substantially as shown and described, whereby the needle is brought into position to be acted upon by the operating-cam.
7. Thelong and short 11 eedle-bits s and af, constructed as shown, in combination with the needles of a knitting-machine, as set forth.
S.. In a knitting-machine, the combination ot' a series of needles and .a'cam or cams, to operate the same when knitting, with a series ot' slidin g bits and special cams, for operatingr the same to set the needles in position to be acted upon by such operating-cams, substantially as shown and described.
9. The combination, in a knitting-machine,
'ot' a series ot' needles, all operated, when in action, by the same cam or cams, with two or,
more sets ot' diiierentneedle-bits for moving the needles into the path of the operatingcanis, and special cams for operating each set of bits, substantially as shown and described, whereby each setiof bits and their needles are operated independently of the others.
10. In a knitting-machine, the combination of a series of needles and a cam or cams for operating them when -in action, with needle-.-
setting bits for bringing the needles into position for action, and special adjustable cams for operating said bits, substantially as shown and described.
11. In combination with the adjustable ring c, connected with the earns cl and e, as shown, the cam f, attached to said ring, and connected by the rod h and lever t with lthe camsj and lc, as shown, whereby the turning ot' the ring serves to shift all four cams, substantially as described.
horizontal needles, operating in connection I with each other, the plate It, provided With the horizontal cam-groove, having the widened Aorconcentric portions g3, for permitting the horizontal needles to pause in their inward movement until the adjoining vertical needles -have completed their descent, as and for the purpose stated. v
' 14. The combination, iu a knitting-machine,
ot' the vertical and the horizontal needles and .operating mechanism,substantially such asV described and shown, whereby the horizontal needles are permitted to pause in their inward movement until vthe vertical needles have descended past them, in order that the vertical needles may take the thread for both sets ot' needles, as and for the purposes described. y
15. In combination with the base-plate Z and the vertically-adjustable needle-cylimler X, the screws l and 2, the former drawing downwardand thelatter bearing upward, on the cylinder, as shown.
16. The needle-cylinder X,l1aving its inner edge and the inner edges of the jacks beveled, as shown.
17. The needle-cylinder X, provided with the jacks lia-ving their upper ends beveled on the inner or rear side to a point forward of the rear side of the needles, as shown and vdescribed, whereby the tension applied to the web is thrown directly and'wliolly upon the stitches held bythe needles.
Moses MARSHALL.
lVitnesses PHILIP T. DODGE, W. C. DODGE.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3757538A (en) * 1969-09-02 1973-09-11 Meyer & Cie Multi-system circular knitting machine with needle cylinder and disc plate
US3955379A (en) * 1972-10-10 1976-05-11 Claude Corbiere High speed knitting machine

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3757538A (en) * 1969-09-02 1973-09-11 Meyer & Cie Multi-system circular knitting machine with needle cylinder and disc plate
US3955379A (en) * 1972-10-10 1976-05-11 Claude Corbiere High speed knitting machine

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