US2164337A - Knitting machine and method of producing stockings thereon - Google Patents

Description

July 4, 1939. H. M ADAMS 3 KNI'ITING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING STOCKINGS THEREON Filed Dec. 1, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 E] El INVENTOR.

1 HEIITH M Adam-1E.

ATTO R N EYS.

July 4, 1939. MCADAMS 2,164,337

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING STOCKINGS THEREON Filed Dec. 1, 1-954 11 Sheets-Sheeg 2 INVENTOR.

Harrg ITAETamEI.

w wig M ATTORNEYS.

July 4, 1939. 2,164,337

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING swocxmss THEREON H. MCADAMS 7 Filed Dec. 1, 1954 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 m a x m. x Kw o oocoooo QMN WM.

oaoooocooooocoooo Herr M AHamEL INVENTOR.

H. 'M ADAMs 7 Jul 4,1939.

KNITTING MA'Cl-IiNE AND METHOD OF PRobucmG s'rocxmes THEREON I 11 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed Dec. 1, 1954 INVENTOR.

July 4, 1939. HI. McADAMg 2,164,337

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING STOCKINGS THEREON Filed 'Dec. l, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 I: INVENTOR. E'EI'I' M Adams ATTORNEYS.

July 4, 1939. H. MCADAMS KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING S TOQKINGS'THEREON Filed Dec.. 1, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 K n o i INVENTOR.

v ATTORNEYZ July 4, 1939. H MCAD S 2,164,337

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING STOCKINQS THEREON Filed Dec. 1, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 aen 'gz iq qls I p/ca xr 'es of 114s #d/ader 1Q 15%%:i/e;borf uflcy/lrner r r fl J E1 i l.

INVENTOR,

. Harr P IEAdam-a ATTORNEY.

July 4, 1939. H. M A'DAMS 2,164,337

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING STOCKINGS THEREQN Filed Dec. 1, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 ay/lkder need/e5,

Q Q Q Q INVE TOR.

Harry M Ems.

July 4, 1939. MCADAMS 1 2,164,337

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING STOCKINGS THEREON Filed Dec. l, 1934 ll Shets-Sheet 10 July 4, 1939. H, MOADAMS 2,164,337

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING STOCKINGS THEREON Filed Dec. 1, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet ll 232 jg- 31. Wt uuul u n u u u n n u u n u u u n u u n n n 11 n n u u u n n 1| n n u u n u u u 1| 1| n n n n u u n n u n n u u u IFMIM W II [I II [I II [I H II II II H II [I II II H II II) H II II II II H II II "I! U [I ll ll II II II II IH 420 k 45 m. E; INVENTOR, #0 Harrr m Al-fl'ama.

ATTORN EYS.

Patented July 4, 1939 KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PRO- DUCING STOCKINGS THEREON Harry McAdam. Reading, Pa., assignor to Nolde and Horst Company, Reading, Pa., a corpora- Application December 1, 1934, Serial No. 755,621

43 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in knitting machines.

The primary object of the invention is the 15 but embodying improved means for the continuous knitting of a string of stocking blanks thereon.

A further objectof this invention is the provision of an improved knitting machine capable of knitting either plain or rib knitting with im:-

20 proved means for transferring the stitch loops in order to accomplish either plain or rib knitting.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved automatic knitting machine 25 for the continuous production of integrally connected seamless knitted articles, such as stockings, embodying improved yarn feed features; improved stitch loop transfer mechanism between dial needles and cylinder needles and vice versa;

30 improved yarn take-up mechanism; improved dial mechanism; improved dial needle stitch loop transfer mechanism, and improved means to insure an accurate and practical production of stockings expeditiously andreconomically.

35 Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar refer- 40 ence characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

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

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the improved knitting machine. 9

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken through the cylinder and dial mechanism of the improved knitting machine, showing the relation of sets of dial and cylinder needles with respect.

to eachother and with respect to cam mechanism and transfer implements.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a string of stockings, such as may be produced upon 55 the improved machine, showing a stocking blank having integrally connected and knitted portions of other stocking blanks at the ends thereof.

Figure 5 is a developed view in a plane of the cooperative needle action ofthe improved knitting machine and the association of needles and 5 cams therefor as positioned for the double feed knitting of one and one rib.

Figure 6 is a developed view in a plane of the cylinder needle, jack and cam arrangement in associated relation with certain transfer implements, with the parts positioned as they will appear at the time of stitch loop transfer when going from conventional one and one rib knitting into seven and two rib knitting.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the improved dial cap of the knitting machine showing associated cam control and other parts thereof.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the dial cap shown in Figure '7'.

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the cam groove arrangement of the dial cap for the control of dial needles and transfer implements associated therewith.

Figure 10 is a cross.sectional view taken transversely through the dial cap just above the grooved I plate thereof and looking downwardly.

Figure 11 is an enlarged plan view of the slotted dial bed showing the associated relation therein of the dial needles and transfer bits or implements in position as they will appear at the time of stitch loop transfer from conventional rib knitting to the so-called English rib knitting.

Figure 12 illustrates a series of jacks in a typical arrangement for use under the long butt cylinder needles.

Figure 13 designates a typical series of jacks for use under the short butt cylinder needles.

Figure 14 designates a typical dial needle and bit arrangement used with the short butt cylinder needle set.

Figure 15 designates a typical dial needle and bit set used with the long butt cylinder needle set.

Figures 16 to 20 inclusive designate the cooperative positioning of a dial needle and its transfer bit or member as they will appear for the transferring of a stitch loop from a dial needle to a cylinder needle when it is desired to transfer from rib knitting to plain knitting or partial 5o plain and rib knitting.

Figure 21 designates a typical arrangement of dial needles and'bits cooperating with the short butt cylinder needles.

Figure 22 designates a typical arrangement of 5 dial needles and bits cooperating with the long butt cylinder needles.

Figures 23 and 24 designate cam arrangements for the transfer implements: used with the cylinder needles, respectively in the operative and inoperative positions.

Figures 25 to 28 inclusive show successively the arrangement of cylinder and dial needles and the cooperating cylinder needle transfer implements for the transfer of stitches upon the cylinder needles to the dial needles.

Figure 29 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stitch transferring end of one of the improved transfer implements, showing that it is possible upon a single transfer implement to transfer more than one stitch from a plurality of cylinder needles onto the respectively adjacent cooperating dial needles.

Figure 30 is a fragmentary plan view of the sinker ring of the improved knitting machine, showing the arrangement of cylinder needles and sinkers in association with the transfer implements used with the cylinder needles, etc.

Figures 31, 32 and 33 designate fragmentary developed portions, on a plane, of the lug lay-outs upon pattern drums for. controlling cams and other parts of the knitting machine.

Figure 34 is a cross sectional view through the fabric take-up mechanism associated with the improved knitting machine, which is of the general character of the take-up mechanism set forth in my U. S. Patent No. 1,991,563, but embodying improvements thereover.

Figures 35 and 36 respectively designate conventional and special sinkers employed with the needles of the knitting machine; it being necessary to provide special sinkers such as shown in Figure 36 in cooperation with the cylinder needle stitch transfer implements operating inside of the cylinder.

Figure 37 is a fragmentary side elevation of operating lever mechanism associated with a movable sinker retracting cam, also designated in Figure 30.

Figure 38 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through the dial showing the manner in which the transfer bits are mounted in the dial in relation to the dial needles. In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown but a preferred embodiment of the improved knitting machine, the letter A may generally designate the machine. It includes a frame B; cylinder 0; dial D; dial and cylinder driving mechanism E; a take-up F for tensioning and holding taut the fabric G produced upon the machine.

Generally the machine frame B includes a supporting bed 20* whereon the cylinder C is rotatable. The operating parts of the knitting machine are generally the same as used in conventional United States manufactured knitting machines, such as the Hemphill Company and Scott and Williams Company types. Reference in this connection may be made to U. S. Patent #933,443. Thus, the cylinder C is driven off a main shaft 2|, shown in Figure 2 whereon are positioned the usual gearing including a gear 22 meshing with a gear 23' keyed with the lower end of the cylinder as shown in Figure 3. Suitable means is also provided for driving the conventional "104 gear, shown at 24 in Figure 2 of the drawings, whereon may be positioned suitable lugs or mechanism for intermittently advancing the upper and lower drums 25 and 26 of the pattern control mechanism, as has been described needles 40 and short butt needles 4|.

in detail in my co-pending application Serial No. 666,914, filed April 19, 1933 as a division 9f my above identified co-pending application Serial No. 558,798, filed August 22, 1931.

The cylinder C is provided with the usual vertically disposed needle and jack guide grooves. At its upper end it has keyed therewith the usual sinker bed ring 2'I whereon the sinkers 28 and 28 are mounted for radial action in the usual web holding manner. They are actuated by cam means upon the stationary cam ring 29, in the usual manner.

The machine is of the independent latch needle type, but it is to be understood that the improved features of the machine are not to be limited in the application to such type of machine except as limited by the scope of the claims. A latch ring 3|] is pivotally supported at 3|, shown in Figure 2, upon suitable bracket mechanism attached to the frame of the machine. This latch ring in the present invention supports the dial mechanism and the main or auxiliary yarn feeds.

The cylinder needles as well as the dial needles are of the hook and pivoted latch type. The set of cylinder needles H are divisible into long butt A set of cylinder jacks K cooperate with the needles H for regulating manipulation thereof in order to knit ribbed, plain, variable rib and plain work, and for continuously knitting stockings and transferring from one type of knitting to another.

The dial D has associated therewith a set of dial needles L, shown in Figure 11, which consists of long butt needles 42 and short butt needles 43. In addition the dial needles have associated in the long butt series thereof other needles 44 provided with rearwardly extending upper tails at the inner ends thereof, and the short butt series of dial needles have associated therewith certain other needles 45, shown in Figures 11 and 21, provided with longitudinally extending lower tails at the inner ends thereof.

Associated with the set L of dial needles is a set of dial bits M. These bits or implements coknitting to another, such, for instance, as when.

transferring from rib knitting to plain knitting or English rib knitting.

There are also provided cylinder needle cooperating transfer bits or implements P which cooperate in transferring the stitch loops of the fabric from the cylinder needles to the dial needles in order to change from one type of knitting to another.

The dial D includes the radially slotted rotatable needle supporting bed 50 and the stationary cam plate 5|. This mechanism is supported by a compact bracket mechanism! 52 detachably mounted upon the latch ring 30. This bracket rotatably supports the vertical dial bed drive shaft 53, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, and of course the dial bed is keyed to the shaft 53. The shaft 53 is axially disposed with respect to the cylinder C and has a vertical adjustment through the supporting nut 55.

The mechanism for driving the dial consists of a vertically disposed shaft 56 mounted in the bed of the machine alongside of the cylinder much in the samemanner as the dial drive shaft set forth in my co-pending application Serial No.

- 558,798, and which shaft 56 is driven in the same Figure 3 meshes with a gear 51 keyed with the shaft 56, shown in Figure 2. The shaft 56 extends upwardly above the bed of the machine and its upper end is provided with a gear 66 meshing with a gear 6| attached to the horizontal shaft 62 which is rotatably supported by the bracket 52 above described. The shaft 62 at its inner end is provided with a'suitable gear 63 meshing with the pinion 66 upon, the dial shaft 53, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The pinion 66 is keyed to the drive shaft 56 by means of an adjustment 66, shown in Figure 1 of the dawings, which enables the gear to be circumferentially adjusted with respect 'to the drive shaft 56 in order to permit the dial' to be properly positioned with respect to the cylinder so that the drive of the cylinder and dial synchronizes, and so that the dial and cylinder needles will properly mesh and cooperate during knitting.

Since the latch ring supports more weight than the conventional knitting machine latch ring, due to the mounting of the dial and drive mechanism thereon, in order to properly position the same and stabilize it, a vertically disposed bracket 68 is mounted upon the bed of the machine at the front thereof, shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, provided at its upper end with a seat 69 whereon an extension 16 of the latch ring rests in order to properly position the latter. A suitable detent H may cooperate in holding the latch ring in position on this bracket 68, in addition to the usual latch ring detent I2.

The take-up F is generally the same as set forth in my U. S. Patent No. 1,991,563, including a supporting frame 15 which may be detachably 7 connected to the lower partof the machine frame B, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The revolving frame 16 is rotatable upon the frame 15 and synchronously driven with the cylinder of the machine through gearing driven oif the shaft 56in the same manner as set forth in my said U. S. Patent No. 1,991,563. The revolving frame 16 has the take-up rollers 11, between which the stocking or other tubular article is clamped; these rollers 11 being driven in the same manner as set forth in my said U. S. Patent No. 1,991,563. The drive for the take-up roller 11 includes a clutch 18 which is disengaged when the pull upon the fabric being knitted is such as to raise the frame 16.

As an additional feature to the take-up mechanism I provide a circular track 86 which is vertically movable with respect to the frame 15. The

revolving frame 16 has rollers or supporting wheels 8| which run on the circular track 86.

-' toe, etc.

During heel and toe knitting, and in some cases where plain knitting is resorted to it is necessary to throw the take-up out of action so that it will not pull upon the fabric. Means is provided to throw the take-up out of action onsisting of pins 82 anchored at their upper ends in the track ring 66, as shown in Figure 34, which are reciprocably mounted on the frame 15. A ring-shaped In Figure 4 is illustrated a string of stockings as knitted upon the improved machine. This stringwork is continuously produced upon the machine without the necessity of the operator stopping the machine 'to transfer ribbed tops upon the legs of the stockings. The stockings are preferably knitted commencing with the welt.

In the example shown the stocking includes a welt 96, preferably a French welt; a ribbed top 9|; a leg 92 which may either be plain knitted or which may be combination plain or rib knitting. For instance, it is possible with the improved machine not only to knit the leg plain, but of one and one rib knitting; two and one rib knitting, or any other desired arrangement or proportion of rib and plain wales. In the example shown the leg and instep of the stocking presents an English ribbed effect of seven and two rib, although it can be'appreciated that any desired arrangement and proportion of rib and plain wales may be knitted. The stocking furthermore includes the heel pocket 93; instep 94; sole 95, ring toe 91; toe pocket 98; loopers rounds 99 finished with a selvage I06. Sections I! and I02 of slack and ravel courses may be knitted thereafter before commencing the French welt 96 of of the present invention that these sections I0! and I62 in combination with the take-up mech anism permit an even circumferential pull upon the stitches hung upon the needles of the machine at the time of commencement of the welt and ribbed top of the next stocking to be knitted so that a tightly knitted and elastic rib top may be obtained and a uniform welt knitted.

Referring to the means for transferring stitch loops hung on the dial needles to the cylinder needles, as is necessary when transferring from rib knitting to plain wale knitting, Figures 16 to 20 clearly designate the mechanism and the method. Furthermore this means has been generally set forth in my co-pending application, Serial Number 729,655, filed June 8, 1934. Referring to Figure 9, wherein is shown the 'cam arrangement and butt grooves of the dial cap for controlling the dial needles and transfer bits, the inner groove surrounding the axis of rotation of the the next stocking, and it is an important feature,

dial bed, designated at I65, receives therein the butts of the transfer implements or bits M, and the outer groove I06 receives the butts of the dial needles. I

The bits M are of special construction, having body portions which are relatively deeper than the body, portions of the dial needles, as is indicated in Figures 16 to 20 inclusive, so that the lower marginal portions of the dial bits may ride in individual slots lll'l provided therefor in,tl'1e dial bed 56, as designated in' Figures lland 38 of the drawings, in order to stabilize the position I of the dial bits and prevent their lateral displacement except at the outer transfer end of the-dial bit at the time of transferring. In Figure 38 is indicated the slot I01 wherein the lower marginal portion of the dial bit rides. It is to be noted that the forward end of each dial bit is reduced or'cut away at the lower margin thereof, so as not to interfere with lateral flexing of the extreme end of the transfer bit as when the cylinder needle is passing between the transfer bit and the dial needle when displacing a stitch loop from a dial needle to the cylinder needle, as indicated in Figures 19- and 20.; While the dial bed has a dial needle and its transfer bit disposed'in the same slot, the slot is not recessed as deeply at the portion where the dial needle rides, that is, the lower edge of the dial needle rides at the level I09 indicated in Figure 38. The transfer bit M is curved and offset atits outer end, at IIO, to provide an opening through which the cylinder needle slips, indicated in my above identified application. In order to stabilize the position of the dial needles and the transfer bits, each of the latter is provided with a horizontal lip III at its free end along which the lower margin of the dial needle slides.

In order to transfer the stitch loops from the dial needles to the cylinder needles the dial needles and their transfer bits must be projected in order to position the stitch so that the cylinder needle may be slipped therethrough. To that end a plunger type of cam H5 is mounted upon the dial cap for operation across the transfer bit butt groove I05 for the purpose of engaging said butts of the transfer bits M and projecting the latter radially outward as indicated in Figure 11 of the drawings. This cam I I5 is shown both in Figures 9 and 11 of the drawings. A second cam IIB operates in conjunction with the dial needle butt groove I 06 in order to project the butts of the dial needles into the projecting slot III of the dial cap for the purpose of shedding the stitches hung on the dial needles over the latches thereof in order to effect the transfer action. This cam IIB also comes into play, as will be subsequently mentioned, when using the machine as a double feed machine, since a yarn feed is positioned at this location.

It will be noted from Figures 14, 15, and 11 that the set of transfer bits M are divided into a long butt section and a short butt section. The long butts designated in full black in Figure 11 of the drawings cooperate with the short butt dial needles and the short butt transfer bits cooperate with the dial needles in the long butt section. The long butts of the dial needles are designated in full black in Figure 11. As before mentioned certain dial needles which it is desired to use in the full automatic knitting machine during the knitting of a ribbed leg other than one and one, are provided with tails at their inner ends which extend longitudinally of the needles. These tails may be at different levels, and as shown in Figures 14, 15, and 11, tailed dial needles 44 are provided with upper level tails I2I when used with the long butt dial needles, and tailed dial needles 45 are provided with tails. I20 at the lower levels when used in the short butt dial needle section. All of the needles 44 and 45 are provided with butts of the same height, as indicated in Figures 14 and 15. These special needle butts are very short and indicated with Xs" in Figure 11 of the drawings. As indicatfi in Figures 9 and 11 cams I25, I26, and I21 areprovided for co-action with the tails I20 and I2I of the special dial needles 44 and 45 in order to manipulate them during transfer and other knitting actions as will be subsequently mentioned. The cams I25 and I26 are in position to respectively cooperate with'the tails I2I and I20.

At the main knitting feed the dial cap 5| is provided with a plunger cam I28 operating across the dial needle butt groove I06 for the purpose of directing butts of the dial needles into the projecting groove I29 as when projecting the dial needles for shed of the stitches over the latches and to take the body and other yarns, as will be subsequently mentioned.

Referring to the mechanism for transferring stitch loops from the cylinder needles to the dial needles as is necessary when it is desired to change from one type of rib knitting to another type of rib knitting, or for changing the rib chan-,

neled pattern in a portion of the fabric, Figures 25 to 29 inclusive show details of the mechanism and the sequence of steps. The means for accomplishing such transfer and the co-action thereof with associated cylinder and dial needles, as well as other parts such as cams, is designated in Figures 3 and 6, as well as the above mentioned Figures 25 to 29 inclusive. The transfer implements or members consist of elongated body portions I 40 arranged within the cylinder'C close to the inner periphery thereof in such position as not to interfere with the position of the fabric being knitted. These transfer members are closely arranged aroundthe inner peripheral wall of the cylinder and the bodies I40 are slidably mounted for vertical sliding and lateral tilting in suitably openings I42 and I43 arranged in collars I44 and I45 respectively. Thees collars are shrunk or otherwise fixed in the cylinder C at the lower end thereof and the-openings I42 and I43 permit the vertical sliding of the transfer members and the lateral tilt thereof parallel with the wall of the cylinder, but not radially towards the interior of the cylinder. A spring I46 is provided for each transfer member mounted on the collar I45 and normally urging the transfer member at its upper end in the direction of rotation of the cylinder. The upper ends of the bodies I40 of these transfer members P may be detachably provided with transfer points I48offset radially substantially horizontally at I49 towards the respective cylinder needles with which they co-. operate and thence upwardly at I50 providing spaced lips I5I and I52 which define a channel or groove receiving the cylinder needle therein for sliding co-action therewith. These lips I5I and I52 provide substantially horizontal top surneedles in order to push the stitch loops over the latch of the cylinder needle and catch the stitch loop on the lips I5I and I 52 with the peak I53 inserted in the stitch loop as is clearly designated in Figure 26 of the drawings.

Inasmuch as the dial needles intermesh in the spaces between the cylinder needles it will be necessary to laterally shift the position of the transfer implement P when transferring a stitch hung thereon to a dial needle. This lateral shift of the transfer members is made in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the cylinder and the lip I52 is cut away quite closely at the side thereof in order to permit the close sliding of the dial needle alongside of the transfer point, so as to properly enter the loop, as will be understood from Figure 2'7 of the drawings.

The means for elevating and laterally tilting the transfer implements P is indicated in Figuresspring urged at IG'I to their inner positions.

They are each in the form of anarc and mounted to slide in definite paths by means of a pin and slotconnection in the ring. Their extreme positions are shown in Figures 23 and 24 of the drawings. The cam I65 is intended to be used for moving the transfer implements upwardly at their transfer points on the cylinder needles and the cam I66 co-acts with other cam means in tilting the transfer members for positioning the stitches hung the points thereof into the path of the projecting dial needles.

The cams I65 and I66 have depending pins I10 thereon. The cams are respectively provided with actuating levers Ill and I12 pivoted at the bottom of the ring I60. These levers HI and I12 are connectedthrough suitable connecting links I13 and I14 with levers I15 and I16, shown in Fig ure 2, pivoted at their ends at I11. These levers I15 and I16 rest at their intermediate portions in slots of a bracket I18 and therein are raised and lowered by means of levers I19 pivoted at I80 on the machine. oted at I82 operate on the pattern drum 26 and connected by connecting rods I83 with the levers I19. It can readily be understood that the levers I8! riding along the lugs and in the depressions of the pattern drum 26 will, through the thus described leverage and linkage, actuate the arc acms I65 and I66.

Referring once more to the mountingof th transfer implements P the same at their lower ends are provided with cylindrical shaped beveled feet I90 adapted to ride on the arc cams I65 and I66. Adjacent thereto and below the collar I44 each transfer implement P is also provided with a laterally extending boss I9I. Springs I92 under compression between the bosses I9I and the lower surface of the collar I44 normally urge the transfer members to a position where the seat I90 may engage the cams I65 and I66 during cylinder rotation. It is to be noted that in their downward inoperative position upon the cylinder needles (see Figure 3) the feet I 90 do not contact the cam ring I60. That is true because the horizontal portions I49 of the transfer members rest upon the sinker leveling ring I94, as shown in Figure 3.

The transfer member P has associated therewith a tilting cam I 95 mounted on the collar I44 and depending therefrom, as shown in Figures 3, 26 and 2'7 of the drawings, formed with a beveled surface adapted to contact with the extension I9I of the transfer member to perfect the lateral tilting of the transfer member at its upper end into transfer relation with the dial needle.

The cam I65 in its inner position as shown in Figure 23 permits the foot I of the transfer member to ride upwardly upon the beveled end I91 and thence to the top of the cam I65, moving the point of the transfer member upwardly along the cylinder needle into the stitch, and in cooperative action with certain cam means which controls the cylinder needles, to be subsequently mentioned, transfers the stitch to the point I48 of the transfer implement P, as shown in Figure 26. As the cylinder continues to rotate the foot I90 .rides against the cam I66 moving the transfer implement upwardly sumcient to engage the lateral extension I9I with the cam I95 and laterally tilting the transfer member in its loosely fitting openings I42 and I43 of the collars I44 and I45 respectively in a direction counter to the action of the spring I46, so as to position the transfer points in proper relation with the dial needle upon which the stitch loop is to be transferred. The conventional web holders or sinkers,

A series of levers I8I piv-- as shown in Figure 35 have web holding feet 29% sufficiently long to impede the lateral shifting of the transfer member, and so special sinkers at these locations are provided, as shown in Figure 36 of the drawings, having shortened feet 2Il which do not interfere with the transfer point as the transfer implement is shifted laterally.

As shown in Figure 29 of the drawings a trans-- fer member P may carry a plurality of the transfer points I48, for simultaneously transferring a plurality of stitch loops from the cylinder needles to the dial needles. It is furthermore to be understood that a transfer implement P may be provided for each cylinder needle, or they may be provided in any desired arrangement around the cylinder, since their use may be variable for the knitting of various types of rib knitting, such as one and two, six and three, seven and two, etc.

Referring to the cylinder needle and'jack setup, it'is to be understood that the jack arrangement will vary widely, depending upon the type of knitting which is to be done upon the improved machine. Y and jack sets, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, are arranged for the knitting of one and one rib in the upper of the stocking, and a leg and instep of seven and two rib.

As is shown in Figures 12 and 13 there are six butt levels for the cylinder needle jacks. These jacks are of a conventional type in that they are supplied with six butts and the-butts may be broken off completely at any level or in any fragmentary length. There are three lengths of butts used in the present set-up. The long butts are designated m full black in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, the conventional short butts are designated in blank spaces, and the shortest or stub butts are designated in xs in blank spaces thereon.

During one and one rib knitting, as preferably.-

done for the rib top of the stocking, we employ The developed showing of the needle alternate cylinder needles and all of the dial and 13, in order to simplify the description we may refer to the center jack in each series under the long buttcylinder needles as the #1 jack,

designated at 200, in Figure 12; the jacks at each side of the #1 jack as.#2 jacks indicated by numerals 20I in Figure 12; the next adjacent jacks as #3 jacks designated by numerals 202;

and the next adjacent jacks as #4 jacks designated by numerals 203. In the jacks under the short butt cylinder needles the centerjack of each series may be designated as #5 jack indicated by numeral 206 in the drawings; the next adjacent jacks as #6 jacks indicated by numerals 201; the nextadjacent jacks as #7 jacks indicated by numerals 208; and the next adjacent jacks as #8 jacks indicated by numerals 209; In the jacks under the long'butt cylinder needles except for the #1 and #2 jacks the #53 and #4 jacks alternate from series to series, and in the series of jacks under the short butt cylinder needles except for the #5 and #6 jacks the #7 and #8 jacks alternate between each series.

Main and auxiliary feeds are provided upon the machine. Thus a feed finger 220 is provided at the main feed for feeding a body yarn to the needles. Other feed fingers 22I may be provided for the feeding of such yarns as striping yarns, plating yarns, heel and toe yarns, reinforcing yarns, etc, since the improved machine may be used with different attachments such as plating attachments, yarn wrapping attachments, etc. At this main yarn feed the conventional main knitting cams 22I, 222, 223, etc., are provided, all of which are conventional and need no further description. At the auxiliary feed the yarn feed fingers 224 and 225 may be provided, or more may be provided as found necessary, for the feeding of body, heel and toe, plating, reinforcing, or other types of yarns to the needles. A latch shedding cam 226 may be provided, as part of the auxiliary feed which operates in conjunction with the auxiliary feed knitting cam 221.

Various other cams for manipulating the needles and jacks of the knitting machine are provided, the purpose of which will be apparent during a description ofthe knitting cycle. It is of course understood that conventional and cam mechanism for narrowing and widening are provided, and the usual binding and cutting mechanisms are provided at each of the main and auxiliary yarn feeds, as indicated at 230 and 23I, diagrammatically in Figures 5 and 6.

A power driven brush is provided for throwing open the latches of the dial needles as they are projected at the auxiliary feed of the knitting machine, particularly during the transfer of stitch loops from the dial needles to the cylinder needles. This mechanism is such that the brush can be thrown into or out of action with respect to the dial needles. It is throwninto action to open the latches at the start of rib knitting, but it is not needed during plain knitting. The mounting and control of the power driven brush comprises a supporting frame 23I pivotally mounted on the pick block at 232, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and also in Figure 30. This frame 23I rotatably supports the latch opening brush 233. The frame also supports a shaft 234 which is geared to the brush 233 at 235 and also eared at 236 with the drive shaft 56, as shown in Figure 2. This gearing rotates the brush 233 counter .to cylinder operation. As shown in Figure 30 the frame 23I has an arm 233 actuated by a spring 239 for normally urging the brush 233 into latch opening position. The means for throwing the brush out of action includes a lever 24!! pivoted at 2 on the extension frame of the machine as shown in Figure 2, connected pivotally.

at its upper end to a rod 243 which is slidably supported on a shaft bracing bracket 244 and operating against the finger 238, as shown in Figure 30. The bell crank lever 240 is actuated in an upper slotted end of a plunger member 246 actuated off the lug and depression arrangement on the pattern drum 25*.

The stationary sinker cap 23 is provided with a movable sinker retracting cam 250 which is pulled into action to retract the sinkers at the point where the transfer implements P are laterally shifted to position the stitch loops for transfer from the cylinder needles to the dial needles, as is shown in Figure 30 of the drawings.

This sinker retracting cam 250 is the same as the usual sinker retracting cam on the sinker cap except that it is differently positioned and it is retracted relation. The means for pulling the sinker retracting cam 250 into operation is shown in Figures 2, 30 and 37, and includes a sliding bar 254, having a pin and slot mounting on the upper end of the latch ring supporting bracket 68. )A bell crank lever 255 pivoted at 256 op erates against a pin 251 on the slide bar 254. The bell crank lever 255 has a link connection 251 with an end of one of the levers I8l pivoted as before mentioned at I82 and operable olf the pattern drum 26. It is apparent that a lug on the drum 26 will pull the bell crank lever 255 into position for retracting the sinker cam in order to retract the sinkers during the stitch shifting and transfer operation.

Referring to a more detailed description of the dial cap, the cams thereof and the means for operating the cams, preferably spring actuated plunger cams are provided, as set forth'in my above identified co-pending application, Serial No. 558,798. In order to support the plungers the dial cap 5i has mounted thereon a disc and frame super-structure 263 which vertically slidably supports plungers 26I, 262, 263 and 264 for controlling the vertical movement of the dial cams H5, H6, I21 and I28 respectively. The split cams I25 and I26 for operating respectively upon the upper and lower tails of the special dial needles are oscillatively mounted cams and have a special plunger mechanism for controlling oscillative movement. They are mounted upon shafts 210 and HI respectively, and above the dial cap but below the frame disc 260 these shafts are respectively provided with outwardly extending horizontal arms 21-2 and 213, as shown in Figure 10, spring urged at 214 for normally retracting said cams against the dial shaft and in inoperative position. Supported on top of the frame 260 of the dial cap are plunger shafts 216 and 211 respectively having the lower edges thereof beveled, as shown at 219 in Figure 8 of the drawings and actuable against the arms 212 and 213 respectively for turning the cams I25 and I26 into operative position when said plungers 216 and 21,! are depressed.

Referring further at this time to the binder and cutter mechanism, the main yarn binder and cutter mechanism is mounted upon the dial cap 5| including a spring actuated cutter 250,. a spring actuated binder 2 8I and a drag binder 282.

The binder and cutter mechanism at the auxiliary yarn feed, shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, at 23I is actuated by mechanism controlled off the pattern drum 25. As shown in Figure 2 this mechanism includes a spring urged slide bar 233 having a pin and slot mounting upon the latch ring frame. This slide bar 290 supports an operating lever 29I pivoted at 292 and at its upper end operates against the cutter and binder bar 285. At its lower end the lever 29 is inturned for actuation off va cam'300 mounted upon the sinker ring of the cylinder. Normally the spring retracts the slide bar 290 so that the lever MI is out of the path of travel of the cam 300. However, a lever 30I pivoted at 302 operates against a pin on the slide bar 230 and said lever 30I is controlled by linkage 304 ofi one of the bell crank levers 305 which are pivoted at I andactuated off the pattern drum 25" as above described for the lever 240. The cam actuating plungers upon the superstructures of the dial cap as well as the control feed fingers at the auxiliary feed are actuated by means of suitable levers 3H) pivoted at some part or other upon the frame 52. carried by the I s I 2,184,837

chine and actuated off of the levers I19, which as aforesaid are disposed in individual guide slots at their outer ends in a. bracket I18 and pivoted at their opposite ends at I88. These arms I19 are moved upwardly and downwardly to actuate the plungers 3I I through their connections I83 with the levers I8I; the latter being actuated off the lug and depression arrangement on the pattern control drum 26 and guided at their ends adjacent the pattern control 'drum by suitable slots in the lower end 3I5 of the bracket 3I6 on which the pivot I88 is disposed.

Referring to the sequence of operation of the parts for the knitting of the string of stockings, starting with the French welt, dial cam II 6 is lowered at the auxiliary feed starting with the long butt needles and then the short butt needles in order to project all of the dial needles at the start of the French welt. Alternate cylinder needles are used at this time at the auxiliary feed and the auxiliary feed yarn is fed to all of the dial needles and the alternate cylinder needles which are ordinarily active .during the knitting of one and one rib. Before either web of the French welt is knitted the dial stitch ,cam 3I5, shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, which is pivoted at 3I6, is moved by means 3l5 to increase the length of the dial needle stitches so as to give suflicient slack in the French welt. At the main feed of the knitting machine alter- -nate cylinder needles which are active during rib knitting are elevated by the stitch cam 22I to take the main yarn for starting the outside web of the welt; the knitting being done at the knock-over cam 223. A cam 325 is then thrown into action to operate ,on the butts of the cylinder needles in order to lower them so that the auxiliary feed yarn can then be fed only short butt needles and then the long butt The machine then goes into knittingneedles. one and one rib at bothfeeds. The stitch lengthening cam "3I5 is retracted to shorten the stitches to the usual length. or course-since one and one rib is knitted at both feeds during the knitting of the rib top 9| the stitch cams at both feeds are in operation. I

Changing from knitting the one and one rib top 9I of the stocking to the English rib leg (seven and two rib knitting in the example shown) the cylinder needle cam 325 is pushed in half-way to operate only upon the long butt needles to lower them, that is, the alternate 'cylinder needles which are active during the rib knitting. The jack actuating cam 321 is then pushed in, in order to engage the long #3 butts of jacks 288 and 282 in order to raise the long butt needles thereabove, which are active during rib knitting, so that saidneedles will engage the shedding cam 226. This enables me to continue knitting regular oneand onrib for about three courses in order to give the pattern'controlmechanism time to properly. position the pattern drums. At awut the same time that the cam 321 is thus thrown into action the jack cam 328 is pushed into action to lower-the28l jacks under the long butt cylinder needles and the 281 jacks under the short butt cylinder needles so that these jacks will have their #6 butts in position to miss the elevating cam 329 since these jacks and the needles thereabove are inactive during the knitting of seven and two rib. It is to be noted from Figures 5 and.6 that-the cam 328 engages the #4 butts of these jacks but will miss the #4 butts of jacks 288 and 288,-inasmuch as the latter jacks are slightly elevated; the needles thereabove being active during one and one rib knitting.

It is to be noted that the transfer of the stitch loops from dial needles to cylinder needles when changing from one and one rib to the seven and two rib commences with the short butt cylinder needles, and that a half revolution later the transfer of stitch loops from the cylinder needles to the dial needles in order to produce seven and two ribs starts with the long butt cylinder needles. In order to get the dial needles in position to transfer, the dial cam I25 is then pushed into action to hit the upper tails of dial needles 44 which lie in the long buttdial needle section. This takes place because the dial cam H8 is slightly raised at this time and misses the very short stub butts of the dial I needles 44. At the same time the dial transfer bit controlling cam H5 is moved into action in order to project all of the transfer bits into position to transfer the stitches of the dial needles cooperating therewith on the cylinder needles.

lower tailed dial needles '44 and.l5 for the purpose of. moving them into position to transfer and project them for receiving the yarn at the main feed to produce the English rib knitted fabric. Dialcam I28 is pushed down sufficiently to engage the long butts of the dial needles, but, it misses the short butts and the stub butts of the dial needles. Then the cylinder latch shedding and stitch cams 226 and 221 move out half-way in order to miss the short butt needles. The "cylinder needle cam 325 is pushed in the entire way (it had previously been in only to catch the long butt cylinder needles) and now lowers the short butt cylinder needles. The transfer cam 329 is pushed in, in order to engage the #6 butts cf the jacks 283 and 289, but of course this cam will miss the #6 butts of jacks 2M and 281 inasmuch as they have been previously lowered by the cam 328, as is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. The elevation of these jacks by the cam 329 pushes the alternate cylinder needles which were previously inactive duringthe knitting of one and one rib into position to transfer the dial needle stitches to these cylinder needles. starting with the short butt cylinder needles, as above mentioned. Then the auxiliary feed yarn of the feed finger 224 is brought out of action cut and bound and the main feed yarn is the only not have any butts acted upon by the leveling cam 348 and are .in the same position as elevated by cam 329. Thus, the cam 34I elevates the cylinder needles thereabove to a point above the needle lowering cam 342, so I am able to bury with the cam 342 all of the cylinders that are not used during the knitting of seven and two rib. The jack cam 344 is thrown into position to elevate jacks 200 and 206, starting with the long butt cylinder needle series, in order to shed the loops of the stitches hung thereon beneath the latches, to position the needles above these jacks 206 and 206 for transfer to dial needles cooperating therewith. Of course the cam 344 will also engage the #1 butts of jacks 202 and 208, since these butts are of the same length as the #2 butts of jacks 206 and 206, but the needles above the jacks 202 and 208 will not be'sufliciently elevated by cams 344 to shed their stitches beneath the latches, as can be understood from Figure 6.

Referring now to the actuation of the transfer implements P, the cams I65 and I66 controlling elevation thereof are thrown radially inward together, about half-way, starting in the short butt cylinder needle series just before the first long butt cylinder reaches the bevel of the cam I91. This action elevates the transfer implements under the long butt cylinder needles into the stitches hung on the long butt cylinder needles, that is, only those cylinder needles with which a transfer implement P cooperates (the needles above jacks 200 and 206) Of course the cam I66 acts as above described to raise the transfer implement and tip it in coope'rationwith the tipping cams I95 for positioning the stitch hung on the transfer implement into the projecting path of a the dial needle intended to receive the same.

Prior to the lateral shift of the transfer implement, however, the cam 325 which has been in position to engage both short and long butt cylinder needles will lower these cylinder needles 'with which the transfer implement P cooperates, leaving the stitches hung on the points of the implements P. The center sinker cam 250 is of 'course retracted, as above mentioned. to pull the sinkers out of the way. permitting the shift of the transfer members into position to transfer the stitches to the d al needles. Before the long butt cylinder needles reach them, just prior to transfer, the jack elevating cam 321 is pulled out of operation, as are also the latch shedding and stitch cams 226 and 221. Also dial cam I28 is retracted before the long butt dial, needles reach the same just prior to the transfer action from cy nder needle to dial needle, and the cam II6 comes out half-way in order to miss the short and 2 medium butt d al needles, inasmuch as in this section of needles the transfer from dial needle to cylinder needle has been accomplished. Dial cam H5 is retracted after the transfer from dial needles to cylinder needles has been accomplished in the entire set.

Completing the positioning of the needles for of which have been positioned on the transfer points of the implements P. This cam 342 is shown in the act of burying one of the needles, in 4 Figure 6 of the drawings. The lowering cam 342 first goes in half-way .to catch the long butts above jacks 200 and then the short butt needles above jacks 206, burying these needles during the knitting of seven and two rib. Remember also that the needles at each side of these needles which are buried by the cam 342 have previously been buried, inasmuch as they" are inactive during the knitting of one and one rib.

As is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, just before the jacks are actuated by the aforementioned cams 3 and 350 the transfer implements P are tipped to position the stitches thereon for transfer to the dial needles. The dial needles for this transfer operation are projected by dial cam I21, as is shown in Figure 11 of the drawings. tion the dial cams H5 and H6 are retracted inasmuch as no auxiliary feed is used during the knitting ofseven and two rib. Also the jack and needle cams 342, 350, 3, 329, 344, 328, and

325 are retracted to an inoperative position. The

tilting cam I66 for the transfer implements P moves out half-way just sufficiently to permit the foot of each transfer member to miss the tilting elevation part of this cam I66, and of course at this time the spring acting on the transfer member will move the transfer member to its normal position, and thereafter the transfer members are lowered to an inoperative position upon their proper needles by retraction of the cams I65 and I66. The dial and cylinder needles are now in position for the knitting of seven and two rib, that is, in each typical series seven cylinder needles are knitting plain wales and two dial needles are knitting rib wales, which produce in the outer surface of the leg and instep of the stocking a channeled effect.

Just before the start of knitting the heel the cam 325 is moved in half-way to engage the long butt cylinder needles and then in the entire way, lowering all of the cylinder needles, to

clear the way for transfer of dial needles which are active during the knitting of seven and two rib, to their complementary cylinder needles.

Jack cam 329 is moved in half-way to engage the long butt jacks which of course are in the short butt needle section. The leveling cam 310 is of course active at all times to properly level the jacks so that the cam 329 may co-act'properly during the sequence of knitting. Dial cam H5 is moved out half-way in order to engage only the long butt transfer bits, which of course are in the short butt dial needlesection. Dial cam I26 is now moved-out to engage only the lower tailed dial needles to project them into a trans- After the complete transfer opera-' fer position. Theselower tailed dial needles are of course in the short butt dial needle section, which is used during knitting of the heel. It is at thistime that the jack elevating cam 329 elevates the long #6 butt jacks in the short butt -needle sectioninto the dial needle loops hung on the transfer members for transferring the dial needle loops to the cylinder needles inasmuch as plain knitting is used in the heel. Dial cam I21 is moved up half-way so as only to enga e the top tailed dial needles 44 in the long butt dial needle section. This permits the knitting of the seven and two rib inthe instep and takes it out of the heel and sole. Then the transfer dial cams I26 and H5 go out of action as well as the cylinder needle and jack cams 325 and 329.

Seven and two rib is knitted on the long butt cylinder and dial needlesv and plain knitting on the short butt cylinder needles with full cylinder rotation for several courses (may vary) before going into theknittingof the heel.

When going into knitting of the heel, at which time the cylinder reciprocates, the dial cam I21 is retracted the whole way in order to prevent the dial needles on the instep from taking the main yarn. The cylinder reciprocates in conventional manner first narrowing and then widening in knitting the heel. After the heel has been knitted the dial cam I21 is lowered halfway and going into full rotary knitting the instep is knitted with the seven and two rib and the sole of plain knitting, as previously mentioned.

Just before the ring toe is reached cylinder needle cam 325 goes into action half-way to catch the long butts and then the entire way to clear the cylinder needles for transfer at the instep section from the dial needles to the cylinder needles in order that plain knitting may be accomplished at the ring toe on all of the cylinder needles. Cam 329 goes into the half-way position and then the entire way to elevate all cylinder needles whose jacks have #6 butts. Dial cam H5 goes into action the whole way to shove out all of the transfer bits and cam I25 goes into action at the dial to project the upper tailed dial needles 44 in the short butt needle section and transfer takes place from dial needles used during the knitting of seven and two rib to the cooperating cylinder needles as elevated by the jack elevating cam 329. Thereafter dial cams I25, H5, and cylinder cams 329 and 325 are withdrawn to inoperativepositions. I am now knitting plain on all of the cylinder needles during full rotary knitting. This is done for about twelve courses to knit the ring toe section 91. The toe pocket is then knit in the regular manner and full rotary knitting 'onthe cylinder needles is accomplished for about sixteen courses to knit the loopers rounds. A binding yarn is knitted in with the regular body yarns for about four courses to provide a selvage indicated at I in Figure 4 of the drawings to prevent the runback of stitches into the toe of the stocking during the subsequent dropping of stitches as will be hereinafter described. Thereafter the binding yarn is withdrawn and knit for about twelve courses to provide the ravel section I!" and I later divide the cylinder needles. This knittin is done on all of the cylinder needles.

Thereafter the cylinder needles are divided by putting the jack cams 350 and 360 into operation to engage the butts of only the alternate cylinder needles which are active during rib knitting. These jack cams 350 and 360 raise the alternate cylinder needles to a point where the cylinder needles thereabove have their butts positioned above the path of the needle lowering cam 342. The needle cams 226 and 342 are then brought into action, the cam 220 elevating the butts so that the stitches will be shed from beneath the latches and the butts of these needles will miss the lowering cam 342. The latter cam buries the alternate cylinder needles inactive during rib knitting. The cylinder and jack cams 342, 350, and 300 then go out-of action and knitting takes place only on alternate cylinder needles which are active during rib knitting. This is accomplished for about eight courses without throwing the dial needles into action, to knit part of the section I02 shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The dial needle latch opening brush 233 is then thrown into action and cylinder needle cam 325 is thrown in half-way and then the entire way in order to lower the alternate cylinder needles which are active during rib knitting.

Dial cam IIB goes down the entire way to prolect all of the dial needles so that the brush can open the latches thereof. The dial revolves about two and one-half revolutions in this manner, and when the dial cam I 25 goes into action to project the upper long tailed dial needles 44, which are disposed in the long butt dial needle section. The dial cam H6 then comes out halfway to miss the short and medium butts of the dial needles. For this, reason the-cam I25 is in position so as to project the short and stub butt dial needles which are in the long butt needle section. Dial cams, H6 and I25 then are thrown out of action and all of the dial needles are retracted with their latches open. At the same time that the dial cam I 25 went into action as immediately above described, the cylinder stitch cam 221 was also thrown into action. The latch opening brush is then pulled out of action, cylinder needle cam 325 is pulled out of action. Since latch shedding cam 223has been in ac tion the needles will then be in proper co-action to receive the auxiliary feed which is now thrown into action at 224 and the knitting on alternate cylinder needles with two feeds takes place for about eight courses through the section I02. The French welt on the next stocking is then knitted as above described and the cycle of operation is continued as long as. desired.

Referring to the pattern lug arrangement on the pattern drums, the upper and lower rear pattern drums 25* and 26 are synchronouslydriven through gearing 400 and by means of a step by step ratchet mechanism operating off the gear 24 in a manner similar to that set forth in my co-pending applications serial Nos. 666,914 and 591,689, and the pattern drum 01 is driven in the usual manner.

Referring to the pattern lug lay-out on upper rear drum 25, as shown in Figure 31, the lug lay-out indicated by dot and dash lines 40I operates stitch cam 221. The lug lay-out indicated on dot and dash line 402 operates the jack cam 34I; pattern lug lay-out on dot and dash line 403 operates jack cam 350; pattern lug lay-out on dot and dash line 404 operates jack cam 330; pattern lug lay-out on line 405 operates cylinder needle lowering cam 342; pattern lug lay-out on line 406 operates jack cam 344; pattern lug layout on line 401 operates the plunger mechanism to move the dial stitch cam 3I5, as shown in Figure 9 to slacken the stitches for the French welt; pattern lug lay-out on linev 408 operates the latch shedding cam 226; pattern lug lay-out on line 409. operates the jack actuating cam 321; pattern lug lay-out on line 4M operates the jack actuating cam 329; pattern lug lay-out on line 4 actuates cylinder needle cam 325; pattern lug lay-out on line 2 operates the latch opening brush for the dial needles; pattern lug layout on line 4| 3 operates the auxiliary binder and cutter mechanism into a working position.

Referring to the pattern lug lay-out as shown for the lower rear drum in Figure 32 of the drawings, this drum is provided with the usual stop lugs 4i which actuate to control the pattern drum in the manner set forth in my above identified applications. The dot and dash lines indicated at 420 in Figure 32 shows the lug arrangement for actuating through suitable leverage mechanism the jack cam 328; the lug arrangement on line MI is used to operate the center sinker cam shown at 250 in Figure 30 of the drawings; the lug lay-out on line .422 operates the transfer implement cam I65; the lug lay-

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