US2124304A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

'July 19, 193s. v. LOMBAR'm KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 /mmy' Vlam ATTORNEY July 19, 1938. v v. LOMBARDI 2,124,304

n KNITTING, MACHINE Filed April 2s, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 2 YWw/Mi, mm

ATTORNEY .71ml jg/yfefdf a vJuly 19, 1938. v. LOMBARDI 2,124,304

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 K ml QJ@- V. LOMBARDI KNITTING MACHINE July 19, 1938.

Filed April 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY los ' marmo. nimma Application nom 2s, 193s, serial no. 76,154

31 Claims. (Cl. tti-5t) 5 'This invention relates to knitting machines and Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating to knitting elements adapted for use therein. another modiiication;

-An object of the invention is to provide a slm- Figs. ld and l5 are views similar to Figs. l and ple and eiective machine for the production of 4 respectively,` illustrating stillvanother type of 5 patterned knitted fabrics of -a wide variety of -machine embodying the invention; 10 types. Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating Another object of the invention is the proanother modification; vision in a knitting machine of means for the Fig. v17 isla similar view illustrating another selective positioning of Ineedles or other knitting form of machine embodying the invention;

l0 elements, which means is of such character that Fig. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view illus- 15 'the knitting elements may be readily and eftrating the cam' of Fig. `ll;

. fectively manipulated to produce fabrics embody- Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view ing desirable types of patternvedects and that illustrating a further modification; the possibility of breakage of any of the parts Figs. 20, 21, 22. and 23 are views taken in ver- .is minimized; tical section thru a portion of another form of 20 ,o A further object is the provision of a knitting machine embodying the invention and showing element particularly adapted 'for a highly de the Darts in different positions; and

sirable type kof selective positioning. Fig. 24 is a sectional view along the line 25-24 -f Other objects of the invention will in part be of Fig. 22. obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. Irl-the production of design fabrics, knitting 20 The invention omcorglinglyv 'comprises the feg. machines utilizingselective mechanism includtures of construction, combinations oli elements, ing en inclined Pattern Wheel is Commonly emand arrangement of parts, which will be exempliplyed. The ordinary pattern wheel. however. ed in the constructions hereinafter setforth and is eeciive t0 impart Only e relatively Small m0ve 25 the scope of the application of which will be Vmerli; t0 the needles.'a!1d f01 .this reason sepa- 25 intimated in the claims, 'rating cams are commonly utilized to impartv For a fuller understanding of the nature and'V additional movement to some or all of the se. objects of the invention, reference should lie-had lected needles In Spille 0f Various DreeautiOns toY the following detailed description taken in that 'have been utilized. considerable diiculty connection with the accompanying drawings, in has been experienced du@ t0 the tendency 0f 30 which: needles becoming misplaced from time to time Figure 1 is a view taken in vertical section and jamming against the Separating Cams. with thru aportion of a machine embodying the ino the necessity of Stopping a machine while the vention; damage is repaired. Proposals have beenmade Fig. 2 is a similar'view taken thru a diierent .for the Provision 0f Pattern Wheels having a de 35 l needle slot, and showing the parts in a dierent gre@ 0f inclination Sumcient t0 impart larger position; movements to the needles, but these have not at- Fl 3 is a view similar to-Fig. 1, showin the tained a Wide range of utility'ue paris5 in Stm another position; ,g o With the foregoing and other diiilculties in Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view View the present invention contemplates the pro' 40 vision of knitting machines, and, in certain of showing the operating parts and illustrating the its aspects, of knitting elements therefor, of

needle positioning; v

o such character that separating movements ocrA Fig' 4a is a detail View Similar to Fig 1 show' curring after a selective positioning of the kniting almodmed form of construction; ting elements will be positive and certain in op- Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating eration a modified form of machine embodying the in- In accordance with the invention there may loeV vention; provided knitting-element-means at leastl a por- Figs. 6, '7, and 8 are similarl views showing th tion of which is adapted for longitudinal movearts in different positions; ment in response to the action thereon by se- 50 Figs. 9, 1 0, and 11 are enlarged fragmentary -1ective means'such as a pattern wheel, and at transverse sectional views thru the pattern wheel 'least a portion of which is .adapted to be moved of Figs. 5-8; laterally during such selective action. The knit- Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating ting element means may consistlof a single knitthe operation of the machine of Figs. 5-11; ting element such for instance as a needle, or 55 a plurality of cooperating elements, as will be hereinafter exemplified. The lateral movement of the laterally movable portion of the-knitting element may be caused by a camming action between the knitting element and a portion of the needle bed in response to longitudinal movement of the knitting element; by a camming action between the knitting element and associated part in response to longitudinalmovement of the part; by a resilient action of the knitting element portion in response to longitudinal movement of the portion, or by other suitable arrangement whereby a portion moves laterally in response to longitudinal movement imparted to another portion. A cam or other actuating .elen ment acts on those of the laterally .movable portions which are suitably positioned laterally,

to impart the desired operative movement thereto and passes those laterally movable portions which are otherwise positioned. Such means may be'operative merely to either pass or actuate'the portions to a given extent. When desired, however, there may be provided in accordance with the invention an arrangement wherein the laterally movable portion is movable .between a multiplicity of lateral positions, a plurality of which are such that the portion may be actuated differently, depending upon which of said plurality of positions the portion is in.

In accordance with the invention also means may be provided whereby dial needles and similar knitting elements may be selectively actuated with particular definiteness.

kWhile fabrics in which the yarnl is laid in,

`be produced in succession without stopping the machine or replacing any of its parts.

While the invention iinds its more ready adaptation in circular knitting machines having a stationary needle cylinder, it is to be understood that it is adapted for use in. machines wherein the needle bed is of any' of a variety of types and is either stationary or movable. While the knitting elements particularly exemplified are latch needles, it is to be understood that the invention is adapted. for use in connection with the operation of a variety of types of knitting elements including beard needles, jacks, sinkers, etc. ready adaptationin machines arranged for the operation of all the needles (or other knitting elements) in accordance with the invention; it is to be understood that, without departing from the scope of the invention in its broader aspects,

needles (or other knitting elements) operated in other well known or desired ways may be provided in certain parts of a. machine embodying the invention and may be interspersed with needles (or'other knitting elements) operated in accordance with theV invention; and it is to be particularly understood that the terms series of knitting-element-means", series of knitting elcments, series of needles, series of sinkers, and the like, as used in the appended claims Again while the invention finds its most a,124,so4

sisting in. the present instance of knitting elements 9 in the form of needles which, as exemplified, are of the usual latch type, although other types of needles such as beard needles may b e provided if desired. Each needle is provided with a butt portion Ill.- Certain of these butt portions, in the present instance, are ofthe shape indicated at Il and include an extension l2 providing long butts for the needles, and others of which, as indicated at '|3, are without these extensions and provide a. short butt for the needles. The long-butt and the short-butt needles are interspersed about the cylinder. They may be arranged in alternation or in groups of one, two, three, etc. Long-butt or short-butt needles may, indeed, be interspersed in any of ay variety of manners,-one form of arrangement being indicated in Fig. 4.

' A suitable number of yarn feeds I4 are arranged to rotate about the cylinder with the supports 6 and 1. Following each yarn feed there are provided actuator means for the needles. Such means, in the present instance, is carried on the support 6, and comprises a. stitch cam l5,

an inclined pattern 'Wheel I6, actuating means in the form of an advancing cam I1', and a longbutt actuating cam I8. arranged to operate upon the lower surface I! of the butt portions IIJ of the needles and to either pass a needle or to move it longitudinally from a position A to a position B in the usual manner, and thus serves as selecting means for the needles. The cam ll'serves to act on portions 20, hereinafter to be described, of the selected needles to advance certain of the needies from the position B to a tucking position C. The cam I'I carries an adjustable member 2| which, when in the upper position shown in full lines, will cause the selected needles to be advanced fully to a' knitting position D. When the c ainportion 2l is in the lowerl position, indicated by the dot-dash lines, the cam I'I will act only to raise the needlesto the tucking position. The cam-portion 2l may be adjusted manually, or the pin 22 may extend outwardly so as to be operated automatically at various periods in the `operation of the'machine, as by the usual type of pattern chain mechanism. The cam Il is pivotally mounted and is arranged, when in the full line position shown in Fig. 4, to"`act on those of the unselected needles which have long-butts and to advance these from the position A to the position C. When in the dot-dash line position, it will not act on the needles. The cam I8 is carried on a rod 24, which may be turned manually to swing the cam, or may be operated automatically as by pattern chain mechanism of the usual type.

There is also provided in the present instance a cam 25 similar to the cam I8 but arranged to operate, when in the full line operative position, on the surfaces i9 of all the butt portions. This The pattern wheel is.

may also be provided a laid-in fabric wherein at adapted to be engaged by the cam l1 Vwhen a porcam may be swung by a rod 2,6 between an operf atlve and an inoperative position as indicated by the dotted and vfull lines respectively so as to place all the needles when .desired in the fully advanced position D. The rod 26 may be operated similarly tc the rod 24;

As will be apparent, for any single type of selection` of the needles of a given yarn feed, as by a pattern wheel with a particular type of cutting, there may be produced a variety of design stitches. The needles selected by the pattern wheel may be moved into tcking position by the 'cam il so that the selected needles will catch the yarn but not knit, and they unselected needles will pass the yarn, asin the formation of a laid-in fabric. The selected needles maybe moved into knitting position where they will receive the yarn and knit, and

the unselected needles left in a retracted position where they will not receive the yarn, as in the formation of a welt stitch fabric. The selected needles may be moved into knitting position, and.'v

" needles may be advanced toknitting position.

`Other variations may be obtained. By the provision ci a plurality of yarn feeds and suitable cuttings on the pattern `wheels which will cause various needles to knit-at dierent yarn feeds, there may be provided a single or double interlock fabric, such as exemplified in my Patents Nos. 1,541,230, 1,728,293,"1,728,294, etc. There one yarn feed certain of the needles are in retracted position and the remainder of the needles are in tucking position and at a succeeding yarn feed all of the needles are arranged to knit, or a welt stitch fabric wherein at one yarn feed certain of the needles are in fully advanced position and .the remaining needles in retracted position and wherein the latter needles are advanced at one or more of successive yarn feeds. The exemplied arrangement is also adapted for the knitting of a wide variety of types of design fabrics, as

well as for the knitting of .plain Jersey fabric.

Moreover, as willbe apparent, all these types of knittings maybe included in a single piece of goods by a suitable operation of the yadjustable .cams and without change ofthe pattern wheels .or other selecting means, with the result that patterned fabrics having features impossible Without such an arrangement may be readily and 'i effectively secured.

formed with portions 21 at their lower ends which are adapted for lateral movement in response .to

.- the selective longitudinal movement, the needles being formed at their rear vedges with cam surfaces 28 extending under a portion 29 of the cylinder when the needles are in a retracted posi` tion and adapted to cause the portion E1' of a vneedle to be cammed outwardly when ythis needle is selected,I and moved longitudinally by lthe pattern wheel. As will be seen', this. outward,l-lat eral-, movement of the needle accompanies.

the longitudinal movement thereof bythe pattern wheel. The lportions 21 of the needles are Aalso formed with a cam-engaging or ffbutt surface 2li tion 21 is in` an outwardposi'tion, but not when a portion/21 is in an inward position. `Accordingly the surfaces 20 of those needles which are ad? vanced by the pattern wheel will be engaged by the cam l1, whereas the lower parts `of the vneedles which are received in the slots of the pattern wheel and not advanced will ride entirely behind the cam il.

. As will be apparent, it is not-essential that allI of the needles be formed with lower portions of the character exemplified, but some of them 'may be of any ordinary or suitable form. However, by

forming all of the needles as exemplified, a greater flexibility of design is obtained than when .ordinary needles are utilized at certain points.

The modification of Fig. da, is generally similar to Figs. 1-4, except that the knitting element is aneedle jack. The parts corresponding to those of Figs. l-4 are given the same reference 9' is the jack, while each needle 9" has a butt it' certain interspersed ones of these being longvbutts i2 and the others being short-butts. i3.

Each jack has a butt it, the lower surface it' of which is operated upon by the pattern wheel i6 in the manner of Figs. 1 4. The lower ends of the jacks have portions 2l' for lateral movement by means of the cam surface 28' in the manner of the elements of Fig. i. The cam-engaging faces 2t' correspond to 2@ of Fig. 1 and when projected in the path of cam il impart a motion to the jack and needle in the manner of Figs. 1 4. Spring 3i of conventional form may be used to normally retain the jacks in the slots.

Instead of the laterally movable portion of the knitting element-means being movable to only one lateral position in response to the longitudinal movement of a portion of therneans, the laterally movable portion may be movable to any of a plurality of lateral positions so that it will be actuated in different ways depending on which of these plurality of positions it is moved to. An arrangement of this character is shown in Figs. 5 thru l2, wherein the parts are generally similar to the parts shown in Figs. 1 thru 4, and are designated by similar reference numerals carrying the subscript a. In this arrangement the needles 9a arel all'formed with similar butt portions lila which may be actuated to move the needles longitudinally a plurality of different extents as by means such as exemplified in my co-pending application, lSerial No. 18,091,` led April 25, 1935, or by other means which may be of any known or suitable type. In the form exemplified the pattern wheel .la comprises an upper plate 3l and a lower plate 32 providing teeth `33 with slots therebetween for the reception of the needle ybutts and of needle-butt actuators. Two types of such actuators are provided. .One type, asindicated at 34, projects only slightcharacters with primes attached thereto. Thus,`

ly from the body of the pattern wheel so that its A' period of engagement with a butt Ilia during the rotation of the pattern wheel will be short. The other type shown at 35 projects further from the. body of thepattern wheel so that it will extend further under the butt and will be in con- `tact therewith for a longer period during the rotation of the pattern wheel and will thus ad- ,arranged about the periphery of the pattern *Y wheel in anydesired manner, one arrangement will be apparent from the operation indicated in vso Fig. 12. The lower portions 21a are formed in vthe -present instance with a cam surface 28a vare adapted when in anoutward position to be engaged by a cam 39 which serves to advance the needles. As will be apparent, when a needle is advanced a short distance from the position E to the -position F, as by an actuator 34, the surface Zilaa Will be in position to be engaged by the cam 39, but the surface 24a will still be at the rear of the cam. Accordingly the cam will advance the needle from the position F to a tucking position H. When, howeventhe needle is advanced a longer distance from the position'E to the position G, as by the actuator 35, then the cam will engage the surface 20a and will move the needle to fully advanced knitting position I. By the provision of the attened; portion 33 of the rear surface 29a, assurance is had that the f needle will be accurately positioned for the engagement of the surface 20a@ by the cam. It will be appreciated, however, that in certain instances the surface 29a may slope continuously. It will likewise be appreciated that in accordance with the invention in its broader aspects, the needle bed may be formed -with a sloping surface at that portion which is contacted by a laterally movable portion of the needles, such as 2li and 21a, it being possible that needle surfaces 29, 3b, and 31 for instance, may have a single point contact with a sloping surface on that portion of the needle bed against which they work.

In Fig.`12, needles a, b, c, e, h, and k are shown in retracted position; needle d isV shown as en- .gaged by an actuator 34; needle 1f is shown as engaged by an actuator 35; needle g is shown as moved to the position G by an actuator 35. Needles i and 9' are shown as moved to the positiqn Fby an actuator 34, the cam 39 having contacted` the surface 20mi of the needle i; needle l is shown with its surface 20a engaged by the cam 39; needle m is shown in tucking position of selective means may be utilized for selectively imparting longitudinal movement to the needles.r

One simple form of such means is exemplified in Fig. 13 wherein the construction is generally similar to that of Fig. and wherein similar parts are identified by similar reference numerals except that the subscript b is used. In this case the butts Illb on the needles are selectively actuated by a cam 40 which is'movableA by means of a handle 4| from a position indicated in dotted lineswherein it will not contact the butts to a position shown in full lines in which it will contact the butts and move the needles suiiciently to laterally project their cam-engaging surfaces ZIJbb intor position to be engagedby a cam 39h, or to a position such as shown in dot-and-dash lines wherein it will advance the needles suiliciently to move a surfacey 20h into position to be engaged by the cam 39h.

`movement of .the element 41.

It will furthermore be appreciatedthat in instances where the provision of a cam which extends between needle-butt positions is not undesirable, there may be provided an arrangement wherein the lateral movement of the knitting element is only of a single extent and wherein addi-I tional selective action is obtained by differences in longitudinal movement. In Figs. 14 and 15 there is shown an'arrangement similar to that of Figs. 5-12, but of this nature. In these iigures similar reference numerals are utilized, but with the subscript c. A pattern wheel I6c similar to the pattern wheel l6a is utilized to advance the needles to either of two different positions.` The lower end 21c of the selected needles will be moved laterally by engagement of the needle bed by a single shortsloping'surface 29o on the needles. When a needle is moved longitudinally only a short distance, a cam-engaging surface Zlicc will be engaged by a cam 39e, and the needle advanced to tucking position thereby, but a cam-engaging surface 20c will ride beneath this cam. On theA other hand, when a needle is advanced a longer distance by the pattern wheel, the surface 20c will beengaged and the needle advanced to knitting position thereby.

InA accordance with the invention in its broad- `er aspects moreover, the portion of the knittingelement-means which is moved longitudinally need not be integral with the portion of the knitbut the knitting-element-means may consist of portions in the form of separate cooperating elements. Constructions of this nature are shown in Fig. 1,6 and Figs. 20-24. InFig. 16 there is shown a needle 43 having a butt 43 adapted to be engaged by a stitch cam 45d for the retraction of the needles. The lower partsv 21d of these needles are formed with cam-engaging surfaces 20d adapted to be moved between a multiplicity of lateral positions in one of which,l as shown by the nearest needle, it will not be engaged vby a cam in another of which it will be engaged by ting-element-means which is moved laterally, y

an actuating cam 44, and in still another of which it will be engaged by an actuating cam 45. It

-will be appreciated in this connection that a knitting element may be formed with a plurality of cam-engaging surfaces adapted to be knittedA by a single cam surface, as in Fig. .5, or with a single cam-engaging surface adapted to be engaged by a plurality of cam surfaces as in Fig. 16.

wardly from the bed, and in order to eiect the lateral movement of the portionsA 21d of the 'needles there are provided elements 41 each constituting a portion of a knitting-element-means consisting of the needle 42 and the element 41. Each element 41 is formed with a downwardly and outwardly inclined upper surface 48 adapted to bear against the surface 46 on its needle and to thrust the lower portion of the needleoutwardly when the element 41 is moved upwardly. The extent of the lateral movement of the portion 21d will depend on the extent of the upward The elements 41 are provided with vbutts vIlld adapted to be selectively acted upon by a pattern wheel iSd similar to the pattern wheel I 6a; the shorter actuators on the pattern wheel being arranged to advance the elements 41 sufdciently to move the laterally i movable portions 21d to a position to-be engaged by the'cam 44, and the longer actuator elements on the pattern wheel being arranged to advance the elements 41 sufficiently to move the portions ,21d into a position to be engaged by the cam 45.

In certain instances dependence on'. cooperating surfaces on a .knitting element and on a *portion of its bed is undesirable, and in such instances the invention contemplates .the provision ofmeans whereby the laterally movable portion of the knitting element is resiliently mounted.` One formA of such construction is exemplified in l Fig.. 17 wherein there is illustrated an arrangement generally similar to the arrangement of Fig. 1 and wherein the parts are indicated by similar reference numerals with the subscript e.

' The needles 9e in this Acase carry butts Ille which are similar thruout the seriesv of needles and areselectively acted upon by a pattern wheel le similar to the pattern wheel l5. The lower ends 21e of the needles are mounted for lateral movement by the provision o'f a resilient portion between them and the butts. The resiliency re- Vengaging surfaces 20e and longitudinally-extending cam-engaging surfaces50, and there is provided a cam 5 i, shown in detail in Fig. 18, for

the needles in accordance with the longitudinal position'they are in after the passage of the pattern wheel 16e. When a butt 49 is in a lower position as in the case of the foremost needle in Fig. 17, the surface 50 of the butt will be engaged by the forward surface 52 of the cam and will ride to the rear of the cam on convexly curved surfaces 53, as indicated at q, and ride along the back thereof and into afrecess 54, as indicated at t. Should needles 9e be raised slightly by some inadvertence the surface 50 may ride along the back face of the cam 5I. When, however, a needle has been moved to an upper position, and the tail of the `needle has swung outwardly,-due toits resiliency, in the manner indicated, as in the case of the rear needle shown in Fig. 17 and the needle shown at r, the butts 49 thereof will ride above the forward portion 52 of the cam 5| and will be engaged by a camsurface 55 which will serve, as indicated at s; to `advance the nee'dle. Asr will be seen, whether the longiselectively actuating tudinal movement is of such extent that when it'v is completed a needle such as at r will be spaced above the cam, or whether the longitudinal movement is just of sufiicientextent to permit the butt to swing outwardly, the outward (lateral) movement of the needle will accompany Athe longitudinal movement rather than being an independent movement at a spaced point. Thel portions 21e of those needles which are not moved longitudinally-by the pattern wheelv will ride to the rear of the cam and will then be swung out in to the recess 54 againv by the tension of the portion 48, but Will not be advanced by the actuating surface 55, whereas portions which have been moved longitudinally bythe pattern wheelv will have their butts actuated and will be advanced-as to tucking position, or, if desired, to knitting positionby the actuating surface 55.

In Fig. 19 there is shown a construction which is similar to the construction shown in Fig. 17,

except. that theforward portion 52j of the acl 'aia-1,304

tuating cam 5lf is. narrpwed and is extended forwardly beneath the pattern wheel, and that the butts 49j on the tails of the needles are provided withl oblique upper surfaces 56 so that they may be snapped past the portion 52f during the operation of a pattern wheel. needlesare in their retracted position, the butts 49f are below the portion'52f and ride under it.

' When, however, a needle .is raised by the pattern wheel, the surface 56 thereof will bear against the bottom of the portion 52j and cam the tail rearwardly,v to swing it on its point of resiliency suiiiciently so that the butt 49! willmove upwardly behind the portion 52j in the cam 5U* and will clear this portion. Thereupon due to the re- When the. f

slliency, the tail will swing back to a position where the butt again projects outwardly so that it will be engaged by the actuating cam surface 55j of the cam 5U. Desirablythe forward edge of the portion 52j has an upwardly protruding forward portion provided with a sloping forward surface 5l to assure against the butts 49j jamming against the forward edge of the cam. This forward edge is preferably disposed at a. point well in advance-where the pattern wheel acts on the needles.

In the operation of machines wherein dial and ated selectively to produce design conformations,

as for instance, in accordance with my co-pending application, Serial No. 752,028, filed November 8, 1934. However, it is desirable to avoid complexity in the operating mechanism for the dial needles and it has been found that by utilizing the sinker movement to `control the operation of the dial needles, a high degree of simplicity can bev obtained. In accordance with the linvention there is provided means to impart longitudinal movement to the sinkers whereby the dial needles (or, if desired, jacks therefor) will be moved laterally and to selectively position the dial needles (or jacks). In the exemplified construction this means includes sinker-moving cams and mutually cooperating cam portions on the sinkers and on the dial needles to move the latter laterally in response to the sinker movement, andincludes also a rotary pattern member for the selective positioning of the dial: needles. vIn the form of construction exemplified in Figs. 20 thru 24, there is provided 4cooperating means on the sinkers and on the dial needles for positioning the dial needles for actuation by a' cam;

and there is also provided a pattern wheel for selectively controlling vthe position of the dial needles so that the cam will actuate theneedles to one or another of different extents, or not at all, as determined by the pattern wheel. In this form of construction there is provided a needle bed 5g, which in the present instance, is in the form of a stationary dial having formed therein vradial slots 8g. carrying sinkers 60 and dial -needles 9g. `There are also provided cylinder member 61, in association with one or more of the yarn feeds. The sinkers and needles are provided with cooperating cam surfaces 66 and l and with cam-engaging surfaces g and 20go'.

The portion of the needle on which the surface 209g is formed is provided with a flat surface 'I0 adapted to be engaged by actuators on the rotary pattern member 61. This rotary pattern member is provided with peripheral slots 1I. In certain of these slots there are disposed short actuators 12 and in others long actuators i3, others of the slots being left empty. The rotary pattern member 6l is so arranged, that when a needle has been elevated by the sinker movement, the

- needle will be left in elevated position as shown in Fig. 21 if an empty slot in. the rotary pattern wheel is juxtaposed therewith; will be partially lowered if a short actuator 12 is juxtaposed therewith; or will be lowered .to the position shown in Fig. 20 when a long actuator is juxtaposed therewith. 'Ihe needles are formed with the bends i4 in the usual manner `to prevent them from dropping against the sinkers of their own weight after the support of the sinker has been removed before the operation -of the pattern wheel. ln operation, a needle and sinker being in the position shown in Fig. 20, the sinkers v -needles and will pass a needle, partially depress it, or fully depress .it in the manner indicated above. If it is passed, the surface 20g thereof will be engaged by the cam 39g and the needle will be fully advanced as indicated in Fig. 23. If, however, the needle is partially depressed, the surface -20gg thereon will be engaged by the cam 39g and the needle will be advanced a less distance. If the needle has been fully depressed, the cam 39g will engage neither of the camengaging surfacesI thereon and the needle will be left in a retracted position. The advanced needles `will be retracted by the stitch cam 66 in the usual manner. n

It will accordingly be seen that there is provided an exceedingly safe and effective means for the production of design fabrics of a wide variety of types.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and diierent embodiments of the invention could be made without departing .from the. scope thereof, it is intended that allv vmattei' contained in the above construction or shown in the accompanying drawings Vshall be interpreted as illustrative and not ,in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specic features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might tucking position and to leave the unseiected needles in retracted position, to move the selected needles to knitting position and to leave the unselected needles in retracted position, and to move the selected needles to knitting position and to move certain of the unselected needles to tucking position while leaving the remainder of the unselected needles in retracted position, as desired, prior to the reception of yarn from a single yarn-feed.

2. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a .series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adapted to be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted to be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement, means to impart such longitudinal movement to at least certain of said first mentioned portions and to selectively position the second mentioned portions, the last mentioned means including means tocause the second mentioned portions to be moved laterally when the first mentioned portions are moved longitudinally and 'as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement and means to cause a supplemental and selective lateral positioning of the second mentioned portions, and actuating means adapted to selectively engage said second mentioned portions depending on their positioning.

' 3. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being adapted to be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adapted to be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement,v

dinally by a selecting'means and at least a portiony of each of said knitting-element-means being adapted to be positioned laterally in response to the longitudinal movement of the rst mentioned portion, selecting means adapted to selectively engage the vfirst mentioned portions to impart longitudinal movement of a plurality of selectively-determined extents to the selected portions, and actuating means adapted to engage the second mentioned portions when incertain of said lateral positions and to selectively impartthereto longitudinal movement of a plurality'of extents depending upon the extent of longitudinal movement imparted to the i'irst mentioned portions by the selecting means.'`

5. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portionof each of said knitting-element-means being adapted to be selectively moved longitudinally by a selecting means and at least a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being adapted to be positioned laterally in response to the longitudinal movement of the first mentioned portion, selecting means adapted to selectively engage the first mentioned portions to impart longitudinal movement of a plurality of selective I extents to selected portions, said second mentloned portions being movable laterally .to a. plu- V -tudinal movement .knitting elements when said portions thereofl be moved into a path of rallty of extents depending on the extent of movement of the ilrst mentioned portions, and actuating means, said second mentioned portions and said .actuating means being so arranged that the actuating means will engage the second mentioned portions and move them longitudinally to one extent when they have been moved laterallyl to one extent and to move ,them longitudinally to another extent when they have been moved laterally to another extent. l i

6. A 4knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of needles on said bed, at least a portion of each of said needles being adapted to be moved longitudinally by a selecting means and at' least f a portion of each of said needles being adapted to be disposed in any of'a plurality of lateral positions, means for thrusting a second mentioned portion laterally when a first mentioned portion is moved longitudinally, selecting means to selectively engage the iirst mentioned portions to selectively impart longitudinal movement thereto, and actuating means adapted to engage said second 'mentioned portions when in certain' oi said lateral positions.

7. In a knitting machine, a needle bed, a series of needle slots in said bed, knitting elements in at least certain of said-slots, means on said knitting elements to cause a portion of each of said knittingelements to be moved laterally as an accompaniment of the longitudinal movement thereof, means to selectively impart longitudinal movement to said knitting elements with accompanying lateral movement, cam means, said cam means and said bed being mounted for relative movement in a direction transverse oi' said slots, and means on said portions adapted to be engaged by said cam means to impart longitudinal movement to the knitting elements when said portions have been moved laterally.

8. In a knitting machine, a bed, a series oi knitting elements on said bed, means on said knitting elements to cause a portion of each of said knitting elements to be of different positions d v movement thereof, means to selectively impart such longitudinal movement to said knitting elements, cam means, and a plurality of shoulders on ng the longitudinal individual ones of lsaid portions and adapted to cam means to impart longibe engaged by said of different extents to the have been moved to said positions respectively. 9. A knitting machine comprising a needle bed,

a series of needle slots in .said bed, knitting ele- 'ments in at least certain of said slots, lactuator mechanism, said actuator mechanism and said bed being mounted for relative movement in a direction transverse of said slots, means forming a part of said actuator mechanism for selectively advancing the knitting elements as an accompaniment of said relative movement, means to cause lateral movement of a, portion of each knitting element when so advanced, each of said portions being formed with a shoulder adapted to movement of a part of Asaid actuator mechanism by such llateral movement, and means forming apart of said actuator mechanism and adapted to engage at least certain of said shoulders. when the portions carrying the same have been moved laterally and to further advance the'knitting elements.v

10. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a

series of knitting elements on said bed, actuator mechanism, said actuator` are-1,304

moved to a plurality mechanism and said bed being mounted for relative movement, means forming a part of said actuator mechanism for selectively advancing the knitting elements a plurality of extents during said relative movement, means to cause lateral movement to one extent of a portion of each knitting element when advanced to one extent and -to cause lateral movement of said portion to another extent when advanced to another extent, each of said portions being formed with a plurality of shoulders adapted to be moved respectively into the path of movement, and cam means forming a part of said actuator mechanism and adapted to engagewhatever shoulders are in its pathv of movement and to actuate said knitting elements to one extent when one of said shoulders is in its path and to actuate said knitting elements to another extent when another of saidgshoulders is in its its path and to pass said knitting elements when neither of said'shoulders are in its path.

ll. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting elements on said bed, each of said knitting elements having a resilient tail and each tail being formed with a cam-engaging surface, selecting means for selectively imparting longitudinal movement to the knitting elements, at least one yarn feed, a cam member formed with a cam surface adapted to engage the camengaging surfaces of the knitting elements which are selectively movable longitudinally, said cam member being formed with a portion in the path of movement of said tails in preparation for yarn manipulating action at a single yarn feed Whereby said -tails may yield resiliently when they meet said portion but will be lsvvung out by their resiliency into cam-engaging/position when they have been moved to a given longitudinal extent by said selecting means.

12.J A knitting machine comprising a dial bed, a y l series of knitting-element-means on said bed, each. of at least a plurality of said knitting-element-means including a sinker and a needle, and cooperating means on the sinkers and on a portion or the' knitting-element-means other than the sinker for eiectuating a control of the operation of said needles in response to an operation of said sinkers. s

13; .A sinker-top knitting machine, comprising a series of. cylinder needles, a series of dial needles, a series of cooperating sinkers, means to actuate said sinkers, said sinkers being individual to said dial needles, cooperating means on the sinkers and the dialneedles to cause a portion of a dial needle to be moved laterally in response to the movement of a sinker, means including the aforesaid means to cause said portions of the dialy needles to be disposed in a multiplicity of lateral posi/tions, vmeans to selectively actuate said dial needles to a plurality of `diierent extents in accordance with the lateral positioning of said portions thereof, and means to actuate said cylinder needles.

14. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, each of said knitting-element-means comprising a pair of relatively movable elementsdcooperating means on each pair of elements to cause a portion of one of the elementsV to be moved laterally in response to longitudinal movement of the other of the elements, means for causing'longitudinal movement of s'aid other of the elements, selecting means `for causing. supplemental and selective laterall movement of only certain of said laterally moved portions, and means to selectively actuate said ones of said elements in ac-/zk/l cordance with the lateral positioning of said portions thereof.

.15. A knitting element comprising a yarn-manipulating portion adapted to receive yarn adjajacent the front edge of the element, and a portion spaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and having a cam-engaging shoulder and having also a cam surface on the rear edge of the elementand adapted for engagement with a cooperating part of a knitting'machine to cause the second mentioned portion to be moved laterally during relative movement of the knitting element and the cooperating part longitudinally of the knitting element.

16. A needle comprising.. a yarn-manipulating portion adapted to receive yarn adjacent the front edge of the needle, and a portion spaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide a generally lateral surface adapted to be engaged by cam means when suitably disposed and to provide a cam surface on the rear edge of the needle and adapted for engagement with a cooperating part of a knitting machine to `cause the second mentioned portion to be moved laterally when the knitting element is moved longitudinally.

17. A knitting element comprising a yarn-manipulating portion adapted to receive yarn adjacent the front edge of the element, and a portion spaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide a plurality of longitudinally spaced generally lateral surfaces each adapted to be engaged by cam means when suitably disposed and to provide at least one cam surface on the rear edge of the element and adapted for engagement withy a cooperating part of a knitting machine to cause the second mentioned portion to be moved laterally when the knitting element is moved longitudinally.

18. A knitting element comprising a yarn-manipulating portion adapted to receive yarn adjacent the front edge of the element, and a portion spaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide at least one generally lateral surface adapted to be engaged by cam means when suitably disposed, and to provide at least one cam surface on the rear edge of the element and adapted for engagement with a cooperating part of a knitting machine to cause the second mentioned portion to be moved laterally dif-v ferent extents When the knitting element is moved different extents longitudinally.

19. A knitting element comprising a yarnmanipulating portion adapted to receive yarn adjacent the front edge of the element, and a portion spaced from said yarn-manipulating portion and formed to provide a plurality of longiiudinally spaced generally'lateral surfaces each adapted to be engaged by cam `means when suitably disposed and to provide a cam surface n the rear edge of the element and adapted for engagementwith a cooperating part of a knitting machine to cause the second mentioned portion to be moved laterally to one extent when the knitting element is moved longitudinally a given extent and a cam surface on the rear edge of the element and adapted to engage said part to cause said second mentioned portion to be moved laterally to a further extent when the knitting element is moved longitudinally a further extent.

20. A knitting machine needle formed with a resilient tail, a butt on said tail, oneof the oppositely-disposed edges of said butt being inclined substantially from the end of the butt and in the direction in which said tail extends whereby when than a right angle with a line extending longitudinally of said tail as the tail'extends beyond said edge.

21. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeansbeing adapted to be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted to be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such. longitudinal movement, each of said second-mentioned portions being formed with a butt surface adapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance said second-mentioned portions longitudinally and each of said knitting-element-means including. a yarn-manipulating element adapted to be advanced when the second-mentioned portion thereof is advanced, selective means to impart longitudinal movement to selected ones of the first-mentioned portions of the knitting-elementmeans to cause the second-mentioned portions thereof to be moved laterally as an accompaniment of said longitudinal movement, and cam means adapted to engage said butt surface on each of said second-mentioned portions which has been moved laterally to advance the same and to advance therewith the yarn-manipulating elements thereof to a yarn-manipulating position.

22. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, a needle forming at least a part of each of said Vknitting-element-means, at least a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being adapted to be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being adapted to be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement, each of said second portions being formed with a butt surface adapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance saidv second-mentioned portions longitudinally so as to move said needles into yarn-receiving position, an oblique pattern Wheel adapted to selectively impart longitudinal movement to the first-mentioned portions of certain of said knitting-element-mreans to cause the secondmentioned portions thereof to be moved laterally, a yarn feed, and cam means adapted to engage said butt surfaces of each of the second-mentioned portions'which has been moved laterally and to advance the sameto dispose the needles to receive yarn from said yarn feed.

f23. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of needles on said bed, a yarn-feed, means to selectively impart longitudinal movement to said needles, means to cause a portion of those needles which are moved longitudinally by the last-mentioned means to move laterally as an v accompaniment of said longitudinal movement,

and means to engage those portions of the needles which have been moved Vlaterally to advance such needles for reception of yarn from said yarn feed.

24. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a. series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adapted to bemoved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted to be moved laterally as an accompaniment. of such longitudinal movement, each of said knitting-element-means comprising a yarn-manipulating element adapted 75 to be advanced when the second-mentioned portion thereof is advanced, said second-'mentioned portions comprising resilientv tails, means including said resilient tails and the surface ofV a cam member to cause a lateral movement of said second-mentioned portions as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement, and means to engage a part of each of said second-mentioned portions which has been moved laterally to vadvance the same and to advance the'associated yarn-manipulating element to a yarn-manipulating position.A

25. A -knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of kni'tting-element-means on said bed, at leasta portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adaptedto be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted to be moved laterallyas an accompaniment'of such longitudinal movement, each of said second-mentioned portions being formed with a butt surface adapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance said second-mentioned portions longitudinally and eachof said knitting-element-rneans including a yam-manipulating element adapted to be advanced when the second-mentionedl portion thereof is advanced, means to impart such longitudinal movement to at least certain of said rst mentioned portions with an accompanying lateral movement of the second-mentioned portions and to selectively position the second-mentioned portions in a plurality ofl lateral positions, and cam means adapted to engage said butt surface on each of said second-mentioned portions which is in a given one of said lateral positions to advance the same and to advance therewith to a yarnmanipulating position the yarnmanipulating element of the knitting-element-means ofwhich it is a portion. y

` 26. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a

series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at

least a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adapted to be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knittingelement-means being adapted to' be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement, each of said second-mentioned portions being formed with a butt surface adapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance said second-mentioned portions longitudinally and each of said knitting-element-means including a yarn-manipulating element adapted to be advanced when the' second-mentioned portion thereof is advanced, means to impart such longitudinal movement to at leastcertain of said first-men- 4tioned portions and to selectively position the secondmentioned portions,the last mentioned means including la pattern wheel adapted to act selectively to impartv longitudinal movement to the first-mentioned portions and means whereby the second-mentioned portions of the knittingelement-means Whose iirst-mentioned` portions have been moved longitudinally will be moved laterally as an accompaniment of said longitudinal movement, and cam means adapted to engage said butt surface on each of said second-menl tioned portions which has been moved laterally to advance the same and to advance the associated yarn-manipulating velement to a yarn-manipulating position.

27. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of said knitting-elementmeans being adapted to be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being ,9. adapted to .be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal movement, means to impart such longitudinal movement to at least certain of said iirst-mentioned portions and 'to selectively position the second mentioned portions longitudinally, said secondmentioned portions comprisingl resilient tails, means including said resilient tails to cause a lateral movement of said second-mentioned portions due to such longitudinal movement, andA actuating means adapted to selectively engage said second-mentioned portions depending on the positioning.`

28. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at

least a vportion of each of said knitting-element-` means being adapted to be moved longitudinally and at least a portion of each of said knitting-ele'- ment-means being adapted to'be moved laterally as an accompaniment of such longitudinal move-.-

-ment, each of said second-mentioned portions being formed with a butt surface adapted to be engaged by an advancing cam to advance said second-.mentioned portions longitudinally 'and each of said knittlng-element-means including a chine to cam said second-mentioned portions laterally during such longitudinal movement, and cam means adapted to engage said butt surface on said second-mentioned portions in accordance with the lateral'position of said second-mentioned portions, said machine including a pattern Wheel y having a selecting action so that certain of said second-mentioned portions will be in position to be engaged by said cam means so as to be advanced 4with the consequentL advance to a yarnmanipulating position of the yarn-manipulating' element associated therewith and other of said second-mentioned portions will be in a position `to be passed by said cam means.

29. A .knitting machine comprising'a bed, a yarn-feed, a series of knitting-element-means on said bed, at least a portion of each of said knitting-element-means being .adapted to be selectively moved longitudinally by a selecting means and at least a portion of each of said knittingvvelement-means being adapted to be moved laterally in response to such longitudinal movement of the first-mentioned portion, selecting meansA adapted Vto selectively engage the rst-mentioned portions to impart'said longitudinal movement to the selected portions, means to impart lateralv movement to the second-mentioned portions of only those knitting-element-means of which the Y mst-mentioned portions are selected, .means forming a part of each of said knitting-elementing me'aris adapted to engage said second-mentoned` portions to which lateral movement has Y been imparted and to advance the same.

30..'A knitting machine comprising a bed, a

yarn-feed, a series of needles on said bed, means tol selectively impart longitudinal movementto said needles, each ofrsaid needles having a portion adapted to be disposed indifferent lateral positions, cam'means adapted to engage said portions when in certain of said lateral positions,

and to dispose said needles in position to receive yarn from a yarn-feed, and meansfor selecting said needles and for causing said portions of only the selected needles to be in given ones of said certain of said lateral positions. 31. A knitting machine comprising a bed, a series of knitting elements on said bed, a portion of each of said knitting elements being laterally member having a cam surface and having also a forwardly extending surface in advance of said cam surface and continuous therewith and disy posed ,in position to extend under the butt surface of a portion of a knitting element which has beenso moved longitudinally and is in said given lateral position, and resilient means tending to swing said portions into said lateral positions when they are moved longitudinally to a position wherein said butt surfaces may be juxtaposed with 10 said forwardly extending surface of said cam member.

VINCENT LOMBARDI.

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