US2079298A

US2079298A - Automatic knitting machine for transferring from ribbed to plain knitting

Info

Publication number: US2079298A
Application number: US558798A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mcadams Harry
Original assignee: Nolde & Horst Co
Current assignee: Nolde & Horst Co; NOLDE AND HORST Co
Priority date: 1931-08-22
Filing date: 1931-08-22
Publication date: 1937-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1954-05-04

Description

May 4, 193 7.

H. M ADAMS .AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING FROM RIBBED TO PLAIN KNITTING Filed Aug. 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 HEIFF M AEI INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

May 4, 193 7.

AUTOMATIC KNITTING H. MCADAMS MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING FROM RIBBED TO PLAIN KNITTING Filed Aug. 22, l95l aoaaoopoa on 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 h l /0g W rt.

/ ATTORNEYS.

H. MCADAMS AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING' FROM RIBBED TO PLAIN KNITTING 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 22, 1931.

w 1. i I I P BY I May 4, 1937.

H. M ADAMS 2,079,298

AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING FRQM RIBBED o PLAIN KNITTI-NG Filed Aug. 22, 1931 8 SheetsSheet 7 f A E 5 E55 25 7 f I A 1' r X :3 F M A57 4/5 2 v I k V 0 ii 7 J Q A I INVENTOR.

Har fgm'i kdams ATTORNEYS.

May 4, 1937. H. M ADAMS AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING FROM RIBBED TO PLAIN KNITTING iled Aug. 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORY EIDEI- H51? 5 M'EA Y B v I. aQnTo 6 I Patented May 4, 1937 UNETED STATES AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE FOR TRANSFERR-ING FROM RIBBED TO PLAIN KNITTING Harry McAdams, Reading, Pa., assignor to Nolde and Horst Company, Reading, Pa., a corporation Application August 22, 1931, Serial No; 558,798

32 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanisms for the production of knitted fabrics. It particularly relates to a knitting machine for the automatic knitting of ribbed or plain seamless hosiery, or other tubular fabrics without the necessity of manual transfer.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved knitting machine whereon seamless knitted fabric may be knitted with both plain or ribbed effect with an automatic transferring of the fabric.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved knitting machine of the type generally disclosed in U. S. Patent '#933,443, .but which has associated therewith improved means for the knitting of plain and ribbed fabric, with improved means to automatically effect the transfer of the stitch loops of the fabric from dial nee-. dles of the machine to certain cylinder needles at the time of transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved knitting machine.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the cylinder and dial parts of the improved machine, showing their cooperative relation and the drive means therefor.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of certain parts of the improved knitting machine.

Figure 3a is a developed view in a plane of the cooperative needle action of the improved machine, and the association of cylinder needles and earns therefor.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of mechanism by means of which a cam controlling drum is operated with a step by step movement from the conventional I04 wheel of the Banner type of knitting machine, the parts being shown in an operative relation with said wheel.

Figure 5 is a view showing the parts of Figure 4 inoperatively positioned with respect to IM wheel, and under which circumstances the cam controlling drum is stationary.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cooperative action of the cylinder and dial needles during the transfer of the stitch loops of the fabric being knitted when transferring from rib knitting into plain knitting.

.Fligure 7 is a plan view of a knitting machine dial with needles supported therein; di..l cap cam partssbeing shown in dot and dash lines,

plane surface of a part of the needle cam controlling drum, showing the operative association thereon of means for operating the various cam levers and parts.

Figures 11 to 18 inclusive are diagrammatic views of the cam drum showing the respective means thereon for operatingthe various needle cam operating levers and parts.

Figure 19 is a cross sectional view taken on the line ill-l9 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the machine, which includes a frame B, a cylinder C, a dial D, means E to operate the cylinder and dial. F may generally indicate a set of cylinder needles, and G a set of dial needles.

Generally the machine frame B includes a supporting bed 20 whereon the rotatable needle cylinder C is mounted. The means for rotating and oscillating the cylinder C are of any approved type, and preferably those shown in the patent above mentioned. The cylinder is driven from a main shaft 2|, shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, whereon are positioned the usual pulleys and gearing including a pinion 22 for driving a larger gear 23 known conventionally as the I04 gear, which is suitably mounted upon a shaft 24. The main drive shaft is also provided with the usual quadrant 25 for reciprocating the cylinder dur ing the knitting of the heel and toe, as is usual, and will be well understood by those skilled in this art.

The needle cylinder C is provided with the usual needle grooves 26 wherein the latch needles of the set F are independently mounted for reciprocation. At its upper end the cylinder is provided with the usual web holding bed ring l5 whereon the web holders or sinkers l6 are reciprocably mounted within radial grooves; the same being actuated during their radial movement by cams supported upon a cam ring I! which is stationary during rotation of the cylinder.

The machine is of the independent latch needle type, but it is to be understood thatthe improvements are not to be limited in application to the supports a body yarn 32 which is fed to the cylinder and dial needles for the production of plain or ribbed knitting. A second yarn finger 3| may support another yarn 33, the purpose of which will be subsequently mentioned. These yarn fingers are manipulated by the usual levers 34, shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, which in. turn are operated from the pattern cam shaft 35, shown in Figure 3. This cam shaft is provided with the usual cams, ratchets, pattern chain, etc. which are more particularly referred to in the patent above mentioned. The pattern chain 6 for purposes of the improvement to which this invention is directed, is provided with an operating lug shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings to control the operative or inoperative positions of the mechanism by means of which the needle cam control drum 94 is manipulated from the gear 23. Furthermore, the pattern cam shaft 35 is provided with a drum 40 directly keyed therewith.

On the rear of the bed 2|) of the machine there is positioned an upwardly extending bracket 4| provided with a gear housing 42 overhanging the cylinder. This gear housing 42 rotatably supports a large gear 43 therein, to which is keyed a vertically positioned drive shaft 44. The latter is divided into an upper portion directly connected with the gear 43 and a lower portion 44 keyed at 45 to the depending hub of the dial bed 46 of the dial construction D. The upper and lower parts of the dial drive shaft are connected by an intermediate drive link 48, which at its upper and lower ends is connected at 49 by universal joint with said upper and lower parts of the dial drive shaft. This drive shaft construction for the dial enables the latter to be driven truly concentric with the cylinder C. It is of course understood that the upper portion of the dial drive shaft 44 is splined on the gear 43, so that the shaft 44 may be slid upwardly, as is usual, to clear the dial from the top of the cylinder when necessary. The dial cap 50 is held in non-rotatable position above the dial bed by means of a two-part arm construction 5|, consisting of a part 5| bifurcated at its outer end and secured as shown at 52, see Figure 2 of the drawings, to the upwardly extending hub portion of the dial cap 50; the portion 5| being connected to the other portion 5| of the arm 5|, as shown in Figure 1, at 53. The portion 5| has a sleeve 5| slidable upon a vertical rod 54, which is secured at its upper and lower ends by means of brackets 55 secured to the standard 4]. The

sleeve 5| slides freely along the shaft 54 between the clamps 55. In order to have accessto the dial cap and turn the same the connection cylinder C; the lower part 63 bearing at 64 in the bed 20 of the machine and having a pinion 65 keyed therewith and meshing with the gear 60. The upper portion 62 of the shaft has a pinion 66 keyed therewith and meshing with the gear 43; the gears 60 and 43 having the same pitch diameter, and the gears 65 and 66 having the same pitch diameter, so that the dial construction D is driven at the same speed of rotation as the cylinder C, for obvious reasons. Improved means adustably connects the

shafts

62 and 63 so that they may be angularly adjusted and set with a desired adjustment to properly position the angularity of the dial construction D with respect to the cylinder C, so that the cylinder and dial needles will properly intermesh for rib knitting. To this end the upper and

lower portions

62 and 63 of the drive shaft have complementary segment portions 68 and 69 connected therewith and keyed respectively therewith; the complementary segment extensions having adjusting screws Ill and H connected thereto, each of which may be adjusted in its segment to engage the chord face of the other segmental extension, to adjust the angularity of the

shafts

62 and 63 with respect to each other, as will be apparent from Figures 1, 2 and 19 of the drawings.

Referring to the arrangement of latch needles comprising the entire needle set F for the cylinder C, as shown best in Figure 3a of the drawings the cylinder needles are. all of the same length. Obviously any desird number of needles may be provided. As is usual, about onehalf of the total number of these needles are provided with long butts, which have been designated in solidblack on Figure 3a, and the remaining needles are provided with short butts which are properly indicated on the needles in Figure 3a, as will be obvious. The machine is provided with the usual narrowing pickers shown at 12 in Figure 3 of the drawings, and also provided with widening pickers which occupy the space 13 shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, but which have been omitted for the purpose of clarifying important details of the invention. These pickers are of the character set forth in the patent above referred to, and their functions are well understood by those skilled in this art.

Alternate latch needles of the set F are cooperatively placed in the same needle groove of the cylinder with long jacks I5, and the remaining needles have cooperatively associated in the- As is usual, the dial bed 46 is provided with radial grooves within which the dial needles reciprocate. These dial needles are sub-divided into long and short butt needles; substantially one-half of them being long butts, as shown in black in Figure 7 of the drawings; the long butt dial needles being cooperatively and adjacently associated with the long butt cylinder needles.

Generally it will be understood that the dial needles are inoperative. so far as the knitting yarn is concerned, during plain knitting; the

, cylinder needles doingall of the work. During rib knitting only alternate cylinder needles are elevated in position to take the knitting yarn; the remainder of the cylinder needles being sunk in the grooves and inoperatively positioned. Also during rib knitting the dial needles are provided in such association with the effective alternate cylinder knitting needles that there are two dial needles operative to take-the dial stitch loop between the adjacent cylinder needles. That is, each stitch loop formed on the dial is received upon two of the dial needles, which holds it rather open. To effect the transfer of the loops from the dial needles to the cylinder needes which are ineffective during rib knitting, the dial needles with the stitch loops hung thereon are projected forwardly so that the stitchloops on the dial needles are positioned immediately over the ineffective cylinder needles, and the latter are then cammed through said loops; the stitch loops then being cast ofi the dial needles and onto the previously ineffective alternate cylinder needles. Thus, all of the cylinder needles will then be in position to proceed with plain knitting. This cooperative needle action is shown in the fragmentary needle perspective of Figure 6; it being shown in that view that the foremost dial and cylinder needles to the right are knitting ribbed work, and the transfer of the stitch loops from the dial needles to the previously ineffective cylinder needles is shown on the foremost needles to the left of the vertical center line of the axis of the dial.

A very compact mechanism is provided for operating the large number of cylinder and dial needle cams. It includes a plurality of operating levers 88, 8|, 82, 83, 88, 85, 86, 81, 88, 89 and 98, shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, which are bent into substantially U or V-shape, so that the intermediate portions thereof may be placed in abutment and disposed upon a common pivot pin or extension 92 which is carried by the frame of the machine in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Each of the levers from this pivot 92 extends rather divergent with respect to the adjacent levers so that the outer ends of the levers both forwardly and rearwardly are relatively spaced, as is clearly shown in Figure 3. These outer ends are adapted for receiving cam actuating links or levers, at either end thereof, as the case may be.

The levers 88 to 98 inclusive are actuated either by grooves or lugs placed upon the operating drum 98. The latter is rotatably mounted upon a suitable bolt or shaft 95 secured to an extension or side wall of the machine frame B, as shown in Figures 1,, 3 and 8 of the drawings. The drum 94 is preferably hollow. It has an externallysmooth circumference except adjacent to the frame of the machine where a rigid ratchet wheel is provided either integral or as an attachment therewith. The ratchet wheel is designated at 96 in the drawings and there are sixty teeth provided on it about the circumference of the'drum.

Mechanism is provided for operating upon the length of two teeth for one revolution of the cylinder. That is accomplished by providing upon the drum facing side of the gear wheel 23 four laterally extending pins 91, which are positioned 60 apart on the gear wheel. That is, only of the gear wheel is provided with the pins 91. The pins 91 each have rollers thereon which are in position to engage a pivoted lever 98. This lever 98 is keyed upon a shaft 99 bearing at I88 upon the rear of the frameB of the machine, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 9 of the drawings it will be noted that the shaft'99 is also provided with another radially extending arm I8I keyed thereon, which intermediate its ends has a pivoted pawl I82 extending therefrom and at its free end resting by gravity upon the teeth .of the ratchet wheel 96. A spring I83 is connected between the frame of the machine and the lever IN and normally draws the latter into position so that the arm 98 will engage against the gear lugs 91 as the 104 gear rotates, as will be apparent from Figures 4, 5 and 9. Of course, rotation of the gear 23 will bring the lugs or pins 91 into engagement with the arm 98, throwing the latter rearwardly, and also moving the pawl I82 rearwardly, and incident to engagement of the pawl with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 98, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drum 94 will be advanced one tooth for each time that a pin or lug 91 engages against and moves the arm 98. Inasmuch as the four lugs 91 on the wheel 23 are positioned 60 apart, it is apparent that the drum 98 will be advanced the length of two teeth for one revolution of the cylinder.

In order to prevent continuous step by step r.

rotation of the drum 94 after the cams have been put into proper operation either for plain or ribbed knitting, means is provided which will hold the pawl actuating lever 98 out of the path of movement of the pins or lugs 91. This mechanism includes a bell crank detent lever I85, pivoted at I88 on the side wall of the machine frame B, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings; one end of the lever I85 at I81 being adapted for abutment with a surface I88 on the arm I8I, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. to hold the lever 98 in position out of the path of engagement with the lugs 91. In this position the spring I83 will of course be further tensioned. This bell crank lever I85 at its opposite end is provided with a connecting rod II8 pivoted therewith at III; the opposite end of the connecting rod II8 extending downwardly and being pivoted at II2 with the lower (lid of an arm II3. rotatably bearing at H5, as shown in Figures 3. 4 and 5 of the drawings on the machine frame, at the front thereof. The pattern chain H6 is provided with a trip lug II1 adapted to operate against an arm H8 pivoted on a shaft H9. A leaf spring I28 normally urges the arm IIB against the pattern chain in the path of movement of the lug H1. The shaft H4 is furthermore provided with an arm I2I engaging against the arm II8. A spring I23 secured to the frame of the machine and the connecting rod H8 is under tension and normally urges the bell crank lever I85 into the position shown in Figure 5 and also urges the lever arm I2I against the arm H8.

To hold the detent bell crank lever I85 inoperative, as Well as its associated mechanism, a

The latter is keyed on a shaft H4,

may be selectively placed at intervals on the drum 94. The other arm portion of the bell crank lever I is notched at I3I and I32, in stepped relation; these notches being adapted to receive a pin I33 which is rigid upon a side of the bell crank detent lever I05.

As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings during step by step advance of the drum 94 the bell crank lever I25 is lowered at its end I21 to engage the drum periphery, and in this position the notch I3I receives the pin I33 to hold the bell crank lever I05 out of restraining relation with the arm- IOI, notwithstanding the action of the spring I23. In this position of parts the lug II1 will readily pass by the arm II8. In order to trip the arm 98 and throw it out of operating relation with the lugs 91, to stop a further step by step advance of the drum 94, it is necessary to have a lug I so placed on the drum that it will ride against the concave face of the end I21 of the bell crank lever I25, so that the latter is rocked into the position shown in Figure 5, and at which instant the spring I23 will urge the bell crank lever I05 to the position shown in Figure 5, abutting the end I01 against the edge I08 of the lever arm IN, and holding the arm 98 out of operating relation, as is quite apparent. The detent lever I05 is trippedfrom this position by the lug II1 on the pattern chain H6, and at which time the pin I33 will engage in the lower notch I3I of the lever I25 to hold the bell crank detent lever I05 inoperative and permit the step by step actuation of the drum 94 to bring the lugs and grooves of the latter into needle cam operating relation with associated lever mechanisms.

Referring to the cam arrangement on the dial cap 50 in connection with the dial needles as supported upon the bed 46, and referring to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, the undersurface of the dial cap is provided with substantially concentric major inner and outer grooves I35 and I36, wherein are received the butts of the dial needles. The bed of the dial rotates in the direction shown by the arrows in Figures '1 and 8 of the drawings, and it is especially apparent from Figure 7 of the drawings that when the butts ride in the inner groove I35 the dial needles will be inoperatively retracted in the dial bed, and it is only when riding in the groove I36 that the butts are positioned to be thrown into operating engagement with certain transfer and cast-off stitch cams I40 and I4I. These cams I40 and MI are stationary upon the dial cap structure, but there are three cams I42, I43 and I44 which are vertically movable upon the dial cap for the purpose of guiding the butts of the dial needles from the groove I35 into the groove I36 or vice versa. Furthermore, the: dial cap also supports a vertically reciprocating latch closing cam I45 which is adapted to hold the needle latches closed during the projecting of the stitches held on the dial needles preparatory to a cast-off onto the cylinder needles to effect a transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting. A cam extension I35 throws the needle butts from the inner groove I35 to the outer groove I36 after one dial revolution.

The cams I42 to I45 inclusive are respectively provided with spring actuated plungers I46, I41, I48 and I49, reciprocably supported in vertical sleeve-like housings I50, and of the construction shown in Figure 2. The springs thereof :normally urge the plungers upwardly and of course draw the cams to normally inoperative positions.

The plungers I46 to I49 inclusive, which respectively are associated with the cams I42 to I45, are in turn respectively associated with actuating levers I 50, I 5|, I52 and I53, which are of identical construction. The latter levers are all pivoted on a common pivot pin I54 supported on a bracket I55 which is rigid with the arm 5I above described, as is shown in Figure 1. The ends of the levers I50 to I53 inclusive, at the opposite sides of the pivot axis I54 from the ends which engage their respective cam plungers, are respectively acted upon by vertically reciprocating links orlevers I56 to I59. These levers at their upper ends are supported for vertical guiding in a bracket arm I60 connected on the standard M, as shown in Figure 1. Intermediate their ends they extend through a suitable opening in the bed of the machine and at their lower ends they are respectively pivoted to the rear ends of the drum operated

levers

85, 83, 84 and 82, as is shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. The remainder of the cam operating levers, cam structures, and control means will be described as the operation of the machine is outlined.

During plain knitting, as above mentioned, the dial needles are inoperative so far as the knitting yarn is concerned, and the only cams that are operative are the main knitting cams I10, HI, and I12, which are conventionally carried on the main cam blockv I13; the cams being shown in Figures 3 and 3a of the drawings. In referring to the needle and cam action of the cylinder as diagrammatically illustrated in the developed view of Figure 3w it should be noted that the right hand portion, as designated shows the parts during the knitting of rib work, and the left hand portion shows the parts in position at the start of transfer from rib knitting to plain knit ting.

Continuing the description of the knitting operation during plain knitting, as above mentioned, cams I10, HI and I12 are operative, and

the butts of the cylinder needles ride along the cam edge I14 after the knitting operation takes place. During plain knitting all of the cylinder needles take the body yarn 32.

Plain knitting may continue as long as desired, according to the pattern, and at this time the cam drum 94 is not rotating since the lug or projection I30 on the drum 94 has moved the lever I25 into the position shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, thus inoperatively positioning the advancing pawl mechanism for the drum. As soon as plain knitting has been finished on the article being knitted, the pattern control chain lug II1 trips the lever I05, through the sequence above described, again setting the pawl mechanism of the drum in operating relation to the lugs 91, for step by step advancement of the drum. In going from plain knitting into rib knittingv the first step is to clear the latches of the cylinder needles. This is done through elevation of the cam I15, shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. This latch clearing cam is of conventional nature and it is elevated ofi the pattern shaft drum 40, by means of a lever I 16 pivoted at I11. This lever 116 has a spring I18, and thru a connecting rod I19 the latch clearing cam may be moved to a latch clearing position with the cylinder needles, which is of the drawings. 15.

into operation simultaneously with a pair of cams I82 and I83; the latter pair being mounted on the same block I84, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The jack cam I8I is mounted upon a slide block I85 for radial sliding upon the bed of the machine, being spring urged at I81" into normal operating position. The slide block I88 is operated upon by a bell crank lever I81 which is connected to a rod I88 attached to the drum actuated lever 90. The cam block I84 is actuated by a bell crank lever I89 which is connected with a link I90 secured to the forward end of the drum actuated lever 89, as is shown in Figures 1 and 3 The drum actuated levers 89 and 90, at their rear ends, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings and elsewhere, normally ride upon segmental ribs I92 and I93, which areprovided with certain depressions I94 and I95 respectively, into which the rear ends of the levers 89 and 90 drop to permit the raising of the fore ends of the levers 89 and 90 and the inward movement of the cams I8I, I82 and I83 into operative relation with the jack and needle butts of the cylinder. The cam I8I is in position to take the butts of only the short jacks I5, starting with the long butts. It elevates all of the short jacks I6 and thus pushes the alternate cylinder needles upwardly so that their butts will ride against the uppermost cam I82. The remaining cylinder needles remain in place and their butts are engaged by the cam I83. The needles engaged by the latter cam are lowered so that their butts will ride against an inner cam edge I9'I of the needle support ring I98, which is shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawings, thus lowering these alternate cylinder needles to an inoperative position in the cylinder; the ring I98 having an annular groove I99, shown in dotted lines in Figure 3a of the drawings, for reception of the cylinder needle butts during rib knitting. This position is well shown in the right hand portion of Figure 3a. The cylinder needles whose butts ride against the cam I82 are of course returned to a position where they are cperated upon by the knitting cams. Any suitable means may be used to prevent unraveling, due to dropping of stitches from those cylinder needles which are buried, as above mentioned, such as the use of a crowding yarn. Cams' I'I5, I8I, I82 and I83 are then withdrawn from operation on the needles and jack butts. The dial cam I42 is lowered;

.the drum operating lever 85 thereof first being operated upon by the low portion 200 of a drum lug 20I fordepressing the dial cam I42 sufficiently to first operate on the long butts of the dial needles. This cam I42 throws the dial needle butts from the groove I36 into position so that they are engaged by the cast-ofi cam I4I which projects the latch needles of the dial into position for receiving the main body yarn 32, as shown at the right hand portion of Figure 6 of the drawings. Knitting is efiected when the dial needles are retracted at the portion 202 of the dial cam, as can readily be understood from Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings. Rib knitting is now being effected on one-half of the cylinder needles, that is, the alternate needles, and in cooperation with all of the dial needles, and it should be noted that during rib knitting, shown at the right hand portion in Figure 6 of the drawings, each dial stitch loop 205 is held on two of the dial needles; there being thus two operative dial needles in the space between the effective cylinder needles during rib knitting.

Rib knitting is continued as long as desired,

since a stop lug I30 is positioned on the drum 94, which immediately after manipulation of the cams for bringing rib knitting into play, will trip the detent lever I25 and permit the bell crank lever I05 to assume the position shown in Figure 5 for holding the pawl I02 inoperative, and thus preventing step by step rotation of the drum until the pattern chain again brings a lug similar to H1 into operation for tripping the lever I05.

When rib knitting of the article has been completed, and the pattern control-mechanism has again thrown the pawl I02 into operative association with the wheel 96, a cam 2I0 is thrown into position to engage the butts of the alternate cylinder needles which were previously effective during rib knitting, as is shown in Figure 3a, of the drawings. This cam 2I0 is mounted in a cam block 2 and normally spring urged out of operation. The cam 2I0 is operatively connected with a bell crank lever 2 I2, and the latter in turn is connected by a rod 2I3 with the rear end of i the cam drum actuated lever 8I. As shown in Figures 10 and 17 of the drawings the drum 94 has 9. lug 2l4 thereon, a low portion 2I5 of which first engages the lever 8I for the purpose of throwing the cam 2I0 into position to first engage the long butts of the cylinder needles, and thereafter as the lever 8I rides upon the higher portion of the drum lug 2I4 the cam 2) will be thrown into operation to engage the alternate shorter butt needles. The cylinder will rotate twice with the cam 2I0 effective upon the needle butts, and it is to be noted that the cam 2I6 will bring these alternate needles, which were previously ineifective during rib knitting, back into position to be operated upon by the knitting cams. Immediately after the alternate cylinder needleshave been lowered by the cam 2I0 the latch holding cam I45 is lowered into effective latch holding relation with the dial needles, and simultaneous therewith the dial cams I43 and I44 are depressed into needle butt engaging relation with the dial needles. Also simultaneous with the effective bringing into play of the cams I43, I44 and I45 there are brought into efiective jack butt engaging relation a pair of cams 220 and 22I. The latter two cams are mounted upon a single supporting block 222, which is actuated by a bell crank lever 223, as shown in Figures 1 and 9 of the drawings; the said bell crank lever being operatively connected with the drum actuated lever 80 by a connecting rod 224. The dial cam I43 is depressed, for the purpose of throwing the dial needles radially outward in cooperative relation with the latch closing cam I45, which is also simultaneously lowered, and also in cooperation with the cast-off stationary cam I40 shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings. As will be noted, the cam operating drum 94 is provided with' a lug 230, see Figures 10 and 15, which has a lowportion 23I at the advancing side which first comes into engagement with the lever 83 rocking the same, and through the connecting rod I5'I operating the plunger mechanism for depressing. the cam I43 so that the long butts of the dial needles are engaged first,

and thereafter the higher portion of the lug 230 further depresses the cam to take the short butts of the dial needles. Noting from Figures 6 and 7 that the latches of the dial needles are closed, as shown at 233 in Figure 6 of the drawings, the cam I43 projects the needles with the latches closed radially outward. The cam I45 has been lowered, as above mentioned, to maintain these latches of the dial needles closed. as h'ul project radially outward, so that the stitch loops hung on the pairs of dial needles may be projected under tension radially outward to position then directly over the alternate cylinder needles which are buried and inactive during rib knitting. This cam I45 is operated off the lug 234 on the drum 94, asshown in Figures 10 and 16, and elsewhere; the lug 234 operating the lever 82 and through the connecting link I51 operating the plunger mechanism of the cam I45 for lowering the latter to the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. dial needles with their latches closed are projected beneath the cam I45 and the latches are held closed by the latter until the 'stitch loops, shown at 231 in Figure 6 of the drawings are directly over the alternate cylinder need1es,.which were previously inactive during rib knitting, and which cylinder needles are now elevated through action of the cams 220 and 22I to slip within the respective loops 231. With the cylinder needles within the stitch loops 231, as shown in Figure 6, the dial needles are projected radially outward .by riding against the cam I40 until the latches ride off the cam I45, and at which time since the stitch loops are tensioned, the latches spring open, as shown in Figure 6 and the loops 231 slip 'backwardly over the open latches. The dial needles are then retracted to cast off from the loops 231; these loops then being hung on the alternate cylinder needles. This transfers thestitch loops from the dial needles to the cylinder needles and the cams and needles may now be manipulated as previously explained for plain knitting. 7

Referring to the operation of the cams 228 and 22 I, and referring to Figure 3a of the drawings, it will be noticed that the cam 220 operates on the butts of the long jacks and elevates them to a position where the cam 22I may operate on the butts of both the short and long Jacks. Inasmuch as the cam 22I brings the butts of all of the jacks, both long. and short, to the same level, it will be quite apparent from Figure 3a of the drawings that the previously'inactive cylinder needles buried in the cylinder grooves during rib knitting will be projected upwardly through the plane in which the dial needles lie, and as above described for the purpose of slipping them through the stitch loops 231 of the yarn hung on the dial needles. Of course, the cam 22I only elevates the cylinder needles which are beneath the short jacks to a position where their hooks lie below the plane in which the dial needles lie.

As above men 'oned the cams 220 and 22I are on the same block 222; the drum 94 being provided with a lug 240 which operates a lever to which the connecting rod 224 is aflixed.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 of the. drawings it is to be noted that after the transfer operation the dial needles are prevented from taking new yarn. The cam I44 is instrumental in retracting the needles, as it is lowered simultaneous with the cams I43, I45, 220 and HI. It first engages the long butts of the dial needles and throws the butts into the inner groove I35 of the dial cam construction, as shown in Figure 7, thus preventing the dial needles from ra dially extending to take the new knitting yarn. Immediately thereafter the cam I42 is elevated out of the path of the dial needle butts, by reason of the fact that the lever rides off the lug 20I, so that the short butt dial needles pass by the cam I4I without being projected.

As the dial bed rotates the The drum 94 is provided with a lug 242 which operates the lever 84 for the purpose of depressing the dial cam I44, as will be obvious from the drawings. From Figure 10 it will be apparent thatthe starting ends of the

lugs

230, 234, 240, and 242 are all in the same line for simultaneously actuating the dial cams I43, I44, and.l45, as well as the cylinder jack cams 220 and 22I.

It is to be noted that the latch holding cam I45 really cooperates with the latch ring 28 of the machine in holding the latches closed until the dial needles are opposite a notch 245, on the latch ring 28, shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and at which time the latches of the dial needles spring open due to tension of the stitch loops 231 thereon, and thus the dial needle stitch loops 231 ride back against the elevated cylinder needles, as shown in the left hand portion of Figure 6 of the drawings.

Subsequent to the above operation the cylinder needles are next actuated by the cam 2I6,

as usual; said cam 2I6 operating on the butts of all of the cylinder needles, and of course they take the new knitting yarn and are actuated by the knitting cams in conventional manner to h produce plain knitting.

Thereafter the lug I30 of the drum will ride into engagement with the trip lever I 25 for throwing the advancing pawl out of operation until the latter is tripped into operation by the pattern chain, as above described.

If desired both round and tuck welts may be knitted with my machine.

It is to be noted from Figure 1 that springs 94*" hold each of the levers 80 to 98 inclusive into engagement at their rear ends with the drum 94,

During plain knitting the dial needles are of course retracted. At the start of rib knitting, when the cam I42 is lowered, the dial needles are projected, with their latches closed. To open r the latter, so that the dial needles-may receive the knitting yarn, a brush 25I has been provided. It is mounted detachably at 252 (seeFigure 3) on the latch ring, and has hair bristles into which the dial needles project, and which throw the, latches open as the dial needles are farther that is, without stopping the machine and manually effecting the transfer. Thus, plain knitting may embody the knitting of fabric having tuck, mesh, or drop stitches, and may include also the knitting of fabric with plating yarns either normally plated, striped, or reverse plated in designs.

Reference is also made in the specification and claims to means for holding the dial needle latches closed in order to project the stitch loops into transferring relation with the cylinder needles. The term closed is not to be construed as limiting the operation to a complete shutting of the latches, since the latches may Ill remain partially open and still effect the desired result.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the embodiment of the improved knitting machine herein described within the scope of the claims.

I claim? 1. In a knitting machine for automatic transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting the combination of a dial, a cylinder, latch needles, and operating devices therefor including means to transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting, said means comprising means to hold the latches of the dial needles closed while the latter are projected to extend the respective yarn loops of the fabric being rib knitted which are hung thereon to positions over the subjacent cylinder needles. means to extend the said cylinder needles through said loops as thus held by the closed latch needles, and means subsequently operating the dial needles to cast off said loops onto the cylinder needles.

2. In a knitting machine the combination with a cylinder and cylinder needles, a dial and dial needles, means for actuating all of the cylinder needles and inoperatively positioning the dial needles to produce plain knitting upon the cylinder needles, the cylinder needles being provided in substantially the same number as the dial needles and in intermeshing yarn receiving relation therewith, and means to automatically proceed from plain to rib knitting upon said cylinder and dial needles including means to bury the alternate cylinder needles in the cylinder in inactive relation so that the yarn during rib knitting is looped upon the remaining cylinder needles and all of the dial needles with each dial stitch loop hung on a pair of the dial needles between the adjacent effective cylinder needles.

3. In a knitting machine the combination with a cylinder and cylinder needles, a dial and dial needles, means for actuating all of the cylinder needles and inoperatively positioning the dial needles to produce plain knitting upon the cylinder needles, the cylinder needles being provided in substantially the same number as the dial needles in intermeshing yarn receiving relation therewith, means to produce rib knitting upon said cylinder and dial needles including means to bury the alternate cylinder needles in the cylinder in inactive relation so that the yarn during rib knitting is looped upon the remaining cylinder needles and all of the dial needles with each dial stitch loophung on a pair of the dial needles between the adjaoent effective cylinder needles, and means to effect a ansfer of the stitch'loops from the dial needles to he alternate cylinder needles which are inactive during rib knitting including means to project the dial needles and the stitch loops hung thereon into position over the cylinder needles which are inactive during rib knitting and elevating the latter cylinder needles into the stitch loops of the dial needles. and casting off the stitch loops from the said dial needles.

4.'In a knitting machine, two sets of needles, operating means therefor to produce ribbed or plain knitted fabric, said operating means including means to knit plain fabric on one of said sets of needles, means to knit ribbed fabric on all of the needles of the second set and the alternate needles of the set on which the plain fabric is knitted, and means for direct projection of the stitches by the needles of the second set into position to receive in the stitch loops thereof the said alternate needles of the first set which are inactive during rib knitting when transferring from rib knitting to plain knitting.

5. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, said dial needles being projected in pairs side by side through the spaces between adjacent effective cylinder needles during the knitting of ribbed work so that the stitch loops of the fabric being knitted are hung from the dial needles, with each pair of dial needles receiving a single stitch loop of the fabric yarn, and means for transferring the stitch loops from the pairs of dial needles to the cylinder needles when transferring from rib knitting to plain knitting.

6. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of cylinder latch needles, a set of dial latch needles, means cooperatively manipulating the said cylinder and dial needles for the knitting of ribbed work during which the alternate cylinder needles only are active in the knitting operation with a pair of dial needles cooperating between the adjacently spaced effective cylinder needles, the remainder of the cylinder needles being buried and in position to be elevated in the spaces between the pairs of dial needles cooperating with the adjacent cylinder needles which are effective during ribbed knitting, and means to manipulate the dial needles, and the cylinder needles which are ineffective during ribbed knitting, to transfer the stitch loops of the fabric from the pairs of dial needles to the previously ineffective cylinder needles to effect an automatic transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting.

7. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of cylinder latch needles, a set of dial latch needles, means cooperatively manipulating the said cylinder and dial needles for the knitting of ribbed work during which the alternate cylinder needles only are active in the knitting operation with a pair of dial needles cooperating between the adjacently spaced effective cylinder needles, the remainder of the cylinder needles being buried and in position to be elevated in the spaces between the pairs of dial needles cooperating with the adjacent cylinder needles which are effective during ribbed knitting, means to manipulate the dial needles, and the cylinder needles which are ineffective during ribbed knitting, to transfer the stitch loops of the fabric from the pairs of dial needles to the previously ineffective cylinder needles to effect an automatic transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting, said last mentioned means including means to hold the latches of the dial needles closed for projection of the dial needles and the stitch loops thereon into position with the stitch loops located to directly receive therein the cylinder needles cooperatively located therebelow when elevated to effect the transfer.

8. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of cylinder needles, 2. set of dial needles of the pivotal latch type, and means to transfer stitch loops from the dial needles to the cylinder needles including cam means for holding the latches of the dial needles closed and for projecting the dial needles outwardly to position the stitch loops hung on the dial needles in an open cylinder needle receiving relation.

9. In a knitting machine the combination of a cylinder, a dial, a set of cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, means to drive the cylinder, and means synchronized with the last mentioned means to drive the dial including a universal jointed connection to permit the dial to rotate in a concentric relation with the cylinder.

10. In a knitting machine the combination of a cylinder, a dial, a set of cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, means to drive the cylinder, means synchronized with the last mentioned means to drive the dial including a universal jointed connection to permit the dial to rotate in a concentric relation with the cylinder, said dial drive means including means for angularly adjusting the dial with respect to the cylinder to cfiect minute angular adjustments between the cylinder and dial.

11. In a knitting machine the combination of a .cylinder, a dial, cooperative cylinder and dial needle sets, means for manipulating the needles for the production of knitted fabric, means for rotating the cylinder, and means for synchronously driving the dial with the cylinder including a flexible drive connection which will automatically permit the dial to preserve its concentricity with the cylinder.

12. In a knitting machine the combination of a cylinder, a set'of cylinder latch needles, a dial, a set of dial latch needles, means for inactively positioning the dial needles and actively positioning the cylinder needles to effect plain knitting upon the latter, pattern controlling means for rendering all of the dial needles active and rendering the alternae cylinder needles inactive for the' production of rib knitted fabric upon the remaining cylinder needles and the dial needles, means for automatically transferring the stitch loops from the dial needles to the cylinder needles which are inactive during rib knitting, including means to project the dial latch needles with the latches closed until the stitch loops hung thereon are positioned in open relation over the adjacent cylinder needles which are inactive during rib knitting, means for elevating the said cylinder needles which are inactive during rib knitting through the open loops of the dial needles as held by the last mentioned means, and means further manipulating the dial and cylinder needles for casting, off the stitch loops from the dial needles onto the said alternate cylinder needles which were previously inactive during the rib knitting operation.

13. In a knitting machine for the automatic knitting of plain or ribbed fabric a cylinder including a set of needles, a dial including a set of latch needles, cam means or the dial for projecting the dial needles into yarn receiving and knitting relation, means for rendering the last mentioned cam means inactive with respect to said dial needles, other cam means for projecting the .dial needles with the stitch loops hung thereon radially outwardly, and cam means associated with the last mentioned means for holding the latches closed as they are projected by the last mentioned means for projecting the yarn loops hung thereon outwardly to a desired cylinder needle receiving position.

14. In a knitting machine for the automatic knitting of plain or ribbed fabric a cylinder including a set of needles, a dial including a set of latch needles, cam means on the dial for projecting the dial needles into yarn receiving and knitting relation, means for rendering the last mentioned cam means inactive with respect to said dial needles, other cam means for projecting ihe dial needles with the stitch loops hung thereon radially outwardly, cam means associated with the last mentioned means for holding the latches closed as they are projected by the last mentioned means for projecting the yarn loops hung thereon outwardly to a desired cylinder needle receiving position, and means to inoperatively retract all of the dial needles at a position succeeding the last mentioned means.

15. In a knitting machine for automatically knitting plain and rib fabric and for the automatic transfer of one to the other the combination of a frame, a rotatable cylinder on the frame, a set of cylinder needles, a dial, a set of dial needles, a set of operating cams for the cylinder, a set of depressible cams for the dial, a cam controlling drum, a set of levers mounted on a common pivot in operative association with the drum, means for step by step advancement of the drum, means for automatically tripping the last men tioned means, and connecting means between the said levers and the various cylinder and dial cams for cooperatively operating said cams.

16. In a knitting machine dial cam construction the combination of a dial cap having a pair of substantially concentric inner and outer butt receiving grooves therein, a needle projecting cam for projecting the needles to yarn receiving position located in cooperative association with the outer groove, a movable cam for selectively defleetingthe butts of the needles against the last mentioned cam, a knitting cam, a cam in the path of the inner groove for deflecting the butts of the needles into the outer groove, a movable cam associated with the outer groove for deflecting the butts of the needles into the inner groove, a needle projecting cam spaced from the knitting cam for projecting the needles to a latch shedding position, a movable cam associated with the outer groove and with the last mentioned cam for selectively directing the butts of the needles onto the last mentioned cam, said movable cam which is positioned to deflect the butts of the-needles from the outer to the inner groove being posit oned to receive the butts of the needles after they have passed the latch shedding cam, and a latch closing cam in position to hold the latches closed as they are fed outwardly by the latch shedding cam.

17. In a knitting machine for the production of ribbed or plain knitted fabric and for the automatic transfer of one to the other, the combination of a cylinder having grooves therein, a set of cylinder needles operative in said grooves, a set of short jacks in said grooves beneath the alternatev cylinder needles, a set of longer jacks in the grooves beneath the remaining cylinder needles, a dial and a set of dial needles, means for manipulating all of the cylinder needles fdr the production of plain knitting, cam means actuating the jacks'and needles for alternately dividing the cylinder needles so that the cylinder i needles with the longer jacks therebeneath are inactively buried in the cylinder during a rib knitting operation, means for manipulating the alternate elevated cylinder needles which have the shorter jacks therebeneath in combination with all of the dial needles for the production of rib knitted fabric, the dial needles with such arrangement having a pair of each operating in the spaces between the effective adjacent cylinder needles and in side by side relation,

whereby the loops on the pairs of dial needles will be held in a spread relation, means to hold the latches of the dial needles closed when projecting the dial needles with the loops hung thereon outwardly to position the open loops held thereon directly over the buried cylinder needles which are ineffective during rib knitting, cam means for elevating said last mentioned cylinder needles into the open loops of the yarn held on the dial needles, and means for subsequently r a set of cylin r needles, means for manipulating both of said sets of needles for the production of rib knitting wherein alternate loops of the fabric in the course being knitted are held upon needles of the first set and the remaining loops of the fabric in the course being knitted are each held on relatively spaced pairs of needles of the second set with each loop distended, and means for manipulating said sets of needles to transfer the loops of the second set to needles of the first mentioned set by which the needles of the first set are projected through the loops held on pairs of needles of the second set and said loops transferred therefrom.

19. In a knitting machine for knitting plain and ribbed fabric and for transferring from ribbed fabric to plain knitted fabric automatically, the combination of a set of cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, means for manipulating said sets whereby during ribbed knitting alternate loops of the fabric in the course being knitted are held on alternate cylinder needles and the remaining loops on the dial needles with each of the last mentioned loops on a pair of relatively spaced dial needles to hold said loops laterally distended, and means to project the remaining cylinder needles through the distended loops held on the pairs 'of dial needles and freeing the loops of the dial needles to transfer them to the said remaining cylinder needles.

20. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, said dial needles being projected in pairs side by side thru the spaces between effective cylinder needles during the knitting of ribbed work so.

that each alternate stitch loop of the fabric being knitted during rib knitting is hung upon a pair of relatively spaced side by side dial needles, and means for transferring the stitch loops from the pairs of dial needles including means to elevate the respective cylinder needles between the needles of an adjacent pair of dial needles through the stitch loop hung thereon, and means to cast the stitch onto the cylinder needle. I

21. In a k itting machine the combination of kneedles, a set of dial needles of the latch type, and means to transfer stitch loops from the dial needles to the cylinder needles including cam means for holding the latches of the dial needles closed with the stitch loops directly on the needles and for projecting the dial needles outwardly to position the stitch loops as so hung on the dial needles in an, open cylinder needle' receiving relation.

22. A knitting machine for knitting fabric partly ribbed and partly plain, having two needle carriers, ever active and occasionally active needles recurrently interspersed in one carrier, and pairs of laterally spaced needles in the other carrier corresponding to the occasionally active needles, in combination with means for knitting ribbed work upon said ever active needles and the pairs of laterally spaced needles so that each of said pairs of laterally spaced needles receives a stitch loop in laterally distended relation thereon, means for projecting the occasionally active needles between the needles of the pairs of laterally spaced needles respectively associated therewith and into the respective distended stitch loops thereon, and means for casting the loops off said pairs of laterally spaced needles onto the respective occasionally active needles inserted in the stitch loops thereon.

23. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of needles, a second set of needles, carrier means for cooperatively receiving said sets of needles, both of said sets of needles being of the latch type, andmeans to transfer stitch loops from the first set of needles to the second set of needles including means to hold the latches of the first set of needles closed and to project the needles and the respective stitches thereof into stitch transferring relation with the needles of the second set.

24. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of needles, a second set of needles, carrier means for cooperatively receiving said needles for relative movement, means for manipulating the first set of needles so that stitch loops thereof are each held on relatively spaced pairs of needles which are independently movable longitudinally and laterally with respect to each other, and means for manipulating the needles of both sets for transferring the loops hung on the pairs of needles of the first set to the needles of the second set.

25. In a knitting machine the combination of a cylinder having a set of needles therefor, a dial having a set of needles therefor in cooperative knitting relation with the needles of the cylinder, and means for synchronously rotating the cylinder and dial including a drive shaft for the dial arranged substantially axially of the cylinder and having a universal joint connection therein between the driven end of said shaft and said dial.

26. In a knitting machine a set of needles, a second set of latch needles, cam means for projecting the latch needles of the second set into yarn receiving and knitting relation with the needles of the first set, other cam means for projecting the latch needles of the second set with the stitch loops hung thereon into stitch transferring relation with the needles of the first set, cam means associated with the last mentioned cam means for holding the latches of the second set of needles closed as they are projected by said last mentioned cam means in order to position the loops thereon into needle receiving relation with the needles of the first set, and means for actuating the needles of both sets to effect such transfer.

27. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of latch needles, a second set of latch needles, carrier means for the latch needles of both sets, and means to effect the transfer of stitch loops from the first set of needles to the needles of the second set including a cam to project the needles of the first set into stitch transferring relation with the needles of the second set, a cam for holding the latches of the needles in the first set closed during such projection to tension the stitch loops and move them into transfer position with the needles of the second set of needles, and means to project the needles of the second set into the stitch loops as thus positioned.

28. In a knitting machine the combination of a set of cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, said dial needles being projected in pairs side by side above the spaces between the effective cylinder needles during the knitting of ribbed work so that each alternate stitch loop of the fabric is hung upon a pair of relatively spaced side by side dial needles, means for projecting said pairs of dial needles radially outward, means for holding the latches of the dial needles closed as they are thus projected outward until the stitch loops are tensioned thereagainst and positioned in transferring relation with the respective cylinder needles associated therewith, means to elevate the respective cylinder needles between the needles of an adjacent pair of dial needles thru the stitch loops hung thereon, the tensioned stit'ch loops opening thelatches when the means holding the dial needle latches closed is passed, and means to further project the dial needles to cast oil the stitches hung thereon onto the respective cylinder needles.

29.v In a knitting machine the combination of a set of latch needles, a second set of latch needles, means,to knit fabric upon the needles of both of said sets, and means to automatically transfer the stitch loops from one of said sets to the other set-including means to hold the latches of the first set of needles in position to prevent slipping of the stitch past the latch during needle projection, means to project the needles with the latches holding the stitches as aforesaid into stitch transferring relationwith of needles when changing from the knitting on both sets of needles to the other set of needles including means to project said'needles of the two sets into stitch transferring relation, and means holding the stitches against cast-oif directly by the latches of that set of needles from which the cast-01f is to be made until the needles of the other set are in respective stitch transferring relation within the stitch loops hung upon the respective needles from which the stitches are to be cast off, and subsequently casting the stitches 01f the latches and needles thereof onto the needles which have been placed in stitch transferring relation therewith.

31. In a knitting machine for automatically transferring from rib knitting to another type of knitting, the combination of two sets of latch needles, operating devices therefor including means to transfer from rib knitting to said other type of knitting and vice versa, said means comprising means to hold the latches of one of said sets of needles in position to prevent slipping of the stitch loop hung thereon past said latches while the said needles whose latches are so held are projected to extend the stitch loops hung thereon into transferring relation with the respective needles of the other set, and means to complete said transfer of the stitch loops by casting on the stitch loops onto the other needles.

32. In a knitting machine the combination of two sets of needles, two rotatable carriers, one for each set of needles, means to drive one of said carriers, andmeans synchronized with the last mentioned means to drive the other carrier including a universal jointed connection to permit the last mentioned carrier to rotate in proper position with respect to the other carrier.

HARRY McADAMS.