US1942816A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9, 1934. H. E. HOUSEMAN KNITTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 11. 1931 DUB UDDODDDDO DDDD GOD DOD DUDUD DUDDDDD flare/d f. fl w ma n 6y /Z44vr Y Ar ORA/5V5.

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Jan. 9, 1934. H. E. HQUSEMAN KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 11, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 iii. *66

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Jan. 9, 1934. H. E, HOUSEMAN 1,942,816

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 11. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 flarofc/ 5 //0a acrrran i atenteci Jan. 9 1934 PATENT OFFICE KNITTING MACHINE Harold E. Houseman, Edge Moor, Del., assignor to Standard-Trump Bros. Machine Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application April 11, 1931. Serial No. 529,519

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a knitting machine and particularly yarn changing mechanism for such machine effective, for example, to change from a body yarn to a heel and toe yarn in the knitting of the stocking.

The arrangement particularly forming the subject matter of the invention is eifective to change the yarn in an embroidery stripe machine of the type illustrated in the application of Stanley R. Shelmire, Serial Number 469,056, filed July 19, 1930. In this machine, which is of the stationary needle cylinder-rotating cam type, wrap fingers'carried by a suitable head extend downwardly with their lower ends within the I needle circle and closely adjacent to the needles. This arrangement offers difficulty in yarn changing since the common devices which include clamping and cutting mechanisms within the circle of needles cannot be used, not onlybecause of the wrap fingers themselves but primarily since yarns extend from these wrap fingers to the fabric thus forming, in effect, a circular cage which precludes the positioning of the main yarn to any extent within the circle of needles. In this commonly used device the taking of yarn by the needles is very readily effected since the yarn extending from an inactive finger projects across the needle circle and its lowering alone is sufficient to engage the yarn with the 6 needles.

Devices are known which provide both yarn fingers and clamping and cutting devices outide of the needle circle and introduce a new yarn to the needles by means of a placer wheel,

05 which pushes it under the hooks, or by having the needle latches as they close swing the yarn under the needle hooks. Such devices are however uncertain in operation. Accordingly where Wrapping mechanism ofthe type illustrated in the Shelmire application has been used, it has been the usual practice to either change to another yarn by hand, stopping the machine when such change is to be made, or, to twist a reinforcing yarn for the'heel and toe upon the body yarn, cutting it out automatically when. the heel or toe is finished.

It is a broad object of the present invention to provide means whereby yarn changing may be properly and positively effected automatically in a machine of the character referred to. While the invention, as will be seen hereafter, is applicable to machines which do not involve wrap-- ping, nevertheless it is particularly applicable to such machines inasmuch as interference with the wrap fingers is avoided, the mechanism being capable of acting properly, even though the wrap fingers are in very close proximity to the needles, for example, not more than one-eighth of an inch distant therefrom.

More specifically, the device operates by carrying the yarn to be inserted to a very slight degree inside the needle circle and so manipulating the yarn outside the needle circle that it is carried down between needles so as to be engaged by one of them. 5

Other objects of the invention relating particularly to details of construction will be apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 7

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the parts of the machine adjacent the top of the needle cylinder;

Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in section of details of the yarn changing mechanism viewed in the same direction as Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an inside elevation of certain of these elements;

Fig. 4 is an outside elevation partly in section of the actuating mechanism for the yarn changing elements;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same;

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are diagrammatic perspective views illustrating the operation of taking a new' yarn;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal section illustrating the clamping of the yarn by the cutter;

Fig. 10 is a plan view partly in section showing the controlling cam arrangement;

Fig. 11 is a developed inside view of a preferred arrangement of needle cams;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified arrangement; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the modified arrangement of Fig. 12.

The knitting machine to which the yarn changing devices are applied in the present instanceis of the type illustrated in the Shelmire application referred to above comprising a stae tionary needle cylinder 2 in slots in which reciprocate the independent latch needles 4 with which cooperate the radially movable sinkers 6, the needles being reciprocated axially of the needle cylinder by suitable knitting cams indicated generally at 8, the sinkers also being movable by suitable cams carried by the usual sinker cap. Since the needle cylinder is stationary, the needle and sinker cams and other devices are carried by the rotating member 10 which, among other devices, carries the bracket 12 supporting the various elements controlling the selective wrapping operations and also changes of yarn. Selective operations of the various parts during the cycle of formation of a stocking or the like are controlled by the usual cam disc 14 which is intermittently stepped around and carries cams cooperating with suitable followers:

Located above the needle cylinder and arranged to be stationary relative thereto during the knitting operation, except for slight shogging movements, is a wrap finger cylinder 16 in which are pivoted wrap fingers 18 provided with eyes at their lower ends to carry wrap yarns. These wrap fingers are selectively rocked by engagement with butts thereof of cam levers 20 selectively moved inwardly to effect outward movements of the wrap fingers under the control of an intermittently stepped trick wheel 22. The wrap fingers are returned by a return cam acting below their pivots. The operation and control of these wrap fingers is described in the Shelmire application referred to above and no further reference need be made thereto. It is only to be noted, so far as the present case is concerned, that these wrap fingers are located within the needle circle quite close to the needles and that during the progress of knitting yarns extend from the wrap fingers to the fabric forming an annular cage precluding the movement of the body yarns to the position normally occupied by the usual clamping and cutting devices.

A plurality of yarn fingers are provided, in the present instance two being illustrated at 24 and 26, the former being provided with a plurality of holes through which may be threaded one or more body yarns for the formation of the leg of a stocking and the latter being provided with one or more holes for guiding suitable yarn for the heel and toe. These fingers are pivoted upon a transverse pin 28 carried by the bracket 12, their outer ends being acted upon by-springs 30 so as to normallymove their inner ends into lower or active positions.

Pivoted also upon the pin 28 is the depresser lever 32 the outer end of which is acted upon by a spring 34 similar to the springs 80 and likewise acting to move the inner end of the depresser lever downwardly. The depresser lever is provided with-a pin 36 extending laterally therefrom across both of the yarn fingers 24 and 26 so that when either of these yarn fingers is raised the depresser lever 32 is also held in raisedposition against the action of the spring 34. The lever 32 is provided at its inner extremity with a yarn engaging head 38 arranged to move downwardly outside the circle of needles but closely adjacent thereto to depress a yarn to such position that it will be engaged within the needle hooks as will be hereafter more fully broughtout.

The lever 32 is also provided with a pin 40 engageable within a slot 42 formed in a carrier lever 44 pivoted at 45 to the bracket and carrying at its inner end a yarn hook46. When the carrier and depresser are inactive they occupy the .positions illustrated in Fig. 1 at which time the pin 40 occupies the upper end of the slot 42 so that when the depresser is raised the carrier is retracted, the hook 46 being located well outside the needle circle. On the other hand when the depresser is lowered the pin 40 rides downwardly through the slot 42 and finally comes to rest in the position illustrated in Fig. 21 engaging a. face 47' of the member 44 and holding the hook 46 inside the needle circle. At this time a suitable tail provided on the member 44engages an eccentric stop pin 48, this stop pin being adjusted relative to the lowermost position of pin 40 so that the carrier or placer is held without substantial play in the position illustrated in Fig. 2.

A ledger blade 52 is carried by the bracket 12, there being pivoted thereto a movable cutting knife 50 in the form of a bell crank. Secured to the same stud on which this cutter blade is pivoted is a spring clamping element 54, the tension of which against the cutter blade may be adjusted through the medium of the adjusting screw 56 threaded in the ledger blade and engaging the upper end of the clamp 54 so as to cause its lower end to move yieldingly inwardly against the movable blade, the head of the attaching screw acting as a fulcrum.

The outwardly extending arm of the blade 50 is provided with a pin 58 engaging within a slot in the head of an adjustable screw 60 threaded into the inwardly extending arm of a lever 62 pivoted to the bracket, this "lever being urged in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 by a spring 64 to bring a follower end 66 into engagement with a combined cam and ratchet 78 secured to a shaft 80 pivoted in the bracket.

A cam following lever 68 pivoted at 70 to the bracket and urged inwardly by a spring '72 has formed therein a slot 69 into which extends a pin 71 carried by a member '73 pivoted about the axis of shaft 80. To the member 73 is pivoted a pawl 74 urged inwardly against the ratchet '78 by a spring 76. It will be clear from this arrangement, illustrated particularly in Fig. 5, that oscillatory movements imparted to the lever 68 result'in intermittent stepping movements of the ratchet wheel 78 and shaft 80, the ratchet wheel'78 notonly functioning as such but also acting upon the lever 62 to operate the knife blade 50.

Fastened to the shaft'80 are cam members 82, 84 and 86 arranged to operate respectively upon downwardly extending extensions of yarn fingers 24 and 26 and the depresser 32.

The lever 68 carries at its outer and lower end a roller'88 arranged to be acted upon by a cam 90 which, as illustrated in Fig. 10, is provided with cam surfaces 92, 94 and 96. The cam 90 is carried by an upwardly extending arm 98 of a member pivoted on a stud 100, which member" is provided with three arms carrying respectively adjustable stop screw 102 engageable with the frame to limit movement in one direction, a sec- 0nd adjustable stop screw 104 engageable with the frame to limit movement in the opposite direction and an adjustable cam following screw 106 engageable by suitable cams 108 carried by the main cam disc 14. The operation of these elements will be hereafter described.

Referring to Fig. 11, the upper center needle cam is illustrated at 110, the two stitch drawingcams being illustrated at 112 and 114 respectively. This cam arrangement is as usual, except that the lower extremity of the cam 110 is recessed as indicated at 116 whereby it will not depress fully one or more needles 118 provided with very short butts, that is, shorter than the usual buttstion of the modification so far described the maproduces several effects.

:is still being taken by the needles.

drawn, after being seized by a needle, it passes chine will be assumed operating on the leg of the stocking, that is, the finger 24 will be in lowered position feeding the body yarn to the needles.

At this time the heel finger 26 will be raised, the yarn Y floating therefrom to the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9 between the closed blade 50 and the clamping device 54, the tension of which will have been properly adjustedby the screw 56. The depresser 38 will be in raised position, the carrier being in its corresponding retracted position, as illustrated in Fig. 1. As the parts move around the roller 88 will not engage the cam 90 but will pass inwardly thereof, inasmuch as the cam 90 will maintain its outward position, under the action of spring 103 since the follower 106 will not be acted upon by any cam If now a yarn change is to take place the cam disc 14 is stepped about bringing a cam 108 into engagement with the follower 106 to rock the cam 90 inwardly, this inward movement generally taking place to an extent which will not quite bring the stop screw 102 into contact withthe frame. As the roller 88 now comes around it will ride up surface 92 of the cam, this action tending first to move the stop screw 102 into contact with the frame, the lever 68 being thereafter rocked imparting an initial movement to the shaft through the ratchet. This initial movement First, the cam member 84 moves about to such position as to release, the finger 26 which is moved downwardly by its spring 30. Simultaneously with this movement the spring 34 moves the presser downwardly whereby outward movement of the member 44 carrying the hook 46 also takes place. During this movement the yarn is forced inwardly by the advancing edge of the member 44 and is engaged between the member 44 and the finger 26 by the depresser 38. The final movement of this depressser causes the yarn to move downwardly into the hook 46 which by this time has swung inwardly of the needle, as indicated in Fig. 6. It will thus be seen that the yarn may be brought across the circle of needles and below the hooks between some pair of needles whereupon-it will be engaged by one of them and carried as indicated in Fig.

'7 so as to be eventually drawn down into the stitches with the yarn from the finger 24 which As the yarn is from the supply through the finger 26 and beneath the depresser, being still held between the movable blade and the member 54 and passing therefrom through the hook 46.

' by the cam 110. It is found, however, that by positioning the book 46 suificiently close to the needle circle and depressing the yarn outside the needle circle to a sufficient degree by the member 38, that the yarn will be properly seized even without the use of the floating needles.

By the time the yarn is initially drawn through the loops so as to be positively incorporated in the fabric the roller 88 will start riding up the cam surface 94. The initial effect of this movement is to produce two operations. First, the

blade 5 0 .is moved to open position under the action of spring 64 by the release of the follower portion 66 of lever 62 from a tooth 78 upon which it was previously located. At the same time lever 32 is raised by one of the projections on cam member 86, this action resulting not only in the lifting of the depressing element 38 but also the retraction of the member 44. As the roller 88 then finally rides up on the surface 94 a still further movement isimparted to the shaft 80 resulting in the lifting of finger 24 out of action by one of the projections on the cam member 82. As the finger 24 is so raised the yarn extending therefrom to the needle circle is moved upwardly over the hook of the member 54 in the path of the blade 50. It may be noted that at this time the yarn from finger 26 is being knitted into the fabric. The movement of shaft 80 which results in rise of finger 24 causes a release of element 32 which thereupon drops until pin 36 rests on the raised finger.

As further rotation takes place the roller rides up cam surface 96 imparting a further movement to the shaft 80 resulting in action upon the lever 62 to cause the blade 50 to sever the yarn which is being removed. At the time of this severing movement the yarn is also clamped between the movable blade and member 54.

Immediately following this cycle of operation a further movement is imparted to the pattern disc 14 so that the follower 106 rides oil the cam 108. The cam then moves outwardly and is thereafter not engaged by the roller 88 during the rotation of the latter.

The next time a yarn change takes place, the finger 24 will drop and finger 26 will be raised with corresponding operations of the other elements. That is, the cams on shaft 80 are properly arranged to effect this alternate operation.

While the modification above described is preferred, that illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 may be adopted where there is suflicient space within the needle circle to permit an element of moderate size to extend therein. In this modification there is provided, as in the previous one, a stationary ledger blade 120, a movable blade 122 and a flexible clamping member 124, the pressure of which on the movable blade may be adjusted. A guard member 126 extends in spaced relationship to the member 124 as illustrated, being. provided with a notch 128 for the reception of a'yarn extending from the idle finger to the clamping device. Arranged to rock between the members 124 and 126 is the arm 136 provided with a notched inner end, as indicated at 132, this arm having a cam following extension 134 arranged to be acted upon by a cam 136 which may be similar .to cam 86 and mounted on .a shaft actuated the same as shaft 80. A spring 138 maintains the following portion 134 in contact with the same.

Inthe operation of this modification the yarn, when raised by a finger which is moved to idle position, passes into the notch 128 which aligns it properly for reception in the notch 132 of the By arranging the yarn so that the in this case is substantially as brought out above 15;

in connection with the previous modification, the single arm in this case taking the place of the combination of elements 46 and 38.

t will be clear that numerous modifications of the preferred arrangements'may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims. While the invention is illustrated as applied to a machine having a stationary needle cylinder, it will be obvious that it is equally applicable to a rotary needle machine.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A knitting machine including a circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and clamping and cutting means located outside the needle circle, and means arranged to engage a yarn which is to be rendered active and locate it in position to be engaged by a needle, said last named means including one element for carrying the yarn across the needles and another element for depresssing the yarn between the needle circle and the yarn feeding fingers.

2. A knitting machine including a circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and clamping and cutting means located outside the needle circle, and means arranged to engage a yarn which is to be rendered active and locate it in position to be engaged by a needle, said last named means including one element for carrying the yarn across the needles and another element for depressing the yarn between the needle circle and the yarn feeding fingers, the last element moving to depress the yarn simultaneously with the movement of the feeding finger of the yarn to bring it into activity.

3. A knitting machine including a circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and clamping and cutting means located outside the needle circle, and means arranged to engage a yarn which is to be rendered active and locate it in position to be engaged by a needle, said last named means including one element for carrying the yarn across the needles and another element for depressing the yarn between the needle circle and the yarn feeding fingers, and devices for operating the parts sequentially so that, first, the finger carrying the yarn to be inserted'is'lowered and the yarn is simultaneously carried across the needles and depressed outside the needle circle whereby it is taken by'a needle,

second, the cutter is opened, releasing the'end' of the newly inserted yarn, and the elements are withdrawn, third the finger carrying the yarn to be rendered inactive is raised, drawing the raised.

active and locate it in position to be engaged by a needle so projecting.

5. A knitting machine including a series "of independently movable needles" and elements co-' operating therewith to form stitches, said 816: ments including yarn feeding fingers and clamping and cutting means for yarn which may be rendered inactive during operation of the machine, the clamping and cutting means including a-movable cutting blade and a flexible member bearing against the blade to clamp yarn between itself and the blade, the flexible member being secured at an intermediate point thereof, and the pressure of the member on the blade being adjustable by flexure of a part of the flexible member on that side of the point at which it is secured opposite its clamping contact with the blade.

6. A knitting machine including a circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said ele-' ing the yarn across the needles and another element for depressing the yarn between the needle circle and the yarn feeding fingers, the element for carrying the yarn'across the needles having a hook arranged to receive the yarn. 9

7. A knitting machine including a circle of independently movable needles and elements 00-- operating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and damp" ing and cutting means located outside the needle circle, and means arranged to engagea yarn which is to be rendered active and locate it in position to be engaged by a needle, said last named means including one element for carrying the yarn across the needles and another ele-' ment for depressing 'the yarn between the needle circle and the yarn feeding fingers, the element for carrying the yarn across the needles having a hook arranged to receive the yarn, and an ad justable stop 'for locating the hook in prope position relative to the needles.

8. A knitting machine including a circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and clamping and cutting means located outside the needle circle, and means arranged to engage a yarn which'is to be rendered active and locate it in position to be engaged by "a needle, said last' named means including one element for carrying the yarn across the needles and another element for depressing the yarn between the needle circle and the yarn feeding fingers, one o'f'tlie two last named elements'being controlled in its movements by the other whereby they move'in definite relative relationship.

9. A knitting machine including a circle of independentl'y'movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and clamp-' ing and cutting means located outside the needle which is to'be rendered active and locate it in position to be engaged by a needle, said last named means including one element for carrying the yarn across the needles and another elerelative relationship. 7

1'0. A'knitting machine including a circle of they move in definite independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and clamping and cutting means located outside the needle circle, and means arranged to engage a yarn which is to be rendered active and locate it in position to be engaged by a needle, said last named means including an element for carrying the yarn across the needles and downward within the needle circle, and means for locating the yarn in position to be engaged by said element, said means engaging the yarn between the clamp and the yarn feeding fingers.

11. A knitting machine including a series of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, said elements including yarn feeding fingers and clamping and cutting means for yarn which may be rendered inactive during operation of the machine, the clamping and cutting means including a pivoted movable cutting blade, a flexible member secured at the pivot of the blade and arranged to bear against the blade to clamp yarn between itself and the blade, and means for adjusting the pressure of the member on the blade, said means causing flexure of a part of the blade on the side of the pivot opposite the clamping contact of the member and blade.

12. A knitting machine including a stationary circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, revolving yarn supplying means, yarn changing means revolving with the yarn supplying means, said yarn changing means including a plurality of yarn feeding fingers, clamping means, and cutting means, and a cam supported by a stationary part of the machine and bodily movable to different positions to cooperate with the yarn changing means, said cam having substantial angular extent and being stepped to effect in proper sequence by its operation upon a single follower the engagement of a clamped yarn with a needle, release of such yarn from the clamp, removal of another yarn from knitting position, and severance of the last named yarn.

13. A knitting machine including a stationary circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, revolving yarn supplying means, yarn changing means revolving with the yarn supplying means, said yarn changing means including a plurality of yarn feeding fingers, clamping means, and cutting means, and a cam supported by a stationary part of the machine and radially movable to different positions to cooperate with the yarn changing means, said cam having substantial angular extent and being stepped to effect, by radially moving a single follower, in proper sequence, the engagement of a clamped yarn with a needle, release of such yarn from the clamp, removal of another yarn from knitting position, and severance of the last named yarn.

14. A knitting machine including a stationary circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches,

revolvingyarn supplying means, yarn changing means revolving with the yarn supplying means, and including clamping and cutting mechanism, a cam supported by a stationary part of the machine and bodily movable radially to different positions, said cam having substantial circumferential extent and an operating portion to effect a series of successive operations of the yarn changing means including operations of the clamping and cutting mechanism, and a single follower arranged to be moved radially by said cam, the follower having imparted to it successive additive movements by the cam in the same direction to produce said successive operations.

15. A knitting machine including a stationary circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, revolving yarn supplying means, yarn changing means revolving with the yarn supplying means, a cam supported by a stationary part of the machine and bodily movable radially to different positions, said cam having substantial circumferential extent and an operating portion on one side thereof to effect a series of successive operations of the yarn changing means, and a follower arranged to be moved radially by said operating portion of the cam, said follower normally moving, when no yarn changes are to be made, past the opposite side of said cam.

16. A knitting machine including a stationary circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, revolving yarn supplying means, yarn changing means revolving with the yarn supplying means, a cam supported by a stationary part of the machine and bodily movable to difljerent positions, said cam having substantial circumferential extent and an operating portion to effect a series of successive operations of the yarn changing means, a follower arranged to be acted upon by the operating portion of said cam, and means for moving the cam to position to act on the follower, the follower serving initially to move the cam to an extreme position beyond that to which it is moved by the last named means.

17. A knitting machine including a stationary circle of independently movable needles and elements cooperating therewith to form stitches, revolving yarn supplying means, yarn changing means revolving with the yarn supplying means, a cam supported by a stationary part of the machine and bodily movable to different positions, said cam having substantial circumferential extent and an operating portion to effect a series of successive operations of the yarn changing means, a follower arranged to be acted upon by the operating portion of said cam, and means for moving the cam to position to act on the follower, the follower serving initially to move the cam to an extreme position beyond that to which it is moved by the last named means, the cam normally being positioned, when no yarn changes are being made, so that the follower passes to the side opposite the operating portion.

HAROLD E. HOUSEMAN.

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