US2116478A - Hosiery inspecting device - Google Patents

Description

M y 1938. M. POESCH MANN Y 2,116,478

HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE Filed July 17, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4 INVEN TOR: mfbesakmamn ATTORNE BY L y 1938. M. POESCHMANN 2,116,478

HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE 7 'Filed July 17, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR:

y 3, 1938. M. POESCHMANN 2,116,478

HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE Filed July 17, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 I INVENTOR: 1 5 Maw fiesakmazm;

' ATTORNEY.

May 3, 1938. M. POESCHMANN HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE Filed July 17, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A I A TTORNE INVENTOR: mfoeschmm "1 heel portions of the stocking under tension.

Patented May 3, 1938 PATENT came HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE Max Poeschmann, West Reading, Pa., assignor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation. of Pennsylvania 1 Application July 1'1, 1936, Serial No. 91,107

Claims.

This invention relates to hosiery inspecting devices of that type disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent to Samuel E. Kalbach and MaxPoeschmann, which bears No. 2,092,806, and which was issued by the United States Patent Office on September In devices of the type noted a. hollow substantially closed, circular, and gradually tapering shell constitutes apOle-like hosiery form. The form is adapted to be placed within a stocking or to have a stocking drawn over it, longitudinallythereof. The "hosiery form, with a stocking thereon, is adapted tobe expanded laterally or radially, to place the fabric of the leg, foot and The radial movements of the leg, foot and heel tensioning members of the inspection form are efiected by a single longitudinally reciprocable element extending axiallythrough the form.

In devices of the type above noted, as disclosed in the above-mentioned patent, the centrally located operating element is arranged to be actuated solely by a foot treadle or through pneumatically or hydraulically. actuated means controlled by the foot treadle. The motivating means is arranged externally of, and remotely with respect to, the form and is connected to the form actuating element through a series of links, gears, racks, etc.

The present invention relates principally to an improved means for operating the centrally located actuating element of the form; and to various details of the structure, and an object of the present invention is to provide for simplicity of construction and operation of the device.

With this and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiment of the invention shown in theaccompanying drawings, my invention resides inthe novel structure and method of operation as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

, The structure formingthe subject matter of the present invention, and its application to an inspection form of the type noted, will be fully disclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings; of which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the inspecting form and, in the present instance, a table to which the form is securedfor operation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inspecting form and its associated mechanism and illustrates the table in broken line and the form in aposition 90 from that in which it appears in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the form per se with the heel expander shown in its efiective position;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the form as taken on the line 6-6, Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the form as taken on the line l'-'l, Fig. 6, with the form in its expanded condition;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the heel expander in its effective position;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the. heel expander in its ineffective position;

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view taken on the line Ill-.40, Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line ll-ll, Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 12-12, Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the actuating motor for the form expanding element,

the section being taken on the line l3l3, Fig. 4; 2

.Fig. 1.4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation as taken on the line i l-l4, Fig. 3; 1

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional elevation taken 1 substantially on the line Iii-15, Fig. 14; 1

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation of a detail of th invention as taken on the line l6l6, Fig. 4; and

Fig. 17 illustrates a detail of the invention substantially as appearing on the line lI--l1, Fig. 3.

As shown principally in Figs. 6 and 7, the devicecomprisesa form-supporting head I which is adapted to be firmly secured to any suitable rigid support. Projecting axially from one end of, and rigidly secured in or to the head I, is a short .fixed stud or post 2. In the present instance, the fixed post 2 carries ball bearings 3 and 4. The ball bearings 3 and 4 are spaced apart axially along the post 2 beyond the head It The ball bearings 3 and 4 are mounted within a relatively long center post 5, adjacent to one end thereof, and by which the post 5 is adapted to be freely rotated about the axis of the fixed post 2. 1

The rotatable post 5 constitutes a foundation structure for the inspection form 6. The form 6 is composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending radially movable segments which collectively form a hollow shell which; surrounds the foundation post 5 and tapers externally from a relatively large diameter adjacent to the head l to a relatively smallerdiameter at that end of the shell which is remotely situated with respect to the head I.

The shell 6 constitutes the leg-expanding section of the form and, in the present instance, is composed of two segmental sections 6a and 6b, respectively, which are of similar construction and mounted on the foundation post for movement in opposite, lateral or transverse directions with respect to each other or radially with respect to the axis of the foundation post 5.

Axially aligned with the tapering leg portion of the expansible shell 6, and extending beyond the outer end 1 thereof, is the foot expanding section 8. The foot expander 8, like the leg expander 6, is composed of a pair of similar sections 8a and 8b. The foot expander sections 8a and 8b are respectively secured to the leg expander sections 60. and 617, said sections being secured together in such a manner as to provide for axial adjustment between the foot expander and the leg expander, as fully disclosed in said copending application.

The inner end 9 of the foot expanding section 8 of the form is movable away from the outer end I of the leg expanding section 6 of the form for the reception of filler pieces II), which are adapted to close a gap between the foot and leg portions which would otherwise occur as a result of longitudinal adjustment of the foot section with respect to the leg section.

The two segments 6a and 6b of the leg-expanding shell 6 are supported for relative lateral or radial movement on, and with respect to, the foundation post 5 by a pair of plate-like lugs Ha and Nb, respectively; and by a pair of transversely extending and movable rods I3a and I317, respectively, said rods being slidably mounted in cylindrical bearings l5, 95 formed in, or carried by, the post 5, the plates Ila and llb being arranged in overlapping relation one to the other and mounted within a transversely extending slot, recess, or slideway l2 formed in the foundation post 5.

Simultaneous movement of the leg expander sections 6a and 6b, with the foot expander sections 8a and 8b respectively secured thereto, is effected by means of a centrally disposed longitudinally re-ciprocable actuating element 20. The actuator 29 is slidably mounted in the post 5 and is adapted for axial movement with respect thereto.

The plates i la and l lb are provided with acute angle slots 21a and 2H), respectively, in which is mounted a common operating pin 22, said pin being fixed to the actuating element 29 for movement therewith.

The supporting rods Mia and i319 are respectively provided with pins 24 and 25 whichproject through transversely extending slots 26 formed in the cylindrical bearings It for said rods and into angularly disposed slots or grooves 2'! and '26 formed in one or both of the opposite side walls of a longitudinally extending recess or slot l8a formed in an enlarged portion 18 of the actuating element 20.

The actuating element 29, see Fig. 13, is provided with or includes an axial extension [9 which passes axially through the center bore of the supporting post 2 for connection with an actuating motor M, as will be fully disclosed hereinafter.

The form is also provided with a heel expander 30, see Figs. 8 and 9, which is pivoted at 3| to a suitable lug 4| formed on the extreme end of the foundation post 5 within the leg expander 6,

said heel expander being adapted to swing outwardly or radially with respect to the axis of the post 5 through a suitable opening 32 formed half in the shell section Go and half in the shell section 6b.

Radial movement of the heel expander 39 is effected by means of a pin 33 carried by and projecting laterally from both sides of a block 34, which is formed on or secured to the outer end of the centrally located actuating element 20, beyond a bearing 35 provided at the outer end of the post 5 and in which the outer end of the actuator 20 is slidably mounted.

The opposite ends, respectively, of the pin 33 are disposed in angularly arranged cam slots 36, 36 which are, respectively, formed in movement determining members or swing adjusting plates 31, 31. The swing adjusting plates 31, 3'! are located at the opposite sides, respectively, of a central rib 38 on the heel expander 39, and are connected to the rib 38 through means of fixed side plates 39, 39 which are secured to said rib by screws 40, 40.

The side plates 39, 39 pass to opposite sides, respectively, of the lug 4| which carries the pivot pin 31 for the foot expander 30 and constitute the bearings for the pivot pin 3! in the heel expander.

The plates 31, 31 are mounted on the plates 39, 39 for adjustment with respect thereto, for the purpose of adjusting or controlling the extent of the outward movement of the heel expander 30, for stockings having different length feet and for this purpose each plate 31 at one end 42 of the cam slot 36 therein is provided with a circular boss 43 which is mounted in a circular bearing opening 44 formed in the adjacently disposed side plate 39, whereby the plates 31 may be swung about the axes of the bosses 43 with respect to the side plates 39 to increase the angles of the cam slots 36 with respect to the line of movement of the actuating pin 33 and the central actuator 29. This structure is clearly illustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12.

The plates 31 are adapted to be secured in the positions to which they are adjusted by means of clamp screws 45 which pass through arcuate slots 46 swung from the axes of the circular bosses 43, said screws being threaded into tapped openings in the adjacently disposed side plates 39, 39 respectively.

From the above description, it will be obvious that longitudinal reciprocation of the central actuating element 20, which in the present instance is effected by the actuating motor M, will cause radial expansion and contraction of the sections 6a and 6b of the leg expanding shell 6, with respect to the center foundation post 5, carrying with them the foot expander sections 8a and 817 respectively and simultaneously therewith the heel expander 39 will be swung radially outwardly and inwardly with respect to the leg and foot sections of the inspecting form.

It will be obvious that the fabric of a stocking which has been placed on the form, as indidicated at S in Fig. 5, will be subjected to lateral tension throughout the length of the leg, foot and instep portions S S and S respectively of the: stocking: and that with the toe portion S of the stocking drawn firmly against the outer or toe-engaging end of the foot expander 8, the heel expander 39, in swinging about its pivot 3|, will cause the outer or free end of said expander to engage the heel S of the stocking and as said heel-engaging end of the heel expander swings radially it also moves upwardly at an angle with respectto and away from the toe-en- -gaging end of the foot expanderfl, and in so doing places the foot sole section S of the stocking S under longitudinal tension at the same time as lateral tension is applied to the whole of the stocking fabric. d

In the present instance, the actuating motor M comprises a form-supporting head I which is of hollow cylindrical construction and is closed at its opposite ends by head plates and 5| respectively. The head plate 50 is provided with a central circular boss. 52 (Fig. 13) which extends inwardly and axially of the hollow cylinder head land aifords rigid support for the hollow form-supporting stud or post 2.

The opposite end of the form-supporting head I is bored and finished to provide a cylinder 53 'in which is slidably mounted a piston 54, said piston being of the hollow type open at one end and provided at its opposite end with a head 55. When the stocking form is in its collapsed or closed condition the piston head 55 lies immediately adjacent to the inner surface of the cylinder head 5|, to provide, between the cylinder head 5! and the piston head 55 a motive fluid cavity 56.

Formed on the piston head 55 and extending axially of and within the piston 54 is a circular boss 51, between the outer peripheral surface of which and the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 58 of the; piston 54 is provided an annular cavity 59.

The annular cavity 59 is arranged to receive.

one end of a spring B ll which encircles the central boss 57 with its extreme end abutting against the inner surface of the piston head 55, the opposite end of saidspring being seated against an annular shoulder 5! formed on the inner end of the cylindrical boss 52 of the closure plate 50 of the form-supporting head I. The spring 60 at all times tends to move the piston 54 in a direction toward the cylinder head 5| to maintain the inspection form in its contracted or closed condition.

In order to effect operation of the form expanding and contracting element 20, the end 19 of the central actuator 20 is connected to the piston 54 of the motor M in a manner to insure coordinate reciprocation of the actuator 20 with the piston. 54 and for that purpose the extended portion l 9 of the actuator 20 is enlarged in diameter inwardly from its extreme end and this enlargement lea is externally threaded, for pur-' poses hereinafter described. From one end of the screw threaded enlargement l9a to the extreme end of the extension IS the actuator2ll is reduced in diameter as indicated at [95. The reduced portion i919 of the actuator 20 projects into a circular bore 62 formed in the hollow circular boss 57 of the piston 54. Surrounding the reduced end lllb, within the bore 62, are ball bearings 63 and 54, by which the actuator 20 is rotatably mounted in the piston 54.

In order to effect simultaneous axial movement of the piston 54 and actuator 20 upon operation of the actuating motor M the outer ball race of the bearing 63 is confined within the bore 62 of the piston 54-, by means of a ring 55 which is secured tothe piston boss 5'! by screws 56. The inner edge of the ring 85 overhangs the bore 52 and forms an abutment for the outer race of the ball bearing 53. The inner race of the ball bearing 53 is seated directly on the extension I 9b of the actuatorl ll and is spaced from the one end of the threaded enlargement ISa' by means of a sleeve 61. The opposite'side of the inner race of the ball bearing 63 is-engaged by one end of a sleeve 68. The sleeve 68 is secured in any suitable manner to the extension 'mb of the actuator 20 and thereby said actuator is prevented from being withdrawn fromsaid. sleeve, in order that reciprocation of the piston 54 will effect corresponding reciprocation of the actuator 20. The sleeve 68 is shouldered-adjacent to rm its outer end for the reception of one race" ring 69 of the ball bearing 64 which ball bearing functions as an end thrust bearingfor the actuator' ZD. The second race ring 1!! of the ball thrust hearing 64 is engaged by a plug 'H which is-threaded 15 into the tapped end 12 of the bore 62. jTheplug "H is provided with an axial circular extension' 13 about which the ball race is seated. The plug II is split transversely, as indicated at M, and a locking screw 15 is employed to effect '2 binding of the plug in the threaded bore 12 to prevent loosening thereof. A second flanged plug 16 is threaded into the extreme and of'the threaded bore I2 and closes said bore andprovides a substantially fiat surface on the piston head 55, or the plug 16 may project beyond the face of the piston head 55 for engagement with the cylinder head 5! to insure provision of the fluid space 56. l

From the above, it will be noted that recipro- -3 cation of the piston 54, as effected upon operation of the motor M, will effect reciprocation of the actuator 20 while permitting said actuatorto revolve freely with respect to the piston. Such turning of the actuator 20 with respect to the piston is provided for. in order to effectadjustment of the device to control the extent to which the stocking form or post 6 maybe. expanded laterally or radially. i

As will be observed upon referring to Fig. 7,-1.1

the distance thepins 22, 24 and 26 move in the cam slots Zia, (Mb, 2'! and 28 determines the. extent to which the form sections 6a8a. and lib-43?) can be separated. Consequently the extent of expansion of the form is controlled by 5 the extent of axial movement of the actuator 20.

As noted above, the spring 65 moves the actuator 2b in one direction to collapse or contract the form 6 fully, and the piston 54, operated under fluid pressure entering the space 56 between 150 nearest the piston 54, between the inner end 8! of the circular boss 52 of the head plate and the ring which is secured to the inner end of the circular boss 5! of the piston 54,is a ball bear- 63 ing 82 which is fixed to the sleeve against relative axial movement therebetween. ,The inner end of the boss 52 is shouldered as indicated at83 for the reception of an abutment ring' 84 which may be composed of any resilient material in such, for example, as felt. This abutmentring is adapted to be engaged by the outer race ring of the ball bearing 82 which functions as a stop to limit the movement of the piston 54 and co'nsequently the actuator 20 when moving in the W5 from said sleeve 80.

- i at all times to an inoperative position.

alignment with the plunger 9|.

form-expanding direction. By varying the relation between the stop 82 and the piston 54, in a direction axially of the actuator 20, the extent of expanding or expansion of the form 6 is correspondingly controlled. Such variation is ef- .fected by producing relative rotation between the sleeve 80 and the threaded enlargement I9a of the actuator 20.

The actuator is provided with a resilient key 85 (see Fig. 14) which, in the present instance,

consists of a flat spring 86. The spring 86 is mounted in a longitudinal groove 31 formed in the actuator 20 and is secured at one end to said actuator by a screw 88. The opposite end of the flat spring 86 is provided with a projection 89 which normally rests in a longitudinal slot 90 formed in the sleeve 80 and normally prevents relative rotation between the sleeve 80 and the actuator 20.

In order to adjust the sleeve 80 with respect to the actuator 20, the key 85 is moved laterally of the actuator 20 to release the actuator 20 This is accomplished by a plunger 9|, see Figs. 14 and 15. The plunger BI is slidably mounted in a thimble 92 which is secured in an opening 93 formed in the head I and projects through an opening 94 formed in the boss 52, with the inner end of the plunger 9| passing through an opening 95 formed in the post or stud 2. The outer end of the plunger BI is provided with a head 96. A spring 91, en-- circling the plunger 9! in the bore of the thimble 92 between the base of said bore and the inner end of the head 96, tends to move the plunger A pin 98 carried by the plunger SI and bearing against the inner end of the thimble 92 prevents said plunger from being ejected from the thimble by the spring 91.

In order to effect relative adjustment between the sleeve 80 and actuator 20, the stocking form is rotated until the slot 90 of the sleeve 80 is in The plunger is then pressed inwardly until the inner end thereof engages the lug 89 of the key 85 and until said lug is removed from the slot 90 of the sleeve 80, at which time the plunger 9! looks the sleeve 00 against rotation but at which time the actuator 20 may be rotated with respect to the sleeve 00. Such rotation of the actuator 20 is effected by rotating the whole of the' form about its axis which causes the threaded enlargement I9a thereof, by reason of its threaded engagement with the then fixed sleeve 80, to move longitudinally of and within said sleeve, moving the piston 54 correspondingly and thereby changing the relationship between said piston and the stop 84 and in so'doing the allowable amount of travel of the pins 22, 24 and 25 relative to the slots '2Ia, 2Ib, 27 and 28 is determined which in turn determines the extent of lateral and. radial expansion of the two oppositely arranged half sections of the form.

- In addition to the controlling of the extent of expansion of the form as a whole, the extent of relative expansion movement between the body of the form and the heel expander is accomplished in the manner noted above, i. e.

by adjusting the plates 3i and 39 of the heel expander relative to each other as noted.

The control of the fluid pressure entering the fluid space 56 in the head of the motor M and the exhaust of said fluid from said space or from thatendof the cylinder 53 between the piston The valve chest I02 ,5

sage I06 formed in the head I, the opposite end,.

of said fluid passage communicating with the fluid space 56 formed between the piston head and cylinder head 5I. The port I05 connects with one end of a fluid passage I01 formed in the head I. The opposite end of the passage I01 15 communicates with a port I08 formed in a hollow bracket IIO to which the head I is secured in any suitable manner. The hollow interior of the bracket H0 is provided with overlapping baffles I09 which form a circuitous path through go which fluid passing from. the passage I01 must flow in order to escape from the hollow interior of the bracket IIO through a suitably screened outlet orifice III. The screen for the outlet III in the present instance is in the form of perforated plate II2, which is removably securedto the bracket IIO as by screws H3.

The slide valve I 00 is provided with a longitudinally extending recess II 4 formed in its peripheral surface and which, when in the position shown in Fig. 4, affords communication between the ports I04 and I 05 through the bore IOI of the valve chest I02 and provides for the exhaust of motive fluid from the end of the cylinder 53 intermediate the piston head 55 and cylinder v3.5

head 5I.

The velocity of the exhausting fluid is reduced by the circuitous path the fluid is required to follow in passing around the bafiles I09 and the pressure of the exhausting fluid is reduced by reason of its passing into the large cavity of E the bracket IIO which functions as an expansion chamber for the exhaust fluid coming from the cylinder 53.

Live motive fluid is conducted to the valve chest I02 of the motor by means of a fluid pipe" H5 connecting the valve chest with any suitable source of fluid supply. In the present instance, the device is arranged to be actuated by compressed air, although obviously steam or other gaseous fluid under pressure may be employed.

The feed pipe I I5 is connected to a port I I6 in the valve chamber I02 which in turn communicates with the bore IOI of said valve chest. The

valve I00 is provided with a longitudinally ex- 5 passage II8 communicates with the recess Ill 60 while the opposite end of the passage H8 is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal recess H4 in said valve, whereby movement of the valve I00 axially to the right as viewed in Fig. 4 will efiect an interruption of the com- 5 munication between the ports I04 and I05, through the recess H4 in the valve I00, and which will form communication between the transverse passage II8 of the valve I00 and the port I04 of the valve chest I02, permitting motive fluid to flow from the pipe II5 through the port IIS, recess II'I, passage II8, port I04, and passage l06 to the fluid space 56 in the cylinder 53, which will move the piston. 54 in a direction to effect expansion of the stocking form until the movement of the valve I00 first cuts off the flow of motive fluid from the pipe I I5 and ,reestablishes communication between the ports I04 and I05 through the recess H4 in the valve I00, whereupon reaction of thespring 60 moves the piston 54 in the opposite direction and exhausts the spent fluid from the cylinder 53 in the manner above noted.

Reciprocation of the valve I00 is provided for in the following manner: The valve I00 is pro Vided with a valve stem I which passes out of the valve chest I02 through a suitable stuffing box H9. The stem I20 is connected at its outer end, at I2I, to an adjustable link I22, said link being connected at its opposite end, at I23, to a lever I24. The lever I24 is secured to a shaft I25. The shaft I25 is rotatably mounted in bearings I26, I23 which are secured to the under side of a worktable I21 as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Secured to the shaft I25 is a pair of depending arms I28, I28. Carried by the lower ends of the arms I28 is a foot treadle I29.

The shaft I25 is at all times urged to turn in a direction to move the valve I00 to the position shown in Fig. 4, wherein exhaust of the motive fluid fromthe motor 53 is effected, by a spring I30, see Figs. 2 and 17. The spring I30 encircles the shaft I25 and has one of its ends secured to one of the shaft bearings I 26. The opposite end of the spring I30 is anchored in acollar I 3| which is adjustably secured to the shaft I25 by means of a set screw I32.

The link I22 comprises a pairof end pieces I33 and I34 which are axially threadedto receive right hand and left hand threads respectively which are formed on the opposite ends of an adjusting bolt I35, which forms the intermediate member of the link. The adjusting bolt I35 is provided with a centrally located hexagonal or other fiat side enlargement I 36 by which rotation of the adjusting screw I35 is effected. Lock nuts I31, I31 threaded onto the opposite ends of the adjusting bolt I35 and arranged to be jammed down tightly against the ends of the members I33 and. I34 lock the whole of the link together asa single unit.

The end member I34 is bored inwardly from one end as indicated at I38 and slotted or otherwise apertured as indicated at I39, in Fig. 16, to receive a ball I40 which constitutes the pivot I23 between the one end of the link I22 and the arm I24, said ball being retained in the bore I38 by a plug I4I which in turn is secured in the link member I34 by a pin. I42. The ball I40 is formed on one end of a bolt I43, beyond the head I44 thereof. The shank I45 of said bolt passes through a slot I 46 formed in the lever I24, said bolt being secured in its adjusted position within said slot by means of a clamp nut I41 threaded on to the shank I45 of the bolt and between which and the head I44 the leverI24 is clamped.

The form-head supporting bracket H0 is secured to the under side of the work table I21 and is provided with a step I50 in which the screened fluid exhaust port III is formed. As shown in Fig. 3, the step I 50 is substantially parallel to and spaced from the under side of the table I21 and provides an air space I5I between the under side ofthe table and the upper side of the screen H2, whereby exhaust fluid passing out through the screenedopening I II impinges uponthe under sideof the table I21 and is dissipated in all directions, thus preventing the formation of air currents which normally would effect displacement of stockings or other work piled on the work table I21.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an elongated expansible hosiery form carried by said head and having rotative movement about its longitudinal axis relative to said head, means for expanding and contracting said form including an axially reciprocable element extend:- ing longitudinally of said form and into said head, a cylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connected to said element for moving said element in one direction to expand said form, a spring for moving said element in the opposite direction to contract said form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from said end of said cylinder for controlling the operation of said form, a pair of co-operating stops within said head and carried by said head and said element respectively for limiting the form expanding movement of said element, means for varying the relation between said stops to regulate the extent of expanding movement of said element, and means operative between positions in one of which said rotative movement causes said regulating means to vary said relation between said stops, and in another of which said rotative movement is inefiective to cause said regulating means to vary said relation between said stops. I

2. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an elongated expansible hosiery form carried by said head and having rotative movement about its longitudinal axis relative to said head, means for expanding and contracting said form including an axially reciprocable element extending longitudinally of. said form and into said head, a cylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connected to said element for moving said element in one direction to expand said form, a spring for moving said element in the opposite direction to contract said form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from said end of said cylinder for controlling the operation of said form, a stop adjustably mounted on said element, a fixed stop in said head for cooperation with said adjustable stop to govern the extent of form expanding movement of each element, and means operative between positions in one of which said rotative movement actuates said adjustable stop, and in another of which said rotative movement is ineifective to actuate said adjustable stop.

3. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an expansible hosiery form carried by said head, means for expanding and contracting said form including an axially reciprocable element extending longitudinally of said form and into said head, a cylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connected to said element for moving said element in one direction to expand said form, a spring for moving said element in the opposite direction to contract said form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from said end of said cylinder for controlling the operation of said form, a sleeve threaded onto said element, a stop carried by said sleeve, and a cooperating stop on the inside of said head to govern the extent of form expanding movement of said element.

4. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an expansible hosiery form carried by said head, means for expanding and contracting said form including an axially reciprocable element extending longitudinally of said form and into said head, a cylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connected to said element for moving said element in one direction to expand said form, a spring for moving said element in the opposite direction to contract said form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from said end of said cylinder for controlling the operation of said form, a sleeve threaded onto said element, a stop carried by said sleeve, a cooperating stop on the inside of said head to govern the extent of form expanding movement of said element, a key locking said sleeve against rotation on and relative to said element, and means extending externally of the head for releasing said key. 5. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an expansible hosiery form carried by said head, means for expanding and contracting said form including an axially reciprocable element extending longitudinally of said form and into said head,. a cylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connected to said element for moving said element in one direction to expand said form, a spring for moving said element in the opposite direction to contract said form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from said end of said cylinder for controlling the operation of said form, a sleeve threaded onto said element, a stop carried by said sleeve, a cooperating stop on the inside of said head to govern the extent of form expanding movement of said element, a key locking said sleeve against rotation on and relative to said element, and a spring retracted plunger extending externally of the head for releasing said key and for locking said sleeve against rotation in said head to provide for relative rotation between said element and said sleeve.

6. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a work table, a bracket secured to the underside of said table, a head secured to said bracket, a laterally expansible elongated stocking form carried by said head and having rotative movement about its longitudinal axis relative to said head, a cylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder for expanding said form, variable means for regulating the extent of form expanding movement of said piston, means operative between positions in one of which said rotative movement causes said regulating means to vary the extent of said form expanding movement of said piston and in another of which said rotative movement is ineffective to cause said regulating means to vary the extent of said form expanding movement of said piston, a pair of plates respectively closing the opposite ends of said head, a stud carried by one of said closure plates for rotatably supporting said form, a spring acting between said stud carrying plate and one end of said piston for contracting said form, a valve chest secured to said head, and a valve operable in said chest for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from a. space between the opposite end of said piston and the second of said plates.

'7. A hosiery inspecting device comprising an expansible stocking form including a central foundation element, a plurality of segmental members collectively forming a stocking form around said foundation element, a heel member pivoted to said foundation element and arranged to swing radially outwardly therefrom between an adjacently disposed pair of said segmental members, a common actuator for all of said members, and means for effecting radial movements of one of said members of diiferent extents relative to the radial movements of another of said members in response to like movements of said common actuator.

8. A hosiery inspecting device comprising an expansible stocking form including a central foundation element, a plurality of segmental members collectively forming a stocking form around said foundation element, a heel member pivoted to said foundation element and arranged to swing radially outwardly therefrom between an adjacently disposed pair of said segmental members, an inclined cam surface on each of said members, a common actuator for all of said members, means on said common actuator engaging with said inclined cam surfaces respectively, and means for varying the angle of the inclined cam surface of the heel member relative to the line of movement of the cam engaging means of the common actuator for regulating the extent of radial movement of the heel 'member for a given movement or" the common actuator.

9. A hosiery inspection device comprising an extensible hosiery form, means for expanding and contracting the form including an element therein reciprocable longitudinally thereof, a sleeve threadably mounted on the reciprocable element, a stop on the sleeve, a cooperating stop to limit the form-expanding movement of the reciprocable element, and means for locking the sleeve against, and releasing it for, rotation relative to the reciprocable element.

10. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, an extensible hosiery form supported by the head, means for expanding and contracting the form including an element therein reciprocable longitudinally thereof, a sleeve threadably mounted on the reciprocable element, a stop on the sleeve, a cooperating stop to limit the formexpanding movement of the reciprocable element, and means including an operating member associated with the head for locking the sleeve against, and releasing it for, rotation relative to the reciprocable element.

11. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, an extensible hosiery form supported by, and having rotative movement relative to, the head, means for expanding and contracting the form including an element movably mounted in the form, a stop adjustably mounted on said element, a cooperating stop to limit the formexpanding movement of said element, and means operative between positions in one of which said rotative movement causes adjusting movement of one stop relative to the other, and in another of which said rotative movement is ineifective to cause adjusting movement of one stop relative to the other.

12. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, an extensible hosiery form. supported by the head, means for expanding and contracting the form including an element movably mounted in the form, a stop adjustably mounted on said element, a cooperating stop to limit the form-expanding movement of said element, and means including an operating member associated with the head providing for adjustment of the distance between said stops.

13. A hosiery inspection device comprising an expansible leg form, means including an element longitudinally reciprocable in the form for expanding and contracting the form radially, a heel expander pivotally mounted in the form including a movement determining member normally fixed to the heel expander having a slot which in the contracted position of the heel expander is diagonal to said longitudinally reciprocable element, a pin on the latter element movable in said slot for moving the heel expander about its pivot, and means for adjusting the slotted member relative to the heel expander whereby the heel expander may move through any one of a selection of angles in response to a given stroke of the longitudinally movable element.

14. A hosiery inspection device comprising a stationary head, a longitudinally divided elongated stockin-g form supported at one end by said head and having rotative movement about its longitudinal axis relative to said head, means for expanding said form including an elongated element extending longitudinally of the form between said longitudinal divisions for moving said divisions laterally relative to each other, means supported by said head for actuating said elongated element, means operating between said elongated element and said actuating means for regulating the extent of said expansion, and means operative between positions in one of which said rotative movement causes said regulating means to vary the extent of said expansion, and in another of which said rotative movement is inefiective to cause said regulating means to vary the extent of said expansion.

15. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, a hosiery form supported by the head in movable relation thereto and including members movable relative to each other for expanding and contracting the form, said movement of the form relative to the head being utilizable as a hosiery inspection movement, relatively adjustable elements mounted in said head for efiecting adjustment of the expanding and contracting movements ofsaidmembers,means whereby said movement of the form relative to the head may also be efiected to adjust said elements of the head relative to each other to effect adjustment of the expanding and contracting movements of said members, means for locking said elements of the head relative to each other whereby said movement of the form relative to the head is the said inspecting movement of an article of hosiery on the form, and means including an element for operating said locking means to release said elements from each other whereby said movement of the form relative to the head efiects said adjustment.

MAX POESCHMANN.

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