US2161550A - Yarn laying mechanism for straightbar hosiery machines - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1939. A w. MUTCHLER 6 IARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT-BAR HOSIERY MACHINES Filed Aug. 13, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ArTh ur W. MuTchler ATTORNEY June 6, 1939- A. w. MUTCHLER 2,161,550

YARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT-BAR HOSIERY MACHINES I Filed Aug. 15, 1932 4 Sheeis-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

June 6, 1939- w. MUTCHLER 2,151,550

YARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT-BAR HOSIERY MACHINES' Fi led Aqg. 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ArTllur \A/ MUTBI-IIEr BY M Aw TTORNEY June 6, 1939. A, w. MUTCHLER 2,161,550

YARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT-BAR HOSIERY MACHINES Filed Aug. 13, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NTOR Arfhur MuTnhler BY m WWRNEY Patented June 6, 1939 YARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT- BAR HOSIERY MACHINES Arthur W. MutchIerrBangor, Pa., assignor to Julius Kayser 8t 00., New York, N. Y.

Application August 13, I932, Serial No. 628,672

39 Claims.

This invention relates to straight bar hosiery machines and, more particularly, to machines for the manufacture of full fashioned stockings and.

to multiple yarn laying mechanism for successively laying or feeding a plurality of independent yarns in a regular, predetermined, repeated se- -quence.

At present, it is usual in knitting the main portion of a full fashioned stocking to employ a single l0 thread carrier, the carrier being caused to reciprocate in the normal manner to lay a single thread in the repeated knitting of course after course of the stocking.

The principal object of the present invention resides in the provision of a mechanism incorporated in a full fashioned stocking knitting ma- Q chine consisting of devices that are so designed and operated that three independent yarn carg riers are successively operated in repeated sequence for knitting single courses from independent yarns, accomplished by manipulating said devices in a manner that the three yarn carriers are operated one at a time successively,

this cycle of operation being repeated over and as over again in the knitting of the stocking.

An'objectof my invention is to provide means operated in proper time relation with operative parts of a full fashioned knitting machine whereby a plurality of independent threads, prefer -ably three, are successively laid into knitting position in regular orderQand this order repeated asoften as required in the knitting of the stocking so that each individual thread recurs only in every third course of the stocking with the re- I -.35 suit that a variation in thickness of one of the threads will not result in an apparent irregularity in' the appearance and thickness of the stocking, as is the case when a single thread is employed.

'40 Another object of my invention resides in the construction and association of the parts ofthe mechanism whereby three yarn carriers will be successively manipulated and this cycle of operation-repeated any desired number of times, the devices being operated directly from a power element of the knitting machine without the use of a pattern chain.

A further object of my invention is to provide automatic means whereby a plurality of thread carriers are automatically put into and out of operation in a regular predetermined successive order, which order is repeated over and over so as toautomatically lay a plurality of threads ina repeated sequence, operating the automatic 45 means directly from the slur bar device of the heretofore in use.

with these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims it being understood-that various changes maybe 10 made in the construction, arrangement and operation without departing. from thespirit of theinvention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. a v

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the mechanism adapted for thelaying of three'separate threads, and showingfcertain parts of the knitting machine to which it is attached.

Figure 2 is a side view looking on the righthand side of Figure 1 and showing certain parts of the machine in cross section.

Figure 3 is a detail view showing apart-of the appliance in the imperative position.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation showing part of the mechanism for selectingthe thread to be laid. as

Figure 5 is a detail view, in front elevation. showing the engagement of the operating means with one of the carrier rods.

Figure 6' is a view showing 'a portion of a fashioned stocking having-three similaror con- 30 trasting. threads laid inregular succession by the slur bar of a well known form ofhosiery 3a knitting machineiFigme' 2a is a diagrammatic view of the gear connection between the Coulier motion and the main cam shaft. 0

1 JI'his invention was particularly designed for the production of that type of stocking set forth 40 and described in the patent to Kaufman Number 1,969,307, wherein is illustrated and described the so-called ringless type of stocking knitted from three separate and independent yarns, each of which is laid for a single course only, until the series of three yarns has been laid, and then this sequence of laying three separate yarns is repeated through the knitting of the stocking, thereby distributing irregularities in thickness of the threads in a manner to eliminate rings in the b0 finished, dyed stockings.

Although the patent to Kaufman referred to illustrates and describes the stocking and method of making the same and, further, illustrates inv the drawings two yarn carriirs atone end of the machine and one yarn carrier at the other end of the machine, great difliculty was experienced in the initial production of the Kaufman stocking, chiefly due to the mechanical operation of a straight bar knitting machine and the necessity of directly operating from a power member of the knitting machine each of the three carriers, one

at a time, successively, and then repeating this.

full desired results, not only as to operation, but

in the production 01' a perfect stocking incorporating the Kaufman invention. Certain of these striping attachments would produce washboard effects in the stocking, and others would create undesirable selvedge defects, while others would produce other undesirable knitting defects.

The fabric shown at Figure 6 of the drawings illustrates the type of fabric covered by the Kaufman Patent No. 1,969,307 and is knitted in the usual way, except that three thread carriers are employed to lay three individual threads. In forming the fabric the thread I is laid by its carrier from right to left so as to form the course a, and thread 2 is then moved to the right so as to lay course b, and the thread 3 is then moved to the left to lay the course 0, after which the thread I is moved to the right to lay the course d, and the operation is thus continued. The mechanism is designed for adaptation to various types of flat knitting machines and in one of its forms is illustrated and described as associated with those well known types of full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines incorporating a main cam shaft, a slur bar, a friction rod, a friction box, driving mechanism between the slur bar, friction rod, and main cam shaft, and adjustably mounted sets of stops for variably controlling the distances of travel of the carrier rods. It is well known in such types of machines that the slur bar and friction rod have a uniform stroke and the fric-.

tion box has frictional engagement with the friction rod to allow the yarn carriers to travel variable distances under control of the associated stops.

Referring to Figures 1a and 2a, there is illustrated a "Reading type of Coulier mechanism for establishing a drive connection between the slur bar and the main cam shaft'of the knitting machine. As is well known, the friction rod of the knitting machine is operated cojointly with the slur bar by the Coulier mechanism. Broadly stated, this type of Coulier mechanism consists of a roller cam B having a bevel gear connection C with the main cam shaft A and this roller cam B actuates the rollers D carried by the link mechanism E that is connected to a slide F directly attached to the slur bar 9.

The rotary motion of the cam shaft A is con-, verted into reciprocatory motion by the Coulier mechanism so that the slur bar is given rectilinear movements in opposite directions for the operation of the carrier rod selecting mechanism in the manner hereinafter set forth.

Thus it will be appreciated that the selecting mechanism receives its power from the main cam shaft A of the knitting machine due to the fact that the friction rod as well as the slur bar receive their power from the main cam shaft A.

In other words, the main cam shaft is the prime mover or power'device for furnishing power for the operation of the carrier rod selecting and operating mechanism.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, 4 is the usual rock shaft for the narrowing mechanism, 5 is the bed which supports the usual carrier rods 6 while 1 is the usual friction rod, 8 is the usual slur-cock guide bar, and 9 is the usual reciprocating slur bar. The shaft 4 is adapted to operate in the usual manner, but serves also as a guide for this mechanism and in no way affects the operation thereof. The friction rod 1 is reciprocated by the Coulier mechanism in the usual way, thus causing the mechanism to reciprocate in the manner hereinafter described, and to impart motion to certain of the carrier rods 6. The slur bar 9 is also reciprocated in the usual manner and actuates the thread selecting mechanism in the manner hereinafter set forth.

The mechanism comprises a friction box I0 which is mounted on the friction rod 1 and has an extension H which fits over the shaft 4 and is guided thereon by means of a lower plate or bridge-piece I2 secured to the part II, and the box l0 may move freely upon the shaft 4 while being held in frictional contact with the rod I by a frictional device of the form well known in connection with the yarn laying mechanism of such machines.

Mounted on the box I0 is a rod I3 which servesas a fulcrum for three swinging arms I4 mounted in slots l5 in the said frame and arranged to extend over certain of the carrier rods 6.

One end of each arm 14 is connected by means of a spring is with a band I! rigidly secured to the box III, while the opposite end of each arm is formed with a latch member l8 for engagement with a recess IS in a bracket 20 secured on one of the carrier rods 6; and the arms I4 are of different lengths so that they correspond to the positions of the rods 5 with which they cooperate.

Each of the brackets 20 may have secured thereon a carrier arm 2| of any suitable or well-known type for laying the yarn in knitting position and all the carrier arms 2| are so constructed and yarn delivery ends of these carrier arms are parallel, and in close proximity, to each other so that all three yarns are laid in proper position with relation to the needles and the sinker-s.

On each arm l4 the latch member I8 is pressed downwardly by means of a flat spring 22 mounted on the upper face of said arm, so that a latch member l8 may yield against the action of its spring 22 in the event of an arm l4 being moved downwardly at a time when the recess 19 is not in proper position to receive the latch l8 as is the case when a stocking is being narrowed, and when the path of the yarn carriers is varied from time to time. Under these conditions the latch l8 rests upon the upper ledge of the bracket 20 and moves into cooperative position only after the friction rod 1 and the arm l4 have moved into vided with an adjustable stud 25, which is fitted in a screw-threaded hole in the arm and is secured by means of a lock-nut 26. Adapted to'engage each of the studs 251s a cam ,wheel 21 having a series of raised parts 23 and intervening re cesses 23. These three wheels 21 are secured to a shaft 36 to which is also secured a ratchet wheel 3| adapted to be operated by a pawl 32 carried by a lever 33 and having a spring 46 for ensuring engagement with the teeth of the ratchet. The lever 33 is freely mounted on the said shaft 36 and has a slot 34'for engagement with a pin 35 on a vertical slide bar 36, .which latter is suitably guided in the frame l6 and in a depending sleeve 43. The bar 36 carries at its lower end an operating roller 31 nd at its upper end has a spring 33 by means 0 which it is drawn downwardly to hold the roller 31 in contact with an operating rail in such manner that vertical movement of the bar 36 imparts a swinging motion to the lever 33, so that the ratchet 3| and the shaft 36am moved step by step.- The raised portions 23 on each cam wheel 21 are arranged in staggered relation to the corresponding parts in adjacent wheels, and the arrangement is such that the stud of one arm I4 is raised while the similar studs of the other two arms are held down under the action of the springs l6 in such manner that one latch I6 is brought into ,operative position while the other two remain inactive, and by proper arrangement of the raised portions 28 on the cam wheels 21 the arms l4 are selected in proper sequence. for the roller 31 each project outwardly from a Two guide rails 33 V block 46 secured on the slur-bar 3, by means of set pins 4|, and these blocks 46 are formed with opposed inclined surfaces 42 so that the bar 36 may be allowed to descend under the action of its spring 36 and may be raised against the action of such spring while the pin in the slot 34 imparts swinging movement to the lever 33 and thus imparts a step-by-step motion to the ratchet 3|.

Attention is called to the fact that the heretofore described mechanism with the exception of blocks 46, is directly supported upon and is carried by the friction box |6 so that in the frictional movement of the box I6 by the friction rod 1, the mechanism will reciprocate with the friction box. This arrangement assures the proper engagement and disengagement of the arms M with the yarn carrier bars in the repeated sequenceof travel for single courses and, further, assures the proper positioning of the operating roller 31 in relation to the blocks 46 when the slur bar reaches either of its extreme positions.

In the ordinary operation of a full-fashioned hosiery. knitting machine, reciprocating motion is imparted to the friction rod 1 and also to the slur bar 3 by the Coulier mechanism and the arrangement of the blocks 46 and rails 33 on the slur bar 3 is such that during the motion of a carrier rod 6 with its arm H by the friction rod 1, the roller 31 is retained in its upper position by engagement with the surface of one of the rails 33 and after completion of this yarn laying movement, the further continued motion of the slur bar 3 brings the blocks 46 lntolsuch a position that the roller 31 rides down one of the inclines 42 and up the other incline 42 of the associated block 46 thereby causing the pawl 32 to actuate the ratchet wheel 3| for adjusting the selecting mechanism to disengage from its previously engaged carrier rod and engage the next carrier rod that is to be operated for laying the yarn. Thus it will be appreciated that a carrier rod comes to rest before the arm I4 is disengaged therefrom and another arm moved into engagement with another carrier rod.

In order to permit disconnection of this yarn laying mechanism as and when desired, one of the arms i4 is provided with a latch member 43 (see Figs. 2 and 3) mounted between brackets 44 on the upperpart of the arm l4 and having a crank 45 for convenient manipulation by hand, so that the latch 43 may be turned from the position shown at Fig. 2 into that shown at Fig. 3 in order to raise the spring 22 which has a slotted forked end in engagement with side grooves 41 in an upper extension 48 in the latch member l8 for engagement with one of the recesses l3. To render this mechanism inoperative the pawl 32 is disengaged from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 3| by swinging it in a counter-clockwise direction and as one of the three latches l3 has thus been put out of operation the appliance remains inactive and no step-by-step motion is imparted to the ratchet wheel 3| and the appliance remains inoperative with the arm that is equipped with the latch-out device 43 in position to be brought into operation as and when desired.

In setting up the mechanism for the operation thereof, two carriers 2| arranged at one selvedge edge of the fabric, and one carrier 2| is arranged at the other selvedge edge, and for the purpose of illustration, arrange two carriers 2| at the left selvedge edge of the fabric illustrated in Figure 6, and arrange the third carrier 2| at the right selvedge edge of the fabric. The knitting machine is then put into operation with the mechanism set to engage one of the arms M with one of the yarn carriers at the left of the machine, and this yarn carrier, engaging with the mechanism at the left of'the machine, is moved to the right to form a single course. .When this has been accomplished, the mechanism is manipulated to engage the yarn carrier at the right of the machine, which is moved to the left to form a second single course, and when this his been accomplished, the mechanism is again manipulated to engage the remaining yarn carrier at the left of the fabric and move' the same to the right to form a third single course, and this sequence of operation of the three carriers is repeated over and over, to complete the knitting of the fabric.

To accomplish this repeated sequence of travel of the three yarn carriers, the three arms H, are thrown into and out of engagement with the carrier bars 6 in a repeated sequence, accomplished in the following manner: As the slur bar 3 reaches its limit of travel, following the complete laying of the yarn, for the formation of a single course, the blocks46, acting upon roller 31, will lower and elevate the slide bar 36 for giving movement to the pawl 32 which, in turn, gives the desired movement to the'ratchet 3| for changing the relation of the raised portions 26 of the cam wheels with the arms l4 so that the arm previously engaged with a. yarn carrier bar is raised and an associated arm moved into engagement with a carrier bar. After this has been accomplished, movement of the friction rod 1 carries with it the friction box l6 and the arms supported thereon, so that the arm |4- engaged with the carrier bar, will move the latter the required distance to lay the yarn for the forming of a full course. when this has been accomplished, the mechanism again functions as just described for disengaging the second mentioned arm from its yarn carrier and moving into engagement with another yarn carrier the third arm 14- for performing a yarn laying operation.

I wish to 'call particular attention to the fact that my yarn laying mechanism operates directly ofi'a power member of the knitting machine, such as the slur bar, or any other power member of the knitting'machine, without the interpositioning of a pattern chain; This is accomplishedthrough the use of the cam wheels that are provided with a uniform arrangement of raised cam portions 28, the cam wheels being operated directly from the power member of the machine to have a continuous movement in one direction for causing the carrier bar engaging arms to be successfully operated in predetermined sequence, this cycle of operation being repeated over and over again. I also wish to call attention to the fact that through the use of an independent control arm for each carrier bar, each carrier bar individually can be moved its full length of travel and effectively held against rebound when the same reaches its full length of travel, as the design and corelation of the various parts, including the cam wheel, is such-that the arm does not disconnect from its associated carrier bar until the carrier bar comes to rest.

Rebounding of the carrier bars is further prevented due to the fact that the arms I 4 are directly mounted on the friction box and, therefore, a certain amount of frictional pressure is brought to bear against the arms for frictionally holding the carrier bars against their associated stops when reaching their limit of travel.

Although the drawings and the above speciflcation disclose the best mode in which I have contemplated embodyingmy invention, I desire to be in no way limited to the details of such disclosure, for in the further practical application of my invention many changes in form and construction may be made as circumstances require or experience suggests without departing from the spirit of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

L'Yarn-laying mechanism for straight-bar hosiery machines comprising a plurality of arms for cooperation with a plurality of the usual yarn carrier rods, means for automatically and positively moving the arms into and spring means for moving them out of operative relation with said rods, a selector for retaining all but one of said arms in the inoperative position, means for automatically operating the selector to bring the arms into operative position ina predetermined sequence, and means for preventingone of the arms from cooperating with its rod.

2. Yarn-laying mechanism for straight-bar hosiery machines comprising a reciprocating member, a plurality of carrier-rod actuating elements pivoted on said member, cam means for selectively moving said elements into and spring means for moving the same out of operative position aftermovement of a carrier rod in either direction, spring latch devices on said elements for engaging said rods and means for disengaging one of said spring latch devices.

3. In yarn-laying mechanism of the character I described, a selecting device comprising a plurality of cam wheels, lever and spring latch means operated by said wheels for effecting the engagement of the mechanism with the usual carrier rods, spring means for effecting the 'disengagement, and a movable roller and an inclined guide rail for intermittently rotating the cam actuated from said roller for operating the said means for swinging the reciprocating member.

5. Yarn laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine comprising a plurality of arms to operate individual carrier rods, means movably mounted on said arms for engaging said rods, means resiliently urging said engaging means to engaging position, and means to move said arms selectively into and out of positions in which said movable means engage with said rods to lay a plurality of threads in a predetermined sequence.

6. Yarn laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine comprising a plurality of movable elements, means movably mounted on said elements to engage the carrier rods, means resiliently urging said engaging means to engaging position, means normally urging said elements to positions in which said movable means are out of engagement with said rods, and means to move said elements selectively to positions in which said movable means engage said rods.

7. Yarn laying mechanism. for a straight bar frame, a plurality of arms pivoted on said frame on axes parallel to the axis of saidshaft, cooperating recesses and spring latches on said rods and arms for engagement therebetween, cams on said shaft for selectively moving said arms into positions for engagement of said recesses and latches, springs normally urging said arms out of engaging position, and cam means operated by reciprocation of said frame to turn said shaft at each movement of the frame in either direction.

8. Yarn laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine having a plurality of reciprocable carrier rods, comprising a reciprocable frame, a shaft mounted in said'frame with its axis extending in the direction of movement of the frame, a plurality of arms pivoted on said frame on axes parallel to the axis of said shaft, cooperating brackets and spring latches on said rods and arms for engagement therebetween, cams on said shaft for selectively moving said arms into positions for engagement of. said brackets and latches, springs normally urging said arms out of engaging position, a ratchet on said shaft, a lever pivoted on said shaft, a pawl on said lever engaging said ratchet, a reciprocable rod connected to said lever, and cam means operated by movement ment therebetween, cams on said shaft for selectively moving said arms into positions for engagement with said rods, springs normally urging said armsout of engaging positions, a ratchet on said shaft, a lever pivoted on said shaft, a

the machine and one positioned at the other end of the machine, an attachment operated directly off said slur bar for successively operating said three carriers, one at a time for travel of a single course only, and then repeating such cycle of .operation.

11. In "combination with the friction box and slur bar of a full fashioned stocking knitting masequence comprising a plurality of carrier bar engaging elements each independently and movably mounted on said friction box to be carried therewith, and means for selectively and independently moving said arms one at a time into engagement with a carrier bar, said means operated directly from said slur bar in the movement of the latter.

12. In combination with the friction rod, friction box, and slur bar of a full fashioned knitting machine, mechanism for automatically and selectively engaging and disengaging carrier bars for the operation thereof, said mechanism being supported upon said friction box for travel therewith and operated periodically by said slur bar.

13. In combination with the friction rod and friction box of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine adapted to travel in opposite directions for variable distances, a plurality of carrier bar I engaging arms each independently, pivotally mounted on said friction box to move therewith; cam elements for the arms for independently moving the arms individually into engagement with the carrier bars of the knitting machin and connected with said box to travel therewit and automatic mechanism for operating said cam elements from an operating part of the knitting machine in accordance with the variable distances of travel of said friction box.

14. A carrier bar operating attachment for full fashioned hosiery knitting machines, comprising in combination, a power device, a set of yarn carrier bars,- a friction rod} friction box frictionally mounted on said rod adapted to travel in opposite directions for variable distances, a plurality of adjustably mounted armsmounted on said friction box and adapted to travel therewith; operating mechanism for said arms adapted to selectively move said arms into and out of. locking engagement with the carrier bars at the end of travel of said friction box in either direction said mechanism connected to said friction box to travel therewith and periodically operated by said power device in accordance with the variable dis--. tances of travel of said friction box.

15. In combination with the friction rod, friction boxv and slur bar of a full fashioned knitting machine. carrier rod driving means carried by said friction box, mechanism for automatically and selectively engaging and disengaging said with the knitting cycle of driving means with carrier bars for the selective operation thereof said selecting mechanism being operated periodically by said slur bar.

16. In a flat hosieryknitting machine provided with a reciprocable friction rod and a multiplicity of carrier rods, carrier rod driving mechanism comprising a friction device frictionally engaged with said friction rod, carrier rod driving means carried by said friction device, means upon each carrer rod for establishing a driving connection with the driving means,- and selector cams adapted tomove with said friction device and operated from a power member of the knitting machine, for selectively engaging and disengaging the said carrier rod driving means from the connecting.

' means on the several carrier rods.

. 17. In a flat hosiery knitting machine provided 1 with a reciprocable friction rod, main cam shaft, and a multiplicity of carrier rods, carrier rod driving mechanism comprising a friction device rod driving levers pivotally supported upon said frictionally engaged with said friction rod, carrier frictiondevice, means upon each carrier rod for establishing a driving connection with the driving levers, selector elements adapted to move with said friction device and having operative connection with said main cam shaft for selectively engaging and disengaging said carrier rod driving levers from the connecting means on the several carrier rods.

18. In a flat hosiery knitting machine provided with a reciprocable friction rod, a slur bar, and a multiplicity of carrier rods, carrier rod driving mechanism comprising a friction device friction-- ally engaged with said friction rod, carrier rod driving means carried by said friction device, means upon each carrier rod for establishing a driving connection with the driving means, selector cams adapted to move with said friction device and having an operative connection with said slur bar 'to be operated thereby for selectively engaging and disengaging said carrier rod driving means from the connecting means of said carrier rods. I

19. In a flat knitting machine provided with a reciprocable friction rod, carrier rods, and a slur bar, carrier rod driving mechanism comprising a friction device frictionally engaged with said friction rod. a multiplicity of carrier rod driving means carried by said friction device, each of which is engageable with a different carrier rod, means upon each carrier rod for establishing a driving connection with its respective driving means, and means having an operative connection with said slur bar tobe operated thereby and adapted to move with said friction device for independently engaging and'disengaging each of said carrier rod driving means from the concams rotatable with said selector shaft, one in alignment with each finger and engageable there: with to move it in timed relation with the movement of the other fingers, and means having anoperative connection with said main camshaft for rotating said selector shaft in timed relation the knitting machine.

21. In combination with the friction box of a full-fashioned knitting machine adapted for travel in opposite directions for variable distances,'yarn carrier rod operating arms mounted for independent individual movements relative to said friction box and adapted to be carried as a group by said friction box in the travel thereof; means also carried by said friction box to move therewith for selectively operating said arms for independent individual engagement with the carrier bars of the knitting machine; and means for operating said first mentioned means from an operating part of the knitting machine in accordance with the variable distances of travel of said friction box.

22. An attachment for a full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine comprising, in combination: a plurality of yarn carrier rods, a plurality of driving devices one for each carrier rod, driving mechanism for said devices, and means for selectively determining the carrier rod to be driven by its associated driving device, said means including a shaft paralleling the carrier rods, a plurality of independent-cams on said shaft operatively associated with said devices to selectively .control the carrier rods operated thereby, and means for operating said shaft from a movable part of the knitting machine.

23. An attachment for a full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine comprising, in combination: a slur bar, a plurality of yarn carrier rods, a plurality of driving devices one for each carrier rod, driving mechanism for said devices, means for selectively determining the carrier rod to be driven by its associated driving device, said means including a shaft paralleling the carrier rods, a

plurality of independent cams on said shaft operatively associated with said device to selectively control the carrier rodsoperated thereby, and means for operating said shaft from said slur bar.

24. An attachment for full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines comprising, in combination: a slur bar, a friction box, a carrier rod, a driving element for said carrier rod supported by said box,

a cam carried by said friction box and controlling the driving of said rod by said element, and means periodically operated by said slur bar for periodically operating said cam.

25. An attachment for full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines comprising, in combination: a slur bar, a main cam shaft, a friction box driven variable distances by the main cam shaft, a carrier rod, a driving element for said carrier rod carried by said box, a shaft paralleling said carrier rod, a cam mounted on said shaft and carried by said friction box and adapted to operate in any of the positions of said friction box to connect and disconnect said element from said rod, and means operated by said slur bar in any of the positions of said friction box for giving movement to said cam.

26. An attachment for full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines comprising, in combination: a plurality of yarn carrier rods, slidably mounted driving mechanism for said carrier rods adapted to have a selective drive connection with said rods to drive the same variable distances and including a plurality of drive elements one for each rod, a shaft extending lengthwise of the knitting machine, a plurality of rotatable cams one for each element, and adapted to be operated by said shaft for selectively establishing a drive connec-- tion between the elements and said rods, said cams associated with said mechanism to move therewith in the sliding of the mechanism, and

means partially rotating said shaft periodically from a movable part of said knitting machine.

27. An attachment for full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines comprising, in combination: a slur bar, a plurality of yarn carrier rods, slidably mounted driving mechanism for said carrier rods adapted to have a selective drive connection with said rods and including a plurality of drive elements, one for each rod, a shaft extending lengthwise of the knitting machine, a plurality of rotatable cams, one for each element, and adapted to be operated by said shaft for selectively establishing a drive connection between the elements and said rods, said cams associated with said mechanism to move therewith in the sliding of the mechanism, and means partially rotating said shaft periodically from the slur bar of the knitting machine.

28. An attachment for full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines comprising, in combination: a main cam shaft, a friction rod, a plurality of yarn carrier rods, slidably mounted driving mechanism for said carrier rods having a variable drive connection with said friction rod and adapted to have a selective drive connection with said rods and including a plurality of drive elements one for each rod, a shaft extending lengthwise of the knitting machine, a plurality of rotatable cams, one for each element and adapted to be operated by said shaft for selectively establishing a drive connection between the elements and said rods, said cams associated with said mechanism to move therewith in the sliding of the mechanism, and means partially rotating said shaft periodically from the main cam shaft of the knitting machine.

29.'In a fiat full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine provided with a reciprocal friction rod, a. main cam shaft, and a multiplicity of carrier rods, carrier rod driving mechanism comprising a friction device frictionally engaged with said friction rod, carrier rod driving elements pivotally supported by said friction device, means upon each carrier rod for establishing a driving connection with the driving means, and selector eleshaft of said machine, a plurality of yarn carrier bars with yarn carriers thereon, a friction rod, a friction box for connecting the carrier bars with said rod, selector control mechanism carried by the friction box and including an actuating element and a selector positioned by said element for engaging a bar to be traversed, a shaft whereon said element is mounted, a ratchet fast on said shaft, a movable pawl engaging the ratchet, and means subject to governance by said main cam shaft for controlling the motion of said pawl.

31. The combination in a flat knitting machine of a plurality of longitudinally reciprocal thread carrier bars, a variable stroke driving element operable parallel to and for actuation of said bars, means carried by said driving element for selectively coupling said bars thereto, and actuating means for said selective coupling means having constant motion parallel to and in excess of the maximum movement of said driving element.

32. The combination in a flat knitting machine of a plurality of longitudinally reciprocal thread 76 carrier bars, a variable stroke driving element operable parallel to and for actuation of said bars, means carried by said driving element for selectively coupling said bars thereto, and actuating means for said selective coupling means having constant motion parallel to, concurrently with, and in excess of the maximum movement of said driving element.

33. The combination in, a flat knitting machine of a plurality of longitudinally reciprocal thread carrier bars, a friction box for driving said bars, a slur cock bar operable parallel to said friction box, means carried by said friction box for selectively coupling said bars thereto, and means carried by said slur cock par for actuating said carrier bars, driving elements for said bars respectively, driving means for said bars operable parallel thereto and including a plurality of rotary laterally spaced operators provided with a plurality of lugs and intermediate spaces, and means for actuating said operators intermittently for aligning predetermined lugs and spaces thereof with predetermined elements for selectively coupling said bars to said driving means.

36. The combination with a device adapted for driving a plurality of longitudinally reciprocal thread carrier bars of a flat hosiery knitting machine, of a plurality of rotary operators carried by said driving device and respectively provided with a plurality of lugs and intermediate spaces for selectively coupling said device to the carrier rods.

37. The combination with a device adapted for driving a plurality of longitudinally reciprocal thread carrier bars of a full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine, of a pair of rotary operators carried by said driving device and respectively provided with a plurality of lugs and intermediate spaces, a plurality of driving elements associated with the carrier bars and with said rotary operators whereby said lugs and intermediate spaces selectively control the connecting of the carrier rods with said device, and a cam for reciprocation parallel to, with, and in excess of said driving device to actuate said rotary operators.

38. The combination in a flat knitting machine of a plurality of longitudinally reciprocal-thread carrier bars, a friction box drive rod longitudinally reciprocal parallel to said carrier bars, .a friction box mounted on said drive rod, means for connecting the friction box to the carrier bars including a plurality of rotary operators carried by said friction box and provided with a plurality of camming lugs, and ratchet mechanism for intermittently rotating said'rotary operators for selectively coupling said carrierbars to said friction box.

39. In a straight or full-fashioned knitting machine having a plurality of thread carrying rods, a

' friction rod and slur bar; the combination of a slur bar controlled selector operable under the action of the slur bar to selectively engage the respective thread carrying rods, and an operative connection between said selector and friction rod whereby to cause the two to move" together in the operation of the machine. 1 ARTHUR W. MUTCHLER.

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