US1931588A - Attachment adapted to be applied to sewing machines for repairing runs in fabrics - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 24, 1933. c s, v so 1,931,588

ATTACHMENT ADAPTED TO BE APPLIED TO SEWING MACHINES FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN FABRICS Filed Oct. 13, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l III/I- INVENTOR C'barfes 5. Mvelson J A? v RNEY Oct. 24, 19339 c. s. NEVELSON 1,931,588 ATTACHMENT ADAPTED TO BE APPLIED TO SEWING MACHINES FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN FABRICS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 13, 1930 INVENTOR 1 {9:14 ('barles iflevelsan J I J9 AT: NEY

Patented Oct. 24, 1933 ATTACHMENT ADAPTED TO BE APPLIED T SEWING MACHINE S FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN FABRICS Charles S. Nevelson, New York, N. Y., assignor to Nathan Berliawsky, Rockland, Me.

Application October 13, 1930. Serial No. 488,212

27 Claims; (01. 66--1.5)

This invention relates to sewing machine attachments and particularly, to attachments for repairing runs, ravels, drop stitches and the like in knitted fabrics such as hosiery, underwear and I like articles.

Such runs have heretofore been repaired by the manual manipulation of a so-called latchneedle. Machines for the operation of such a needle have also been used to some extent, but such machines are built especially for that purpose and are comparatively expensive.

My invention contemplates the provision of simple and inexpensive'means which can be attached to an ordinary sewing machine, for use in connection with a latch needle secured to the attachment or to the needle bar of the machine, whereby the needle is positively opened and closed at the proper time to grip the dropped stitches and to knit the same together automatically. My invention further contemplates the provision of adjustable means cooperating with the needle opening and closing means for properly holding and supporting the work such as a stocking; and putting the desired tension thereon during the repairing operation.

The various objects of my invention will be clear from the description which follows, and from the drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a typical sewing machine, showing my new attachment applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a similar view on an enlarged scale of my new attachment and of one type of the fabric holding form used in connection therewith.

Fig. 3' is a side view of a slightly modified form of my new device as it appears in operative position on a sewing machinel Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the same, partly in section on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is'a top plan view of one form of. my improved work holding support, showing my new attachment free of the opening therein but nevertheless in position to perform the run repairing operation.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of my improved support, takenon the line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of a modified form of my attachment, consisting of a'presser foot which is adapted to be attached to the presser foot bar of any of the common types of sewing machines to replace the usual presser foot.

Fig. 8'is a front view of the same, showing the latch needle secured directly to the needle bar of the machine. 1

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of the presser foot commonly used in sewing machines, to which a modified form of my new attachment has been applied.

Fig. 10 is a front view and partial section of the same.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of another modified form of the same.

Fig. 12 is a side view and partial section of the same.

Fig. 13 is a front view of a new needle adapted to be used with my new attachment.

Fig. 14 is a similar view of another form of the latch needle and of the auxiliary means for insuringthe closing of the latch.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a simplified form of hose support.

Fig. 16 is a front view, partly in section, of my new attachment, and of the feeding means for the work, showing one of the steps in the operation of repairing a run.

Fig. 17 is a similar view of the same, showing another step wherein the needle has been opened ready to grip the succeeding stitch.

Fig. 18 is a similar view of the same, showing the needle in the position wherein it is about to close on the succeeding stitch and to pull'the thread through the loop, and

Fig. 19 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of a knitted fabric showing a run therein partly repaired.

In that practical embodiment of my invention which I have illustrated by way of example, I have provided-means which, it is intended, be attached to and used in connection with a sewing machine such'as one of the Singer type. As is well known, such sewing machines include a reciprocating needle bar as 10 and a presser foot bar as 11, both carried by a suitable head 12 and operated by the rotation of the shaft 13, as by means of the hand wheel 14, or by means of a suitable belt operating in the groove of the pulley 15 Such machines also are provided with a platen 16 on which the work is intended to rest, and through which the toothed feed member 1'? projects to feed the work. Suitable driving I means operatively connects the shaft13 to the needle bar 10, to reciprocate said needle bar on the rotation of the pulley 15. As illustrated, the reciprocating means comprises a crank as 19 secured to the shaft 13, and operatively connected to the member 20 carrying the needle bar 10, whereby said needle bar is reciprocated on the rotation of the shaft 13. The feed member 17 is also raised and lowered at the proper time to feed the work during the reciprocation of the needle bar. The mechanism I have illustrated for this purpose is similar to that customarily used in sewing machines and includes the crank 21 mounted on the shaft 13 and connected to the crank 22 on one end of the shaft 23 as by means of the rod 24. At the other end of the shaft 23 is the crank 25, connected to the feed member 1'7, whereby rotation of the shaft 13 oscillates the feed member in the proper direction to advance thework.

Means are also customarily provided for lifting the feed member into engagement with the work and for depressing said member at the proper time. As illustrated, said means comprises the cam 26 on the shaft 13 which oscillates the lever 27, pivoted as at 28 to the head 12. At the lower end of said lever 27 is a suitable ball joint 29, by means of which said lever is connected to the crank 30 pivoted as at 31. The crank 30 is in turn connected to a bar 32 provided with a bent end as 33 passing through a suitable slot or groove as 34 in the feed member. On the rotation of the shaft 13, the crank 30 is oscillated, thereby reciprocating the bar 32 toward the left and right alternately as viewed in Fig. 1, and drawing the bent end of said bar through the groove 34, thereby alternately raising and depressing the feed member. It will be understood that the mechanism above described is intended to be merely illustrative of the usual mechanism for the same purposes customarily used in sewing machines, and that I do intend to limit myself to the specific mechanism so described, since my new attachment is adapted for use with any type of sewing machine to which a presser foot may be attached, and which is intended to reciprocate a needle.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, I have there shown a form of my new attachment which is intended to properly support a pivoted latch needle 35 in such a manner that the possibility of vibration of said needle and consequent inaccuracy of engagement of the latch for opening and closing the latch, is reduced to a minimum. It is highly desirable that such vibration be as little as possible for the reason that the latch 36 of the needle, which latch is pivoted to the remainder of the needle as at 37, should be accurately engaged for the opening and closing operation. I therefore have shown, in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, means for supporting the needle at a point close to its operative end. Said means takes the form of a presser foot 18 provided with an extension 38, by means of which the presser foot may. be suitably secured to the presser foot bar 11,-as by a suitable set screw 39. For guiding and controlling the needle in its movement, I prefer to provide a pair of upstanding guide rods as 40 and 41 arranged preferably in coaxial spaced relation. The rod 40 is passed through a suitable opening as 42 in the needle holding extension 43, to which extension issecured the hollow guide 44, terminating in a suitable securing member 45. The rod 41 is inserted into the hollow guide 44, while the rod 40 is inserted into the opening 42. In order to secure the needle holding extension 43 to the needle bar 10, said extension is secured to the hollow slide 44, which in turn is removably secured to the needle bar by suitable means such as the bifurcated member 45. preferably inserted into a suitable groove as 46 provided in many types of needle bars, and may be firmly held therein as by means of a suitable hand screw 47 threaded to the needle bar and having a suitable shoulder 48 engaging the mem- Said member 45 is ber 45 and adapted to press it firmly against the bottom of the groove. It will be understood, however, that any suitable means for securing the hollow guide 44 to the needle bar may be used instead, such as for example, a suitable set screw 145 passing through the member 45, or through a similar projection adapted to engage the needle bar.

The needle holding extension 43 is provided with an opening 50, through which the needle 35 may be inserted with the latch 36 in the proper position relatively to the presser foot. The member 44 is preferably of such length that the extension 43 engages the needle close to the lowermost end thereof whereby possibility of vibration of the needle particularly at high speeds is minimized. Said needle may furthermore be made of sufficient length to enter the usual opening 51 in the needle bar should it be desired to brace both ends of the needle, and may be further held thereto by means of the usual set screw, not shown, but well known in the art. The needle is thereby securely held both at its upper and lower ends, though it will be understood that if desired, a short needle passing only through the needle opening 50 of the extension 43 may be used. It will be seen that on the reciprocation of the needle bar 10, the hollow guide member 44 slides on the rod 41 while the extension 43 slides in the opening 42, whereby the entire attachment is braced and guided during its reciprocatory movement, and accurate control of the needle with a minimum amount of vibration is made possible.

The presser foot 18 is provided with an opening 52, which may be in the form of a circular, polygonal, or otherwise shaped hole, or in the form of an elongated slot or the like, provided only that a wall as 53 is provided thereon interposed in the path of the free end of the latch, and in the proper position to engage said end. The position of the wall 53 of the opening 52 is such that it is arranged slightly rearwardly or forwardly of the free end 54 of the latch 36, depending on whether the latch is in forward or rear position. When the needle therefor comes down on the downward reciprocation of the bar 10, the end 54 engages the upper surface 55 of the presser foot and is thereby swung about its pivot 37 and opened to the position indicated in Fig. 17, wherein the end 54 projects slightly forwardly of the shank of the needle. On the upward movement of the bar 10, the end 54 of the latch engages the under surface 56 of the presser foot whereby the needle is closed and passes upwardly back through the opening 52. To, aid thesurfaces to thus operate the latch, part of the under surface adjacent the opening 52 may becurved and slightly recessed as at 156 and the corresponding part of the upper surface 55 may be similarly curved and recessed. It will be seen, therefore, that by means of my new attachment, the needle is opened on its downward movement and closed on its upward movement whereby the run repairing operation may be readily accomplished in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described, and as is illustrated particularly in Figs. 16, 17 and 18.

In order to insure the engagement of the latch end 54 with that part of the presser foot adjacent the wall 53, the end 57 of the latch 58 may be bent or doubled over, or made in the form of a ball as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. In that case, the ball, hook or bend projects somewhat forwardly of the hook 59 of the needle. To further aid in insuring the opening and closing operation, I prefer to form an oifset as 60 .(Fig. 13) in the needle 61, at which ofiset the pivot 62 for the latch 58 is provided. By so offsetting the pivot 62, the substantially vertical pressure upon the latch end 63, serves better to swing the latch about the pivot, so that the needle may be properly opened and closed. As illustrated in Figs. 13, 16, 1'1 and 18, the latch end 63 may be doubled over to form a rounded end instead of being left straight as in the latch 36 or shaped into a ball end as 57.

Moreover, to aid in closing the needle on its upward stroke, a suitable weighty sleeve as 6 1 (Fig. 14) 'may be arranged about the shank 65 of the needle, in position to remain at all times above the presser foot, said sleeve being of sufficient thickness to engage the upper surface of the presser footadjacent the wall 53. The sleeve may be positioned close to the latch end of the needle resting on the latch thereof when the needle is in its uppermost position. I On the downward movement of the needle, the sleeve 64 engages the surface of the presser foot and is thereby halted while the needle shank 65 moves therethrough. On the upward movement of the needle, should the latch thereon fail to close, the sleeve 64 drops along the shank due to its own weight and engaging the latch, swings it about its pivot to close the latched end of the needle. The under surface 56 of the presser foot may also be suitably shaped as at 156 to insure closing of the latch as has been previously pointed out.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, it will be understood that the needle may be secured directly to the needle bar in the ordinary manner in which needles are secured to such bars in sewing machines, the upper end 66 of the needle being suitably shaped for that purpose, and held by the usual set screw 67. It will be understood that the needle end 66 is flattened on at least one side, and that the needle opening 51 is correspondingly shaped so that the needle can be inserted into the needle bar only in a definite position, said position being preferably the one in which the latch of the needle is forward, ready to engage the presser foot adjacent the wall 53. The guide rods 40 and 41 and the hollow guide 44 may be omitted, if desired, as shown in Figs. '7 to 12 inclusive, and the presser foot attached directly to the presser foot bar. For this purpose, I have illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, an annular member 68 in the form of a cylinder carrying a series of one or more set screws 69, which may be screwed through the member 68 into engagement with the presser foot bar 11 to hold the presser foot in the proper position, regardless of the exact shape or size of the presser foot bar.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, I have provided an attachment which may be secured to any presser foot so as to provide a suitable opening 52 and a wall 53 to open and close the latch of the needle. In this modification, the opening 52 is made in a member 70 having an upstanding lip as 71 at one edge thereof and a U-shaped portion 72 at the other edge thereof. The lip 71 engages the edge '73 of the presser foot, while the base of the U-shaped portion '72 engages the other edge '74 of said presser foot. A suitable set screw as '75, passing through the upper flange '76 of the member '70, engages the upper surface 55 of the presser foot to secure the member '70 in its proper position, wherein the needle may pass through the opening 52.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the opening 52 and the wall 53 may be provided in a member 80, which is secured to the presser foot as by means of a member 81 T-shaped in cross-section. Said member is provided with a constricted portion 32 passing into the slot 83 of the presser foot, and engaging the walls of said slot, and is further provided with an enlarged upper flange 84 engaging the upper surface 55 of the presser foot. The fit between the member 82, 84 and the presser foot surfaces may be such that the member is held in its proper adjusted position frictionally. If desired, however, the members .82 and 86 instead of being made integral with each other or with the remainder of the member 80, may be made of separate parts and removably secured together.

My new attachment is intended for use in connectjon with a suitable support for the work. Since most of the work to be done is intended to be the repair of runs in hosiery, the support takes the form of a member on which a stocking may be stretched and suitably held. As shown in Fig. 15, the support consists of a preferably though not necessarily fiat sheet 90 of suitable material such as metal, fibre, card-board, bakelite or other material sufficiently rigid and of sumcient size to maintain the stocking in its stretched position. Said member 90 is provided with a slot as 91 therein of suflicient width to expose a'run of the largest size in the stocking and of sufiicient length to expose a run of maximum length. The form 90 being sufiiciently wide to stretch the stocking, the stocking is slipped thereover with the run exposed in the slot 91 whereafter suitable spring clips as 92 are passed about the form and about the stocking to maintain it in position. A series of edge clips as 93 may also be used to maintain the stocking in place on the holder. The clips, however, are so arranged that the upper part 94 of the stocking lying on the uppersurface of the support may be pulled forwardly a sufficient distance to expose the run 95. The form is then placed on the platen 16 of the'machine with the presser foot 37 or presser foot bar arranged in the slot 91. Said slot is made of just suflicient width to fit the presser foot or the bar therefor, so that the walls 96 of said slot serve to guide the form rearwardly as the work is fed rearwardly by the feed member 1'7. As the work progresses, the end clip 92 may be removed and the stocking folded back and the clips shifted so that the folded part of the stocking may be drawn forwardly to expose the remaining part of the run so that said run may be repaired.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the stocking support may take the form of an adjustable holder adapted to support and stretch stockings of substantially any size. In this modification of the support, I prefer to make said support of two parts and to secure said parts adjustably together. One part as 100 is provided with a re-= cess as 101 in which the extension 102 of the other part 103 is inserted and guided as by means of a suitable tongue and groove joint 104. An adjusting screw as 105 is threaded into the extension 102, the head 106 of said screw resting thereon. At the upper end of the support, a similar adjustment may be provided, or, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, a suitable turn buckle 109 may be arranged for adjusting the relative positions of the parts 100 and 103. As shown, said turn buckle comprises the right and left threaded screw 110, supported in suitable nuts as 111 secured to each of the parts and operating in recesses 112 and 113 in the respective parts. The screw 109 may be suitably adjusted by means of a pin passed through the opening 112 thereof.

It will be seen that one of the principal features of the present invention is the provision of a member interposed in the path of the needle for opening and closing the latch thereof, whereby the latch needle may be used on an ordinary sewing machine with the proper modification of the presser foot and in connection with a suitable work support.

As shown in Fig. 16, the needle is illustrated as having been closed, and engaging one of the cross threads or dropped stitches 120 of the run. Said thread, by being drawn upwardly into the position of Fig. 16, has been looped and is ready to be looped about the succeeding thread 121. As theneedle with the loop 120 carried thereby moves downwardly, the toothed feed member 17 moves rearwardly in a direction of the arrow of Fig. 16, whereby the work together with the holder carried thereby is fed the proper distance rearwardly. The needle continuing its downward movement, the end of the latch strikes the upper surface of the presser foot, or of the member '70 or 80, at a point immediately adjacent the wall 53 whereby the downward movement of the latch end is temporarily prevented and said latch end is swung about its pivot into the open position shown in Fig. 17. At this time, the loop 121 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 17, having been advanced rearwardly the proper distance. As the needle now moves upwardly, the hook 59 thereof catches the next thread 121, the latch end at this time moving between the end of the loop 120 and said thread 121 and engaging the under face 56 of the presser foot, begins to close upon and to force said thread 121 into the hook 59 of the needle. Further upward movement of the needle pulls the thread 121 caught in the hook upwardly through the hole, completes the closing of the latch, and brings the parts into the position illustrated in Fig. 16 ready for the repetition of the operation.

It will be understood that during the advancing operation of the feed member 1'7, said feed member is in its uppermost position but that said feed member is reciprocated forwardly, and at the same time depresd ready to grip the work again, to advance it by the mechanism heretofore described and customarily used in sewing machines.

It will be seen that I have provided simple, efficient and economical means capable of ready attachment to an ordinary sewing machine and capable of use by comparatively unskilled persons for the repair of runs in knitted fabric; that I have provided an improved needle designed to be positively opened and closed for this purpose and that my new attachment and needle are preferably used in connection with my improved work support illustrated.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto but intend to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a machine having a reciprocatory needle bar, of a pivoted latch needle, means for removably mounting said needle for reciprocation as a unit with said bar, and a presser foot having an opening therein, the operative end wall of said opening being vertically aligned with a point on the latch of the needle intermediate the ends of said latch whereby the latch is operated by the presser foot to open and close the latch alternately on the reciprocation of the needle through the opening of the presser foot.

2. The combination with a reciprocatory pivoted latch needle, of an apertured presser foot arranged in the path of the needle with the aperture thereof in alignment with the major part of the needle, but out of alignment with the end of the latch, whereby part of the presser foot adjacent the aperture engages the latch to open the latch on the stroke of the needle in one direction and to close the latch on the opposite stroke.

3. Attachment adapted to be removably secured to a sewing machine for alternately opening and closing a pivoted latch needle on the reciprocation of said needle including a member adapted to be arranged in the path of the end of the latch closing the latch of a reciprocatory pivoted latch needle comprising an apertured presser foot arranged with a wall of the aperture in the path of the end of the latch and with the aperture in alignment with, and of sufficient diameter to receive freely, the remainder of the needle.

5. An attachment adapted to be secured to a sewing machine for alternately opening and closing the latch'of a reciprocatory pivoted latch needle, an apertured member adapted to have part thereof arranged in the path of the end of the needle latch to engage said end on the reciprocation of the needle in either direction.

6. In an attachment for sewing machines for adapting such machines for use in repairing runs in knitted fabrics, the combination with such a machine including needle reciprocating means, of a pivoted latch needle removably securable to said means, and stationary means on the attachment in the' path of the end of the needle latch for alternately opening and closing said latch.

7. The combination with a machine including needle reciprocating means, of a pivoted latch needle removably securable to said means, and an apertured presser foot removably secured to the machine in position to engage the end of the latch on the reciprocation of the needle to alternately open and close the latch.

8. The combination with a machine including needle reciprocating means, of a pivoted latch needle removably securable to said means, an apertured presser foot removably secured to the machine in position to engage the end of the latch on the reciprocation of the needle to alternately open and close the latch, and means on said presser foot for bracing and guiding said needle during the reciprocation thereof and for controlling the vibration thereof at high speeds.

9. In a device of the character described, a reciprocating pivoted latch needle, means for alternately opening and closing the latch of the needle, and slotted work holding means, said work-holding means being arranged to move relatively longitudinally of the opening and closing means and said needle being arranged to recipro cate into and out of said slot to engage and pick up threads of the work crossing the slot.

10. In a run repairing mechanism operatively connectable to a sewing machine to adapt said machine to repair runs in knitted fabrics, a pivoted latch reciprocatory needle, stationary means on the mechanism for alternately opening and closing the needle latch on the reciprocation of the needle, and'work supporting and stretching means having an opening therein across which the run to be repaired is adapted to be arranged for engagement by the needle on the passage of the needle through the opening.

11. In run repairing mechanism adapted to be removably connected to a sewing machine -to adapt said machine to repair runs in knitted fabrics, a reciprocatory pivoted latch needle, an apertured presser foot for alternately opening and closing the latch of the needle on the reciprocation of the needle, work feeding means, and.

work supporting means adapted to be arranged above the feeding means, said supporting means having an elongated aperture therein into which the needle above the hook for opening and closing the hook, an enlarged rounded end on the latch, and means removably attached to the mechanism for engaging said end to reverse the position of the latch on the relative movement of the latch and said means past each other.

13. In mechanism of the character described, a needle terminating in a hook, a latch on the needle for closing the hook, a pivot for the hook on the needle and offset from the axis of the needle to maintain the latch at all times at an angle to the axis of the needle, and means removably attached to the mechanism and interposed in the path of the 'needle for engaging the end of the latch to open and close the latch alternately.

14. In mechanism of the character described, an apertured presser foot, guide rods on said presser foot, means for removably securing the presser foot to a part of said mechanism, a pivoted latch needle, means slidably guided by the guide rods for removably carrying the needle, a reciprocatory needle bar, means for removably securing the needle carrying means to the needle bar, and a latch opening and closing portion on the presser foot adjacent the aperture thereof.

15. In mechanism of the character described, a presser foot, a pivoted latch needle, means on said presser foot for alternately opening and closing the latch of said needle on the reciprocation of the needle, comprising a rigid wall surrounding an aperture in the presser foot and arranged in the path of the end of the latch of the needle, a reciprocatory needle bar, a hollow guide removably secured to said needle bar for reciprocation therewith, an extension on said hollow guide, means for removably securing the shank of the needle to said extension, said extension having a guide opening therein and a pair of guide rods upstanding from the presser foot for guiding and controlling the movement of the needle, one of said rods telescoping into the hollow guide and the other of said rods being slid-= ably mounted in the opening of said extension.

16. In mechanism of the character described, a pivoted latch needle, a reciprocatory needle bar, means for operatively and removably securing the needle to the needle bar for reciprocation therewith, said means serving also for guiding and controlling the movement of the needle, a

presser foot removably secured to the mechanism and stationary means on said presser foot interposed in the path of the end of the latch of the needle for alternately opening and closing the latch.

17. In mechanism of thecharacter described, a reciprocatory pivoted latch needle, stationary means on the mechanism interposed in the path of the end of the latch of the needle for alternately opening and closing said latch, apertured work supporting means arranged for the passage of the needle into and out of the aperture thereof to engage the threads of a run arranged at said aperture, and means for intermittently advancing the work support on each complete reciprocation of the needle. a

18. In mechanism of the character described, a reciprocatory pivoted latch needle, a presser foot removably secured to said mechanism and having a rigid wall surrounding an aperture therein and arranged in the path of the end of the latch of the needle for alternately opening and closing said needle, a slotted work support adapted to have the run of an article of work arranged at the slot thereof, the walls of the slot of said work support being engaged by the sides of said presser foot and means for intermittently advancing the support on each complete reciprocation of the needle.

19. In mechanism of the character described, a

' reciprocatory needle bar, a pivoted latch needle,

sage of the major part of the needle, said wall being interposed in the path of the end of the latch of the needle for opening and closing the latch on each stroke of the needle, a slotted work support adapted to have the run of an article of work stretched thereon with the run exposed at the slot and underneath the aperture of said presser foot, said slot being of substantially the same width as that of said presser foot, and means for advancing said support intermittently on each complete reciprocation of the needle. 7

20. In an attachment for sewing machines for adapting such machines for use in repairing runs in knitted fabrics, the combination with the bed plate and presser foot of such a machine, said bed plate and presser foot having needle guide openings therein, of a needle support on the presser foot, a needle movable in said guide openings and having a hook, and a latch for opening and closing entrance to the hook, and a control member on the presser foot for opening and closing said latch.

21. A 'device of the character described comprising a presser foot, a latch needle reciprocably supported by the presser foot, and means on the presser foot for controlling the latch of the needle.

22. A device of the character described comprising a presser foot, a latch needle reciprocably supported by the presser foot, and surfaces on adapting such machines for use in repairing runs in knitted fabrics, the combination with the bed plate, presser foot, and needle bar of the machine, of a needle carrier mounted on the needle bar, a latch needle mounted on the carrier and movable in openings in the bed plate and presser foot, and means for controlling the latch for thread looping operations in the action of the needle.

26. In an attachment for sewing machines for adapting such machines for use in repairing runs in knitted fabrics, the combination with the bed plate, presser foot, and needle bar of the machine, of a needle carrier mounted on the needle bar, a latch needle mounted on the carrier and movable in openings in the bed plate and presser memes foot, and controlling means on the bed plate and presser foot to open the latch on the downward movement of the needle for a loop releasing action, and to close the latch on the upward movement of the needle to draw a thread into the hook of the needle and adapt said thread to be pulled up through a previously formed loop and the latter released from the needle.

27. In an attachment for sewing machines for adapting such machines for use in repairing runs in knitted fabrics, the combination with the bed plate, presser foot, and needle bar of the machine, of a needle carrier mounted on the needle bar, a latch needle mounted on the carrier and movable in openings in the bed plate and presser foot, said needle carrier having a lost motion connection with the needle bar, contacts on the needle carrier and needle bar for raising and lowering the needle carrier in the reciprocations of the bar with intervening idle movements, and controlling means on the bed plate and presser foot to open the latch on the downward movement of the needle for a loop releasing action, and to close the latch on the upward movement of the needle to draw a thread into the hook of the needle and adapt said thread to be pulled up through a previously formed loop and the latter released from the needle.

CHARLES S. NEVELSON.

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