US1881360A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

LSSLSGO @et 4, 1932. A. W. KENT KNI'I'TING MACHINE Filed Oct. 26, 1951 2 SheeiS-Sheet l Oct. 4, 1932. A. w. KENT 1,881,360

KNlTTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 26, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 129 to, the section being Patented Get, 4, 1932`v UNFF STATS PATENT; ermee ALFRED' VOCDVVARD KENT, 0F LEIICESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAIrI vSPIE-RS i LMTFD, OF LECESTEE, ENGLAND, A BRTISl-I COMPANY KNITTING MACHINE Application led Oct QG, 1931, Serial No. 571240, and in Great Britain November 26, 1930.

versin the relative osition of 'round andl plating yarns fed to the needles.

To enable the invention to be more clearly and readily understood I will describe, withY reference to the accompanying drawings, a

speciiic example as applied to a circular rib knitting machine of the superposed rotary needle cylinder type equipped with double ended needles operated by sliders. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional rear elevation of the' upper part oi a machine of this type showing said example of the invention applied theretaken on line l-I of Figure 11.

Figure 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a few of the jacks and needles co-operating in the production ci normal and reverse plated loops.

Figures 3 and 4 are side views on an enlarged scale of a ack and needle co-operatinc' for normal plating.

1igures 5 and 6 are similar views showing so a jack and needle co-operating for reverse plating.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the yarn engaging ends of two jacks which dii'fer in respect of the lengths of theY back butts thereon.

" Figure 8 is a sectional plan view taken on line VIH-VH1 of Figure 1 but with the needles and needle cylinder omitted.

Figure 9 is an enlarged-view of part of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a side elevation of a mecha- .nism for controlling a cam which is provided for nullifying the action of the jack selecting means.

Figure 11 is a plan of part of the machine showing the jack selecting cams, the drum ier operating thD cams and pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating the drum, parts being broken away for clearness.

Figure 12 is a front elevation ofvmechaby one or another of a series of selecting cams nism employed to control the said pawl and ratchet mechanism. Y

Figures 1, 8 and 11 are drawn to a larger scale than Figures 10 and 12.

According to the illustrative embodiment 5 i ofthe invention I provide a circular series of jacks 1 mounted respectively in grooves 2 in a cylinder 3 concentric with the top needle cylinder 4. The jack cylinder 3 is ,rotatablyl mounted on a bearing sleeve 5 atce tached to the top plate 6 of the machine andv is supported by a ball bearing 7 carried by a post 8 concentric with the iiXed sleeve 5. In addition to carrying the jacks, the jack cylinder 3 has the top needle cylinder d se- 55, cured thereto externally, e. g. by means of screws da, so as to leave'the upper portions or'l the jacks exposed, as shown in Figure 1, and so that the grooves 2 alternate with the needle grooves 1b in the needle cylinder. To Each of the jacks has at its lower end a hooklile yarn engaging extremity 9 which eX- tends radially from the acl; cylinder below the lower end of the top needle cylinder preferably through a verge 10 fitted in the lower 7 end or' the needle cylinder to prevent sideways eXion of the yarn engaging extremity. The yarn engaging extremity of each jack therefore works between two adjacent needles, as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, each jack has a fulcrum point 11 or e uivalent at the back so as to enable it to rock in its groove, and also has one or more front butts 12 above the ulcrum for engagement 13, and a depending butt 14 or bent projection at or near the lower end for engagement with a cam ring 15 secured to the central post 8 concentrically with the jack cylinder.

rlheselecting cams 13 kare arranged on av vertical pivot 16 parallel with the cylinder axes and above the top cylinder-for actionA on the exposed front butts 12 of the jacks, and a pin drum 17, racked round by pawl and ratchet mechanism hereinafter particu- -larly described, is provided for selective action on the cams. The drum has the pins 18'prearranged therein according to pattern requirements, said pins being merely pushed in() cams 13 each of which is furnished with a projection 13a, said projections extending through the slots respectively for contact with the pins. The width of each slot is less than the diameter of a pin so that it is not possible for any pins to leave the drum through the slots. lt will be understood that during the production of plated knitted fal ric two yarns a and are fed in usual normal plating relation i. e. with the yarn a somewhat above and in front of the yarn Zi, in any usual or convenient manner. The upper yarn a is normally the back or ground yarn and the other yarn b the front o-r face yarn of normal plating. When a cam or cams is or are rendered operative by a pin or pins in the drum the Corresp riding-jack or jacksis or are pressed inwards above the fulcrum or fulorums as represented at the right of Figure 1, with the result that the lower extremity or extremities is or are projected radially as represented on the right of Figure 1 and at A in Figures 8 and 9 so that the hook-like formation 9 or formations is or are brought on to the outside of the yarn a as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 3.

It will of course be understood that the relation between the jacks and the yarns preparatory to the selective action is such that the lower extremities of the selected jacks are projected without catching the yarn a.

Adjustably mounted in a bracket 21 attached to the top plate 6 is a cam 22 (Figure 1) adapted to engage the upper butt-like ends 23 of all of the jacks after the selective action so that the latter are pushed downwards in conjunction with the descent of the needles 24C preparatory to forming loops. The selective jack or jacks is or are moved inwards at the lower end or ends by the action of the aforesaid cam ring 15 on the butt or butts lil at or substantially at the end of the descent of the acks as aforesaid with the result that the yarn a is engaged by the said jack or jacks and it is displaced from its normal position (see Figure 3) in front ofthe yarn b to a position toward the roar of the said yarn as represented at B in Figure 2 and in Figure 5, whereby the needle or needles taking the yarns in this relation form a reversely plated loop or loops, as represented in Figure 6. Where a jack is not operated in this way, so that the yarns remain in normal plating relation as shown in Figure 3, the corresponding needle forms an ordinary plated loop, as represented in Figure 4. The extremities 9 of the jacks unini'luenced by the selecting cams pass inside the yarn a as shown at C in Figure 2 and by full lines in Figure 3,A so that the outer edges 9a vmaintain said yarn in its normal position actually pushing it outwards slightly as the needles descend to take the yarns.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that by reason of the operation of the jacks as aforesaid the engagement between the yarns and the jacks after the se- Y lective action is maintainedas long as possible so that not only is the plating reversed definitely by the selected jacks but is also definitely kept to normal where required Vby the non-selected jacks, consequently the Y change or' changes from normal plating to reverse plating is or are clearly defined. Subsequently the jacks are raised to their normalv position by another Cain 25 acting on the upper ends of the j ac is. ,Y

Referring to Figure 8, it will be observed that for substantially half of its circumference the wall of the cam ring 15 is of such thickness as to occupy completely the space 26 between the vlower end of each aclr and its butt or projection 1li as shown on the left f A prominence 27 is suitably of Figure 1. formed on the ,cam ring to project the lower extremities of the jacks momentarily just prior to selection by the cams 13 to keep the verge 10 and the spaces between adjacent needles clear of fluff and the like which accumulates during knitting.

The wall of the cam ring is thinned down at 28 on the inside thereof for a suitable distance to allow for the outward movement of the lower extremities of selected jacks under the action of one or more of the cams 13, as represented in Figures 8 and 9, and a notch 29 is provided in the top edge of said ring to permit o f the downward movement of the acks by the cam 22. Thewall 28 of the cam ring 15 may be formed in any suitable way to effect the slight outward movement.

of the non-selected jacks whereby the edges 9a are caused to press upon tie yarn a at the required time and push it outwards slightly as previously alluded to herein. lt will beV understood that following the selective action the selected jacks are retracted to change the position of the yarns a and Z) as the result of the engagement of the buttsl 14 with the inner face 28a of the wall of the cam ring 15,7as shown in Figure 3.

Means may be provided to function in opposition to the selecting cams 13 to nullify the action thereof at any time during the knitting aetion so that although jacks may be selected as aforesaid the selected jacks are retracted before engagement with the yarn a so that the positions of the yarns a j ployed to counteract the selective action-dun ing the production` of rib tops, and. when changes are madefrom, rotary to-reciprocatory motion for knitting heels and toes. ln

addition to this provision may belmade for counteractingthe selective action in respect ofv the jacks associatedy with the. needleswhich knit the foot bottom during the production ofa foot, thereby to produce a plain foot bottom.

According to the preferred form of construction aiid arrangement, some of the jac1 and a cam is provided for action on the butts 14, 14a. This cam is fixed onian arm 31 attached to a vertically slidable rod 82 normally held raised byaspring inten posedbetween aicollar 83a and the bottomA ot a recess in asupport 8a for the rod 8.' `When the cam 30 is in this position it acts upo-n the b-uttsv14, and 14a alike, of any jacks operated by the selecting cams 13, thereby withdrawing the lowerv extremitiesv of these jacks before they engagethe yarn u.- The the cam ring 15, and as theresult of intermittent rotation of the pattern drum in the usual way is moved up yor downby the aforesaid cam-operated and spring-controlledy connections into and out of the'path of the butts or projections 14'and/or14a onthe selected jacks. n .l

In the application of this embodiment of the invention to a machine for knitting seamL less hosiery substantially one half of theV jacks, i. e. those associated with the needles which knit the foot bottom, have the longer back butts14 and the cam 30 may be moved into three positions by its controlling means, i. e. into the lowestl positions-hewn in Figure 1 to miss all the b-utts 14 and 14a, into a somewhat higher position to engage the long butts only, andthe highest position to engage all the butts'. For example the cam 3() may be depressed into its lowest position by the cam 37 during the knitting of the leg portion'of a stockingsov that all roundpattern effects can be produced. If, however, it is desired to produce a plainfoot'bottom the pattern drum is racked round so that thecam bit or element 37 releasesthe lever 36 which thereupon drops on to the cam bit or element 37a whereby the cam 30 is raised slight-ly by thespring V33 into'thepath of the long butts 14uA sothatany long butty jacks whichV may have been selected as. aforesaid :are restored KS are provided with backbutts 14a whichY are longer than-the back butts 14, see Figure 7,V

to thepla'in; plating position (Figure '3)V be fore they reach the plating yarn, While short butt' jacks selected toreverse plate function in the requiredmaiiner. Duringthe knitting of the heels, toes and rib topsthe cam 30 may be raised to its highesttposition'by freeing the lever 36 from the cam'bit 37a so that the camengagesthe back butts of all the selected jacks, as represented in FigureV 9, vto nul` lify the selective action. A t these times another yarn or other yarns may if desired be substituted forv one or both of the lplating yarns a, f

The pawland'ratchet mechanism foroperating the pin ydrum 17 isfactuated by m'eans ofv a cam40 attached to age'arwheela keyed on the jacklcylinder 3f, which is drivenv in a mannerY similari to that usually adopted for driving the-top cylinder in machines of the type concerned and therefore not shown. The pawl 41 is mounted onone end of a lever 42 controlled by av spring 42a'- andY pivotally mounted centrally on the drum spindle or stud 43, a roll'44being providedfat the' other end of the lever for engagement with the cam 40, Preferably two ratchet wheels and 46 are p-rovided each having teeth of the same pitch, but the wliee1'46 has alternate deep and-shallow teeth' as-shown in Figure 11 and is freely mounted on thespindle 43 so that, byfshifting the pawl axially, for example byV removing the Washer/47 to cause said pawl to engage`- either the wheely 45 or both wheels, the drum `may be racked round at every course'or'at'alter'nateV courses according to requirements. The wheel 46 vis slightly larger in. diameter than the wheel 45 and it will be understood' that with the pawl in a position `to engage both ratchet wheels, when the pawlis engaging a shallow tooth on the wheel 46, itk does not engage thek correspending' tooth of the wheel 45 so that the wheel 46 is moved idly and the wheel 45 isv not'moved. When on the next stroke of the pawl the latter engages a deep tooth on the wheel' 46 it also engages the corresponding tooth on the wheel 45 and thereby vrotates both wheels and consequently the pin drum. The stud 48 is adjustably mounted relative# ly to the jack cylinder or sleeve in a slot 48 in the top plate 6, and it may have associated therewith braking means such as a friction pad 49v pressed upon thev drum by a spring 49a. In addition to or instead of the pad 49 a check pawl or detent 50 may be provided for example in a housing 50a on the cover 19 in company witha spring 50h. The pawl` lever 42 is' centrally pivoted concentrically withV the drum the 4arms' thereof extending through openings 19a' and l19t respectively in the cover 19. The pawl 41 also extends through the opening in the-cover 1-9 to engage the ratchet wheels. These openings are above the series of pinsf18 soltliat'there a. particular selection as required.

openings. Y. Y

The racking of the pattern drum may be controlled from a timing chain or equivalent so that it can be cause-d to rack or to dwell on To this end suitable means may be employed for rendering the pawl and ratchet mechanism inoperative yfor vany desired number of courses. Conveniently I provide a vertically movable rod 51 (Figure-s 11 and 12) moved in one direction by a spring 52 and in the other direction by one or more dogs such as on the existing timing chain 54 of the machine through the medium of levers 55, 56, a link 57 anda lever 58.; The rod 51 is moved when required into the path of the oscillating pawl leverv42 so as to hold the latter with the fr roller 44 out of the path of the cam 40.

The support 8a for the shaft or post 8 may be mounted in the top plate of the machine to enable the cam ring 15 and associated parts to be set properly in relation to the selecting cams and/or the feeder of the machine. For this purpose the support 8a is furnished with a lug for engagement by set screws 60 carried in ears or lugs 61 on the top plate as shown in Figure 11.

Insteadv of adjusting` the pawl 41 entirely manually as and for the purpose previously alluded to suitable mechanical means may be provided for effecting the requisite relative axial movement between the pawl and the ratchet wheels '45 and 46.

It will be understood that once ase-ries of jacks hasbeen arranged inthe cylinder, a large variety of patterns can be made with one set out of the jacks by setting o ut the patterns in the pattern drum merely by pushing pins into appropriate holesin the drum,

'the latter being furnished circumferentially with several parallel rows of reanied holes, regularly spaced in each row with a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheels.

A. feature of construction is that-'each jaclr has its butt-like end 23 stepped and-.formed with inclines as shown at 23a in Figure 1 and the edge 22a of the cam 22 is backed oil to suit the inclines so that during the descent of the jacks under the action of the cam the outerV inclines of the selected jacks and the inner molines of the non-selected gacls make contact with the backed-oil' edge 22a of the cam 22 whereby during descent as aforesaid the of the butt-like ends 23 when the lower ends' of the selcctedjacks are retracted by the action of the cam ring 15 as previously de?V scribed herein.

The invention is applicable to machines of the type herein referred toV generally and while it is mainly the intention to apply the invention to machines of this type wherein superposed needle cylinders rotate and reciprocate within corresponding cam boxes, the invention is not to be regarded as limited in this respect as it may be applied to machines of the saine type wherein the cylinders merely rotate and also to machines wherein the` cylinders are stationary within `rotary camy boxes which may reciprocate or not.

ll? hat l claim then is Y 1. ln a circular knitting machine,rdoub1e axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles in plating relation, yarn engaging jacks arr nged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinde-rs alternately with the associated needles, said jacls being movable radially with respect tothe axes of the cylinders, means operative selectively upon the jacks whereby selected jacks are moved radially into a yarn engaging position, and means operative upon the selected jaclrs to move same in the opposite direction whereby said jacks arecaused to engage one of said yarns and to move the other positively in relation to the other yarn thereby changing the relative positions of the yarns and reversing the platino. Y Y

2. ln a circular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in cylinders, means for feeding yarns to theneedles in plating relation, yarn engaging jacks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders, means operative upon the jacks selectively whereby selected jacks are caused to function to change the normal relative posi-v tions of the yarns,'and means for imparting lengthwise movement to the gache conjointly with and in the direction of the loop drawing movement of the needles for the purpose' y inders, means whereby the jacks are moved selectively into a yarn engaging position, means operative upon the selected Jacks to cause same positively to change the relative positions of the yarns, and means for imparting lengthwise movement to the jacks congointly with and in the direction of the loop drawingmove'ment of lthe needles Vfor.,

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the purposeof maintaining the jacks in engagement with the yarns thereby to keep control of the yarns during said movement of the needles.

4. ln a circular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders,'independent needles in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles in plating relation, yarn engaging acks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders alternately with the associated needles, said jacks being movable radially with respect to the axes of the cylinders, means operative selectively upon the jacks whereby selected `jacks are moved radially into a yarn engaging position, means operative upon the selected acks to move same in the opposite direction whereby said jacks are caused positively to change the normal relative positions of the yarns, and means for imparting lengthwise movement to the jacks conjointly with and in the direction of the loop drawing movement of the needles for the purpose of maintaining the jacks inengagement with the yarns thereby to keep control of the yarns during said movement of the needles.

5. In a circular knitting machine,xdouble axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles in plating relation, yarn'engaging jacks arranged to .extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders. said jacks being mounted pivotally and slidably, means operative upon the jacks selectively whereby selected iacks are caused to function to change the normal relative positions of the yarns,.and means for imparting lengthwise movement to the jacks Aconjointly with and in the direction of the loop drawing movement of the needles for the purpose of maintaining the jacks in engagement with the yarns thereby to keep control of the yarns during said movement of the needles.

6. ln a circular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles in plating relation, yarn engaging jacks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the vneedle cylinders, said jacks being` mounted pivotally and slidably, means whereby the jacks are moved selectively into a yarn engaging position, means operative upon the selected jacks to cause same positively to change the relative positions of the yarns, and means for imparting lengthwise movement to the jacks conjointly with and in the direction of the loop drawing movement of the needles for the purpose of maintaining the jacks in engagement with the yarns thereby to keep control of the yarns during said movement of the needles.

7. In a circular knitting machine, superimposed needle cylinders, independent jacksare arranged for movement individually, said jack cylinder being arrangedconcentrically with the needle cylinders `so that the jacks extend in a vertical direction with their lower extremities which are formed for yarn engagement alternating with the needles, means whereby the jacks are moved selectively into a yarn engaging position, and means operative upon the selected iacks soV that the yarn engaging extremities thereof function positively to change the normal relative positions of the yarnsl thereby to effect reverse plating. n,

8. In a circular knitting machine, superimposed needle cylinders, independent needles adapted to work in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns in plating relation., a circular series of yarn engaging jacks, a longitudinally grooved cylinder in which said jacks are arranged for movement individually, said jack cylinder being arranged concentrically with the needle cylinders so that the acks extend in a vertical direction with their lower extremities which are formed for yarn engagement alternating with the needles, means whereby the acks are moved selectively into a yarn engaging position, means operative upon the selected jacks so that the yarn engagingl extremities thereof function positively to change the normal relative positions of the yarns thereby to effect reverse plating, and means -for imparting axial movement tothe jacks in conjunction with kand in the same direction as the loop drawing movement of needles whereby to keep control of the yarns during said movement of the needles.

9. In a circular knitting machine, axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles in plating relation, yarn engaging jacks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders, said jacks being furnished with yarn engaging extremities disposed at right angles to the needles, means whereby said acks are moved selectively into a yarn engaging position, means for moving the selected jacks radially with respect to the needles to cause the yarn engaging extremities thereof to reverse the normal relative positions of the yarns, and means for moving the jacks endwise conj ointly with and in the same direction as the loop drawing movement of the needles so as to maintain the jacks in engagement with the yarns thereby to keep the yarns under control during said movement of the needles.

l0. In a circular knitting machine axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns Y to the. needles in plating relation, contrastingly formed yarn engaging jacks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders, ya series of jack selecting cams whereby jacks are selected to function to change the normal relative positions of the yarns, means for automatically selecting said cams for action upon the jacks according to pattern requirements, a cam for operating the selected jacks whereby to cause same positively to change the normal relative positions of the yarns, and a cam for imparting axial movement tothe jacks conjointly with and in the same direction as the loop drawing movement of the needles so as to maintain the jacks in engagement with the yarns thereby to keep the yarns under control during said movement of the needles.

i 11; In a circular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders, means for feede ing yarns to the needles in platingV relation,

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yarn engaging jacks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders, means whereby the jacks are selectively moved radiallyoutwards with respect to the needles into a position to engage the back yarn of normal plating, and means for mov- V ing Vthe selected jacks in the opposite direction to change the position of said yarn in relation to the front yarn of normal plating, in order to produce reverse plating.

12. In a circular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders, independr ent needles in said cylinders, means for feedingyarns to the needles in plating relation, yarn engaging jacks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders, means whereby the jacks are selectively moved radially outwards with respect to the needles into a position to engage thev back yarn of normal plating, means for V moving the selected jacks in the opposite V direction to change the position of said yarn H in relation tothe front yarn of normal plating, in order to produce reverse plating, said jacks having yarn engaging extremities such that the extremities of the non-selected jacks engage the back yarn of normal plating and maintain said yarn in its normal position while the selected jacks function for reverse plating.

13. In acircular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders, independentneedles in said cylinders, means for feed- Lesico by the jack is rocked in one directioninto a yarn engaging position, said jack being furnished with another butt on the other edge, and a cam for engagement with Ysaid 'other H butt whereby the jack is rocked in the opposite direction to change the relativepositions like yarn engaging extremity, a fulcrum, at 8 least one front butt above the fulcrum and a rear butt below the fiilcrum, selecting means arranged above the fulcrum for action on the front butts of the jacks whereby v selected jacks Yare pressed inwards above the fulcrum so that their yarn engaging extremitiesV are projected radially outwards with respect to the needles into a yarn engaging position on the outside of the plating yarns, and cam means which by action on the rear butts move the selected jacks in the opposite direction whereby said jacks are caused to engage the ground yarn of normal plating and shift the latter from its normal position in front of the plating yarn to a position in the rear of said yarn, for the purpose described.

15. In a circular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns in plating relation to the needles, yarn engaging jacks arranged to rock for the purpose of changing the relative positions of the yarns, each jack being furnished with a transverse yarn engaging extremity adapted to operate between adjacent needles with a movement radially with respect to the needle circle, and, for selecting purposes, with at least one butt on one edge, selecting means for engagement with said butt whereby the jack is rocked in one direction into a yarn engaging position, said liack being furnished with another butt on the other edge, a cam for engagement with said other butt whereby th-e jack is rocked in the opposite 115 Vdirection to change the relative positions of the yarns, and a cani positioned for engagement with the opposite extremity of each jack to impart endwise movement thereto in conjunction with the loop drawing move-I ments of the needles so as to maintain control over the yarns during said movement of the needles. Y V

16. In a circular knitting machine superposed needle cylinders, independent needles 125 in saidcylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles in plating relation, a circular series of jacks, a grooved cylinder in which said jacks are pivotally andslidably mounted, each jack being furnished with a hook- -1 like yarn engaging extremity, a fulcruin at least one front butt above the fulcrum and a rear butt below the fulcrum, selecting means arranged above the fulcrum for action on the front butts of the aclrs whereby selected jacks are pressed inwards above the fulcrum so that their yarn engaging eXtremities are projectedradially outwards with respect to the needles into a yarn engaging position on the outside of the plating yarns, cam means which by action on the rear butts move the selected jacks in the opposite direction whereby said jacks are caused to engage the ground yarn of normal plating and shift the latter from its normal position in front of the plating yarn to a position in the rear of said yarn, and a cam positioned for engagement with the opposite extremity of each jack to impart endwise movement thereto in conjunction with the loop drawing movements of the needles so as to maintain control over the yarns during said movement of the needles.

17. In a circular knitting machine, double axially opposed needle cylinders, independent needles in said cylinders., means for feeding yarns to the needles in plating relation, yarn engaging jacks arranged to extend in an axial direction with respect to the needle cylinders, means operative upon the jacks selectively whereby selected jacks are caused to function to change the normal relative positions of the yarns, said jacks including some with formation of one length and others with similar formations of another length, a movable cam adapted to operate on said formations in opposition to the selecting means so as to counteract the selective action, and means for automaticallycontrolling said cam.

18. A yarn engaging jack comprising a stern, a transverse shouldered yarn engaging format-ion at one end of the stem, at least one butt on one edge of the stem for engagement with a selecting cam, said stem having a fulcrum point on the opposite edge, and another butt on the said opposite edge of the stern for engagement with an actuating cam, for effecting reverse plating in the production of plated knitted fabric.

19. A yarn engaging jack comprising a stem, a yarn engaging formation at one end of the stem, and at least one butt on the stem for engagement with a selecting cam, said stem having a fulcrum point on the opposite edge and inclined edges at the opposite end for engagement with a cam for imparting endwise movement to the jack, and another butt on said opposite edge of th-e stem for engagement with an actuating cam, said jack being adapted to effect changes in plating in the production of plated knitted fabric.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

ALFRED Woonwnnn KENT.`

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