US2278522A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

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`April 7, 1942 M. c. MILLER 2,278,522

KNI'BTING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 548 532 10A 534 Fig 9 534` ATTORNEYS April 7, 1942.v n. c. MILLER I 2,218,522 KNITTING MACHINE Filed June s, 193e L 9 sheets-sheet 5 "Fi/9.10 -572 5542 54a- INVENTOR April 7, 1942. M. c. MILLER 2,278,522

I KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATToRNmV 2 Patented Apr. 7, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNITTING MACHINE Max C. Miller, Cumberland, B. I.

Application June 9, 1938, Serial No. 212,703

'18 Claims.

The present invention relates to knitting machines, and more particularly to improvements in knitting machines of the general type of which the knitting instrumentalities comprise a series of knitting needles and sinker elements individually movable in accordance with a knitting wave to measure the feeding yarn against the Shanks of the needles.

The invention as herein disclosed, is embodied in a multiple section fiat knitting machine of the so-called Cotton type, certain features being especially, but by no means exclusively, applicable to the manufacturer of full-fashioned hosiery.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide in a machine of this general de scription, novel actuating and controlling mechanisms for the knitting instrumentalities including particularly the yarn measuring sinkers whereby certain objectionable and limiting factors in the operation of such machines are wholly eliminated, the construction of these mechanisms greatly simplified, and a more accurate and dependable operation of the knitting instrumentalities and at higher speeds obtained, together with a greater versatility of adjustment and control during the continuance of the knitting operation.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide novel and improved sinker actuating means well adapted to effect a smooth and an extremely rapid advancing movementl of each successively actuated sinker to fully kink the yarn about the shanks of the adjacent needles prior to the start of the advancingmovement of the next succeeding sinker, whereby the necessity of employing the usual dividers between alternate sinkers is eliminated, and the speed of the knitting operation at the lsame time may be greatly increased.

Other objects of the invention are concerned with the provision of novel means for controlling the operation of the individual sinkers to determine loop length whereby a more uniform operation of the machine is secured to produce even appearing fabric loops, and to permit such variations in loop length as may be desired, for example, in the knitting of full-fashioned hosiery.

With these and other objects in view, as may hereinafter appear, a feature of the invention consists .in the provision in a knitting machine having individually operable yarn measuring sinkers, of fluid operated means for projecting the sinkers to kink yarn against the needle shanks.

More specifically, a feature of the invention consists in the provision in a fiat knitting machine of sinker actuating means comprising a cylinder extending lengthwise of the sinker series, and having a movable valve member or piston adapted to be traversed rst in one direction and then in the other by the conventional Coulier motion or other suitable means, the traverse of the piston causing a uid medium in the cylinder to impart pressure successively to each of the sinker actuating elements to urge the sinkers forwardly into yarn kinking position.

Another feature of the invention consists in the provision of means for releasing the sinkersv successively to cause them to be projected by the aforesaid fluid pressure mechanism in the desired wave-like motion, said mechanism comprising a member which is moved longitudinally of the machine during the Coulier to disengage successively the sinker actuating elements.

Still another feature of the invention consists in providing means for limiting the extent of forward movement of the sinkers upon their release by the sinker holding mechanism, said means comprising a member mounted for movement toward and away from the needle series and serving as an adjustable stop for the entire group of sinkers, whereby the depth of yarn kinking may be varied throughout the length of the needle series to control the tightness or looseness of the fabric.

A further feature of the invention involves the provision in a iiat knitting machine, of means for limiting the extent of projection of certain automatically selected sinkers during the yarn kinking movement, whereby reinforced areas may be readily produced by the remaining sinkers and cooperating elements without rocking the needles toward-and away from the press edge during the traverse.

Still another feature of the invention consists in the provision of means for automatically positioning the needles during the Coulier in either of two positions only, one position being taken for the production of plain fabric and the other for the production of reinforced fabric.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation', partly in section. of a Cotton type full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine embodying the invention; Figures 2 to 6 are profile views ofcertain of the rotating cams for actuating the various knitting instrumentalities, Fig. 2 showing the cam for imparting the press or horizontal in-and-cut motion to the needle series, Fig. 3 the cam for the vertical needle movement, Fig. 4 the cam for the catch bar vertical movement, Fig. 5 the lifting'cam for the upper sinker rail, and Fig. 6 the cam for the catch bar horizontal movement; Fig. I is a view in rear elevation of a portion of the knitting machine, illustrating the Coulier drive for the traversing mechanism; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the machine, illustrating two sections of the same; Fig. 9 is a view in front elevation of a portion of the machine, showing certain of the actuating mechanism for the needle series of one section, the yarn carrier mechanism, and the pattern chain control means; Fig. l is a view in side elevation, taken on the line ll-ll of Fig. 9, illustrating the pattern mechanism for varying the depth of yarn kinking by the sinkers; Fig. l1 is a detail end view of the pattern cam and cooperating levers; Fig.- 12 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of one section of the machine, certain parts being omitted to show more clearly the mechanism for projecting the sinkers, and also the verge plate for adjustably limiting the extent of sinker projection; Fig. 14 is a detail view in side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 13 and taken on the line H-il of said figure; Fig. l is a plan view on a further enlarged scale of the end portions of adjacent section and illustrating portions of the sinker releasing and positioning mechanisms; Fig. 16 is a sectional view in side elevation taken along the line IS-IG of Fig. Fig. 17 is a detail sectional view of certain of the sinker actuating elements, taken along the lineH-l'l of Fig. 16; Figs. 18 to 22 are a series of 1; u n tic plan views of the sinker actuating, releasing and positioning mechanism taken on the line il-IB of Fig. 14 at different times during Coulier or yarn kinking movement of the sinker series; Fig. 18 showing the sinkers in retracted position, with the hydraulic piston and sinker release rail at their extreme left position, just prior to the commencement of the needle movements to form the yarn kinked by the previous traverse into fabric loops; Fig. I9 shows the piston and rail as having commenced their traverse to the right; Fig. 20 is a view of the parts when nearing the end of their traverse to the right, all but a few of the sinkers having been projected; Fig. 21 shows the parts as having traversed still further toward the right, all of the sinkers being in forward position; and Fig. 22 shows the parts at the limit of their traverse to the right and occupying the position corresponding to Fig. 18, but at the right hand end of the section; Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic view of the sinkers, sinker stop bar or verge plate, and supplementing sinker stop rails, showing the parts in the position they assume during the knitting `oi plain, un-reinforced fabric, the sinkers being stopped in aligned forward position by engagement with the verge plate; Fig. 24 is a view similar toFig. 23, but with the parts arranged for knitting fabric having reinforced areas, the verge plate being in forward position to permit certain sinkers to be projected beyond those sinkers which are engaged by the supplementary sinker stop rails; Fig, 25 is a view of one form of yarn kinking sinker having an abutment positioned for cooperation with one of the supplementary sinker stop rails; Fig. 26 is a view of another form of sinker having an abutment positioned for cooperation with the other supplementary sinker stop rail: Fig. 27 is a detail view in front elevation of the sinker release rail, a supporting block therefor, and sinker guard cams; Fig. 28 is a sectional view taken along the line "-28 of Fig. 29; Fig. 29 is an inverted plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 27; Fig. 30 is a detail view of the cam and cooperating lever for imparting the horizontal or in-and-out motion to the needle series, together with the mechanism for positioning the needles, at the time the place, either in the position for knitting plain fabric or in the position for knitting reinforced fabric, the parts being illustrated at that time in the cycle of the machine when the needles are at the limit of their forward movement, and with the needle positioning mechanism in inactive position; and Fig. 31 is a view similar to Fig. 30, but with the needle positioning means operative to position the needle for the knitting of reinforced fabric.

The invention is herein disclosed in the drawings, as embodied in a multiple section flat fullfashioned knitting machine having for each section, a series of spring beard needles movable as a unit with relation to a press edge. knockover bits, and cooperating yarn measuring sinkers which are arranged to be advanced in a `vavelike motion to sink yarn against the shanks of the needles. The illustrated machine, except as hereinafter more particularly pointed out, follows the usual construction and arrangement of these machines, having a base comprised of cross frames 40 spaced at intervals along the length of the machine, and connected by the usual lower front rail 42, rear rail 44, sinker rail 48, and work table 48, which extends throughout the length of the machine. The machine is driven from a main cam shaft 5B extending along the length of the machine. The spring bearded lmitting needles 52 of the machine are mounted on needle bars 54 adapted to move as a unit with relation to a fixed press edge 55 formed on the forward end of the lower sinker bed N supported on the sinker rail 'Ihe supporting and actuating connections for the needles comprise vertically extending hinge pins 58 to which the needle bars are attached, pivotally mounted at 60 on rearwardly extending vertical motion levers 82 secured to a needle vertical motion rock shaft 84 extending along the machine length. Downwardly extending cam levers 66 secured at spaced intervals to the rock shaft il carry at their lower ends rollers 58 for engagement with cooperating needle vertical motion knitting cams 10 on the cam shaft 5I. Forward and back needle motion is provided through connections which include links 12 connecting the lower ends of the depending lever arms 59 with downwardly extending levers 14 carried on the needle press motion rock shaft 'I6 extending along the length of the machine. There is 4also secured to the rock shaft 16, at spacedintervals along the machine length, needle press motion cam levers 18 having mounted thereon cam rollers 1! for engagement with needle forward and back motion cams on the cam shaft 50. The machine is also provided with knockover bits 82 which are constructed and arranged to operate in a manner usual in full-fashioned machines. The machine i's also provided with the usual yarn car- Coulier is taking riers l supported for traversing movement on carrier bars I6 slidably mounted in ilxed brackets Il (see Figs. 9 and 10).

In accordance with the present invention, applicant provides a novel arrangement of the sinkers, and novel actuating and controlling means for the sinkers and needles cooperating therewith, to measure the feeding yarn against the needle shanks. The novel devices employed, include hydraulically actuated means for actuating the sinkers whereby an extremely rapid and dependable sinkers action is secured, and the usual mechanical operating slur-cock cam and sinker jack construction with its attendant limitations and disadvantages is wholly eliminated. Cooperating with the hydraulic actuating means, applicant provides control means in the form of a guard and release cam which operates to control the advance of the sinkers by the hydraulicalLv actuated means, this cam being constructed and arranged to determine the rate and timed sequence of sinker operation to create VVthe most advantageous form of knitting wave.

' Further in accordance with the invention, applicant provides individually movable sinker elements between all the knitting needles of the machine, in place of the usual alternating sinker and divider construction in which the dividers are advanced en masse to ire-measure the klnked yarn against all the needles. With appllcant's novel sinker actuating and controlling mechanism above described, in which fluid actuating means are employed for projecting the individual sinkers in combination with a release cam for controlling the advancing movement of the sinkers, it has been found possible to insure the full projection of each of successive closely adjacent sinker elements before the next succeeding sinker has advanced to kink the feeding yarn. The knitting wave formed in this manner, may be angled as sharply as may be desired, and is well adapted for the actuation of individually movable sinker elements located between all the knitting needles of the finest gauge machines.

Further in accordance with the invention, applicant discloses automatically adjustable means for controlling the limit of the sinker advancing movement in order to produce necessary adjustments of loop length from course to course in the knitting of full-fashioned hosiery, and also for controlling the limit of advancing movement of selected sinkers in the knitting of individual courses as required, for example, in the knitting of reinforced fabric in which longer loops are to be formed on those needles knitting the reinforced areas.

The novel mechanisms hereinafter described, forming the several features of the invention, are adapted for application to existing cotton type full-fashioned hosiery machines, with only such changes and modifications in the operation of the cooperating mechanisms, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In accordance with the present invention, applicant provides two distinct forms of sinker element 00 and S2 illustrated in Figs. 26 and 25 respectively. Sinker elements 02 are employed inthe left hand half of each needle series, and sinker elements 90 are employed in the right hand hallA of each knitting section. As particularly indicated, for example, in Fig. 24 of the drawings, sinker elements I0 differ from sinker elements 02 only in the location of certain of the operating butts, as hereinafter more fully described.

The sinkers are slidably supported in grooves formed in a bottom sinker bed 04 and in a top or cover sinker bed ll, these two beds being bolted to each other and to the sinker rail 46. As best shown in Figs. 25 and 26, eachof the sinkers I0 and 02 is provided with a cutaway portion $0 -to receive the adjustable`verge plate hereinafter described, and at the rear end thereof with an abutment |00 against which the verge plate operates. 'Each sinker is also provided at its rear end with a downwardly vextending butt |02 for engagement with the notched bar which in the illustrated construction, and as more fully to be described, is located beneath the sinkers. Each of the sinkers is also provided with two recessed portions having rear end abutments |04 and |00 for sliding engagement with subsidiary verge plates, and each of the sinkers l2 is similarly provided with recessed portions having rear end abutments |00 and ||0, the butt |00 being spaced slightly to the rear of butt |04, and butt I I0 being spaced slightly in advance of the butt |00 on the sinker 90 for selective engagement with subsidiary verge plates hereinafter more fully to bedescribed. As best shown in Figs. 16, 25 and 26, all of the butting surfaces of the sinkers 00 and 92 are located within the planes of the top and bottom guide surfaces designated respectively at |09 and of the sinkers 90 and 92 which engage within the slotted portions respectively of the cover sinker bed 00 and the bottom sinker bed 94, so that the sinkers may be readily withdrawn forwardly through the slottedv guide support provided by the beds 94, 00, in the event that it becomes necessary to replace any sinker or sinkers.

Cooperating with each of the sinkers 90 and 02, is a slider ||2 (see Figs. 16 and 17), these sliders being guided in grooves formed in a supporting bar lll secured to the coverv of sinker bed 00, and being further supported toward their rear ends in a bar IIG rigidly supported on a fixed portion of -the machine. Each of the sliders ||2 is provided with an abutment ||8 which engages with the rear end of the cooperating sinker and a forwardly extending groove portion |20 to receive the rearwardly extending upper edge of the sinker. Each of the sliders |`|2 is also provided with an upwardly extending butt |22 for engagement with the sinker guard and release cam hereinafter more fully to be described. Each of the sliders .H2 is also provided with a rearwardly extending butt for engagement with the fluid actuated advancing pins hereinafter described. As best shown in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings, these butts for the several sliders are staggered with relation to one another, every third slider having a butt |24, and the intervening sliders having butts |26 and |28 respectively.

Applicants novel fluid actuated mechanism for successively projecting the sinkers, is supported in the machine directly to the rear-of the sinkers and sliders above described, substantially in the position normally occupied in these may chines by the sinker jacks, slur-cock cams and associated mechanisms. The fluid actuating sinker projecting mechanism is supported on a fixed supporting bar |30 which extends throughout the length of the machine, and is drilled to receive sinker operating pins |32 in staggered relation to one another for vengagement respectively with butts |24, |26 and |20 of the sliders H2. These actuating pins |22 are in turn acted upon by a second series of pins |34 supported directly to the rear of and in axial alignment with the pins |32. 'I'he pins |32 are slidably supported to slide in holes drilled in a ilxed support |35, one such support being provided for each knitting section extending along the length thereof. andY bolted to the supporting bar |35. The pins |34 at their rear ends are arranged to be acted upon by the iiuid medium contained in a sinker projection cylinder |35 which extends along the length ofthe knitting section, and is in turn secured to the support |35. In order to positively limit the movement of the actuating pins I 34 in each direction, each pin is provided at its forward end with an enlarged head |45 which engages within a OOII'GSDOndingly enlarged portion |42 of the bores within which the pins are tted to slide. With this construction it will readily be seen that rearward movement of the pins |24 is limited by engagement of the heads |45 with the shouldered rear ends of the enlarged bores |42, forward movement being similarly limited by engagement of the heads |45 with the adjacent face of the supporting bar |35. As best shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings, this face portion of the bar |35 is cut away to provide an exhaust outlet |44 to take care of any leakage of iluid medium past the actuating pins |34. The outlet |44 extends along the entire length of the machine, and is connected to an exhaust conduit |45 through which fluid collected in the outlet |44 is returned to the sump (not shown).

With the preferred construction illustrated, actuation of the pins |34 is effected by a fluid medium, preferably oil, which is admitted under pressure to the cylinder |35. As best shown in Figs. 13, 14, 16, and 18 to 22 inclusive, one such cylinder |35 is provided for each knitting section extending along the length thereof. The several cylinders |35 are provided at each end with outwardly extending flanges |45 which are bolted together to provide a continuous assembly of the cylinder units along the entire length of the machine. There is provided for each cylinder |35, a piston |55 supported on a piston rod |52 which extends the length of the cylinder |35, and abuts at each end against the piston rods `|52 of the adjoining cylinders |35 associated with the adjacent knitting sections of the machine. The piston rods |52 are slidably supported at each end of the cylinders |35 in bushings |54 secured to the inner faces of the flanges |45. Each of the piston rods |52 is provided at opposite ends with a small projecting spring-presser ball detent and a recess which ilt into correspondingly formed end portions of the next adjacent piston rods |52, and are rigidly held together to move as a unit by means of cross heads |55 and |5| secured-tn the projecting ends of piston rods at opposite ends of the machine, and connecting rods |52 and |54 which are spaced respectively above and below the cylinders |35, and rigidly connect together the cross heads |55 and |5I. 'I'he cross head |55 at the right hand end of the machine, is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and the cross head |5| at the left hand end of the machine being shown in Fig. 10. With the construction above illustrated, it will readily be seen that any individual cylinder |35 with its associated piston |55 and piston rod |52, may be readily removed without disturbing the remaining portions of the assembly along the length of the machine, it being necessary only to move the piston rods |52 to their extreme position to the right, as shown in Fig. 22, in which the abutting portions of the piston rods |52 are aligned with the flanges |45.

Each cylinder |55 is formed at each end thereof, with a flange-like base |55 (see Figs. 13 and 14) to which is rigidly secured a valve unit comprising a valve housing |55, chambered for an exhaust valve' |15 and a pressure valve |12 through which fluid pressure may be exhausted or admitted to opposite sides of the respective pistons |55. The exhaust valve |15 comprises the -exhaust chamber |1| and a valve plunger |14 which is journalier! to slide in a rearwardly extending bore in the casing |55, and is springseated by means of a small compression spring |15 coiled about the plunger |14 between an abutting portion of the casing |55 and a head |15 formed on the rear end thereof. The pressure valve |12 similarly comprises the chamber |13 and a valve plunger |55 which is springseated by means of a compression spring |52 interposed between an abutting portion of the casing |55 and a plunger head |54 formed on the rear end thereof. Each of the chambers |1| of the several exhaust valves is connected through a branch conduit |55 with an exhaust conduit |55 extending along the length of the machine, through which exhausting fluid is returned to the machine sump. Similarly, each of the chambers |13 of the several pressure valves spaced along the length of the machine, is ccnnecd by a branch conduit |55 to a main pressure pipe line |52 which extends along the length of the machine, and is connected to the fluid pressure source of supply. It will be understood that fluid pressure may be supplied to the machine through a fluid pressure system which may be of ordinary description, comprising a reservoir located in the machine base, fluid being drawn from the reservoir under pressure by an oil pump, and thereafter returned through the exhaust lines above described, to this reservoir or sump. Inasmuch as iluid pressure systems of this general description are well known, it is believed unnecessary to speciilcally illustrate' the same.

As hereinafter more fully set forth in connection with the description of the operation of the machine, the pressure and exhaust valves |12 and |15 are arranged and operated in such a manner as to cause fluid pressure to be admitted to the trailing side of each of the pistons |55 during their traverse in each direction, and to be exhausted from the leading side of these pistons, so that fluid under pressure is supplied successively tc the actuating pins |54 to effect successive projection of the sinkers during the travel of the pistons in each direction. For example, during the travel of the pistons |55 to the right, the pressure valve |12 at the left hand end of each knitting section will be open and the exhaust valve |15 closed, while the corresponding pressure valve |12 at the right end of each section is closed, and the exhaust valve |15 is opened. When the direction of traverse of the pistons |55 is reversed, the positions of alll the pressure and exhaust valves will also be reversed.

The mechanism through which the 4operation of the pressure valves |12 and exhaust valves |15 is controlled, comprises for each valve unit, a cam actuated rocker lever 255 which is supported to turn on a fixed pivot 252. and is provided with rocker arms 254 and 255 which are arranged for alternative engagement respectively with 'the heads |15 and |54 of the exhaust and pressure valves. A tension spring 266 secured at one end to rocker arm 264, and at its other end to a hook on the casing |66, tends normally to maintain the cam rocker lever 266 in exhaust position. The operation of the cam rocker levers 266 vis controlled through connections which comprise a cam shaft 2|6 extending along the length of the machine, having mounted thereon operating cams 2|2 and 2|4, one such cam 2|2 being arranged to act upon roller 2|6 carried by cam rocker lever 266 associated with the valve unit |66 at the left hand end of each knitting section, and one such cam 2|4 being provided to act upon roller 2|6 and cam rocker lever v266 associated with each right hand valve unit |66 for the several knitting sections. It will be noted particularly from Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings, that the cams 2|2 and 2|4 are identical in shape, each having four equally spaced rise and intervening low portions, the cams 2|4 being set at a 45 angle from one another, so that the valve units at opposite ends of the several sections will always be set in reverse positions.

'I'he cam shaft 2|6 is rocked to effect the desired setting of the valves |16 and |12, and pistons |66 are traversed during each knitting cycle of the machine through a Coulier driving mechanism which is in addition to the usual Coulier drive for the machine. As best shown in Fig. 7, this mechanism comprises a Coulier arm 226 supported at its lower' end on a stationary pivot 222 and at its upper end connected by means of a shoe 224 to a piston traversing slide 226. A driving link 226 connected at one end to the Coulier arm 226 and at its other end to a supporting lever (not shown) carries cam rollers 262 spaced to engage opposite sides of a Coulier cam 234 which is continuously driven from the main cam shaft 56 ofthe machine; These connections include a rearwardly extending shaft 236 to which the Coulier cam 234 is secured, a bevel gear 236 on the shaft 236, and a driving bevel gear (not shown) on the cam shaft 56.

The piston traversing slide 226 is sleeved for traversing movement on a fixed shaft 242, and also upon an additional supporting shaft 244 extending lengthwise of the machine. The slide 226 is formed with a forwardly extendingarm 246 which is forked at its forward end, the forks being rigidily secured to the piston connecting rods |62 and |64 (see Fig. 1).

The cam shaft 2|6 is rotated through a 45 angle at each end of the Coulier stroke, through connections (see Figs. 1, 7 and 8) which include a ratchet 246 secured to the cam shaft 2|6, and

a pawl 256 supported on. an axially movable spring retracted plunger 252. 'Ihe plunger 252. is mounted to slide in an arm 254 rigidly secured to a fixed shaft 266 extending lengthwise of the machine. The pawl 256 is tensioned in a direction to maintain the engagement of the pawl with the ratchet by a small tension spring 251 connected at one end 'to a rearwardly extending tail of the pawl 256, and at its other end to the fixed lever arm or bracket 254. The rear end of the plunger 252 projects rearwardly beyond its support 254, and is arranged to be engaged by a cam 266 formed on the piston traversing slide 226. As shown in Fig. 8, the traversing slide 226 is at the extreme left hand end of its traversing movement, so that the rise portion of the cam 266 is engaged against the rear end of the plunger 252 to advance the ratchet 246 and cam shaft 2|6. In order that the cam shaft 2|6 may be racked to reverse the valve settings at the right hand end of the Coulier movement, a second racking mechanism for the cam shaft 2|6 is provided for actuation by the cam 266 at the right hand end of its traverse. As shown in the rear elevation of Fig. A7, this mechanism is identical in construction and mode of operation with the racking mechanism previously described including a ratchet 264 and associated pawl, and'plunger 266 supported in a rearwardly extending arm 266 supported on the stationary shaft 266. This racking mechanism is spaced from the racking mechanism illustrated in F18. 8, the length of the' traversing stroke of the piston traversing vslide 226.

The present machine is also provided with the usual Coulier motion which in the illustrated construction is employed to traverse the friction driving rod for reciprocating the yarn carrier bars 86 in the usual'manner, and also to traverse the sinker guard and release cam mechanism hereinafter to be described. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the Coulier drive comprises a Coulier arm 216 supported at its lower end on a fixed pivot 212, and at its upper end connected to a driving shoe 214 to drive the usual Coulier slide 216. A Coulier driving link 216 connected at one end to the Coulier arm 216, and at its other end to a supporting lever arm 266, carries cam rollers 282 and 264 arranged to engage opposlte sides of a Coulier cam 266. The driving connections for the Coulier cam 266 includes a rearwardly extending shaft 266 on which the cam 266 is carried, and intermeshing bevel gears 266 and .262 mounted respectively on the shaft 266 and on the mainv cam shaft 56 of the machine.

lin order to control the advancing movement of the sinkers projected by the fluid pressure actuated mechanism above described, applicant provides a guard and release cam mechanism which operates to prevent the premature advance of individual sinkers, and thereafter to control the projection of the sinkers in such a manner as to produce a uniform steeply angled knitting wave which will insure a rapid but controlled advance of each successive sinker prior to the engagement of the next succeeding sinker to kink the feeding yarn during traverse in each direction. The sinker guard and release cam mechanism, as best shown in Figs. 1, 15, 16, and 27 to 29 inclusive, comprises a sinker traversing rail 264 extending throughout the length of the machine, which is slidably supported in blocks 266 spaced at intervals along the machine length ,between adjoining sections. The blocks 266 are rigidly secured to and are supported on frame levers 266 (see Figs. 8, 15 and 16) pivotally supported at their rear ends on the xed shaft 256 between collars 366. The assembly including the cam rail 264 and frame levers 266 is moved vertically through connections which comprise links 362 supported at their upper ends to certain of the frame levers 268, and at their lower ends to cooperating cam levers 364 pivoted on a shaft 366, and provided with rollers 366 for engagement with lift motion cams 6|6 on the cam shaft 56 of the machine. One such cam is shown in detail in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Lengthwise sliding movement is imparted to the sinker guard cam rail 264 from the Coulier slide 216, which has formed thereon a forwardly extending arm SI2 rigidly connected to the guard cam rail 264 (seeFig. 8).

As best shown in Figs. 16, 18 to 22 inclusive, and 27 to 29 inclusive, there is secured'to'the under side of the sinker guard cam rail 264, a seing provided for each knitting section, and extending slightly beyond the length of the needle series in each direction for engagement withl the guard cam butts |22 of the sinker sliders ||2. 'I'here is also provided at the right hand end of each guard cam, a downwardly extending arcuate-shaped release cam I which is slidably supported in an arcuate guideway Ill in the under side of the guard cam rail 284 for movement into and out of operatingiposition with relation to `the slide or butts |22. There is similarly provided at the left hand end o! each guard cam 3|4, an arcuate-shaped depending release cam 320 which is slidably supported in an arcuate guideway 322 formed on the under side of the rail 234 formovement into and out of operating position with relation to the slide or butts |22. A springpressed detent 324 supported on the rail 294, is arranged for engagement with either of two notches 320 or 32| formed in a slide support 32! for the release cam lil to support the release cam SII in either of its alternative extended or retracted positions. A spring-pressed detent 330 is arranged for alternative engagement with notches 122 or 334 in the slide support 238 for the release cam 320 to support said .cam in its alternative retracted and extended positions.

During each knitting cycle of the machine, the rail 204 is traversed by the usual Coulier motion above described, through a distance which is somewhat in excess of the needle series first in one direction and then in the other, so that each guard cam 3|4 will move from its initial position in front of one knitting section to a substantially identical position opposite the next knitting section. During the traversing movement of the rail 294 to the left, the right hand or trailing release cam Sli will occupy the advance position illustrated in Figs. 18 and 29, the left hand release cam 320 associated with each guard cam 3|4 being in its' retracted position. During this traversing movement the sinkers successively projected by the fluid pressure mechanism above described, will be rst restrained by the engagement of the slider butts |22 with the guard cam M4, and will then be successively released as these butts come in contact with the sloping surface of the release cam lli. The advancing end of each guard cam 3|4 which now moves into position opposite the next adjacent knitting section to the left, will pass behind the slider butts |22. During the subsequent rotation of the main cam shaft to complete the knitting cycle, the sinker guard cam rail 284 is raised by the operation of the lift motion cams ill to permit the retraction of the sinkers and the sliders ||2. when the sinker rail 2l4 is again lowered into the operating position shown, for example, in Figs. 16 and 18, preparatory for the next traversing movement to the right. At the beginning of this traversing movement to the right, the relative positions of the release cams #Il and 320 associated with each section, is reversed. the release cam llt now being retracted, and the release cam 32|! which now becomes the operative cam, being advanced.

In order to eilect this relative positioning movement of the release cams 2|. and 320, there is secured to each block 280, a spring-seated actuating element in the form of a leaf spring 340 bolted to the supporting frame' lever 2", and provided at opposite ends thereof with trip members 242 and 344 which are arranged for cooperative engagement with actuating pins 348 trailing or of the drawings.

length of the machine.

and $48 formed on the upper surface of the slide sup'port 329, and pins lll and 252 formed in the upper surface of the slide support Ill for the release cam 324. As best shown in the bottom plan view Fig. 29, the trip members 242 and 244 are so located as to be in the path of movement of the rearwardly disposed one of the two pinsv associated with each of the release cams Ill and 220. The inner faces of each of the trip members 342 and 244- are vertically disposed for operative engagement 4with the pins, the outer surfaces being cammed outwardly to permit the pins when engaged against these cammed outer surfaces. to ride beneath the trip member without shifting the .position of the associated relief cam. Assuming the position of the parts shown. for example. in Figs. 18 and 27. the movement of the sinker guard cam rail 2l4 to the right, will now cause the latch member 242 to engage with the rearwardly disposed pin 350 to shift the left hand or trailing relief cam 22D to its operative position, the position of the parts being then as shown in Fig. 19. Continued traversing movement of the rail 294 to the right.jsubsequently causes the trip member 242 to engage with the rearwardly disposed pin 344 to shift the right hand or leading relief cam SIC associated with each guard cam 3|4 to its retracted position, this retracting movement being arranged to take place before the leading relief cam SIB reaches the first operating sinker of the knitting section. The positions of the relief cams 320 and 2|! will then be as shown in Fig. 20. During the subsequent traversing stroke to the left, the positions of the relief vcams 2li and 320 will be reversed through the operation of the trip member 244.

In the illustrated construction, a novel arrangement of the usual catch bar motion is employed for controlling the operation of the sinkers subsequent to the yarn measuring operation to impart the usual forward and back selvage forming and subsequent retracting movements to the sinkers. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 16 of the drawings, a catch bar 360 is provided located rearwardly 'of the sinker bed 84 and beneath the sinker 1ine. The catch bar 380 is provided with a slot 362 to receive the sinker operating butts |02, the front lip of the slot 262 being shorter 4than the rear lip to permit relative movement of the catch bar 340, so that the sinker butts |02 may be moved relatively over the front lip into engagement with the rear lip to accurately engage the butts within the slot. The catch bar 260 is supported at intervals along its length on rearwardly extending supporting lever arms 364. 'Ihe catch bar levers 364 are supported for forward and back movements on upwardly extending lever arms 388 secured to a rock shaft 368 extending along the machine length. Rocking motion is imparted to the shaft 388 by means of one or more cam levers 310 secured to the rock shaft 368, and provided at their lower ends with rollers 312 for engagement with forward and back catch bar motion cams 214 on the cam shaft 50, one such cam being specifically illustrated in Fig. 6

parted to the catch bar 3l?) through connections which comprise links 31B connected at their upper end to the respective catch bar levers 364, and at their lower ends to rearwardly extending arms of cooperating cam levers 31. supported on the supporting shaft 308' extending along the Each of the cam levers 318 is provided with a roller I for engagement with cooperating catch bar vertical motion cams Vertical movements are im- Y .g2 on the cam shaft l0, one such catch bar vertical motion cam being specifically illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In order that the catch bar 360 may be maintained in operating positionengagement againstthe rear side of the corresponding arm 422. vThe set screw 4231s screwthreaded into a rearwardly extending tail of each arm 422 for engagement against the'bracket 424. Withthis construction it will readily be seen that the'adjustment of the verge plate is determined for any particular angular position of the cam y disk 404 by the engagement of a selected cam follower arm 422 with a high portion of its cooperating face cam 423.

Mechanism isprovided which is controlled from the main pattern chain of the machine for. im-

, parting step-by-step rotational positioning movewhich is arranged normally'to engage with the abutments |00 cf all the sinkers to limit the advancing movement of the same. 'I'he verge plate 390 extends throughout the length of the machine, being supported at #intervals along its length upon'rollers such as that designated at 392 in Fig. 16, and upon supporting pins 394A which are fitted into slots 396 in the verge plate, and are screw-threaded into the sinker bed 94 to permit a shifting of the verge plate lengthwise of the machine. The lengthwise movement of the verge plate 390 operates to produce a forward or back adjustment of its operating position to adjustably Adetermine the forward limit of the advancing' movement of the sinkers and the length of loop measured thereby. To this end the verge plate is provided between the ends of adjacent sections on the forward side thereof, with a wedge camshaped bearing surface 400 Vwhich is arranged to engage against a correspondingly cammed stationary support 402 xed to the sinker bedv 94. Compression springs 404 coiled about each of the supporting pins 304 between the enlarged head thereof and the rear face of the verge plate 390, serve to maintain the verge plate in operating position with the surfaces 400 in engagement with their correspondingly cammed supports 402.

Further in accordance with the present invention, applicant provides pattern mechanism for automatically controlling the {position of the verge plate 390 to eect desired adjustments of loop length during continued operation of the machine. As best shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, this pattern mechanism comprises a multiple face cam disk 406 sleeved to turn on a fixed shaft 4 08, a collar 4|0 secured to the shaft being provided to prevent endwise movement of the cam 406. Cooperatingwith the cam disk 403 is a downwardly extending lever 4l2 which is supported to turn on a pivot pin 4I4, and is provided with an upward extension 4I6 which engages against the left hand end of the verge plate 390, as shown in Fig. 9. A tension spring 4I0 connected at one end to the verge plate 390 and at its other end to a fixed point on the machine, acts to maintain the verge plate 290 atall times in .engagement with the lever 4I0. The cam actuated lever 4|2 is forked at its lower end to provide support for a transversely extending pivot shaft 420 on which are supported four manually adjustable cam follower levers 422 which are arments to the cam disk 400, in order to bring any selected lever-arm 422 in engagement with the high portionv of its cooperating cam 423. This mechanism comprisesa ratchet 430 fixed to the sleeve hub of the cam disk 403, and a cooperat- `ing pawl 432 which is pivotallysupported on an upwardly extending pawlactuating lever 434. A small tension spring`436 connected between the tail of the pawl 432 and the lever 434 acts to maintain the pawl in engagement with thef ratchet. As best shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, the pawl actuating lever 434 'is mounted to turn on a fixed pivot; 433, and carries on a forwardly extending arm thereof, a laterally shiftable roller 440 which is adapted for engagement with an actuating cam 442 on the cam shaft 50.

' The roller 440 is shifted into and out of operative engagement with its operating cam 442 to start and stop the indexing movement of the face cam 406v through connections controlled from the main pattern chain of the machine, diagrammatically shown at 444. These connections include a shifting fork 446 supported on a slide rod 448 and connected to the sleeve hub of the cam roller 440. The slide rod 44B is connected by means of a link 450 to a pattern chain lever 452 which is adapted to be engaged by a bump such-as that indicated at 454 on the pattern chain 444 to shift the roller 440 into operating ings, the usual stitch adjustment for controlling loop length has been eliminated The usual loop regulator shaft extending along the length of the machine, has been retained, andin the present construction forms part of a-mechanism for automatically positioning the needles in a ilxed position for-cooperation withthe sinkers during the yarn measuring operation. With the construction illustrated, the needle positioning mechanism referred to, is constructed and arranged for positioning .the needlesalternatively in either of two such positions, one being employed during the knitting of courses in which the same length of needle loop is to be measured across the entire course, the other position being employed during the knitting of reinforced fabric toA cooperate with applicants supplementary verge plate mechanism hereinafter more fully to be described, for positioning the needles during the knitting of reinforced fabric in which different lengths of loop are to be measured on .selected portions of each needle series. As best shown in Figs. 9. l0, 30 and 3l. the machine is provided with a rock shaft I which comprises the usual regulator shaft extending along the length of these machines. Rigidly secured to the rock shaft lll are a number of upwardly extending detent levers "I, one auch lever being provided to cooperate with each in-and-out cam motion lever 'Il which has rigidly secured-to the hub thereof, a forwardly extending lever arm I which carries two adjustable stop screws I and I adapted for engagement respectively with cooperating stop surfaces formed on the two prongs lll and Il! of the forked upper end of the detent lever lll. A's shown in Pig. l0 of the drawings, the prong |12 is spaced rearwardly of the prong 41|. During normal operation of the machine, to knit fabric loops having the same length across the entire course, detent lever l2 is positioned prior to the movement of the needles to their Coulier position, so that the stop screw I will be brought into operative engagement with the stop surface provided by the prong Ill. During subsequent movement of the needles outwardly and down to the knockover position, the shaft lll is rocked to move the stop lever l rearwardly to permit unobstructed operation of the needle in-and-out motion cam lever ll, this position being shown in Fig. 30 ofthe drawings. For rocking the lever "I, a rearwardly extending cam lever "I is secured to the shaft "l, and carries at its rear end a roller 416. arranged to be acted upon by a cam Ill on the main cam shaft l of the machine. The forward position of the rock shaft l and stop lever 2 is controlled by means of a latch Il! supported on a xed pivot I on the machine frame, which engages with anv needle series. this mechanism being intended for use in the knitting of fabric courses in which long loops are required in certain portions only of each course as, for example. in the knitting of reinforced hosiery, when it is desirable to employ longer loops in the knitting of the reinforced portions. This mechanism comprises two subsidiary verge plate carrier rails 2 and I extending along the length of the machine and slidably supported, as best shown in Fig. 16. in grooves l and l formed in the cover sinker rail The auxiliary verge plate carrier rail 2 is provided on its under side with an auxiliary verge plate lll which projects downwardly into the path of movement of the sinker butts IM of the sinkers Il comprising the right hand half of the sinker series. As best shown from the construction lines on Figs. 25 and 26, the auxiliary verge plate lll does not engage with the abutments III of sinkers I! which are placed rearwardly a sumcient distance to prevent such engagement. Similarly, the sinker verge plate rail "4 is provided at each section with a downwardly projecting auxiliary verge plate lllwhich projects into the path of movement of the butts lll of sinkers I2 forming the left half of each sinker series. From Figs. 25 and 26,1t will readily be seen that the auxiliary verge plate II! does -needle series.

envases not contact with the abutments l of the right hand sinkers il, these abutments being placed rearwardly with relation to the butts lll to prevent such engagement. The ,auxiliary sinker verge plate rails 4I! and I are spring-seated downwardly by compression springs l to position the auxiliary verte plates lll and 2 against the slotted portions of the sinkers. For convenience of illustration, the auxiliary verge plates lll and Il! have been designated in solid -black lines to show the position of these plates withl relation to the sinker series.

With this construction and arrangement of the auxiliary verge plates and the cooperating sinker butts. it will readily be seen that the number of sinkers which will be controlled by this auxiliary mechanism, may be readily determined by adjusting the relative positions of auxiliary verge plate rails Il! and 484 as, for example, when the rail "2 is moved to the left, the number of sinkers in the right half of the sinker series which will havetheir butts IM engaged against the verge plate 500, will be diminished. As previously pointed out, the sinkers in the left half of the sinker series are not controlled by the verge plate the abutment lill being. as previously stated, set back.. Similarly. movement of the auxiliary verge plate rail 4 to the right from the position shown in Figs. 23 and 24, will reduce the number -of sinkers O2 forming the left half of the sinker series which will be controlled by the verge plate 502 through the engagement of the verge plate with the sinker butts H0. As previously pointed out, the verge plate 502 does not affect the operation of sinkers 9! of which abutments I" are set back.

During normal operation of the machine, for the knitting of plain fabric, the advance of all the sinkers is controlled, as previously described, by the adjustable verge plate 39| which is so positioned as to arrest the sinker advance through the engagement of the verge plate with sinker abutments I before the butts lll and III can contact with the respective auxiliary verge plates 500 and SI2. In order to render the auxiliary verge plate mechanism above described, operative to produce a selected control of loop length in the knitting of each course, it is proposed to move the verge plate I to an abnormally advanced position and at the same time to move the needles toV an abnormally advanced Coulier position toward the front of the machine, so that the auxiliary verge plates 500 and 502 may be rendered operative to control the projection of the sinkers forming the middle portion of each The positions of the needles and of the verge plate in this position are so gauged as to 'cause relatively longer loops suitable for the knitting of reinforced fabric, to be formed by the sinkers which are permitted to advance until stopped by the engagement of their abutments l with the verge plate lil. In this abnormal forward position of the parts, the auxiliary verge plates "Il and l0! will operate to permit a relatively shorter advance of the sinkers controlled thereby, to form relatively small or ncrmal size loops.

The movement of the verge plate lll to the abnormal advanced position is effected through the operation of the pattern mechanism above described, when the cam disk "l is racked to a position in which the follower arm 422 associated with the outside face cam 423 is brought into engagement with the high bump III as shown in Fig. l2, which operates through the connections above described, to shift the verge plate 380 vto an extreme position to the right.-

This movement of the verge plate also operates to shiftthe knitting needles to an abnormally vcam 430. For this position of the latch levers 462, the extent of the forward rocking movement of the needles is controlled by the engagement of the stop pin 488 with the stop surface formed on the prong 412 of the lever 462. 'Ihe connections through which the latch 4 82 is moved out of operating position, comprise an actuating lever ll2 (see Figs-9) supported on a rock shaft 5l4,

' and arranged at its upper end to be engaged by an abutment 6l6 on the verge plate 380 when the verge plate is moved to its extreme position to the right. The rocking movement thus imparted to the actuating lever 5l2 acts through a downwardly extending lever arm 5l3. a connecting link 5I8, a bell-crank 520 and a downwardly vextending link 522 connected at its lower end to a rearward extension 524 of the latch lever 482 to disengage the latch. A small tension spring 526 connected at one end to the rearward extension 524, and at its other end to a fixed arm 528. tends normally to maintain the latch 482 in its engaging position shown, for example. in Fig. 10.

With the construction above `described, it will readily be seen that the auxiliary verge plate mechanism may be thrown into and out of operation for the knitting of reinforced fabric, by means of the operation of a single control on the main pattern chain which operates through the connections above described, to indexA the face cam 406 to the proper position. The auxiliary verge plate mechanism will then remain in active operation until further indexing movement is imparted to the face cam 406 to move the high bump 5l0 out of engagement with its cooperating follower arm 422 to permit the return of the verge plate 390 to a normal operating position to the left. This movement of the verge plate to the left, simultaneously acts through the connections above described, to permit the return' of the latch 482 under the influence of its spring 526 to normal operating position as shown in Fig. l0.

Further in accordance with the present invention, mechanism is provided for automatically adjusting the relative positions of the auxiliary verge plate rails 482 and 494. to cause the adjustment of the verge plates 500 and 502 to correspond at all times with the width of plain and reinforced fabric areas being .knitted on the needle series. If it be assumed, for example, that a French high splice is being knitted, as the high splice area formed bythe reinforcing knitting yarns is widened inwardly, a corresponding adjustment in the position of the auxiliary verge plates 500 and 502 must be effected to cause the added needles knitting the inside selvage `of the reinforcing areas, to knit longer loops. In the illustrated construction, the relative positions of the auxiliary verge plate rails 492 and 484 are controlled by the spindle nuts normally employed for positioning the inner stops for the splicing carriers normally employed in these machines.

A pair of such splicing carrier spindle nuts is specifically illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, 75

the left hand nut being designated at 5.30, and' the right hand nut being designated at 532 supported on oppositely threaded portions of 'a spindle 534. In accordance with the usual prac` tice, the nut 530 has supported thereon one or more stop pins such as that indicated at 536, the nut 532 being similarly arranged to support carrier stop pins such as that indicated at 538. The stop pin 536 is supported in alignment with a carrier 'stop 540 carried on one of the carrier rods 36, the pin 538 being similarly arranged in the path of movement of a carrier stop 542 on a second carrier rod 86, for traversing splicing carriers. The nut 530 is provided also with an extension 544 which is rigidly connected to the auxiliary verge plate rail 482, the nut 532 being similarly provided with a forward extension 546 which is rigidly connected to the auxiliary verge plate rail 484. With this construction, it will readily be seen that the positions of the auxiliary verge plates 500 and 502 will be adjusted simultaneously with the shifting of the carrier stop pins 536 and 538.

The spindle 534 is racked by mechanism which may be of ordinary description, comprising a pair of ratchets 548 and 550 (see Figs. 9 and l0) which are arranged to be acted upon by pawls 552 and 554 supported on the upper end of a pawl actuating lever 556 pivotally supported at 558 on the machine frame. At its lower end the lever 556 is connected by a link 560 to a cam lever 562 supported on the pivot shaft 438 and fitted with a shiftable roller 564 for engagement with a cam on the cam shaft 50.

The spindle racking mechanism above described, is thrown into and out of operation by connections from the pattern chain 444 of the machine, through connections which include a shifting fork 566 supported on a lengthwise extending control rod 568 in accordance with the usual practice in these machines. As best shown in Fig. 10, pawls 552 and 554 are spaced apart by means of a stop screw 510 to cause only one of these pawls to be in engagement with its ratchet at one time. A tension spring 512 connected between two pawls, acts to maintain the relative position of the pawls. The direction of the racking is controlled through connections well known in the art including a link 514 connected at one end to the pawl 552, and at its other end to bellcrank 516, the other arni of which is connected by a link 518 and a bell-crank 580 to a pattern control rod 582 controlled from the main pattern chain 444 of the machine.

In order that the operation of applicants machine may be readily understood, detail views have been made of the several operating cams through which motions are imparted which are new or distinctively diilerent from those employed on Cotton type full-fashioned machines. It will be understood that the needle motion of the machine has been altered only so far as necessary to compensate for the removal of the usual dividing sinkers, together with the dividing operation ordinarily performed by these elements. The usual Coulier motion of the machine, as above noted, is employed to impart reciprocatory movements to the yarn carriers and to the sinker guard and release cams of the present machine. The additional Coulier motion employed for reciprocating the hydraulic pistons |50, is cammed in such a manner as to provide an accelerating and decelerating motion of the assembly including pistons |50 at each end of the traverse, in order to reduce so far aspossible the power required for moving this relatively heavy mechanism. In order to provide for such acceleration and deceleration, a Coulier stroke is employed for reciprocating the pistons |50 which is considerably in excess of that employed for reciprocating the yarn carriers. Inasmuch as the actual release of the sinkers is controlled by release cams lli and 320 which travel at a uniform rate during the traverse, the rate of travel of the pistons |50 is unimportant, except that a sutilcient lead must be maintained to insure the pro- Jection of the sinkers against the trailing release cam. This lead during the major portion of the traverse may be designated by the distance X. as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, but due to the decelerating motion at the end of the traverse, is later reduced to distance Y, as shown in Fig. 21.

In order that the operation of applicant's machine may be more readily understood, the several operating cams have been marked to show the successive positions of the actuating cam rollers with relation to these cams for a number of positions of the machine during the knitting of a course, these positions being lettered from A t H' inclusive. The operation of the machine will be described with relation to these successive positions of the machine. The machine parts have been specifically illustrated in a starting position of the machine at the beginning of the traversing stroke of the yarn carriers from left to right. The needles as particularly shown in Figs. 1 and l0, are located in the normal yarn sinking position, the vertical position being controlled by the vertical motion needle cam 10, the in-and-out position of the needles with relation to the press edge being at this time controlled by the engagement of the stop pin 460 with the detent lever 402 as shown in Fig. 10. The catch bar 360 of the machine is in its low retracted position, as best shown in Fig. 16, and is determined by the A position of its vertical motion cam 302 (Fig. 4) and in-and-out motion cam 314 (Fig. 6). The verge plates 390 will at this time be in an ad- Justed position which is determined by the angular position of the pattern controlled face cam disk 406 (see Figs. 10 to l2 inclusive). It will be understood that this position of the verge plate remains unchanged during the subsequent rotation of the machine cam shaft 50 to form the knitted course. lease cam rail 294 is at this time in its low position as determined by the A position of its vertical motion cam 3|0 (Fig. 5). The guard cams 2| 4 are located in operating position in front of the slider butts |22l and occupy the position shown particularly in Fig. 18. The active yarn carriers are in their positions at the extreme left o! each knitting section. For this position of the parts, the right hand release cam 3|6 associated with each section, is still exposed, the left hand release cam 320 being still in its retracted position. For this position of the parts, the pistons |50 are located in their positions to the extreme left, the valve positions at this time having been reversed by the engagement of cam 260 on the hydraulic piston traversing slide 220 with the pawl plunger 250 (see Figs. 7 and 8), so that fluid pressure is being admitted to the left hand end, and is being exhausted from the right hand end of each hydraulic cylinder |38. The position of the sinkers, guard and release cams, and pistons for each of successive positions A, B, C, D and E, are specically shown in corresponding Figs. 18 to 22 inclusive.

As the cam shaft 50 and associated parts of 'I'he sinker guard and re-v the machine are now rotated from the A to the B position, the positions of the needles 52, catch bar 350 and verge plate 39|!4 remain unchanged. The sinker guard and releasecam rail 294 remains in its low position, but has started its traversing stroke to the right. The positions of the traversing mechanisms for position B is particularly illustrated in Fig. 19, in which the pistons |50 have established a lead indicated at X over the active yarn carrier 84 and guard cams 3|4. The trailing or left hand release cam 320 has now been moved ot its operating position by the engagement of actuating member 342 with pin 350 to control the projecting movement of the sinkers. l

Continued rotation of the machine to a B' position, causes the catch bar 360 to be lowered to a position in which the rear lip of the catch bar is located below the level of the sinker butts |02. Prior to the movement of the leading ends of the guard cams 3|4 into the next adjacent sections to the right, the actuating member 250 will have engaged with the pin 346 associated with the leading release cam 3|G to retract this cam to inoperative position.

During continued rotation of the machine to the C position, the traversing stroke of the Coulier motions continues as shown in Fig, 20. At this time the catch bar 360 starts to move forwardly below the sinker butts |02.

During continued rotation of the machine to the D position shown particularly in Fig. 21, the traversing stroke of the Coulier motions still continues, the movement of the pistons however, having been slowed down, reducing the lead of the pistons |50 with relation to the yarn carriers and sinker guard and release cams to distance Y.

During rotation of the machine to the E position shown particularly in Fig. 22, the yarn carriers 04, the pistons |50 and the sinker guard and release cam rail 294 with its associated cams will have reached the right hand limit of their traversing stroke. At this point the needles start their downward movement to the press. Also prior to this time, the needle in-and-out motion cam will have taken over the control of the in-and-out motion of the needles. The catch bar now moves upwardly to engage the sinker butts |02 in the slot 362. Also the sinker guard vand release cam rail 294 is moved upwardly to permit rearward movement of the slider butts |22 beneath the guard and release cams.

During rotation of the machine to the F position, the needles move to press. The detent lever 402 is moved rearwardly to its inoperative position shown in Fig. 30, by the engagement of the roller 416 with the high portion of the operating cam 480 as shown in Fig. 30. The catch bar 360 now controlling the positions of the sinkers and 92, moves rearwardly with the needles during the pressing operation, to prevent undue stretching of the loops or excessive strain on the needle Shanks.

During rotation of the machine to the G position, the needles now move forwardly and down to draw the kinked yarn off the noses of the sinkers in the usual manner. The catch bar moves rearwardly, withdrawing the sinkers. The traversing parts of the machine remain stationary.

During continued rotation of the machine to the H position, the needles move rearwardly toward the press to knock over the sunk loops against the knockover bits in the usual manner.

:masas Th'e detent lever is again moved voutwardly as the roller 18 rides oi! the high portion of the cam I, this outward position of the detent lever 2 being determined by the engagement of latch 2 with stop lug lll' as shown in Fig.

l of the drawings. At this time the catch bar moves the sinkers forwardly and then back in the usual manner, for the correct formation of the selvage.

During rotation of the machine to the H' position, the needles continue to move in the usual manner upwardly toward the Coulier position. The catch .bar Il and the sinkers are .now withdrawn to their fully retracted position preparatory for the next yarn measuring operation, and the catch bar 360 is again lowered to the position shown in Fig. 16.

In the subsequent operation of the machine to knit the next course, the operations above described are repeated with the traversing mechanism controlled by the Coulier cams moving from right to left. l

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may bemade therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a knitting machine having knitting instrumentalities including needles', implements cooperating. therewith to form knitted loops, and means for feeding yarnto said instrumentalities, the combination of fluid pressure actuated4 means for serially actuating certain of said instrumentalities to kink the feeding yarn, and means for controlling the rate of serial actuation. and the rate of movement of each individually actuated instrumentality to produce a knitting wave of predetermined form.

2. In a knitting machine having knitting instrumentalities including a needle series, a series of implements cooperating therewith to form knitted loops, and means for feeding yarn to said instrumentalities, the combination of fluid pressure actuated meansfor serially actuating certain of said instrumentalities to kink the feeding yarn including connections through which fluid pressure is.` applied to each of said certain instrumentalities, a iiuid pressure control element movable to admit uid pressure serially to said connections, and operating means having a mechanical connection with said fluid pressure control element for traversing the same.

3. In a knitting machine having knitting instrumentalities including a needle series, a series of implements cooperating therewith to form knitted loops', and means for feeding yarn to said instrumentalities, the combination of fluid pressure actuated means for serially actuating certain of said instrumentalities to kink the feeding yarn including a iluid pressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series, connections from said cylinder through which uid pressure is applied to actuate each of said certain instrumentalities, a piston in the cylinder movable to admit fluid pressure serially to said connections, and mechanical connections including a piston rod attached to the piston for traversing the piston.

4. In a knitting machine having knitting devices including a needle series, a series of individually movable yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, and means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the combination of fluid pressure actuated `means for serially projecting the sinkers to kink the feeding yarn including a duid pressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series, means for admitting fluid pressure to said cylinder. connections from said cylinder at spaced intervals along its length through which fluid pressure is applied to project each of said sinkers, a piston movable in said cylinder to admit fluid pressure serially to said connections. a drive for said yarn feeding means, and driving means for said piston arranged to produce a lead in the movement of the piston with relation to said yarn feeding means during movement in each direction.

5. In a knitting machine having knitting devices including a needle series, a series of yarn measuring sinkers coperating therewith, and means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the combination of uid pressure actuated means for serially projecting the sinkers including a fluid pressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series, means for admitting fluid pressure to said cylinder, connections from said cylinder at spaced intervals and staggered with relation to one another along its length through which fluid pressure is applied to project each of said sinkers, and a piston movable in said cylinder to admit uid pressure serially to said connections, and actuating connections' including a piston rod connected to said piston for reciprocating the same.

6. In a flat knitting machine having knitting devices including a lseries of needles movable as a unit, a series of yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, and means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the combination of fluid pressure actuated means for serially projecting the sinkers including a fluid pressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series, means for admitting uid pressure to said cylinder, connections from said cylinder at spaced intervals along its length through which uid pressure is applied to project each of said sinkers, a piston movable in said cylinder to admit fluid pressure serially to said connections, a Coulier drive for said yarn-feeding means, and a second Coulier drive and mechanical connections .between said second Coulier drive and the piston for reciprocating said piston.

'7. In a knitting machine having knitting devices including a needle series, a series of yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, and means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the combination of fluid pressure actuated means for serially projecting the sinkers including a fluid pressure cylinder extending lengthwise of the needle series, a series of sinker actuating pins located at spaced intervals along the length of said cylinder and arranged to be acted upon by fluid pressure, a piston and mechanical connections including a piston rod attached to the piston for traversing the piston in said cylinder, fluid pressure admission and exhaust means located at opposite ends of the cylinder, and means for controlling said pressure and exhaust means to exhaust fluid pressure from the leading side of said piston and to admit fluid pressure to the trailing side of said piston whereby uid pressure is applied to serially actuate said pins.

8. In a knitting machine having knitting de, vices including a needle series, a series of yarn' measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, and

means for feeding yarn to the sinkers, the com-

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