US2139756A - Single and double cast-off knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 13, 1938. F. J. KERN SINGLE AND DOUBLE CAST-OFF KNITTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I zwm Filed March 11, 1938 Dec. 13, 1938. F. J. KERN 2,139,756

SINGLE AND DOUBLE CAST-OFF KNITTING MACHINE Filed Ma rch 11,-19;58 2 Sheets-Shet g NTOR BY%W%W ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 MAC HIN

Frank J. Kern, BrooklynfN. Y.

Application March 11, 1938, Serial No. 195,212

17 Claims.

This invention relates to knitting machines of the double bed type having a row of double hooked needles reciprocable between the beds by jacks actuated by cams that reciprocate along the beds.

One object of the invention is to provide such a knitting machine having improved means for causing a single or double yarn loop cast-oft by the needles, as desired, with the use of only a single head and a single jacquard for each row of jacks. v

To endeavor to accomplish such results by the use of a double cam carrying head is not feasible. This would require eight latch openers for the needles as against four latch openers for a single head. In knitting machines, a minimum of latch openers is desirable because they are a primary cause of breakage'of the needles. Moreover, in the double head, no unitary cam adjustments for the size of the yarn loops are available nor can movement or adjustment of the cams be accomplished with the high degree of accuracy required for knitting machines. Of course the cams are different in double as compared with the single head. In any event, the double head is not a practical means for obtaining the single and double cast-offs.

By providing a double cast-off for each run of the knitting machine, the speed of knitting is doubled as compared with the use of a single cast-off. But in all knitted goods, it is necessary to knit certain patterns. With a double cast-off machine, these patterns may be produced only of length or other dimension double that required, the pattern being so small that it can be produced only on a single cast-off machine. Hence it is desirable to be able to switch the machine from the single to the double cast-off and vice versa, using the single cast-off where a pattern is being knitted, and the double cast-off where the fabric is being knitted plain at the high speed. I

To accomplish these results, there is a knitting machine having a double head, and eight latch openers, and operative only with the double castoff, but having two jacquards for each row of jacks so as to more flexibly operate the jacks to transfer some of the needles from one bed to another, to thus produce any desired patterns. But this machine is exceedingly complicated and expensive and hence cannot fulfill the need for a knitting machine having a single head and only one jacquard for each row of jacks, and being in general like the ordinary single cast-01f machine in construction.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a knitting machine which shall fulfill the objects and advantages referred to and avoid the drawbacks mentioned.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a knitting machine'having improved means for instantly setting the same accurately for single or double cast-off, and for additionally setting the cams thereof to vary the sizes of the yarn loops I irrespective whether the machine be changed from one kind of cast-01f to another.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved knitting machine as described, which is inexpensive to make and assemble, durable, reliable and efllcient to a high degree in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by thesame reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view showing a single head embodying the invention with the cams set for a double cast-ofi.

Fig.2 is a similar view of one section of said head with the ,cams set for the single cast-off.

Fig. 3 is a similar fragmentary view showingthe cast-01f cams in a different position of adjustment relative to the position of Fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a top plan view of the portion shown in Fig. 3, showing the setting and adjusting mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the mechanism actuated to move one of the cast-off cams into inoperative position.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken on lines 6-6 and 1--| and 8-8, respectively, of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view showing themeans for adjusting and setting all the cams of one section of the head.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are ,best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

-It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated'in several different constructions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, a knitting machine is mentioned herein having two beds, a row of jacks in each bed, a jacquard for the rear row of jacks, and a row of double hoolged needles reciprocatory from .one bed to the other under actuation of the transversely reciprocating-jacks that are operated by a head sliding to and fro along the beds and having cams engaging the jacks, all according to conventionalnpractice;eIn the present invention, the head l5 comprisesa pair of sections I6, I! which are generallysimilar to each other except for minor details that are immaterial to the invention di descriptionmf one head section will therefore apply to the other, except as otherwise stated. It is noted t filthahcaimsiare i-bllilflsllpe oiiri ees lent t b a-11 unimportant 11 .0 the -;.inventio th fflcant par-t ,otthe camstructurehein r i t; and certain movable andsettablefiammieces: Near the centenofthe head sections 15,; *1. provided the; respectivaram ff-EIODYQS. 1 3 which the needles-area.transfer ed ZQmt ment with the jacks at. one bed to engageg ent with the jacks of the other-bed, infthensual man n' ovid d cscillatable Shifting-031111.101m Y xb Qirp e ement of the adjacent... camgroovefor, causing shiftin of the. jacks, inia. conventional mahnfi i-in It isunneoessary todescribelthe details fco chine above referred to because they repre standard practice, and .becausethe; invent; be-zunderstood without more...detai1edediww ion. Immediately at the opposite ends of the usual cam'grooves-M, l9 are,-:.the grooves-= 2 at jch the jacks cause-the needles t0. recei in the hooks. thereon From the grooves F tend the .cam.grooves:-..22 which slope angles toward each other..towardthescenter or the machine .and inwhichathe'. jacks cause;- the -From-the-cam grooves' 25, aceordin needles to begin to casts. off szthe loops 1- provided that the relative travel between theieam. and-.the jacks is such that the jacks are movedraway from the center of the machine, BYMthB: centenotthe machine is meant the: areaabetween athe beds thereof. The casting ofinoperationiis;completed by jacks at the cam grooves 23-which:.lead into the cam groovesz i, 25.- -In the-conventionalsinglecast-offknitting :machines the camrgrooves 2-5 represented the pointof entry-and alsoofidisengagement-of the jacks-relative to-the head, except that certain additionalentrance: and outlet guide groeves were provided, including the oscillatory cam 20, where required. g to my invent-ion; extend the grooves 2fi-which lead-to the grooves 21 at which the jacks causethe needles to again Jay-inyarnfi The-latter grooves in turn-lead to the cam grooves 28 at which-the jacks cause the needles to again cast-01f the yarn loops, the casting offbeing completed at the grooves 29 From the latter extend the inletoutlet grooves 30, 3|.

It Will-beperceived that when the head [5 is set for the double cast-ofi-as ;shown in Fig;--l, the operation at I the series of canr grooves 2 l,- 2 2, 23 is exactly like thatat the series-of cam grooves 21, 2t; and 29, and.- the shape-andloeatioir; of the oneseries may be exactly like that of the other series of cam groovesw Adjustment is sometimes desirable for the size q 5 Each series of cam grooves at the opposite ends of the center grooves I8, I9 may, if desired, be provided with-,a-JnQVable cam portion 32, each, of

which is independently spring actuated by its individual tension coil spring 33, see Figs. 6 and 7, to occupy the positions shown in Fig. 1. These cam, portions. pern1it relative travel of the jacks in the direction indicated by arrow 34; but when the relative direction of travel is as indicated by ,5.eteerain Pa es firi eus ed i wa zi ei s gll ve .pe i i 5 a s he tens on i the spring 33 as shown, irrFig. 3; l'ii eteenwqrsikar t has s tr ve ng t i the left, the left cam portion 32 is moved in aid,

t av in -r w s r1 h he 's e r rQ E QMemer i- We es lt effe me i ee a e li om t gropve 2l. directly,.to,the groo r... se ge-re ime @S @111 a that series of cams at which the cam to lo 3:2 si s mer e wa t; 1 ei therer dstfl. at' thegight endof the-head c se the cast-of! ir mtbe ee istra i s oward; lei-P his! 'versa Th reason for moving. the .cams fl H? e Qt e a ks wedg P i t r. Pi- ..ith h eens ee p s ibility te -W 9 y be thrown from the needle hooks or s the 3. i. rd e i edit. t a rieme e fil me e slot 38 in a iateuprth head g A the tensioh coil springc33 bei n tted a smite; Said Strip end qit es Ma tie-.1: e The setting and adjusting movement of w l ho be $F r-.QQ e wil .denote the first a t-ca el, and nd; cast-off there being "such .th s

qemsieteee iied bf t t ersm t- $5191 M head, section. These oamsCl, are movehl eenera e re e t zach Other Th 9a is movable, only. for loop adjustmenhas slrown n me t 3. d l -..ts

5951 on as shown in 2 so that fno c wilmce r at h s-ea ..I eiher er sih chine will-then cause only a single .,cast .off I or e q rd re t i n h s 9i? .f in qe m sm l' were; 901

'31 and at 'itsother Desirabl thecam flh cz a i emd groovesfiq provided therefor on the. base plate 39...: For; mounting ,these cams l the stri or 4 elements. 42 may bev suitably .affixed. thereto ior movementin the slots 43 formed in, the .base plate 39.'-Connected..,to..each elements, Math i s va tension coil sprin-g 45 securedat its vothernend t0 the base plate 39 at 46. such that the springs 45 tend to individually 21 9. t have moved 'In thatcase, the cams};

Hence the action is m move the cams C l and C2 away from the center of the machine, to keep them in the position shown in Fig. 1.

For the cam Cl, a block 41 may be secured to its rail or guide element 42 so as to be adapted to engage the arm 48 of an actuator 49 to which the guide element 42 of the cam C2 is-afiixed as by the screws 50. In other words, the actuator 49 moves in the direction of movement of the cam C2, and additional guiding action for the actuator 49 may be provided by the guide element or angle strip 5| that is'afiixed to the plate 39. It will now be perceived that if the member 4'! is moved by any suitable means hereinafter mentioned, it will move the abutting arm 48 of the actuator 49, according to Fig. 4, and cause the latter to correspondingly move the cam C2. Thus accuracy is assured in that both cams Cl, C2 will be adjusted exactly alike as shown in Fig. 3, to adjust the size of the loops formed by the needles. As shown in Fig. 9, a bar 52 may have cam portions 53 for simultaneously equally moving both of the members 41, the bar 52 being guided as at 54 for accurate movement and being controlled as by a nut 55 on a'threaded portion of the bar, said nut abutting any fixed part 56. In Fig. 9, the series of cams, including cams Cl and C2 is schematically shown at 51.

In order to move cam C2 to inoperative position, a slide member 58 is guidingly mounted in a casing 59 secured to the plate 39, the limits of motion of the slide member being determined as by a slot 60 in the casing receiving a pin 6| of the slide member. To permit the slide 58 to operate the actuator 49, the latter may'have a pin 63 afiixed thereto and lying in the path of the slide 58. Since the travel of the cam 32 is less than that of the cams CI and C2, the slide 58 is undercut at 64 to abut a plate 65 that is afiixed to the cam 32, and to which the spring 33 is connected. It will thus be apparent that on moving the slide 58 from the position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 5, the slide causes movement of the cams C2 and 32 against the tension of their respective springs and 33, the actuator 49 being moved first and being thereafter accompanied by movement of the cam 32. Upon release of the slide 58, the same and the actuator 49 and the cams referred to are returned to initial position by the several springs.

For actuating both cam series 5'! simultaneously and equally, a bar 66 guided at 6'! may have cams 68 for pushing against theindividual slides 58 of the cam means 5! upon longitudinal motion of said bar as in the case of the bar 52.

It will now be seen that the cams Cl, C2 may be adjusted by the bar 52 for loop size and that the adjusting means is not interfered with by the means for setting cam C2 in inoperative position.

Likewise, it will be noted that cam C2 can be set in inoperative position, and viceversa without affecting the adjustment of the cams Cl, C2 by the bar 52.

Further, it will be observed that cam 32 is moved into inoperative and operative positions together with the cam C2, and when cam 32 is in operative position, its momentary movement to inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 3, is not impeded by its control mechanism.

I claim:

1. A knitting machine comprising two series of needle controlling jacks and cam means for actuating each of said series of jacks, each 'cam means including means for controlling engagement and disengagement of the jacks in course of the travel thereof, each controlling means including a single transfer cam, and a pair of movable cast-ofi cams adjacent each end of said controlling means arranged so that one or the other of said pairs of cams actuates the jacks to cause the needles to cast off yarn loops according as the jacks are traveling in respectively one or an opposite direction, one pair of cams being inclined oppositely to the other pair of cams, an intermediate cam portion between the cams of each pair, movable to cause a difierent path of the jacks when the latter pass in noncast-ofi direction relative to a pair of cams, and means to move one cam of each of said pairs of camsto a position inoperative for causing the cast-ofi actuation of the jacks.

2. A knitting machine according to claim 1, including means independent of the last mentioned means for setting both pairs of cams to vary the path of the jacks to cause the latter to actuate the needles so as to adjust the size of the yarn loops formed, whereby one or both of a pair of cams can be set to loop adjusting position according as one or both of a pair of cams are in cast-ofi causing position.

3. A device including a double bed knitting machine of the type having a single series of double hooked needles reciprocable between the beds, a longitudinal series of jacks for each bed movable therealong, each bed having a transfer cam at which the jacks engage and release the needles, 2. pair of cams along the bed adjacent to each end of the transfer cam, the cams of each pair being alike and being generally at right angles relative to the cams of the other pair, one cam of each pair being movable to operative and inoperative position to actuate the jacks to cause the needles to cast off yarn loops according as the jacks travel in a predetermined direction relative to a pair of cams, both cams of each pair being settable to vary the path of the jacks to actuate the needles to control the size of the yarn loops, and means for moving one of each pair of cams to inoperative position, including means for equal- 1y setting one or both cams of each pair according as one or both of each pair of cams are in operative position.

4. In a knitting machine of the type having double hooked needles reciprocable between two beds having jacks for actuating the needles, the combination with a first cast-01f cam, of a second cast-oh cam, said cams being adjustable, the second cam being movable to inoperative position, an intermediate guide cam between said cams, the intermediate cam being movable to inoperative position, and means for adjusting the first and second cams equally and for moving the second cam and the intermediate cam to inoperative position without affecting the adjustment of the first cam.

5. In a knitting machine of the type having double hooked needles reciprocable between two beds having jacks for actuating the needles, the combination with a first cast-off cam, of a second cast-o1? cam, said cams being adjustable, the second cam being movable to inoperativeposition, an intermediate guide cam between said cams, the intermediate cam being movable to inoperative position, the intermediate cam being automatically yieldingly movable to operative position and being movable by a jack to inoperative position, and means for adjusting the first and second cams equally and for moving the second cam and the intermediate cam to inoperative position without affecting the adjustment of the first cam, said means cooperating with the intere mediate cam to permit the same to be automatically-and-jackeoperated as stated in the operative position of the intermediate cam, and said means coacting with the second cam to, maintain it in the said position of adjustment upon return of the second cam to operative position.

6. In a. knitting machine of the type having double hooked needles reciprocable between two beds having jacks for actuating the needles, the combination with a first cast-off cam, of a second cast-off cam, said cams being adjustable, the second cam being movable to inoperative position, an intermediate guide cam between said cams, the intermediate cam being movable to inoperative position, the intermediate cam being automatically yieldingly movable to operative position and being movable by a jack to inoperative position, a setting means for moving the second cam to operative and inoperative positions, said setting means releasably coacting with the intermediate cam to move the same to inoperative position, an adjusting means coacting with the first cam and releasably with the setting means and being movable in one direction to adjust the first cam together with the second cam, the setting means being movable in said direction beyond the adjusting position to move the second and intermediate cams to inoperative position without affecting the adjusting means, the setting means being movable in opposite direction to, the position of adjustment of the adjusting means.

'7. In a knitting machine of the type having double hooked needles reciprocable between two beds having jacks for actuating the needles, the combination with a first cast-01f cam, of a second cast-off cam, said cams being adjustable, the second cam being movable to inoperative position, an intermediate guide cam between said cams, the intermediate cam being movableto inoperative position, the intermediate cam being automatically yieldingly movable to operative position and being movable by a jack to inoperative position, a setting means fixedly connected to the second cam for moving the same to inoperative position, a spring for moving the second cam to operative position,an actuator for moving the setting means and the intermediate cam difier-.

ent distances to their respective inoperative positions, the intermediate cam being releasably engageable with the actuator so as to be movable to inoperative position independently of the actuator, an adjusting means for adjusting the first cam and for releasably engaging the setting means to move the second cam toadjusted position against the tension of said, spring, another springtending to oppose the adjusting movement of the first cam, said setting means being movable beyond the adjusted position to move the second cam toinoperative position.

8. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of doublehooked needles movable betweentwo beds of jacks along which is movable a single cam head for. the beds, having a needle transfer cam and a cast-off cam, the combination. with the first cast-off camofa secondlcast-ofi cam parallel to the first cast-off cam, the first and second cast-off cams being adjustable to adjust the yarn loops, the second cast-ofi cam being movableto inoperative position, a setting means for moving the second cam to operative and inoperative positions, an adjusting means movable in one direction ,to adjust the firstcam, the adjusting means releasably coactingwith the second cam to adjust the lattertogether with the first cam, thesetting means being movable in said direction be yond the adjusting position of the adjusting means to move the second cam to inoperative position without affecting the adjustment of the first cam, the setting means being movable in opposite direction to the position of adjustment of the adjusting means whereby the latter adjusts the second cam upon return of the second cam to its operative position.

9. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of double hooked needles movable between two. beds of jacks along which is reciprocable a single cam head for the beds, having a single needle transfer cam and a cast-off cam, the combination with the single transfer cam and the first cast-off cam of a second cast-off cam parallel to the first cast-off cam, both cast-off cams being at one side of the transfer cam, the second cast-oh cam being movable to inoperative position, and means for moving the second castoif cam between operative and inoperative positions. 7

10;. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of double hooked needles movable between two beds of jacks along which is reciprocable a cam head for the jacks, the combination of a single reciprocable head having a single jack transfercam, and a pair of cast-ofi cams at each. end of the transfer cam, the cams of each pair being generally parallel for successive like cast offs.

11. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of double hooked needles movable between twolbeds of jacks along which is movable a single cam head for the beds, having a needle transfer cam and a cast-on cam, the combination with the first cast-off cam of a second cast-off cam parallel to the first cast-off cam, the second castoiT cam being movable to inoperative position, means for moving the second cast-off cam be tween operative and inoperative positions, a movable ca-m intermediate of the first and second cams, said intermediate cam having operative and inoperative positions to-cause-the jacks to follow differentcarn paths, means for yieldingly urging the intermed-iatecams to operative position, and means releasably acting between the intermediate cam and the first mentioned means to cause thelatter to move the intermediate cam to inoperative position together with the second cam, said intermediate cam in the operative position thereof being momentarily movable by a passing jack to inoperative position without affecting the first mentioned means.

12. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of doublehooked needles movable between two beds of jacks along which is reciprocable a cam head for the jacks, the combination of a 13. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of double hooked needles movable between two beds of jacks along which is reciprocable a single cam head for the beds, having a single needle transfer cam and a cast-off cam, the combination with the single transfer cam and the first cast-off cam of a second cast-off cam parallel to the first cast-off cam, both cast-off cams being at one side of the transfer cam, the second cast-off cam being movable to inoperative position, and means for adjusting the cast-off cams equally and for holding the second cast-01f cam in inoperative position without affecting the said adjustment, so that the inoperatively positioned cam is in adjusted position upon being returned to operative position.

14. A knitting machine comprising two series of needle controlling jacks and cam means for actuating each of said series of jacks, each cam means including means for controlling engagement and disengagement of the jacks in course of the travel thereof, each controlling means including a single transfer cam, and a pair of castoff cams adjacent each end of said controlling means arranged so that one or the other of said pairs of cams actuates the jacks to cause the needles to cast ofi" yarn loops according as the jack-s are traveling in respectively one or an opposite direction, one pair of cams being inclined oppositely to the other pair of cams, and an intermediate cam portion between the cams of each pair, movable to cause a different path of the jacks when the latter pass in noncast-oif direction relative to a pair of cams.

15. A knitting machine comprising two series of needle controlling jacks and cam means for actuating each of said series of jacks, each cam means including means for controlling engagement and disengagement of the jacks in course of the travel thereof, each controlling means including a single transfer cam, and a pair of cast-off cams adjacent each end of said controlling means arranged so that one or the other of said pairs of cams actuates the jacks to cause the needles to cast 01f yarn loops according as the jacks are traveling in respectively one or an opposite direction, one

pair of cams being inclined oppositely to the other pair of cams, and an intermediate cam portion between the cams of each pair, movable to cause a different path of the jacks when the latter pass in noncast-oif direction relative to a pair of cams, and like cams of each pair of cast-01f cams being movable to inoperative position.

16. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of double hooked needles movable between two beds of jacks along which is movable a single cam head for the jacks, the combination of a single transfer cam and a pair of parallel cast-01f cams at each side of the transfer cams, one pair of cast-off cams being at an angle to the other pair of cast-off cams, a first cast-01f cam of each pair nearest to the transfer cam being relatively permanently fixed, and the second cast-oil cam of each pair being movable to inoperative position.

1'7. In a knitting machine of the type having a row of double hooked needles movable between two beds of jacks along which is movable a single cam head for the jacks, the combination of a single transfer cam and a pair of parallel cast-ofi cams at each side of the transfer cams, one pair of cast-01f cams being at an angle to the other pair of cast-off cams, a first cast-off cam of each pair nearest to the transfer cam being relatively permanently fixed, and the second cast-off cam of each pair being movable to inoperative position, and an intermediate cam between the cams of each pair of cast-off cams, said intermediate cams being movable to and retained in inoperative position together with the second cast-off cams, and said intermediate cams being movable to and fro between operative and inoperative positions when the second cast-off cams are in operative position, said to and fro movement of the intermediate cams being in accordance with the direction of movement of the cam head.

FRANK J. KERN.

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