US2240467A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1941. F. G. wElsBEcKr-:R 2,240,467

KNITT ING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l SMOM um April 29, 1941 F. G. wElsBEcKER 2,240,467

` K NITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRA/Vif G. WE/SBE C iff/9 April 29, 1941. F, Q WEISBECKER 2,240,467

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1957 5 sheets-sheet s April 29,r 1941. F. G. wExsBEcKz-:R

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 29, 1941- F. G. wElsBEcKl-:R

KNITTING MACHINEI Filed Jan. 21, les? 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FRAN/f G. WE/SBECKER Patented Apr. 29, 1941 KNITTING MACHINE Frank'G. Weishecker, Glenside, Pa., assignor to Hosiery Patents Incorporated, Lansdale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 21, 1937, Serial No. 121,679

58 Claims.

This invention relates to straight knitting machines, and more particularly to a mechanism for controlling the operation of the yarn carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, for example, of the full fashioned type.

In straight or ilat knitting machines now generally used, such for example as those used for producing full fashioned hosiery and other similar knitted articles. the `yarn carriers are mount- `ed upon and move with bars that are commonly l tively operate certain of the yarn carrier bars in determined order, butin general such attempts have been limited to special rods and for special purposes.

Where the attempt has been made heretofore to provide automatic mechanisms for controlling the selective operation of all of the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the mechanisms were found to be unsatisfactory, For example, they provided an `-automatic control for only the means driving the carrier bars, and the carrier bar stops were left for manual operation. Consequently, when changes in the carrier bar stops were to be made during the knitting operation, the machine had to be stopped to permit the knitter to manipulate the stops. These mechanisms also did not provide a compact control at a single station for the drive of the carrier bars.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to mechanism occupies a single control station to 'hii'iimize the time required by an attendant in checking, adjusting and repairing the mechanism. In this way, losses due to idleness of the machine, while manual changes in the control mechanism are being made, will `be substantially reduced.

Much time will also be saved in the inspection of this mechanism as its arrangement permits an attendant to make a complete inspection from a single station.

Another object is to provide an improved pattern controlled mechanism for selectively operating the yarn carrier bars in determined order.

A further object is to provide pattern controlled mechanism for selectively operating the carrier bar stops in determined order.

y Another object is to provide pattern mecha-l nism which is capable of providing a wide variation in the selection and operation of yarn carrier bars and which accomplishes such variation with a minimum amount of mechanism and a minimum number of pattern-determining elements.

A still further object is to provide patterncontrolled lock stops for holding idle carrier bars in the idle position.

Another object is to provide means for driving the carrier bars for yarn-laying movement and auxiliary means for moving selected carrier bars from their idle to selvage position to set them for yarn-laying movement.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, which show only such portions of a well known straight or full fashioned knitting machine as are suillcient to fully disclose the application thereto of one embodiment of this invention and its manner of operation:

Figure I is a fragmentary front elevational view of the central and left end portions of a conventional knitting machine, parts of the machine unessential to an understanding of this invention being broken away or omitted, and shows the machine provided with a preferred embodiment of the control mechanism of the present invention with the carrier bars in the idle position.

Figure II is an enlarged vertical view, partly in cross section, of the machine, being taken on line II-II of Figure I, and showing mainly the mechanism for selectively driving the carrier bars.

Figure III is a plan view of the top of the machine, being taken on line lII--IlI of Figure I. For the purposes of illustration,` parts of the mechanism in this iigure have been broken away, y

Iigure IV is an enlarged vertical cross sectional detail view, being taken on line IV-IV of Figure II and showing a carrier bar in an intermediate operating position.

Figure V (on the last sheet of drawings) is a detail view, with parts broken away, taken on the line V-V in Figure II.

Figure is a somewhat diagrammatic rear detail view of the pattern mechanisms shown in the upper right corner of Figure I and is taken on lines VI-VI of Figures II and III, with some of the supporting plates omitted or broken away.

Figure VII is a vertical end view of one of the pattern mechanisms shown in Figure I, being partly in cross section and taken on line VII-VII of that ligure. p p

Figure VIII is a perspective view of the lever l shown partially in dotted lines in Figure VI.

Figure IX is an enlarged vertical detail view, being partly in cross section and taken on line IX--IX of Figure III.

Figure X is a top plan view (taken on line X-X of Figure I) of the carrier bars and their stops.. For the purposes of illustration, this ligure shows both ends of the carrier bars and also all the carrier bars in the selvage position, with intermediate parts of the carrier bars broken away.

Figure XI is a vertical view, partly in cross section and taken substantially on line XI-XI of Figure X. For the purposes of illustration, this gure shows only one carrier bar and only the stops which control this particular carrier bar.

Figure XII is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken on line XII-XII of Figure X.

Figures XIII to XV are diagrammatic views showing one end of a carrier bar in'three positions of adjustment and also the manner of cooperation between the several automatic stops and the end of the carrier bar.

Figure XVI is an enlarged side view of the auxiliary -carrier bar driving means shown in Figure I, being taken on lines XVI-XVI of that figure.

Figure XVII is a rear detail view of the auxillary carrier bar driving means shown in Figures I and XVI.

Figure XVIII is a perspective view of the operating connections for the auxiliary carrier bar driving means and for the two pattern mechanisms shown in the upper rlghtcorner of Figure I, which connections are partially shown in Figures I and II.

Figure XIX is an enlarged top plan view of a detail of Figure XVIII.

Figure Xx 1s a detail side view in elevation of one of the pattern chain blocks for pattern mechanism F shown in Figures I, XVIII and XIX.

Figure XXI is a detail end view in elevation of one of the pattern chain blocks for pattern mechanism B shown in Figures I, III and VI. The knitting machine illustrated in the drawings is of the usual multi-section type. Its general construction and operation are well understood and therefore require no particular description other than will appear in connection with that setting forth this invention. In general, this invention provides mechanism for a conventional knitting machine to automatically control the selection and operation of the several conventional carrier bars, which selection and operation, heretofore, have usually beencontrolled manually.

In straight knitting machines, as is well known, the yarn is fed to the sinkers by yarn carriers (not shown) mounted on longitudinally movable carrier bars I which usually extend the length of the machine, and which are arranged in staggered relation when each one is in its idle position. This staggered positioning is the result of ment, and the even-numbered carrierbars I (constituting another series) toward the other end of the machine to an extreme position. If an idle carrier bar is to be used in the knittingoperation, it is usually shifted manually by the operator from its extreme or idle position to the selvage position so that its yarn carriers are placed at the selvage or edge of the fabric being knit. When the yarn carriers are in the selvage position they are ready to lay their yarn. Motion for the yarn-laying movement is usually imparted to selected carrier bars I from a reciprocating rod 2 (see Figures I and 1I) operated by the usual coulier motion mechanism (not shown). The selection of a desired carrier bar lhas commonly been determined by manual adjustment of driving connections between the carrier bars I and the reciprocating rod 2, the adjustment being effected while theknitting machine is idle for this particular purpose. The present improvements provide driving connections between the carrier bars I and the reciprocating rod 2 and also provide automatic control of these driving connections to selectively operate the individual carrier bars.

y Drive for carrier bars The carrier bar drive A (see Figure I), for

coupling individual carrier bars I to rod 2 is characterized by its compact construction to permit its location atonlyasinglecontrol point or station on the machine. As will be seen, by referring particularly to Figures II, IV and'V. the carrier bar drive A of FigureI includes a drum 3 having its axis extending transversely of the carrier bars I and keyed to a shaft 4 which is journaled in bearing brackets 5. The drum 3 is oscillated by reciprocating rod 2 through the intermediary of a crank arm 6, a block 'I secured to the arm 6 and adapted to be manually adjusted therealong. a link 8, and a sleeve 9 adiustably secured to rod 2. the link 8 being pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the block I and the sleeve 9 respectively The carrier bars I may be selectively coupled to Ithe oscillating drum 3, so' as to be individually driven and longitudinally reciprocated thereby. For this purpose, there is a split clutch or friction band I0 for each carrier bar I. These bands IIJ, which may be resilient, encircle the drum 3 and are positioned in grooves in the latter. Upon contraction of any selected band I Il, it frlctionally engages the drum 3 so as to oscillate (rotate alternately in opposite .'directions) therewith. The selected band III, upon being driven, reciprocates its carrier bar I by means of an arm I I projecting from the band I0, a link I 2, and a plate I3 secured to the carrier bar I (see Figure IV). It is thus readily seen that by determined control of the the odd-numbered carrier bars I (constituting a series) being moved toward one end of the mafriction bands III by mechanism hereinafter described, selective operation of any one or more carrier bars is readily secured. Links I2 are positioned on the right side of the bands I0 (looking at Figure I) for those carrier bars (I) which move toward the right end of the machine in assuming an idle position, while the links I2 for the other carrier bars (I) are arranged on the left side of their friction bands I0.

The lcontraction of each friction band I0 is effected by a cam lever I 4 pivotally mounted on the end of a pin I5 extending through the bent ends of the band I0 (see Figure IV). A nut I 6 on the other end of the pin I5 secures the latter in place and provides for adjustment ofthe cam lever It. A spring Il, encircling the pin I5 and positioned between the bent ends of the friction band Il, opposes the action of the cam lever I4. When a cam lever I4 is free to turn on its pivot. its spring I1 tends to assist the resilient friction band I in expanding, so that the friction band I0 will be released from driving engagement with drum 3. Two of the levers I4in released position are shown in Figure I.` On the other hand, when pressure is exerted on the outer end of a lever I4, its inner or cam end engages the face of the adjacent bent end of the friction band IIJ and forces the two bent ends together to contract the band I0 about the drum 3 for driving engagement therewith (see Figure IV).

It will be noted that, the, illustrated carrier bar drive A provides a plurality of clutch means or friction bands III between' the drum 3 and the carrier bars I, that is, separate clutch means for ,each carrier bar I. These clutch means are positioned at a single control station, since they are all arranged to travel over substantially the same longitudinal portion of the knitting machine as distinguished from the travel of conventional friction boxes such as are shown in the Koebberling et al. Patent 2,062,913, dated December 1,

1936. As illustrated by the Koebberling patent,

conventional friction boxes are distributed in widely spaced relation along the length of a friction rod extending the full length of the knitting machine. Such conventional arrangement results in the friction boxes traveling in aligned paths spaced longitudinally of the machine. In the embodiment shown by my accompanying drawings, the clutch means I0 between drum 3 and the carrier bars I travel in laterally spaced, parallel paths of movement. v

Automatic control of carrier bar drive As will be seen in Figures I and II, the mechanism for controlling the c-arrier bar drive A to selectively operate one or more individual carrier bars I is also compactly designed to be positioned at the same control point on the machine as the carrier bar drive A just described.

For controlling the cam levers I4 to effect the con-traction and release of the clutch or friction bands I Il, each cam lever I4 is provided with a race which consists of a set of two arcuate arms I8 extending in opposite directions and pivotally secured at their adjacent inner ends to a shaft I9 (see Figures II. IV and V). Collars (Figure II) mounted on shaft I9 properly space the sets of arms I8 and prevent their shifting on the shaft I9, When a set of arms I8.is swung on the shaft I9 from a raised inoperative position, as shown in Figure I, to -a lowered operative position, as shown `in Figure IV, the set of arms I8 forms a single .arcuate race and operates the cam lever Ill of the friction band I0 immediately below the lowered race-forming arms I3. The arms I8 ln oeing lowered, swing the lever I4 on its pivot to cam the friction band III to contracted position. When a friction band II) is contracted, it will `be driven by the drum 3 and transmit this drive to its carrier bar I. The cam-lever I4 of a contracted band III moves therewith in the carrier bar driving operation, and such lever I4 is held in operative position by the lowered race with l which it is constantly engaged. This constant engagement maintains the friction band il) in contracted position during movement of `the friction band III relative toits race. To reduce the friction between a race and its cooperating cam lever I4, the latter may have a roller 2l mounted on its outer or race-engaging end. Raising of the outer ends of a previously lowered set of arms i8 effects disengagement between a particular friction band I0 and the drum 3, if the roller 2I cooperating With those arms I8 has reached its limit of movement in either direction. Each roller 2| is 'preferably posi-tioned diametrlcally opposite the arm II connected to the same friction band I0, so as to be capable of the same extent of movement on both sides of thecenter'of the race (see Figure IV).

The desired swinging movement of each set of race arms I8 about the shaft I3 is effected by a pair of links 22 which connect the outer ends of arms I8 to a cross link 23 carried on the lower end of a vertically reciprocable control rod 24. The rods 24 may have threaded eng-agement with the links 23, and nuts 25 may be provided to lock each rod 24 to its cross link 23. The rods 24 pass through a guide plate 26, which is secured to brackets 5 and limits the upward movement of the rods 24 by engagement with the nuts 25.

Springs 21 (Figures I and VI) serve to yieldingly maintain the control rods 24 in their raised or inoperative positions. The lower end of each spring 21 is connected to a finger 28 secured to a control rod 24, while the other end is supported by a fixed bar 29 extending between two stationary frame members 3D.

Control rods 24 are actuated by pattern mechanism to control the selective operation of individual friction bands I0 and the individual carrier bars I. For this purpose, the upper end of each of the control rods 24 (see Figure VI) is pivotally secured to a control lever 3l mounted on the shaft 32 extend-ing between frame members 30. Spacing collars 33 (see Figures II and VI), mounted on shaft 32 and between the coni trol levers 3|, lprevent shifting of the latter on the shaft 32. The pattern mechanism B, about to be described, selectively engages the control levers 3l to swing them on the shaft 32 and lower the respective control rods 24. This pattern mechanism B comprises a sprocket wheel 34 and an idler 35 supporting a pattern chain 33 (see Figures I and VI). The chain 36 carries a longitudinal row of pattern blocks or buttons 31 for each carrier bar I`, and the pattern blocks 31 in each row are spaced along the length of the chain 3B to secure determined operation of the control lever 3l and the carrier bar I controlled thereby. As lengthwise movement is imparted to chain 36 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figures I and VI, the pattern blocks 31 in determined order move over projections 38 carried by levers 3|, and in so doing exert cam action against the projections 38 to swing the levers 3l downwardly on the shaft 32 to lower their respective control rods 24 and thereby contract corresponding friction bands I0. 'I'he pattern chain 3B is advanced a step at a time, and between advances remains stationary. When pattern chain 36 is in such position that it couples a carrier bar I to the driving drum 3, it is at rest and a pattern block 31 remains in engagement with the projection 38v of the control lever 3l for that particular carrier bar I to hold the lever 3I in the depressed position. At the time a particular carrier bar I is to cease operation, the pattern chain 36 is moved a step to advance the button 31, which has been effecting that operation, beyond the projection 38 on the depressed lever 3i, so that the depressed lever 3l may be restored along with its rod 2d to the inoperative position by the corresponding spring 21.

The pattern mechanism B is termed a style determining pattern mechanism and is used to control the carrier bar drive A when each or the selected carrier bars .I is intended to continue operation for a number of successive courses of loops. In producing stocking fabric or` certain portions thereof. it is frequently the practice to operate different carrier bars for successive i courses of loops to mix the yarns in the fabric and thereby eliminate shadows and streaks. Accordng to a preferred form of this invention, such operation is controlled by a second pattern mechanism C which may for thatl reason be termed a yarn mixing pattern mechanism. In the drawings, and particularly in Figures I, VI and VII, pattern mechanism C is shown as being adapted to operate the front three control rods 24 and the corresponding front three carrier bars I. It is obvious, of course, -that pattern mechanism'C may be used to control any group or all of the carrier bars I. It will also'be understood that the rods 24 which may be operated by pattern mechanism C may, also, be operated by the pattern mechanism B. Each of the rods 24 operated by pattern mechanism C has an arm 39 which is operated by a control lever 40 mounted on a xed shaft 4I. The control levers 40 are held against shifting movement on the shaft 4I by spacing collars 42 (see Figures VIV and VII). The control levers 40 are operated by the pattern mechanism C in the same manner as levers 3| are operated by the so-called style determining pattern mechanism B. The pattern mechanism` C comprises a sprocket wheel 43, an idler 44, and a pattern chain 45 carrying three columns or longitudinally extending rows of pattern blocks or buttons 46. Chain 45 may be relatively short in length as it is intended to operate the correspondingcarrier bars (I) in repeated sequences with each sequence corresponding to a few courses of loops, though the chain 45 m-ay be relatively longer and the sequences relatively larger. Chain 45 may also be of any desired width in orderfto control as many operating rods 24 as necessary. The spacing and positioning of pattern blocks 46 determines the order of operation of the levers 40and their respective rods 24. Pattern blocks 46, accordingly, may be positioned foroperating the carrier bars one, two \or more at a time. As each pattern block 46 moves to a position over a -control lever 40, it has cam engagement with a projection 41 on that lever 40 to swing the latter on the shaft 4I and force an arm 39 and its rod 24 downwardly for contracting a Vcorresponding friction band I0.

Pattern chain 45 may be advanced either one or two steps at a time, and successive pattern blocks 46 are spaced longitudinally of the chain the distance of two steps. The successive pattern blocks 46 are also positioned on the chain 45 in accordance with the desired order of operation of the control levers 40. If a pat-tern block 46 is in engagement with a projection 41 of a control lever 40, and the chain 45 is advanced only one step, the chain will come to rest in a position in which none of the pattern blocks 46 is opposite a projection 41. In this position of pattern chain 45, the control of the can'ier bars I by the pattern mechanism C is interrupted. If

. the pattern mechanism C is to again control the corresponding carrier bars I. chain 45 is advanced one step to effect engagement between a pattern block 46 and a projection 41. Thereafter or during the control of the carrier bar drive A by pattern mechanism C, the pattern chain 45 is advanced two steps at a time. f

As will be seen from Figures I, II, VI and VII,

pattern mechanisms B and C are similarly sup-` Ported on the machine, are operated by similar pawl and ratchet drives, and are provided with similar friction disks for limiting their movement.

A description of these features in connection with one pattern mechanism is, therefore, suicient for a complete understanding of these features in connection with both of the pattern mechanisms B and C. The sprocket wheel .34 of pattern mechanism Bis keyed to a shaft 48 which is rotatably supported in two plates 49 rmounted on frame members 30. One end of the shaft 48 has threaded engagement with a friction disk 50 (see Figures I and II) which is locked pressed pawl 53 carried by the lever 54 rotatably supported at one end by shaft 48 so as to have pivotal movement about the same. Lever 54 is pivotally connected at its other end to a connecting rod 55. Connecting rod 56 is similar in function to connecting rod 55 land operates the pawl and ratchet drive of the sprocket wheel 43 of pattern mechanism C.

As the two pattern mechanisms B and C are mounted over and adjacent the carrier bar drive A, 4they are positioned at the same control station as the latter. Reference to Figure I also shows that the pattern mechanisms B and C are arranged on the knitting machine and substantially within the longitudinal portionethereof dened by the end limits of travel of the carrier bar drive A. An attendant stationed at the front or rear of the carrier bar drive A will,

` therefore, be in a position to inspect, and if necessary repair or adjust. the pattern mechanisms B and C. i Such arrangement will eliminate the loss of time which would otherwise be occasioned by the Iattendant walking along the machine from one mechanism to another in his inspection, adjustment and repair of carrier bar operating means.

Carrier bar stops This invention also providesl a shiftable control unit D (see Figures I and X) at each end of the machine, each unit D having stops for controlling the operation of the carrier bars I. These stops and their manner of operation are shown in Figures X to XV. For the purposes of illustration, Figure XI shows a single carrier bar I and only the stops that control that particular carrier bar, it being understood that a similar arrangement of stops is provided for each of the other carrier bars (I) of the machine (see Figure X). As shown in Figure XI, four stops are provided for the carrier bar (I) i These are: an autom-atically controlled end stop 10, a manually controlled end stop 1I, an automatically controlled lock stop 12, and an arresting lever or selvage stop 13. For cooperation with the lock and selvage stops (12 and 13), each carrier bar I carries a fixed dog 14 provided with an inclined upper cam surface. Each end of a carrier bar I tional practice of staggering the carrier bars when idle. the automatic-ally controlled stops 10, 12, 13 oi a particular carrier bar are preferably arranged at the end of the machine toward which that carrier bar (I) moves in assuming its idle position.

For the purposes of illustration, Figure X shows the relative arrangement of the two series of carrier bars I if all the latter were moved to their selvage positions from their idle positions, The carrier bars I (as shown in Figure X) are still staggered and each carrier bar I is now ready to begin its yarn laying movement. Figure X also shows the automatically controlled stops 10, 12, 13 and dogs 14 at the left end of the machine for controlling the series of carrier bars I which assume an extreme position toward the left end of the machine when idle, and similar stops 10, 12, 13 and dogs 14 at the other end of the machine for the other series of carrier bars I. Figure X shows further that the manually controlled stop 1I for each carrier bar is at the end of the machine opposite to the one having the automatic stops 10, 12, 13 for that same carrier bar.

In practicing a preferred embodimentl of this invention, each carrier bar is provided with separate stops 10, 1I 12, but only one arresting lever 13 is provided for each of the two series of carrier bars (I). i

All the carrier bars are controlled in the same manner by their respective stops 10, 1I, 12 and 13. The order of operation of the stops for a single carrier bar, as illustrated in Figures XIII to XV, is as follows:

Figure XIII shows a carrier bar (I) in its idle or inoperative position and a lock stop 12 engaging the dog 'I4 to prevent accidental movement of the carrier bar (I) toward the right and away from such position, the end stop 10 and selvage stop or arresting lever 13 resting on top of the carrier bar.

When the carrier bar I is to be used inA laying yarn, its lock stop 12 is raised. The carrier bar I is now free to move, and an auxiliary friction drive (described hereinafter) effects movement of the released carrier bar (I) from idle to selvage position. The arresting lever 13, by engaging the dog 14 (see Figure XIV) serves' to stop the carrier bar in the selvage position. The end stop 10 now drops behind the end of the carrier bar y I (see Figure XIV) Any carrier bar I in the selvage position, which is illustrated by the carrier bars in Figures X, XI and XIV, is ready to begin its yarn laying movement. At the proper time, the arresting lever or selvage stop 13 is raised (see Figure XV) clear of the dog 14 to free the carrier bar I in the selvagev position so that it may be operated by the carrier bar drive A previously described.

The operating carrier bar I reciprocates to lay the yarn and at the opposite limits of such movement, it is arrested by its end stops 10 and 1I, which now'are in the positions shown in Figure XI. Each of the stops 10 and 1I by arresting the carrier bar I causes the friction band I for that carrier bar to slip on drum 3, until movement of the drum 3 is reversed. As a carrier bar I re'- turns to strike its end stop 10, its dog I4 due to its inclined upper cam surface lifts and passes under its arresting lever 13 and the latter drops `behind dog 14 to the position shown in Figure XIV. When the motion of the carrier bar I is to be reversed, the arresting lever 13 is again raised to release the carrier bar.

If the reciprocating carrier bar I is to have its operation discontinued, its end stop I0 is raised to permit it to move to the idle position where it will be held by its lock stop 12 (see Figure XIII) As a. carrier bar advances to its idle position, the carrier bar dog 14 due to its inclined upper cam surface raises the lock stop 12 and passes under and beyond same. Each carrier bar is stopped, as it arrives at its idle position, in conventional manner by the engagement of the usual yarn carrier holders (not shown), which it carries, with the usual stationary carrier bar guide brackets 11 shown in Figures I and X.

Supports and operating mechanism for carrier bar stops The shiftable control units D include the usual narrowing heads which in the practice of this invention, are operated or shifted in conventional manner and by conventional mechanism (not shown) to vary the length of the yarn laying stroke of the carrier bars I. The two units D and their narrowing heads 80 provide similar guides and supports for their stops 10 to 13.

Each narrowing head 80 carries a grooved plate 8| for guiding the carrier bars I, and each plate 8l in turn carries a guide bracket 82 slotted to receive a selvage stop lever 13 (see Figures XI and XII). Each selvage stop lever 13 is slidably and pivotally mounted on a rod 83 so as to be free to rise and fall in the slot of bracket 82 and to be free to be shifted along the rod 83 by the bracket 82 in the usual narrowing motion of its narrowing head 80.

Each selvage stop lever 13 may be actuated by means similar to that employed in operating the well-known plating stop or arresting levers of conventional machines. This means consists of an operating arm 84 projecting from the pivotally mounted end of arm 13, and a cam 85 carried by a cam bar 86 (transverse cross section shown in Figure XII). Cam bar 86 is longitudinally reciprocated by conventional mechanism (not shown), and its operation is so timed that a cam 85 rocks an arm 84 to raise its lever 13,;at the instant the carrier bar or bars I controlled or held thereby are to begin their yarn laying stroke.

Each narrowing head 80 carries two pairs of guide bars 01, 88 for slidably receiving the corresponding stops 10, 1I and 12 (see Figures X and XI). Spacing blocks 80 and 90 carried between the guide bars 81 and 88 maintain the stops 10, 1I and 12 in alignment with their respective carrier bars I. Each narrowing head 80has a block SI to provide a bottom rest for its stops 10 and 1I when they are in their lower-most position. The housings for the stops 10, 1I and `12 are supported by the narrowing heads 80, and each housing comprises a top 93 and side walls92, to which are suitably secured the ends of guide bars 8l and 88.

All of the stops 10 and I2 shown in Figure X are operated through the intermediary of similar connections by the pattern mechanism B. Referring to Figure XI, each of the stops I0, 'I2 is secured to the lower end of an operating flexible cable |00 by means of a set screw IIII. A pull on the upper end of a cable I00 is effective to raise its stop (I0 or 12). When this lifting force on a cable |00 is removed, its stop is lowered by a spring |02 (Figure XD connected at its opposite ends to the set screw IOI of the stop and one of the guide bars (81 or 88) for that stop. ,As shown in Figure IX, each cable I00 has its upper end connected to one arm of a. bell crank lever |03 pivotally mounted on a shaft |04 extending between frame members 30. Intermediate its ends, each cable may be enclosed ini a flexible conduit |05, which protects the cable |00 and at the same time permits its operation. 'Ihis conduit may be of any suitable construction:

forexample, it might be formed of a helically coiled wire as shown in the drawings. Figures I and XI show a group of conduits |05 at the left end of the knitting machine, and it will be u'nderstood that a similar group of conduits |05 is similarly arranged and supported at the other end of the machine. The upper and lower ends of each of the conduits |05 are connected re- ""spectively to a xed bracket |06 (see Figure IX) the machine (Figure I), is operated bya rod |08, mounted in guide brackets |00 supported on frame members 30.

In illustrating the previously described operating connections for stops and 12, the drawings (for example, Figures I, III and XI) show completely only those connections for the stops at the left end of the machine. It will be understood, however, that similar operating connections are provided for the stops 10 and 12 at the right end of the machine, which connections include operating rods I I0 (shown partially in Fig-'- by a single column or longitudinal row of pattern blocks or buttons 31, there being as many ures I, III and VI) similar in character and funcrespectively (looking at Figures II and III), and.

the' rod on the right in each pair controls the lock stop 12 and the rod on the left controls the end stop 10.of a particular carrier bar. Each of the so-called right rods |08 is operated by a control lever III-b, each left rod |08 by a control lever l I I-a, each "right rod |I0 by a con-1 trol lever ||2b, and each left rod ||0 by a control lever ||2--a. The control levers (I I I-a, III-b, IIZ-a, and ||2-b) are arranged in sets oi' two, similarly to the rods (|08 or ||0) they operate, so that in each set of control levers for rods |08, there will be a lock stop control lever III--b and an end stop control lever III-a, and in each set of control levers for rods |I0, there will be a lockA stop control lever II2-b and an end stop control lever |2-a.

Each of the control levers |||-a,' III-b, II2-a, and II2-b is pivotally mounted on a shaft ||3 secured at its ends to supporting plates 49, and these control levers are spaced in p airs and prevented from shifting along shaft ||3 by spacing collars IIS-a encircling the shaft II3. The control levers II2-a and ||2b have their upper ends extending above the pattern mechanism B so that they may be connected to their respective rods I I0.

It will now be understood that there is a pair of control levers (III-a and III-b or' ||2a and II2-b) and a control lever 3| for each carrier bar I. These three control levers for each carrier bar are so positioned as to be controlled rows of pattern blocks 31 as there are carrier bars I. In operating the levers III-a, III-b, ||2a and I |2b, the blocks 31 engage their lower ends, as may be seen from Figure VI.

The pattern chain 38 is advanced step by step in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure VI so that the pattern blocks 31 in each row rst pass their control levers (III-a and III- b or ||2a and ||2-b) and then their friction band control lever 3|.

As shown in Figure XXI, each of the blocks 31 has an upper part cut away so as to provide a projection I i4 on only one side oi.' its top. The posif tioning of a pattern block 31 with its projection Ill on its right or left side with regard to its direction of movement determines whether that pattern block 31 will *operate an end stop control lever (III-a or IIZ-a) or a lock stop control lever (I I-b or |I2-b) as shown by Figures II and HI. Control levers 3| are so positioned, or their projections 38 are so arranged, that they are operated by the same pattern blocks 31 (or proiections IH) that operate the lock stop control levers (I I-b or ||2b). The pattern blocks 31 that operate the end stop control levers (I l I-a or ||2a) do not engage the projections on the control levers 3|, but pass along one sidel thereof.

Each of the bell crank levers |03 is connected to one end of a spring I I5 (see Figures I and 1X) the other end being secured'to a stationary bar IIS. The springs II5 serve a two-fold purpose: first, they yieldingly act on the bell crank levers |03 to maintain the control levers (I I I-a, III-b, ||2a and IIZ-b) in position to be operated by the pattern blocks 31 at the desired times; second, they assist the springs |02 (Figure XI) in automatically lowering the stops 10 and 12 when the corresponding control levers (III- 'a, III-b, ||2a, and II2-b) are released by theirpattern blocks 31.

Frame members 30, already referred to, are added to the conventional machine frame and extend substantially the entire length of the machine. These frame members 30 may be suitably supported above the machine by upright frame members II6 mounted on available parts (not shown) of the usual machine frame.

Auxiliary drive for carrier bars" According to this invention, a separate or auxiliary carrier bar drive E (Figure I) is provided to move released carrier bars from their idle position (see Figures I and XIII) to their selvage position (see Figures X, Xl and XIV). 'Ihis auxiliary driving mechanism, which is shown in detail in Figures XVI and XVII, comprises a pair of drums |20 each keyed to a shaft |2| rotatably mounted in two bearing brackets |22. Each drum |20 is vencircled by a set of three clutch or friction bands |23, so that there is a total of six friction. bands |23, or one for each carrier bar I of the machine. Each friction band |23 is intended to drive its carrier bar in only one direction. This drive'is obtained by an operating arm |23 projecting from each friction band |23 for engagement with a dog |25 secured toacarrierbar (I).A

' One of the drums |20 (the one on the left in Figure I) and its friction bands |23 provide the desired auxiliary one-way drive for the set of three carrier bars which, when idle, assume anextreme right position (looking at Fig. I) with respect to the machine; while the other drum |20 and its friction bands |23 provide the drive for the other set of three carrier bars which, when idle, assume an extreme left position. As the two sets of carrier bars I (previously referred to) move in opposite directions in passing from their idle to selvage positions, the drums7|`20 are rotated in opposite directions in their driving stroke as shown by the arrows in Figure XVII, so that their friction bands |23 `will move in the proper direction to move any released carrier bar (l) from idle to selvage positions.

As shown particularly in Figures I and XVII,

when all of the carrier bars are in the idle position, the dogs |25 abut the operating arms |24, and the latter are aligned against stationary stop bars |26 secured to brackets |22. It will thus be seen that each arm |24 in its idle position (see Figure XVII) is restrained from moving in one direction by a stop bar |26, and in the other by a dog |25, which is in turn held against movement as long as its carrier bar is held by a lock stop 12 (see Figure XIII). When a lock stop 12 is raised in the manner already described, its carrier bar is released, and the operating'arm |24 for the released carrier bar moves in the direction toward the dog |25 of that carrier bar and thereby moves the released carrier bar to its selvage position where it is arrested by a selvage stop lever 13 (see Figure XIV).

The drive from each drum |20 to its bands |23 is frictional, so that when the drums |20 are oscillated, the friction bands |23 of the carrier bars which are held by lock stops 12 will slip on their drums |20. Each friction band |23 is also adapted to slip on its drum |20 when the friction band (|23) towards the end of its driving stroke has its carrier bar (I) stopped by a selvage stop 13 and to` slip at the end of its return stroke when its arm |24 strikes its stop bar |26. The friction bands |23 are contracted to frictionally grip their drums |20 by means of bolts |21 and nuts |28 connecting the two ends of each of the friction bands |23. I'he degree of frictional engagement between a friction band |23 and its drum |20 may be varied by adjusting the nut |28 for that band. Collars |29 secured to each of the drum shafts |2| prevent axial shifting of both the drums |20 and their shafts i2 l.

Shafts |2| are oscillated simultaneously in reverse directions by means of levers |30 and Cam-controlled operation, of pattern mechanisms B and C and aumiliary carrier bar drive Timed operation of the connecting rods '55,

56 vand |32 is provided by the mechanism shown particularly yin Figure XVIII. The connecting rods 55 and 56 are operatively connected to the ends of similar cam levers |40 and |4| respectively. These levers I 40 and |4| are pivotally supported by similar stationary bearing brackets |42 and |43 respectively. The cam levers |40 and |4| are individually controlled by catch levers |44 and |45 respectively, which normally engage the cam levers 40 and |'4|, as shown in Figures I and XVIII, to maintain them in the raised or inoperative position. When cam levers |40 and |4| are released by their catch levers |44 and |45, they are individually controlled by cooperation of the rollers |46 and |41, which they carry, Vwith the cams |48 and |49 secured to lthe cam shaft |50. Cams |48 and |49 are in the form of round disks having a part removed to provide a iiat or straight cam surface on one side (see Figures II and XVIII). Catch levers |44 and |45 normally hold their respective cam levers |40 and |4| in such position that the rollers |46 and |41 contact only the` circular `portion of the periphery of the cams |49 and |49 as the latter rotate with the cam shaft |50.

The connecting rod 55 is intended to have the same extent of movement every time it is actuated. Catch lever |44, therefore, whenever shifted to the right (looking at Figures I or XVIII) permits roller n|46 to remain in contact with the peripheral cam surface of cam |46 while the flat or straight cam portion of the latter is passing the roller |46. "I'o insure constant engagement between the roller |46 and its cam |48 during release of the cam lever |40, the latter is provided with a spring` |5I. This spring |5| is connected at one end to cam lever |40 and at its other end to the stationary bar4|52, so that it constantly tends to swing the cam lever |40 towards its actuating cam |48.

The connecting rod 56, however, is intended to have either of two movements depending on whether the pattern chain 45, which it drives, is to be advanced one or two steps for the purpose already described. Cam lever |4|, therefore, is so controlled as to have two possible movements of different extent. Such control is secured by the stepped shoulders |53 and |54 (see Figures I and XVIII) on catch lever |45. In the normal position of catch lever |45, already referred to, the end of cam lever |4| rests on shoulder |53.` A spring |55, anchored to stationary rod |52 and secured to one end of cam lever |4|, always tends to hold the roller |41 -against thc periphery of cam |49. When catch lever |45 is shifted to the right (looking at Figures I or XVIII) to bring shoulder |54 under the end of lever |4|, the shoulder (|54) will limit the extent of downward movement of the catch-controlled end of lever |4| las the straight cam surface of cam |149 passes the roller |41. If catch lever |45 is shifted to ,the right so that neither of the shoulders (|53 or |54) is beneath the end of cam lever |4l, the latter will have a full movement as the straight `cam surface of cam |49 passes roller |41. It will thus be seen that when shoul- I. der |54 is under tlie end of lever |4|, the pattern chain 45 will be advanced one step in a revolution of cam |49 and that when catch lever |45 is shifted to entirely free cam lever |4|, the pattern chain 45 will be advanced the distance of two V steps. To yieldingly maintain the catch lever |45 in its three positions of adjustment, its upper end is provided with suitable notches |55 engaged by a. spring actuated pawl |51 mounted on a stationary part of the machine. These notches |55 and pawl |51, however, permit ready operation of the lever |45 by the means described hereinafter. After the straight cam surface of either cam |48 or |49 passes its roller (|46 or |41) .the round cam surface of the cam holds the roller and its cam lever (|40 or |4|) in such position that the cam lever (|40 or |4|) will be reengaged and held against operation by its catch lever (|44 oz l |45) when the latter is restored to normal position. To permit the desired swinging movement of catch levers |44 and |45, they are pivotally. mounted on stationary shafts |58 and |59 respectively.

Catch lever |44 is determinedly oper-ated by a control rod |60 connected to a two-arm control lever IBI pivotally mounted on the stationary shaft/ |62. The control lever |'6| is held in normal position by a spring |63 which is connected to the lever |6| so that the catch lever |44 is yieldingly maintained under its cam lever |40. Gperation of lever |6| is provided by pattern mechanism (described hereinafter) which opposes the action of spring |63.

Catch lever |45 is determinedly operated by a control rod |64 connected to a three-arm control lever |65 pivotally mounted on shaft |62. Control lever |65 has two operatingarms |66 and |61 which are pattern controlled (as explained hereinafter) to rock catch lever |45 in reverse directions. Arm |61 is oiset, so that it is laterally displa-ced with respect to arm |66 and the two arms may be selectively .operated as will appear more clearly hereinafter.

Control lever |6I' also controls the operations of connecting rod |32. The latter is operatively connected to a cam lever |68 mounted on a stationary bracket |69. 'I'he cam lever |68 carries a roller |10 which normally rides on the periphery of a circular disk 1| fixed -to cam shaft |50. A spring |12, connected to both stationary bar |52 and cam lever |68, holds the latter in its normal position against stop |6911. Roller |10 is shiftable axially (see Figures I and XVIII) on the forked end of cam lever |68 so thatit may be positioned in the path of a cam piece |13 carried on the side of'disk |1|. Shifting of roller- |10 is effected by a forked rocker arm |14 secured to the rock shaft |15 which is operatively connected to control lever |6| by rocker arm |16 and link |11. The fiat cam surfaces of cams |48 and |48 have the same relative position with respect to cam shaft |50 so that they pass their rollers (|46 and |41) at the same time, while cam piece |13 is so positioned as to engage roller` |10 (when shifted) just after rollers |46 and |41 come opposite the straight cam portions of cams |48 and |49. The cam shaft |50 makes one revolutlon in each operation of the machine and is so timed that the iiat portions of cams |48 and |48 and the cam piece |13 pass their respective rollers (|46, |41, and |10) between operations of the carrier bars Mainl or master control pattern mechanism The desired timed operation of all the foregoing mechanisms is controlled and secured by the main or master control pattern mechanism shown at F in Figure I and in detail in Figures XVIII and XIX. This main or master control pattern mechanism F comprises a sprocket wheel |80 and an idler |8| supporting a pattern chain |82 provided with pattern blocks or buttons |83, |84 and |85.

The conventional full-fashioned straight knitting machine of today has a so-called chain motion for automatically controlling the movement of the narrowing `heads 80, the usual loose course motion (not shown), and the conventional reinforced selvage attachment (not shown). According to this invention, the pattern chainv of the conventional "chain motion is widened to accommodate additional pattern blocks or buttons for controlling the various parts of the present improvement. This widened chain is the chain |82 in the drawings, and the additional pattern blocks are blocks |83, |84 and |85 in the drawings. Chain |82 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure I by the usual driving mechanism (not shown) of the conventional "chaln motion previously referred to.

CII

This conventional drive imparts step by step m0- tion to the chain |82, so that the chain advances one step between successive operations of the machine and idles during each operation of the machine.

Pattern blocks |83, |84 and |85 may be positioned on the pattern chain |82 in accordance with any order of operation that is desired for the various mechanisms of this invention which tion while the chain |82 is idling prior to its next advance.

One or more pattern blocks |85 are arranged on the chain |82 to actuate lever arm |66 clockwise, and one or more pattern blocks |84 are arranged to operate lever arm |61 counterclockwise. Pattern blocks |84 and |85 are identical and have the shape shown in Figure XX to provide highA and low cam portions |86 and |81. These high and low cam portions, |86 and |81, in operating either of the arms |66 and |61 of lever |65 shift the operated arm to different extents. Each pattern block (|84 or |85) is placed on the chain |82 so that the low cam portion |81 leads. In general, the pattern chain |82 will be provided with only one pattern block 84 and with only one pattern block |85, though obviously more may be used when necessary.

The pattern block |85 is effective to initiate the operation of pattern mechanism C and is, therefore, placed on pattern chain |82 in advance of pattern block |84. In one of the movements of pattern chain |82, the low cam portion 81 of pattern block |65 is brought into engagement with lever arm |66 to move it clockwise for a short distance, so that catch lever |45 has its shoulder |54 brought under the end of cam lever |4I. This engagement between cam portion |81 and lever arm |66 is maintained during the subsequent idle period of pattern chainl |82. In the next or succeeding advance of pattern chain |82, cam poition |81 is moved away from engagement and cam portion |86 into engagement with lever arm |66. The higher cam portion |86 provides an additional clockwise movement of lever arm |66 so that the catch lever |45 frees cam lever 4| for f'ull movement.. Lever arm |66 and catch lever |45 are left in this second set position as long as it is desired that pattern mechanism C should operate, and this setting is not changed as the high cam portion |86 passes beyond lever arm |66. In each of its set positions, catch lever |45 is yieldingly held vagainst accidental movement by the previously described spring actuated pawl |51.

Pattern block |84 is effective to discontinue the operation of patternl mechanism C, and is positioned at any desired point on chain |82-generally far behind the pattern block |85. It will, therefore, be understood that the close positioning of the pattern blocks |84 and |85 in Figures XVIII and XIX is chosen merely for illustration purposes. The pattern block |84 is carriedl b y the chain |82 for engagement with lever arm V|61 in the same way that pattern block |85 engages lever arm |66. The low cam portion |81 of pattern XIX).

chain 36 of pattern mechanism B may be adblock |84 is the first to engage lever |61 and moves the latter counterclockwise to such an extent that shoulder |54 of catch lever |45 is positioned below the end of cam lever I4| while the latter is being held in raised position by the roller |41 riding on the circular portion of cam |49. Cam 49 during its next revolution by its cooperating action with roller I41provides for an advance of one step of the pattern chain 45 so that the latter will be rendered inoperative. In the next advance of chain |82, the high cam portion |86 of pattern block |84 moves lever arm |61 counterclockwise a further distance to bring shoulder |53 of catch lever I 45 under the end of cam lever |4| which is at this time in raised position as the roller |41 is riding on the circular portion of cam |49. The cam lever I4| and thepattern chain 45 are left in this set, inoperative position until lever arm |66 is again operated by a pattern block |85.

Summary of general operation In the general operation of this invention, the master control pattern mechanism F controls the operation of the style determining pattern mechanism B, the so-called yarn-mixing pattern mechanism C and the auxiliary carrier bar drive E. Pattern mechanism B in turn controls the end and lock stops 10 and 12 of units D as Well as the carrier bar drive A. Pattern mechanism C also controls part of carrier bar drive A for selectively operating certain carrier bars I While the control of carrier bar drive A by pattern mechanism B is interrupted. The master control pattern mechanism F is advanced once for every operation of the machine, but pattern mechanisms B and C and the auxiliary carrier bar drive E are operated only when carrier bar changes are desired.

When the yarn-mixing pattern mechanism C is idle, the selective control and operation of all the individual carrier bars I are the same, 'and a general explanation with regard to one carrier bar (I) will, therefore, suiiice for all.

When a particular carrier bar (I) is to be set for operation, the pattern chain |82 of pattern mechanism F brings a pattern block |83 into engagement with lever IBI (Figures I, XVIII and As a result, lever I6I is actuated so that vanced one step and through the intermediary of one of its pattern blocks 31 (see Figure lII) operate a lock stop control lever (III--b or II2-b) to effect the raising of the lock stop 12 (Figure XI) for the selected carrier bar I. Actuation of the lever I6I (Figure I) also provides for operation of the auxiliary carrier bar drive E so that the released carrier bar I will be moved from its idle position (Figure XIII) to its selvage position (Figure XIV).

In the next advance of pattern chain |82 (Figures I, XVIII and XIX), another pattern block I 83 thereon engages and rocks lever I6| a second time to provide for a further advance of the chain 36 of pattern mechanism B. The

pattern block 31, which previously effected the raising of a lock stop 12, in this advance of chain 36, is moved past'l its lock stop control lever (I I I-b or IIZ-b) and into engagement with a lever 3| (Figure IV) to provide for contraction of the friction band III (Figures I and IV) which is to drive the chosen carrier bar I. At the same time, the selvage lever 13 (Figure XI) holding the selected carrier bar I is raised to free same for yarn laying movement. Carrier bar drive A (Figure I) now reciprocates the free carrier bar for yarn laying operation. At the limitsof its movement during such operation, the carrier bar is arrested by end stops 10 and 1| now in the positions shown in Figure XI.

Each time that the carrier bar I is stoppedv by its end stop 10, the selvage lever 13 slips behind dog 14 (Figures XI and XIV) to hold the carrier bar I against accidental return movement. Lever 13 is again raised when the carrier bar I is to begin its return movement.

In order to terminate the operation of a rcciprocating carrier bar I, the master control pattern mechanism F provides a further advance of the chain 36 of pattern mechanism B so that another pattern block 31 will be positioned to engage an end stop control lever (||Ia or II2-a) and eiect the raising of the end stop 10 for that carrier bar. In the next movement vof the carrier bar I toward its end stop 10, the

carrier bar passes under the end stop 16 and to its idle position where it is held by its lock stop 12 (Figure MII).

Pattern mechanism B controls the lock stops l2 for releasing the individual carrier bars I, when the carrier bar drive A is under the control of the pattern mechanism B. The latter also provides for the release of the front three carrier bars I, when these three front carriers I are to be placed under control of the yarn-mixing pattern mechanism C. The carrier bars I, which are released for operation under the control of pattern mechanism C, are moved to their selvage positions by auxiliary carrier bar dnve E in the described manner.

As the pattern blocks 31 of pattern mechanism B which unlock the carrier bars I for operation under the control of pattern mechanism C also control their friction drive, these particular pattern blocks 31 are so arranged on the chain 36 that after unlocking the front three carrier bars of the machine, they will operate their levers 3| in the same order and at the same time that the corresponding levers 40 are operated by pattern mechanism C. With this arrangement of the pattern blocks 31, pattern mechanism B Will not interfere With the desired control of the carrier bar drive A by pattern mechanism C as the pattern mechanism B is being advanced to a position in which all of its pattern blocks 31 are inoperative. The pattern mechanism F by shifting catch lever |45 (Figures I and XVIII) in the manner already described permits the pattern mechanism C to be automatically set for operation and then provides for its repeated operation as and after pattern mechanism B is advanced to an idle, inoperative position.

When pattern mechanism C is to cease operation, pattern mechanism B is advanced to effect raising of the end stops 10 of the operating carrier bars I, so that the latter may pass to their idle positions and be locked by lock stops 12.

In discontinuing its operation, the chain 45 .of pattern mechanism C is advanced one step under the control of pattern mechanism F so that it will be left in an idle position in which none of its pattern blocks 46 is in engagement with a lever 40.

The present disclosure is made with reference to a knitting machine having six carrier bars (I), but it is apparent that the invention may be practiced with a machine having any other number of carrier bars.

The foregoing description and the appended drawings are only illustrative of how this invention may be suitably practiced, 'and other forms and modifications of this invention may be readily devised within the spirit and scope of tbe invention, as defined in the following What I claim is:

1. A mechanismfor operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocable yarn-carrier supporting means in a straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprising at least two independent, rotary, friction clutch means adapted to provide independent impositive operation for a, corresponding number of individual yarn carrier supporting means, said rotary clutch means having their axes of rotation in substantially the same vertical plane, and pattern mechanism for controlling said clutch means to provide operation of said yarn carrier supporting means in a predetermined order.

2. A mechanism for operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocable yarn carrier supporting means in a multi-section, full fashioned hosiery, straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprising an oscillatable driving means, a plurality of rotary friction clutch means adapted to be selectively connected to said driving means in driving relation and to provide independent, impositive, reciprocable operation for the individual yarn carrier supporting means. said plurality of friction clutch means having paths of operation all within substantially the longitudinal portion of the knitting machine in which any one of said plurality of means travels,

whereby said plurality of means in use are concentrated at a single control station, separate control means associated with each of said plurality of means to provide for connection and disconnection in the drive between the corresponding carrier supporting means and said driving means, and pattern means for automatically and selectively operating said control means to secure operation of said yarn carrier vsupporting means in a predetermined order.

3. A mechanism for operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocable yarn carrier supporting means in a multi-section, full fashioned hosiery, straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprising oscillating driving means, a. plurality of substantially axially aligned, oscillating devices adapted to be selectively driven by said driving means and to provide independent, impositive, reciprocable operation for the individual yarn carrier supporting means, each of said devices including a friction clutch, and said plurality of devices having paths of operation disposed in laterally spaced, parallel planes, separate control means for each of said devices to control the drive thereof by said driving means, and pattern means for automatically and selectively operating said control means to secure operation of the yarn carrier supporting means in a predetermined order. v

4. A mechanism as recited in claim 3 wherein the pattern means is arranged substantially within the longitudinal section of the knitting machine defined by the limits of travel of said devices.

5. A mechanism for operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocable yarn carrier supporting means in a straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprising a. plurality of substantially axially aligned rotary clutch devices, means for driving said clutch devices, means for connecting the individual clutch devices to individual yam carrier supporting means in dri relation, means for each .of said clutch devices to control the operative engagement thereof with said driving means,` and pattern means for automatically and selectively operating said control means to secure operation of the yarn carrier supporting means in a predetermined order.

6. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a rotary driving device to extend transversely of said carrier bars, rotary clutch bands mounted on said device, each band being adapted to be connected to a separate carrier bar for driving the same, and pattern determining means to eifect the selective engagement in driving relation of said clutch bands and rotary device and thereby provide for operation Vof said carrier bars in predetermined order.

'1. In a multi-section straight knitting machine, the improvement comprising a plurality of movable yarn carrier bars, driving means including a rotary member, a rotary clutch band operatively connected to each of said carrier bars, said clutch bands being positioned at a single control station on the machine for selectively engaging said rotary member in a driving relation to operate the individual carrier bars, and pattern mechanism for controlling said rotary clutch bands to effect the selective engagement thereof with said rotary member and the operation of said carrier bars in a predetermined order.

8. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machine having longitudinally movable yarn carrier supporting elements, the combination comprising a rotary driving member, a plurality of rotary clutch bands for selectively engaging said driving member in driving relation, a series of control members for effecting selective driving engagement between said clutch bands and said driving member, and a pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said control members.

9. An automatic control mechanism for a plurality of movable yarn carrierbars or yarn carrier supporting members in a. straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprising a rotary member, a plurality of independent, radially contractible clutch means adapted to be individually adjusted to eifect their driving engagement with and disengagement from said rotary member, each of said clutch means being adapted to drive a corresponding one of said carrier bars, and pattern control means operable between strokes of said carrier bars to adjust said clutch means selectively and automatically in predetermined order to operate said carrier bars in corresponding order.

10. For use in straight knitting machines of the type adapted to knit hosiery and having a plurality of reciprocable yarn carrier supporting elements, the combination comprising a rotary driving member, a plurality of friction clutch devicesfor selectively engaging said member to provide selective operation of a corresponding number of the yarn carrier supporting e1ements,each of said elements to be reciprocated by means of an individual friction clutch device, a separate means for each of said devices to control the operation thereof by said driving member, and means for operating said control means in repeated predetermined sequences'to effect yarn laying movement of said yarn carrier supporting elements in rotation to mix the yarns in the hosiery.

1l. In, a multi-section straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a plurality of movable yarn carrier bars, means for operating said carrier bars, means for selectively connect- `ing said operating means to the individual car- 12. In a multi-section straight knitting machine, the improvement comprising a plurality of movable yarn carrier bars, means for operating said carrier bars, means positioned at a single control station on the machine for selectively connecting said operating means to the individual carrier bars, two separate pattern mechanisms at said control station, means operable by either of said pattern mechanisms for controlling said connecting means, and automatic means for selectively operating said pattern mechanisms.

13. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising means for operating said carrier bars, means for selectively connecting the individual carrier bars to said operating means, said connecting means having laterally spaced, parallel paths of travel, two separate pattern mechanisms arranged on said machine and within substantially the end limits of said paths of travel, means operable by either pattern mechanism for controlling said connecting means, and automatic means for selectively operating said pattern mechanisms.

14. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machine having longitudinally movable yarn carrier supporting members, the combination comprising a driving member rotatably mounted for oscillating movement, a plurality of clutch bands for Aselectively gripping said driving member in driving relation, two separate pattern mechanisms, and a series of control members for eilecting selective driving engagement between said clutch bands and said driving member, said control members` being adapted to be operated by both of said pattern mechanisms.

15. A straight knitting machine carrier bar operating mechanism comprising two rotary devices, means for driving said rotary devices simultaneously in opposite directions, means for trans` mitting the drive of one of said devices to at least one carrier bar of the knitting machine, and means for transmitting the drive of the other of said devices to at least one other carrier` bar of the knitting machine.

16. In a mechanism for operating carrier bars i of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising two rotary devices, means for oscillating said rotary devices simultaneously in opposite directions, and at least one carrier bar driving element for each of said devices and adapted to be driven thereby.

17. In a mechanism for operating carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination` the knitting machine for operatively and selectively connecting each carrier bar to said driving means, stops for said carrier bars, control rods for selectively operating said stops and said devices, pattern-actuated levers for determinedly operating said control rods, and a single pattern mechanism for selectively operating said levers.

19. In an automatic yarn-feeding control mechanism for a straight knitting machine having a plurality of movable yarn carrier supporting elements, the combination comprising driving means for said elements, devices for operatively connecting each of said elements to said driving means, at least one stop for each of said elements, a set of control rods for each of` said elements, each set including a control rod for the connecting device and a control rod for each stop of the respective element, a movable pattern mechanism having a row of pattern-determining members arranged lengthwise thereof for each set of control rods, and operating connections between each row of said members and its set of control rods for determinedly actuating the device and the stop of the respective yarn carrier supporting element upon movement of said pattern mechanism. f

20. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier supporting members of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising driving means, a plurality `of clutch devices for operatively and selectively connecting each of said yarn carrier supporting members to said driving means in driving relation, stops for said yarn carrier supporting members, a separate control element for each of said devices and stops,

and a single pattern mechanism for selective engagement with said control elements to operate the same in a predetermined sequence.

21. In an automatic yarn-feeding control mechanism for a straight knitting machine having a plurality of movable yarn carrier supporting members, the combination comprising driving means, a plurality of clutch devices for selectively connecting said yarn carrier supporting members to said driving means in driving relation, at least one stop for each of said yarn carrier supporting members, a separate control element for each of said devices and stops, a pattern mechanism having a rowof pattern determining elements for each yarn carrier supporting member, each of said rows of pattern determining elements being adapted to engage and operate in predetermined order the control elements for the respective yarn carrier supporting member.

22. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier supporting elements of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising stops for maintaining said elements in `stationary position, rotary frictional clutch devices oscillatable simultaneously in opposite directions for shifting said elements, connections providing one-way drives between said clutch` devices and said elements, pattern controlled means for selectively operatingr said stops to release individual supporting elements and means for driving said clutch devices to shift released supporting elements.

23. In a straight knitting machine wherein the yarn carrier supporting elements are reciprocable over a certain distance kfor yarn laying operations and are movable to a further extent in one direction to place their yarn carriers in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermost selvage position, the combination comprising means for releasably locking the individual carrier bars in their idle position, means for shifting released carrier bars from` idle to selvage positions, means for reciprocating shifted carrier bars for yarn laying movement, and pattern controlled means for operating said locking, shifting, and reciprocating means in determined order.

24. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a plurality of carrier bars arranged in two sets in their idle position, said two sets being movable in opposite directions when shifted from idle to operative position, means for releasably locking the individual ycarrier bars in the idle position, a set of friction devices for driving each set of carrier bars from idle to operative position, one-way driving connections between the friction devices and the carrier bars driven thereby, and means for operating the two sets of friction devices simultaneously in opposite directions.

25. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a plurality of movable yarn carrier supporting elements arranged in two sets in theiridle position, said two sets being movable in opposite directions when shifted from idle to operative position, means for releasably locking the individual supporting elements in their idle position, a pair of oscillatable driving drums having simultaneous operation in reverse directions, means interposed between each of said drums and one of said sets of supporting elements to provide one-way driving connections for shifting released supporting elements from idle to operative positions, and means for reciprocating shifted supporting elements for yarn laying movement.' l

26. Ina control for the movable elements supporting the yarn carriers of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising means for releasably locking a yarn carrier supporting element in idle position, an oscillatable member, means for oscillating said member, means frictionallyengaging said member and providing a one-way driving connection for said supporting element and operative to shift the same from idle to operative position when released by said locking means.

27. In an automatic contro-l and driving mechanism for a pluralityl of movable yarn carrier supporting elements in a straight knitting machine, the combination `comprising means for locking each of said yarn carrier supporting elements in an idle position, means for controlling said locking means to selectively release the individual yarn carrier supporting elements in a predetermined order, and means for actuating released supporting elements, said actuating means including a rotary device and a plurality of independently movable clutch units for frictionally engaging said rotary device in yielding driving relation, each clutch unit being associated with an individual yarn carrier Supporting element to actuate the same after release thereof by said locking means.

28. In an automatic control mechanism `for carrier bars of a straight knitting machine wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable overa certain distance to provide the yarn carriers supported thereby with a normal range of movement for yarn laying operations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in one direction to place the yarn carriers thereof in an idle outof-the-way position beyond and spaced from their normal range of movement, the combinationcomprising means for selectively reciprocating the individual carrier bars, a set of stops for each carrier bar to limit the reciprocable movement thereof and determine the normal range of movement of the yarn carriers thereof, means for operating one of the stops in each of said sets to permit the corresponding carrier bar to travel to an idle position and place each yarn carrier thereof in its said idle out-of-the-way position, stops for locking each carrier bar in the idle position thereofto maintain the yarn carriers beyond their range of yarn laying movement, means for selectively operating said locking stops to release individual, idle can'ier bars, and pattern mechanism for controlling all of said means to provide automatic operation of said carrier bars, said operable limit stops, and said locking stops in determined sequence.

' 29. The combination with an automatic control mechanism as described in claim 28, of at least one adjustable narrowing head carrying at least certain of said operable limit stops and at least certain of said locking stops, and flexible operating connections forming at least part of the means for selectively operating said' narrowing head stops to permit relative translational movement of said narrowing head with respect to the pattern mechanism without interference with the normal operation of said narrowing head stops.

30. In an automatic control mechanism for carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over a certain distance and between selvage positions for yarn laying operations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in one direction to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supported thereby in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermost selvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for locking each carrier bar in its said idle position, pattern mechanism for controlling said locking means to selectively release the individual carrier bars for movement, and means for automatically moving a released carrier bar from idle to selvage position.

3l. In an automatic control mechanism for carrier bars of a straight knitting r machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over a certain distance and between selvage positions for yarn laying operations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in one direction to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supported thereby in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermost selvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for locking each of a plurality of carrier bars in said idle position, pattern mechanism for controlling said locking means to selectively and individually release the locked carrier bars, means for automatically moving a released carrier bar from idle to selvage position, and means for arresting a released and moving carrier bar at said last-named selvage position.

32. In an automatic control mechanism for carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over a certain distance and between selvage positions for yarn laying operations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in one direction to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supported thereby in an idle out-of-the-way po-` sition spaced from the outermost selvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for locking each carrier bar in said idle position, pattern mechanism for controlling said locking means to selectively release the individual carrier bars, means ior automatically moving released carrier bars from idle to selvage position,

certain distance and between selvage positions for yam laying operations, and each rrier bar is movable to a further extent in one direction audio? for a straight knitting machine,

l wherein an element supports one or more yarn to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supported thereby in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermost selvage position' thereof, the combination comprising means for ,locking each carrier bar in its idle position, pattern mechanism for controlling. said locking means to selectively release the individual carrier bars, means for automatically moving released carrier bars from idle to selvage position, means for arresting released carrier bars at the selvage position, means for withdrawing said arresting means to an inoperative position, and separate means for operating released carrier bars for yarn laying movement upon withdrawal of said arresting means.

34. In an automatic control mechanism. for carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over a certain distance and between selvage positions for yarn laying operations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in one direction to an idle position for placing the yam carriers supported thereby in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermost selvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for reciprocating said carrier bars, means for selectively arresting each of said carrier bars in one direction of movement to stop the carrier bars in a selvage position, means for selectively withdrawing said arresting means to permit additional movement of reciprocating carrier bars in said direction to place the yarn carriers thereof in said yarn carrier idle position, means for automatically locking the carrier bars in said carrier bar idle position at the end of said additional movement, and pattern mechanism for controlling said locking means to selectively release locked carrier bars.

35. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machine, wherein a plurality of carrier bars are reciprocable over a certain distance and between selvage positions for yarn laying operations, and each carrier bar of said plurality is movable to a further extent in one direction to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supported thereby in an idle out-of-theway position spaced from the outermost selvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for reciprocating said carrier bars, means for selectively arresting each of said carrier bars in one direction of movement to stop the carrier bars in a selvage position, means for selectively withdrawing said arresting means to permit additional movement of reciprocating carrier bars in said direction to place the yarn carriers thereof in said yarn carrier idle position, means for automatically locking carrier bars in said carrier bar idle positionat the end of said additional movement, and pattern mechanism for controlling said reciprocating means, said withdrawing means, and. said locking means to provide operation of the carrier bars in predetermined order.

36. In an automatic yarn feeding control carriers and is reciprocable to effect reciprocation of said yarn carriers overa normal range of movement for yarn laying operations, said element being further movable in one direction to place said yarn carriers in an idle out-oi-the-way position beyond said normal range of movement. the combination comprising means for driving said yarn carrier supporting element, means for limiting the yarn laying movement of said element in one direction oi travel, means for locking said elementwith said yarn carriersy in said idle position, means for operating said locking means to release said element. pattern mechanism, and means controlled by said pattern mechanism for operating said driving means, said limiting means, and said releasing` means in pre determined order.

37. In an automatic yarn feeding control mechanism for a straight knitting machine, wherein an" element supports one or more yarn carriers and is reciprocable to effect reciprocation of said yarn carriers over a normal range of movement between selvage positions for yarn laying operations, said element being further movable in one direction to place said yarncarriers in an idle out-of-the-way positionbeyond said normal range of movement, the combination comprising means for driving said yarn carrier supporting element, means for limiting the yarn laying movement of said element in one directiony of travel, means for locking said element with said yarn carriers in said idle position, means for operating said locking means to release said element, means separate from said driving means for shifting said element when released to return each yarn carrier to a selvage position, pattern mechanism, and means controlled by said pattern mechanism for operating said driving means, said limit' releasing means in predetermined order.

38. In an automatic yarn feeding control mechanism for a. straight knitting machine, wherein an element supports one or more yarn carriers and is reciprocable to eiect reciprocation of said yarn carriers over a normal range of movement for yarn laying operations, said element being further movable in one direction to place said yarn carriers in an idle out-of-the-way position beyond said normal range of movement, the combination comprising means for driving said yarn carrier supporting element, a stop for limiting the yarn laying movement of said element in one direction of travel, a stop for locking the element with its yarn carriers in said idle position, pattern mechanism, and means controlled by said pattern mechanism for operating said driving means, said limiting stop, and said locking stop in predetermined order.

39. A carrier bar` control` mechanism for a straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprising yarn carrier driving means, means movable between inoperative and operative positions to control said driving means and also movable along a predetermined path during the yarn carrier driving operation, means for actuating said control means from one of said positions tothe other position and for maintaining the same in the latter position, and means `for operating said actuating means to initiate and terminate yarn laying operations.

40. In a straight knitting machine, yarn carrier driving means, pivotally mounted means movable between inoperative and operative posig means, and said tions to control said driving means and also movable along a predetermined path during the yarn carrier driving operation, means shiftable to actuate said control means' to the `operative posi-- tion and to maintain the same in such position for the duration `of the yarn carrier operating movementl as said control means travels along rier bars or supporting elements of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising rotary driving means, a plurality of individually, radially adjustable means for engaging said rotary means in driving relation, means for transmitting the drive of each of said engaging means to an individual carrier bar, means for each of said engaging means and operable to adjust the same to control the drive thereof, said adjusting,

means each being movable along a predetermined path during movement of the corresponding carrier bar, means for individually actuating said adjusting means, and pattern means for selectively operating said actuating means to provide operation of the carrier'bars in a predetermined order.

42. In operating mechanism for the yarn carrier bars or supporting elements of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising rotary driving means, a plurality of individually, radially adjustable means for frictionaliy engaging said rotary means in driving relation, means for transmitting the drive of each of said frictionally engaging means to anindividual carrier bar, means for each of said frictionaliy engaging means'and` operable to adjust the same to control 4the drive thereof, said adjusting means being movable along a predetermined path during movement of the corresponding carrier bar,

means for actuating each of said operable means and slidably engageable therewith to maintain the same in the actuated position for the duration of movement of'the corresponding carrier bar, and pattern means for selectively operating said actuating means toprovide operation of the carrier bars in a predetermined order.

43. In a controlling mechanism for the drive of a carrier bar of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a control lever, a support for pivotally mounting said control lever, said lever and support being movable as a unit `along a predetermined path during carrier bar driving operations, means for actuating said control lever relative to said support from an inoperative to operative position and for maintaining the same in the operative position during movement of -said unit along saidpath, and means for restoring said lever to the inoperative position upon release by said actuating means.

44. In a mechanism for driving Aand controlling a movable yarn carrier supporting element of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a driving member rotatably mounted for oscillating movement, means contractible about said driving member from an inoperative position to frictionally grip the same in driving relation,

means to provide a driving connection between for contracting said contractible means, means for actuating and engaging said control member to effect driving engagement between said driving member and said contractible means, and means for restoring said control member to inoperative vposition when released by said actuating means.

45. In a straight knitting machine, an automatic `yarn-feeding mechanism comprising a movable yarn .carrier supporting element, a driving member, a member having driving connection with said carrier supporting element and adapted to be driven by said. driving member, means, mounted to move with one of said members and operative to effect driving engagement between said members, and a race adapted to be positioned for operating said means and for engaging said means during its movement to maintain said means in operative position.

46. In a straight knitting machine, an` automatic yarn-feeding mechanism comprising a movable yarn carrier supporting element, an oscillating, driving member, a member having driving connectionwith said carrier supporting element and adapted to be driven by said driving.

member, means operative to effect driving engagement between said members, said means being mounted to move with one of said members and in an arcuate path, and an arcuate race for engaging said means during its movement to maintain said means in operative position.

47. In a straight knitting machine, an automatic yarn-feeding mechanism comprising a movableyarn carrier supporting element, an oscillating driving member, a member having driving connection with said carrier supporting element and adapted to be driven by said driving member, means operative to eiect driving engagement between said members, said means being mounted to move with one of said members and in an arcuate path, and means for operating said operative means, said operating means being movable to operate said operative means and to provide an arcuate race for engaging said operative means during its movement to maintain it in operative position.

48. In a straight knitting machine, an automatic yarn-feeding mechanism comprising a movable yarn carrier supporting element, an oscillating driving member, a member having driving connection with said carrier supporting element and adapted to be driven by said driving member, means including a roller and operative to effect driving engagement between said members, said roller being mounted to move with one of said members and in an arcuate path, and means movable to control said operative means, said control means in one position forming an arcuate race for said roller during its movement to maintain said operative means in operative position.

49. In a straight knitting machine having a. movable yarn carrier supporting element, an automatic control mechanism for said carrier supporting element comprising an oscillating driving member, a friction band encircling said member and being secured in driving relation to said carrier supporting element, means carried by said band for releasably contracting said band about said member and causing said band to frictionally grip said member in driving relation, and means for actuating said contracting means and providing in its actuating position a race for said contracting means during its movement with said ligand to maintain said band in contracted posi- 50. In a straight knitting machine, yarn carrier driving means, anelement operable to control said means and movable therewith, and a race movable to a position in which it operates said element and maintains said element in operative position during its movement with said driving means.

51. In a straight knitting machine, oscillatable yarn carrier driving means, an element for controlling the. operation of said means and movable therewith in an arcuate path, and means mov-V able to a position in which it operates said element, said last-named means in such position providing a stationary arcuate race for said elei ment to maintain it in operative position during its movement with said driving means.

52. In a control mechanism for the yarn carriers of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising yarn carrier operating means, a member for controlling said operating means and movable therewith during yarn carrier driving operations, a stationary support, a set of two oppositely extending arms pivotally mounted on said support, and means connected to said arms for rocking the same about their pivotal axes to move the said arms from an inoperative position to an operative position for actuating said controlling member and maintaining said controlling member in operative condition during operation of said yarn carrier operating means. A

53. In a control mechanism for the yarn car- -riers of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising yarn carrier operating means, a member for 'controlling said operating means and movable therewith during yarn carrier driving operations, a stationary support, a

set of two oppositely extending arms pivotally carried at their inner ends by said support, a connecting 'link pivoted to each of said arms, and means for operating said links to simultaneously rock said arms from inoperative to operative position for actuating said controlling member and maintaining said controlling member in operative condition during operation of said yarn carrier operating means. v

54. In a control mechanism for the yarn carriers of a straight Yknitting machine, the combination of` a` plurality of devices for selectively operating a plurality of yarn carriers, a member for each of said devices to control its operation and movable therewith during the yarn carrier driving operations thereof, a movable race for each oi' said members, each race being adapted to be positioned for operating its respective member and maintaining the same in the operative position during the yarn carrier driving operation, and pattern controlled means for automaticallyand selectively controlling the movements of the individual races.l

55. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising means for operating said carrier bars, means for selectively connectingsaid operating means to the individual carrier bars in driving relation, pattern mechanism for controlling said connecting means and having a plurality of pattern determining elements spaced equi-distances apart with respect to the direction of movement of the pattern mechanism, and automatic pattern controlled means for advancing said pattern mechanism the distance between successive pattern determining elements in each of a plurality of successive operations for controlling said connecting means and for advancing said pattern mechanism a less distance to interrupt the control between said pattern mechanism and said connecting means.

56. In'an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising stops for controlling the movements of said carrier bars, pattern mechanism for controlling said stops to selectively release the individual carrier bars, a narrowing head supporting said stops and movable relative to said pattern mechanism in positioning the stops to vary the limits of carrier bar movement, and exible operating connections between said stops and said pattern mechanism to permit said movement of the narrowing head without interrupting the control of said stops.

57. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machine having movable yarn carrier bars, the combination comprising a movable narrowing head, a set of carrier bar stops carried by said head, flexible protective conduits having their opposite ends secured respectively to said narrowing head and a stationary part of v the machine, and exible cables within said conduits and movable therealong for selectively operating said stops.

58. In a control apparatus for knitting machines, the combination comprising an operation controlling member having a plurality of positions of adjustment, a pattern mechanism, and

a lever member connected to said controlling`

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