US2024518A - Density control device for knitting machines - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1.7, 1935. @555 2,024,518

DENSITY CONTROL DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES- Filed Apfil 8, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Albm 6%,

ATTORNEY Dec. 17, 1935. A. GEE

DBNS ITY CONTROL DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 8, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Alb ATTO

Dec. 17, 1935. A. GEE

I DENSITY CONTROL DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 8, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR AZberz Gee, BY

- 14 ATTORNET Dec. 17, 1935. I GEE 2,024,518

DENSITY CONTROL DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 8, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR be]?! ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17,

DENSITYv CONTROL DEVICE'FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

Albert Gee, Elkins-l ark, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments,

to Haines Hosiery Mills, Inc.,

Nicetown, Philadelphia, Pa.', a corporation of I vania Pennsyl Application me 8, i930, Serial No. 442,500

My present invention relates generally to knitting machinery, and has particular reference to a' mechanism for automatically controlling the density of an article being knitted, i. e., the lengths of the loops. 1

- capable of moving in several directions, and the density of the knitting 1. e., the length of the loops formed by the needles, is controlled by controlling the movement of the needle bar; In the. type of'machine'illustrated in the drawings, the movements of this bar are controlled by mechanism comprising a so called regulating shaft which does not continuously rotate but whose angular position is altered from time to time. In this embodiment it is the angular position of this shaft which determines the density 'oi the knitted article and this has hitherto been controlled manually; and it is an object of my present invention as applied to full-fashioned machines of this character to dispense with the necessity for making slight predetermined adjustments of this shaft by manual operation.

a us, where in such a machine the manual control is in the form of an arm or lever for shifting the angular position of the regulatmg shaft and thereby controlling the length of the. loops being knitted, my present invention provides an automatic mechanism which may be initially adjusted in a predetermined manner, and which mechanism thereafter adjusts said arm or leverat predetermined times to vary the angular position of the regulating shaft.

For the attainment of the objects of my in vention, in the exemplified machine, I have illustrated a set of abutments which are individually adapted taco-operate with a control arm of the I foregoing character to engage the same and hold itin variable predetermined positions, and whichabutments are shown as discontinuous and independent of each other and in the form of a series of spokes having diflering lengths, and I provide for the automatic change of theseabutments at and pawl arrangement which controls the rotation of a wheel which carries the aforementioned abutments peripherally thereof.

The automatic operation of the ratchet and pawl arrangement at predetermined times is at- 5 tained in the above referred to embodiment, by means of a continuous member, such as a chain, carrying a series of projections mounted for individual adjustment at desired spaced intervals, and each arranged to co-operate with a member controlling the operation of the ratchet and pawl arrangement.

The needle bar control is-attained by the relationship of the abutments to the control arm of the exemplified .machine so that said arm will 15 rest upon an individual abutment under the action of gravity, a spring, or both and the arm is thus caused to assume a predetermined fixed position which thereby determines a predetermined, fixed angular position of the regulating 2,0 shaft.

I In connection with the exemplified application of my invention, I have provided formoving the control arm out of the way of the abutments for a temporary or momentary period during which 25 one abutment is substituted for another, by

- mounting the control arm-upon a spindle and by providing for a rocking movement of the, spindle at predetermined times, which rocking movement 'is imparted to the spindle by the strikingaction of a rocking member, such as the needle bar arm of the machine, against a roller or the like eccentrically mounted with respect to 'said' spindle. I mount .such roller out of the normal pathpf movement of such rocking memher and provide for an interposition of the roller into the path of the rocking needle bar arm at predetermined times, which I illustrate as' accomplished by a continuous member or chain provided with individual projections capable of adjustment thereon at desired intervals. While I have illustratedmy invention as embodied in a specific type of'machine and for this purpose have referred above to various parts of such a machine and to the co-operation specifically with such parts of a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the disclosures of this one type and of the f specific details of the application of my inven tion thereto is merely for purpose of an illustrated application of one form of my invention and that my invention is not to be .construed as so limited unless called for by the language of the claims.-

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appearor be pointed out, I have constructed a device embodying the features of my invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I wherein- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a portion.

of the mechanism of my present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1; 10. Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view \takensubstantially along the line 3-3 of Figure I and-dash lines wherever such portions are shownmerely for the purpose of allocating the several shafts and arms which are directly involved in my present invention.

(H Referring for the moment to Figure '7, it will -I be. observed that I have shown for illustrative purposes a single needle Ill mounted in a needle bar ll. The latter is supported upon an arm or lever |2 pivoted at its lower end |3 to a forwardly extending link l4. The latter is adapted to be 3' brought into pivoted association with a cam lever Ii which is attached at its upper end to the presser shaft I6. I haveshown one customary manner of providing a pivot pin upon the I lever I5 and providing the link H with a series of notches selectively engageable with the pin II to vary the effective length of the link l4. At itslower end, the cam lever I is con- 'stantly urged rearwardly by a spring H. The lower end vof the lever I5 is also provided with 45" a cam follower or roller I9 adapted to cooperate with a cam mountedupon the main cam shaftll. It is the rocking or oscillating motion of the I presser' shaft l6 which imparts a rocking or 50' presser motion to the needle bar H and which controls the length of loops being knitted. Thus, when the cam 23 rotates, it causes the follo wer to'move toward the right and left under the combined action'of the cam and the spring I3. 56' Thisgcauses the arm |2 to oscillate in a substantially parallel manner, and the provision of athe pivot 22 beneath the'needle bar causes the needle bar-and the needles carried thereby f to reciprocate in a substantially horizontal direction. I

Beneaththe cam lever I5 is a regulating shaft 23 which carries at spaced intervals a' series of arms, such as that shown at 24, which are secured to the shaft- 23 by means of the set 66 screws 25. The free end of the arm 24 is provided with a stud 26 which bears against the rear face of the extreme lower end of the cam lever Ii. Upon' viewing Figure '7 it will be obvious that if the regulating shaft 23 were to 10' be moved by a slight degree in a clockwise direction, 'the' roller or follower |9 would bemoved slightly 'aw'ay from'the cam' 20, and this would cause the lever l5 andthe needle bar thereafter to oscillate through a smaller range. Ti In other words. the angular position of the regulating shaft 23 controls the length of loops being knitted.

The manner whereby the regulating shaft 23 is angularly displaced at predetermined times is shown in Figure 2. Mounted upon the shaft 23 5 are two arms 21 and 28, both extending upwardly from the axis of the shaft 23 in a substantially V relationship." The arm is is secured to the shaft 23 so as to move with the latter, and the arm 21 is freely mounted upon the shaft 23, but is in limited in movement in one direction by contact between a roller carried by it, and a cam on the cam shaft 2|, this being the customary construction.

At the upper end of the arm 28 I provide a 16 spindle 23 which carries a cam 30 and a radially projecting control arm 3|. The cam bears against a. stud 32 adjustably projecting forwardly from the arm 21.

Upon viewing Figure 2, it will be observed so that if the arm 3| were given a counter-clockwise movement, the cam 30 would act as a wedge in bearing against the stud 32 and would increase the angle between the arms 21 and 28.

This would have the effect of moving the regulat-' 9.5

ing shaft '23 by a very slight degree clockwise. Similarly, if the control arm 3| were'moved downwardly clockwise, the shaft 23'would be.

given a slight counter clockwise adjustment.

In the illustrated application of my invention; 80 I dispense with the necessity for any manual adjustment of the control arm 3| in the manner which I will now describe. I provide a spring 33 which extends from the outer end of the arm 3| down to a bracket 34 35 carried by the arm 23. This spring urges the arm 3| downwardly, but the arm is held in a predetermined stationary position by virtue of the fact that it rests at its midportion upon the abutment 35. The abutment 35 shown in Figure 2 is in the form of a pin or spoke which is screwthreaded into engagement with a wheel or hub 36. The wheel 36 is mounted upon a shaft or spindle 31 which projects forwardly from the arm 23. I

A ratchet wheel 33 is also mounted upon the shaft, 31, and this ratchet wheel is caused to rotate at predetermlne times by the action of a'pawl 39. The pawl 39 is pivoted to an arm 43, which is in turn loosely mounted upon the end of the shaft 31. The arm 40 is given a rocking motion by means of the pitman or connecting rod 4| shown in Figure 1. o Referring now to Figure 1, it'will be observed that the left end of the connecting rod 4| is provided with the two fixed collars 42 and 43. A third collar 44 is freely slidable along the rod 4|, and a compression spring 45 is interposed be tween the collars 44 and 42.

Thecollar' 44 is formed integrally with an upwardly extending arm 46 which-has its upper end engaging the horizontal rod 41 which extends along the full length of the knitting machine. A pair cf collars 43 constrain the arm 43 to move horizontally whenever the rod 41 moves. .1

Extending across the knitting machine I have added-an operating member, such as the chain 49; and in Figure 1, I have shown the left ex treme of this chain where it passes around a rotating sprocket 50. The chain 49 is provided with a series of detachable and adjustable projeetions 5| which are of such a character that they-may be spaced at will at desired intervals along the chain. v 76 A pivotal element 52 is medially'pivoted as at 53 and is urged into the full-line position of Figure 1 by the spring 54 or the like. The lower free end of theelement 52 is normally interposed 5 in the path of the projections 5|, while the upper end'of the element 52 engages with the rod 41 between two collars 55. Accordingly each projectioln 5|, as it passes the element 52, will cause the latter to rock momentarily in clockwise direction, thereby imparting an axial movement to the rod 41 toward the right, as viewed in Figure 1,-this movement being presently followed by a return movement induced by the action of the spring 54.

Upon viewing Figure 1, it will be obviousthat '7 this reciprocation of the rod 51 will be transmitted to the rod 4| and will cause the ratchet wheel 39 to advance by an amount equal to one tooth thereof, thisadv'ance taking place in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in;

Figural.

Upon the return of the rod 41' to its normal position, the pawl 39 rides idly over the teeth of the ratchet wheel and is then poised for the 25. next advance. 1

- The spring 45 serves as a buffer in that it will compress and yield should the rotation of the ratchet wheel be'impeded. g n v In Figure 1, I show an arrangement employing abutments in the form ofradial spokes of difl'ering lengths. It will be understood that this arrangement of abutments is not essential, however, but is preferable for the reason that each abutment may be individually handled or re placed without necessitating complete disassembling of the apparatus. It will also be-obviousthat by properly spacing-the'projeotions 5| upon .the chain 49, a predetermined step-.by-step rota-' tion of the ratchet wheel can be provided for,

4 each advance of this wheel causing "one abut-' ment to be withdrawn from beneath the control arm 3| and causing the succeeding abutment to be substituted in its place. I

. In accordance with my invention, the control arm. 3| is momentarily moved away from the abutments each time an advance of the latter is to take place, this momentary withdrawal of the arm being provided for so that there will be no interference between the arm 3| and the abutment beneath it' until after a predetermined abutment has come to rest in the path of the descending arm 3|.

To provide for this momentary adjustment of the arm 3|, I mount the same upon the spindle '29. At one end of this spindle I provide ge 6 radial arm 51 which carries the pin 50.

pin 55 is substantially parallel to the spindle 29 and is eccentric with respect thereto. Mounted upon it is the roller 59 which is engaged by awith the'needle bar shaft 52. Midway of. theneedle bar and 5| ismounted a. follower roller .53 adapted to be acted upon by the cam 64.

The latter is mounted upon the cam shaft 2| and causes the n e bar arm 5| to rock at predetermined times, this movement of the needle bar arm being one which is incident to the normal operation of the knitting machine. 15 In my present apparatua l resort to the normal oscillation of the needle bar arm and utilize this arm as an oscillating or rocking member. 'According y, I will not describe the reasons why the needle bar arm is rocked, it being sumcient for my present purposes to explain that the. lower end thereof is constantly urged rearwardb by the spring 55, but is caused at predetermined regular times to advance forwardly.

1 mount a stud 56 (Figure 5) adjacent the lower end ,of the needle bar arm 5|, this stud being 10 adapted to swing forwardly across the axis at the pin 5t. At predetermined times, the roller 59 is interposed in the path of the stud and the latter at that time strikes the roller-59 and rocks the spindle 29 in counter-clockwise di- 15 motion, as. viewed in Figure 3. Such rocking of the spindle 29 causes the arm 3| to be raised against the actionof the spring 33, but immediately after it is raised it returns downwardly under the action of the spring 33. ing and lowering of the arm 3| continue as long as the roller 59 is held in the path of the stud 55. i

To advance the roller 59 at predetermined times, as above described, I mount the yoke 59 25'.

upon a horizontal rod 51 substantially parallel to and adjacent to the rod 31 previously described. is clearly illustrated in Figure "5. To shift the rod 51 axially at predetermined times and thereby to shift the roller59 into the 30 path of the stud 55, I provide a second confirmone member in form of a chain 58, continually driven as is the chain 49, and I provide for the adjustabllity thereon of projections 59 similar to the projections 5| previously described. The 35 projections 59 engage with a pivoted element (not shown) which is similar to the element 52 and which, when encountered by each projec-- tion 59,.causesth rod 51 to move toward the right, as viewed in Figure l, and thereafter to t0 return toward the left. when the rod 91 moves toward the right, it will obviously move the yoke 59 with it and shift the roller, 59 intothe path of thestud 55. I

The projections 59 are preferably made longer 45- than the projections 5|; or they may be madeduplex in character so that the roller 59 will be held in the path of the stud 65 for a suiilcient period of time to oscillate the spindle 29 two successive times. This assures a proper ad- 59. vance of the abutments 35.

It will thus be seen that Ihave provided'a mechanism which is of an extremely simple character and which obviates the necessity for any-manual adjustment whatsoever of the reg- 3 v ulating shaft. If a change of loop size is desired at predetermined times during the knitting operation,-it is only necessary to arrange theabutments35 in a properscquence or to provide-"them with predetermined lengthaand proper position by means of the spring-pressed detent 10 illustrated in Figure 4 and adapted to engage between each two adjacent abutments.

Accordingly, after the roller 59 has again been withdrawn to its normal position,'the arm 3| will rest upon an abutment of predetermined,

This rais- 20.

" different size and will cause the regulating shaft .23 to assume a predetermined angular position which corresponds toa desired length of loop.

It will be obvious that changes in the details '5; herein illustrated and described for the purpose ofexplainin'g the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without dee.

parting from'the spirit and scope of the inven- 5 sire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In aknitting machine, a regulating shaft whose position'determines the length of loops being knitted, an-arm supported on said shaft, a set of diiferentabutments individually adaptfl ed to engage with said am and thereby hold said arm and said shaft in predetermined different positions, respectively, and means for automatically advancing selected abutments into engagement with said arm at predetermined times, respectively; said means comprising a continuous moving member, spaced projections on said member, a movable element encountered by and moved by said projections, and transmission means interposed between said element and said abutment: for advancing the latter; said transmission means including a yieldable buffer adapted .to yield should said abutments resist advance thereof. 2. In a knitting machine, a regulating'shaft whose position determines the length of loops being knitted, an arm supported on said shaft, a set of different abutments individually adapt-' ed to engage with 'said am and thereby .hold said arm and said shaft in predetermined different. .positions," respectively. a d abutments comprising a'setof radially arranged rodsof different lengths and a wheel for ca yn them, and means for automatically rotating said wheel to advance successive'radial rods'into n m nt with .said am at predetermined t m respectively, said means being capable of yielding in the event of impedence to the rotatton of the wheel.

'3. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having a needle-bar presser lever and an operating shaft; a loop regulating mechanism comprising a regulating shaft, a stop arm for said'prcsser leverfixed to said shaft, and stop arm setting means comprising a cam-operated loose arm and i a fixed shaft-rocker arm, a rotatably motmted disc-carried by one of said arms and havinga circular series of spacing contacts of varying radiai projection adapted to vary the relative positioning of said loose and rocker'arms, and patterncontrolled means adapted to impart rotativ'e' movements to .said'disc. a

4. Ina full fashioned knitting machine having va. needle-bar'presser le'ver'and an operating shaft; 'a loop regulating mechanism comprising 'a' shaft, a stop'arm for said presser lever fixed to saidshaft, and stop arm setting .meanscomprising a cam-operated lowe'arm and a fixed. shaft rocker a rotatably motmted i by 'one of said armsand having a circular series oi! spacing 'contactsofvarying radial projection to vary the relative 'positioningofsaidloos'eandrockerarms,a ratchet connection to said disc adapted to im- 75 part a step-by-step rotation thereof andpettern controlled means for actuating said ratchet connection.

5. In combination with a'full fashioned knit-e ting machine having a needle bar-and a -calnshaft, a loop length regulating mechanism com- 5; prisingj acam-actuated presser arm for said needle bar,--a rockable regulating shaft having a fixed stop arm for said p'resser arm, a looseand a fixed arm on said regulating shaft having an. adjustable contact engagement, a. regulator cam, lo on saidcamshai'tadaptedtoroc ksaidshaftin accord with adJusted contact of said looee'eand fixed arms, and pattern controlled means for determinedly adiusting the contact of said loose and fixed regulator shaft armsto variantly space 15;

said arms angularly and thereby correspondingly move the regulator shaft. e

6. Loop regulating mechanism for flat knitting machines'comprising in combination, a loop regulating shaft, anarm free on said: shaft and so.

having a roller-cooperative with a rotary cam on the cam shaftof the machine, a companion arm fast on the regulating shaft and carrying eccentric cam in contact with the free arm aforesaid, and means for variantly rocking the 253, eccentn'c cam to variantly space the two arms angularly with attendant rocking of the rogu latingshaftandchangeinthesizeofthefabrio lengths effective upon the eccentric cam arm, 49-

and means for periodically racking the wheel for substitution of one radial projection thereof for another with attendant rocking'of the regulatingshaftandchangeinthesizeofthefain'ic loops being knitted. H v 8. Loop regulating mechanism for flat knitting machines comprising in combination, aigcam shaftwith a rotary cam thereon, a loop regulatingshaft,anarmfreeonsaidshaftandhavin a roller to cooperate with the rotary cam aforesaid,acompanionarmfastontheregulating shaft and carrying an eccentric cam in withthe free arm aforesaid, an arm-on the axis of the eccentric cam, a wheel on the fast arm amt-ems having radial projections of different i lengths toinfiuen'ce the eccentric cam arm, a cmtrol chain, a lever periodically actu ated by cam lugs onthe chain, and means actuated through movement derived from the lever to periodically rack the wheel extrema with attendant substitution of one radial projection thereof for another m resultant change in thesiae ot-the fabric loops being knitted.

9. Loop regulating mechanism for fiat knitting machines comprising in combination, a cam shaft witha rotary cam-thereon, a loop-reguiating shaft,anarmfreeonsaidshaftandhavinga roller to cooperate wiQi therotary cam aforesaid, a companion arm fast on the regulating shaft and carrying an eccentric camincontact withthefreearmaforesaid,anarmontheafls' of the eccentric cam, a wheel on-thefast arm aforesaid having radial projections of different lengths to cooperate with the eccentric camarm, a pair. of control chainaa lever. intermittently amen-s actuatedlatte-13am lugs on one of said chains to .withhold. the eccentric cam'arm from the wheel ewe-determined times, and another lever ac- 'Z'-tuated by ca'x'nlug's on the other chain to con- :currently. rack the wheel aforesaid with attendant substitution of one radial projection thereof tfor another and-resultant change in the size of the fabric; loops being knitted.

In a. flat knitting machine having loop r forming mechanism and a rotatable shaft moving in. .timed"relation thereto; loop regulating mechanismcomprising a rotary cam on said shaft, a loop regulating shaft, a rockable member having 'cam follower means for engagement with said rotary cam, a second rockable member operatively connected to the regulating shaft for rocking the shaft, and carrying an eccentric cam= in contact-with the int rockable member, and means for variantly turning the eccentric cam o to vary the angular relation between said mem- 3o tioning said members relative to each other, in-

cluding a pair of elements provided with coacting camming surfaces, means for maintaining said coacting surfaces in constant contact with each other, and means for moving one of said elements so as to change the point of contact of said camming surfaces and thereby vary the angular relation between said members. I

12. Loopregulating mechanism for flat knit- I ting machines including in combination, a loop 40 regulating shaft, a pair of relatively movable cooperating members for varying the angular position of said shaft, means for variably positioning said members relative to each other, including a pairof elements provided with coacting camming surfaces, means for maintaining said camming surfaces in constant contact with each other, and pattern means for moving one of said elements so as to change the point of contact of said camming surfaces and thereby vary the angular relation between said members.

'13. Loop regulating mechanism for flat knitting machines. including in combination, a loop regulating shaft, a. pair of relatively movable cooperating members for varying the angular 55. position of said shaft," means for variably positioning said members relative to each other including an element on each of said members, said elements be P ovided with coacting camming surfaces; means for maintaining, said camming 00' surfaces inconstant contact with each other, and means for imparting selective-movements one of saidelements so as to change the point of contact of said camming surfaces and thereby vary. the relation between said members.

14.'Loop'regulating mechanism for flat knitting machines including in combination, a loop regulating shaft, a pair of relatively movable cooperating members on said shaft for varying the angularposition of the latter, means for variably 7Q positioning said members relative to each other, including a; fixed element on one of said members and a movable element on the other memher, said elements being provided with coacti'ng camming surfaces, means-for yieldingly urging 75 said elements toward each other so as to maintain said cammingsurfaces in constant contact, and pattern means for selectively positioning said movable element so as to change the point of contact of said camming surfaces and thereby vary the angular relation between said members. 5

' being knitted, an arm supported on said :shaft,

a set of abutments individually adapted to'engage with said arm to hold it and said shaft in pre- 10 determined different positions respectively, and means for automatically advancing said abut-s ments respectivelyinto engagement with said am at predetermined times, said means having the capacity to yield in the event that the move- 15 ment of said abutments is impeded.

16. In a knitting machine,'a cam shaft with a rotary cam thereon, a loop regulating shaft; an arm free on. said regulating shaft and having a roller to cooperate with therotary cam aforeac said, a companion arm fast on the regulating shaft and carrying asrotaryeccentric cam in contact withthe free arm aforesaid, an actuating .arm on the axis of the eccentric cam,'a set of abutments also carried by the companion arm 98' and adapted to individually engage the actuating arm, thereby to hold it and the eccentric cam in predetermined different positions, means for automatically advancing selected abutments into engagement with said actuating arm at pre- 80 determined times, and means for moving the actuating arm momentarily away from said abutments during each abutment advance.

.17. In a knitting machine, a cam shaft with a rotary cam thereon, a loop regulating shaft, an as am free on said shaft and having a roller to cooperate with the rotary cam aforesaid, a companion arm fast on the regulating shaft and carrying a rotary eccentric cam in contact with the free arm aforesaid, an actuating arm 40 on the axis of the eccentric cam, a wheel also carried by the companion arm and having a series of radial. abutments of difierent lengths adapted to individually engage the actuating arm and thereby hold it and the eccentric in prede= es termined positions, means for intermittently rotating the wheel to advance selected abutments thereof into engagement with the'said actuating arm at predetermined times, and means for moving the actuating arm momentarily away from said abutments during each rotative shift of the wheel.

-18.A. knitting machine in accordance with claim 16,.including a chain, and interposed connections operated by projections on the chain-to automatically advance the abutments and to move the actuating arm temporarily away from the abutments during each abutment advance.

19.'A knitting machine in accordance with claim 17, including a chain, and interposed con-' 0 nection omrated by projectio'nson the chain to automatically rotate the abutment wheel intermittently, and'to move the actuating arm temporarily away from the abutments duringv the rotative shifts of the wheel.

- 20. In a knitting machine, a cam shaft with a rotary cam thereon, a loop regulating shaft,

an arm free on the regulating shaft and having a roller to cooperate with the rotary cam aforesaid, a companion arm fast on the regulating shaft and carrying, a rotary eccentric cam in contact withthe free arm aforesaid, an actuating arm on the axis of the ebcentrlc cam,

a set of abutments carried by the companion arm and adapted to individually engage the actuating arm, thereby to hold it and the eccentric cam in predetermined diirerent positions, and means for automatically advancing selected abutments into engagement with said arm at predetermined times.

21. In a knitting machine, a cam shaft with arotsrycamthereo ,aloopregulating shaft, on free on the regulating shift and having a roller to cooperate with the rotary cam aforesaid; a companion arm'fast on the regulating shaft and carrying a rotary eccentric cam in contact with the irearm eforesaid, 1mactuating am on the axis of the eccentric cm, a wheel also carried by the companion arm and having a series of radial abutments oi diflerent lengths and adapted to individually engagethe actuating arm thereby to hold it and the eccentric cam in predetermined positions, and means 10! intermlttently rotating the wheel to. advance selected abutments into engagement with the actuating arms at predetermined times.

ALBERT an.

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