US2296590A - Method of widening on flat knitting machines employing auxiliary yarn - Google Patents

Description

p 22, 2- s. c. BADDERS ETAL METHOD OF WIDENING 0N FLAT KNITTING MACHINES EMPLOYING AUXILIARY YARN Filed April 5,, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet l 3. c. 12/700525, c. Ffl/F/PEL 4 p 1942- s.. 6., BADDERS ETAL 2,296,590

MEJITHOD 0F WIDEN ING ON FLAT KNITTING MACHINES EMBLQYING AUXILIARY YARN Filed April 5, 1941 e Sheets Sheet 2 MEI mw rww V- W. ME I will I ENV Mn H @U WW I l lw OxmV lV w W W p 1942- s. c. BADDERS ETAL 2,296,590

METHOD OF WIDENING 0N FLAT KNITTING MACHINES EMPLOYING AUXILIARY YARN Filed April 5, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 e cc dll 02 x :r P 6 a Em "Hu ama? 1 mH & f L

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Sept..22, 1942. s. c. BADDERS EI'AL 2,296,590

METHOD OF WIDENING ON FLAT KNITTING MACHINES EMPLQYING AUXILIARY YARN Filed April 5, 1941 6 Sheets-Shani a. o. moor/rs, 0., wm9544 P 22, s. c. BADDER; 2,296.590 V ETHOD OF WIDENING ON FLAT KNIT MACHINES EMPLOYIN UXILIARY YA Filed ril 5, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 SEEEIWEiECIr-f P 1 i x a ace/7005 75,

C-F'HRREL 4 Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Mn'rnon or WIDENING N FLAT KNITTING MACHINES EMPLOYING AUXILIARY YARN Stanford Cranston Badders and Charles Farrell, Grenada, Miss, assignors, by mesne assigninents, to National Silk Hosiery Mills, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Appiicatitfin ril 5, 1941, Serial No. 387,084. 29 claim (cl. -89) This invention is concerned with the widen- :such method offers over the loop transfer method of widening. .The log cal way of making a single unit full fashioned stocking on one machine is to widen the upper portion of the heel in progressive courses by the addition of edge loops, and thereafter narrow the heel and knit on the foot in a continuous operation *50 that there ,will be a. continuous selvage edge at the opposite margins of the stocking blank running from top to toe such as can be joined: in an uninterrupted seam. It is, of course, a practical prerequisite to-widening by the addition of edge loops that locked selvage edges be formed, and this has been diflicult to accomp1ish,'especia1ly where two edge loops are to be added at, a time in each widening operation. Proposals have been made for securing locked selvage edges, but the practical value thereof has been negligible because they necessitated the use of complicated knitting machine structures which have not received public acceptance. More recent developments, however, have made it possible to widen fabric by the addition of edge loops on conventonal type flat knitting machines without the use of special needle cooperating elements, and as a result single unit stockings with widened heels are now being produced commercially on hosiery legger type flat knitting machines.

Experience has shown that the recent develfabric courses.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of widening by the addition of edge loops adapted to better secure the desired selvage edges along the widened f'abric margins. Through the use of the invention it has been found possible to widen fabric of both Nylon and silk, and formed with the same yarn or yarns in successive courses, by two loops at a time with a greater freedom from defects than heretofore possible.

According to the invention auxiliary yarns are introduced into the fabric along the widened marginal areas during the course of knitting additional to the body yarn, and in the 'case of reinforced fabricqadditional to the body and splicing yarns. A distinctive feature of the improved process is that the auxiliary yarns are fed from idle carriers which normally stand sta-v tionary at the marginalareas of the fabric instead of reciprocating .with the yarn carriers which lay their yarns across the needles for the The only time the idle carriers are moved is, in connection with the widening steps, and at such times the idle yarn carriers are racked outwardlye to lay the auxiliary yarns outwardly across the same number of needles as are to be added in a widening operation so that at such points the auxiliary yarns are interknit inthe fabric.

As hereafter pointed out, the auxiliary yarns may be fed into the fabric along the outside edge thereof, or may be fed into the fabric in the marginal area but inside the edge.

opments referred to enable selvage edgesto be knit with the same yam in successive courses than where a series of yarns are used sequentially in respective courses under the so-called ffiri less system of knitting, and further that more od of widening fabric by the addition of mar-- ginal loops formingthe subject-matter of B. F. Somers Patent No; 2,230,986, granted February 4, 1941, which is being used commercially to form widened heel sections in single unit stockings on conventional hosiery 'legger type flat knitting machines. According to such patent selvage edge shown that defects of this nature in the widened fabric are more frequent when the fabric is defects are found in the, widened fabric when v employing Nylon yarn than when employing less resilient and softer silk yarn.-

loops are added to widen the fabric solely through the use of the ordin ry knitting instrumentalities (needles, jack a d dividing sinkers, knockover bits and yarn carriers) employed in straight knitting by extending the traverse of the reciprocating yarn carrier or yarn carriers engaged in knitting the fabric while the needles are up in course-laying position incident to the formation of selected courses, laying the following courses without passing the yarn around the outside addedneedle to form loops around jack or divider sinkers inside the outer added needles,

and when the needles are down for a knockover impaling the sinker-formed loops as selvage' loops on the outer added needles. The use of the auxiliary yarns according to the present invention has beenfound to assist in the formation of selvage loops on the added needles under the Somers method either by assisting in the formation 'of and tying in with the added loops of course-forming yarn on the added marginal needles, or, according to a modified practice of the invention, by forming loops of the auxiliary yarn on the added needles which aid in the subsequent production of locked loopsof courseforming yarn on such needles in the event defective loops of course-forming yarn were formed thereon at the timed the widening operation.

In the knitting of reinforced fabric wherein splicing yarns are employed in conjunction with the main yarn in forming the fabric courses,

it is found according to the invention in some cases to be desirable not only to employ the auxiliary yarns in the marginal widened areas but to terminate the traverse of the main yarn and the splicing yarn at different marginal needles so that the marginal widened area will comprise loops of either the body yarn or splicing yarn but not both as will be more fully hereafter explained.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a--full fa'shioned stocking blank having widened heel portions in connection with which the present invention is useful;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a section of fabric widened at recurrent points along the opposite margins and incorporating auxiliary yarns along the outside edges of the marginal areas according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a similar secing to one practice of the invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates a section of fabric widened in a plurality of courses at the opposite margins according to the procedure illustrated in Figs. 4a to 4i and showing the manner in which the auxiliary yarns are incorporated in the fabric;

Figs. 6a to 6f are diagrammatic views of successive operating stages in the widening of fabric according to a procedure generally similar to that shown in Figs. 4a to 4f but wherein the auxiliary yarns are disposed inwardly of the outside fabric edges according to a further practice of the invention, and illustrating also the formation of reinforced fabric by the use of main and splicing yarns with only one of such yarns forming the marginal loops;

Fig. fla illustrates the initial step in a further widening operation following the last stage of the widening operation shown in Fig. 6]; and

which are reciprocated by the usual friction bar of the knitting machine is controlled by adjustable stops which are racked out during each widening operation so that yarn is laid to additional needles at the margin of the fabric. The idle carriers which feed the auxiliary yarn into the fabric according to the present invention remain idle except incident to the formation of widened courses as before mentioned, and are maintained at all times free of engagement with the friction rod so as not to be reciprocated thereby.. Incident to widening, the idle. carriers feeding the auxiliary yarn at the opposite margins of the fabric must be pulled out to a new position to the extent of the same number of needles, usually two, by which the width of the fabric is to be increased. For this purpose it is convenient to employ rebound lock mechanism such as used on machines for ringless knitting. Because such type mechanism locks the various yarn carriers of the machine in association with Fig. 8 illustrates a section of fabric widened in a plurality of courses at the opposite margins according to the procedure illustrated in Figs. 6a to 6 and 7a, a d showing the manner in which the auxiliar yarns are incorporated in the fabric.

In widening fabric by the addition of edge loops the traverse of the yarn carrier or carriers their end stops intermediate thecompletion of one course and the laying of the next course, the racking out of such devices on the opposite sides of the needle bar can serve not only to adjust the stops for the active carriers forming the fabric courses but also to pull put the idle carriers laying the auxiliary yarns at the margins of the fabric.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illusv trates a single unit stocking blank knit on a fiat machine comprising a top 60, leg portion GI, heel portions 62 and 62', foot portion 63 and toe portion 64 knit throughout as a unit and having continuous selvage edges at its opposite sides running from top to toe. The heel portions in their upper area W are progressively widened, thereafter a series of straight courses are knit in area Y, following which the lower heel portions are narrowed in area IN. The blank is preferably of or at positions one or more needles inwardly of the side edges as both arrangements have been found to minimize the production of defective selvages. Assuming that the fabric is to be wide ened by two needles at. each margin, the idle yarn carriers which feed the auxiliary yarn will always occupy positions over dividing sinkers when the auxiliary yarn is to be introduced into the fabric at the side edge or an even number of needles inwardly of the edge. Where the idle yarn is to beintroduced into the fabric an odd number of needles inwardly from the edge the idle carriers which feed the same will be located in position over jack sinkers and under such circumstances either the jack sinkers must be cut down or special forms of idle carriers employed to prevent interference between the carriers and sinkers when the latter are projected during the knitting motion of the machine. .When the auxiliary yarns are inset from the edges of the fabric they will preferably occupy positions not more than one or two needles inwardly, since it is not likely that they can serve any useful function incident tothe formation of locked loops in the marginal left are indicated at b and d and 2) areas of the widened fabric portions if loaded further inwardly.

In Figure 2 is illustrated a section of fabric .IF having an initial width w" and. widened in successive areas w, w and at its opposite margins. It is characteristic of widening by the .addition of loops that the widening at the opposite margins occurs in different courses. For simplicity in Figure 1 it is assumed that the widening occurs in each instance at the left side in a later course than at the right side, although the reverse may be true, and in actual practice it is found desirable in one'widening operation to widen first at the right and then at the left, and in the next widening operation to widen first at the left and then at the right, and so on alternately.

The idle carriers I and 2 feed auxiliary yarns 3 and 4 to the right and, left marginal areas of the fabric. During the knitting of area 10 the carriers I and 2 will occupy the respective positions I and I so as to feed the yarns to the fabric along the opposite side edges thereof. When the fabric is widened in area w, carriers I and 2 are moved out to positions 2 and 2 Jwith a consequent interknitting of yarns 3 and 4 with the added marginal loops of the fabric. When the fabric is again increased in the next widening operation in area w following the knitting of any selected number of straight courses, carriers I and 2 will again move out to needles go down and up again to complete course III, the yarn at the right then lying'beneath dividing sinker d but above jack sinker e, carrier 10 moves to the left to lay course IV forming a 1 loop 1) on dividing sinker d between needles l positions S and 3 and in the following widening operation when the fabric is again increased in width in area 10 the carriers 1 and 2 will move out to positions 4 and 4 in which they are represented in Figure 2. It will be understood that with each widening operation at each side of the fabric the idle carrier yarns 3 and 4 will be knit into the marginal areas of the fabric.

'In Figure}; is represented a section of widened fabric 2F similar to that shown in Figure 1, and again having an initial width 11; followed by successive widened areas to, w and 10'. Instead of being located at the side edges of the fabric the idle carriers I and 2 are located inwardly of the side edges of the fabric one or-two needles so that the auxiliary yarns 3 and 4'are inset from the edges. During the knitting of area 10, carriers I and 2 will be located in positions I and I and will be moved out to positions 2 and 2 when the fabric is widened in area w.

, The carriers move out to positions 3 and 3M" incident to the second widening in area w, and when the fabric is again increased in width in area 10 the idle carriers move out to positions 4 .and 4 in which they are shown.

v The use of the auxiliary yarns according to Figure 2 is illustrated in its application to the method of widening by the addition of selvage loops of Somers Patent No. 2230,986 in Figures 4a to 4f. It is assumed that the fabric is formed 'with the same yarn in successive courses. and

in this case a single yarn 21 laid by the recip ocating yarn carrier 10. The needles of the machine needle bank engaged in knitting the right marginal area of the fabric at the commencement of the widening are shown at a: and o, and the corresponding needles at the left margin of the fabric are shown at m and o'. The needles I a d 2 are to be added at the right and needles I nd 2' at the left in the widening operation. The dividing sinkers at the right and nd d and the jack sinkers at the right and eft are respectively indicated at c and e and c and e.

and 2 at the right. Since the left stop of carrier 10 has already moved out yarn 21 is extended across needles? and 2' at the left in course IV,

as shown in Figure 4b. When course IV is sunk and the needles move down for the knockover, at the right loop 32 is formed on needle I and the loop formed at p is drawn off dividing sinker d and becomes loop 3|, as shown in Figure 40, which, as the needles rise again into courselaying position, is impaled on the outside added needle 2, as shown in Figure 4d. In the corresponding stages the yarn at the left in course IV is placed beneath dividing sinker (1 intermediate needles I and 2 and in layingmcourse V from left to right, yarn 21 is formed into a loop on dividing sinker d at q. When the needles descend for the completion of course V, as shown in Figure 4e, loop 32' is formed on needle I and loop 3| formed on the divider at q is drawn off to a position adjacent needle 2' between the sinkers and knockover bits (not shown) When the needle bank again rises to course-laying position loop 3I is impaled on needle 2, as shown in Figure 4f.

At the start of the widening operation idle yarn carriers 3C and 4C, which respectively feed auxiliary yarns 23 and 24 to the fabric according to the invention will be located in the dotted line positions above dividers d and d at the right and left, as shown in Figure 4a. When the stops for the course-laying yarn carrier 1C are racked out at the start ofcourse III before the sinkers are projected, idle carrier 4C is moved out two needles at the left and carrier 30 at the right, with the result that the auxiliary yam 24 is laid outwardly across needles I and 2 at theleft and yarn 2i! laid outwardly across needles I and 2 at the right.

When the needles go down 'for the cast-off of course II and the completion of course HI, auxiliary yarn 24 at the left is placed beneath divider d and in the formation of course IV is interknit with the main yarn 21 at needle I, as shown in.

in Figure 4}. In the operating stages just. de-

scribed it will be understood that the sequence of steps at the left margin of the fabric includes first the racking out of the idle auxiliary yarn carrier 40 incident to the laying of course III, the extension 'of the main yarn 21 at the left in course IV, and the completion of the widening at the left with the formation of locked loops 3| and 32 in course V.

At the right side of the fabric idle'yarn carrier 3C is moved out incident to the laying of course added loops in all instances.

III, and thetraverse of the yarn carrier |C'is also extended in this same'course to lay yarn 21 across needles I and 2 as will be understood from Figure 4a. During the cast-off of course 111 and the completion of course IV auxiliary yarn 23 becomes interknitted with added loops 3| and 32 of the course yarn 21 and serves to aid in the impalement of loop 3| on needle 2, as will bevenient to rack out the active yarn carrier stops at the right and left simultaneously, and to rack out the right and left idle carriers at the same illustrated in Figures 6a to 6). In this case the fabric is knit throughout portions of its width with a plurality of yarns for purposes of reinforcement such as is desirable in the heel sections of the stocking blank shown in Figure 1. In knitting widened reinforced fabric it is found desirable in insuring against the formation of defective stitches again toincorporate the auxiliary yarns. As a further feature, it is proposed to terminate the reinforcement inwardly of the side edges. This last can be done when the auxiliary yarn is fed along the side edges as in the practice of the invention described in connection with Figures 4a to 4], but will be made sufllciently clear :in connection with the practice of the invention shown in Figures 6a to 6 where the auxiliary yarns are fed inwardly of the edges.

time through the same control mechanism.

There is some reason to believe that the auxiliary yarn functions most effectively, at least in its application to the Somers method. of widening; Where the auxiliary yarn carrier at one side is moved out in the course preceding the course which is lengthened at that side, as illustrated in the widening at the left in Figures 4a to 41. Thus, it may be considered desirable that idle carrier 3 at the right be racked out during the laying of course I instead of during the laying of course II.

Figure 5 illustrates the same fabric after further coursesare knit and further widenings effected following completion'of the first widening stage at the right and left shown in Figure 4f. Following the addition of added loops 3| and 32 in the right of course IV and added loops 3|' and 32' at the left in course V, a further widening operation is effected, this time beginning at the left so that loops 33' and 34 are added at the left in course VII and loops 33 and 34 atithe right in course VIII. In the next widening operation, the widening is again begun at the right to add loops 35 and 36 in course X and loops 35' and 36' at the left in course XI. Through alternating the side at which the widening operation is commenced, the auxiliary yarns are enabled to function to greatest advantage as explained just above in every other widening at the respective edges of the fabric where it is found convenient from the standpoint of machine operation to rack out the right and left idle carriers which feed the auxiliary yarns in the same courses.

In Figure 5 in the three widening operations six needles have been added at th right and six at the left to increase the width of the fabric by twelve wales, and of course the widening may be continued to any desired extent to obtain the required width of .the heel sections 62 and 62' in Figure 1. Of course, any selected number 'of straight courses fnay be interposedbetween the courses in which the edge loops are added. It will be observed that'the auxiliary yarns 23 and 24 are interknit incident to each widening'operation, and because their respective carriers 30 and 4C are maintained along the outside edges of the fabric in the progressive stages of knitting, the auxiliary yarns become interknit with the outer aid in the proper locking of the outer added loops .as'previously explained.

Assuming again that the fabric is widened two needles at the right and left sides, and that the same yarn is knit in successive courses, the auxiliary yarns maybe fed to the marginal areas of the widened fabric inwardly of the side edges, as

*The fabric in Figure Ga is formed not only by yarn 2| fed by carrier 1C, but for portions of its courses at the right and left by yarn 2| fed by carrier IC 'and yarn 22 fed by carrier 2C. Instead of stopping carriers 10 and i0 at the right at the same needle, one of such carriers, in this case the splicing yarn carrier IC, has a stop position beyond the other so that the marginal wales, preferably not more than two, will comprise, only one of the yarns, whereas the next inward wales comprise doubled loops comprising both such yarns. The same condition is effected at the left side of the fabric, splicing yarn carrier 20 having an end position outwardly of the left end position of carrier IC.

In Figure Go straight courses I and 2 have been knit preparatory to widening. During the knitting of such courses splicing carrier IC will stop at a right end position over dividing sinker dand carrier 10 will have a more inwardly right end stop position over dividing sinker b, and

at the left splicing yarn carrier 20 will have, a left end position over dividing sinker d and carrier 'IC will have a more inwardly left end position over dividing sinker b.- Stops for splicing yarn carriers IC and 20 at the inner ends of their traverse will be adjusted to positions determined by the width of reinforcement desired in thefabric. It will be observed that the wales on needles x and 0 at the right are composed solely of the splicing yarn 2| while the next inner loops are formed double of splicing and main yarns 2| and 21. Simila ly at the left the two marginal loops on needles 0' and :c are formed solely of splicing yarn 22- whereas the next inner loops are formed double of splicing and yarns 22 and'21.

Following the completion of course II with the needles in up position the carrier stops are moved out for the start'of a widening operation preparatory to laying course III to the right. With the laying of such course as shown in Figure 6a carrier IC lays the yarn 2| across additional needles I and 2 while carrier 1C extends yarn 21 across needles x and 0. Upon the completion of course III course IV is laid to the left with the formation of a loop of yarn 2| on dividing The auxiliary yarns sinker d at pointr. When the needles go down to cast off course III loop 521s formed on needle I and loop 5| which was formed on the sinker is placed below the line of s'inkers adjacent needle ,2, and is impaled on needle 2 when the needles shown rise again for the laying of course V as In the laying of course IV to the left, as shown in Figure 6b, carrier 20 lays splicing yam 22 across additional needles I and 2, while the traverse of carrier 10 is extended to lay yarn 21 across needles 1: and Following the completion of course IV and with the laying of course V, as shown in Figure, yarn 22 is formed into aloop' around dividing sinker d at point s, and when the needles go down loop 52' is formed on needle I and the sinker-formed loop becomes loop occupying a position below the line of sinkers as shown in Figure 6e preparatory to being impaled on needle 2 when the needles rise again as shown in Figure preparatory to the laying of course VI. f At the completion of course II prior'to th start of widening, the. idle carrier 4C occupies a position over dividing sinker b so as to feed auxiliary yarn to the marginal fabric areas but inside the marginal loops formed on needles :r," and 0'. At the start of laying course III to the right, the outside stops at the right and left for the splicing and main yarn carriers IC, 2C and 1C are moved out two needles, and simultaneously therewith the right and left idle carriers 3C and 4C are moved out two needles to respective positions over dividing sinkers d and d asshown in Figure 60.. At the left auxiliary yarn 24 is thus laid outwardly across needles 3: and 0' while yarn 22 is laid inwardly across such two needles by carrier 20. When the needles go down to cast off course II following projection of the sinkers, double loops of the auxiliary yarn 24 and splicing yarn 22 are formed on needles 1: and 0'. At the right loops comprising the auxiliary yarn 23, and main and splicing yarns 21 and 2| are formed on needles 0 and :c, as shown in Figure 6b.

By referring to the further widening stages illustrated in Figures 66 and (if, and by collaterally referring to Figure 3, it will be observed that the auxiliary yarns 23 and 24 are not interknit with the added loops 5|, 52 and 5|, 52', since inthe course of the firstwidening operation the auxiliary yarns are not fed across the added needles I, 2 and I, 2', but only across the oldmarginal needles 1, 0, and x, I 0'. However, at the start of the second widening operation illustrated in Figure 7a the idle carriers are moved out across needles I, 2 and I, 2' and form loops thereon in course VI, as will be understood from Figure 8, preparatory to the adding of loops 54 and 53' on needles 3 and 4 at the left and the adding of loops 54 and 53 on needles 3 and 4 in course VHI at the right. Hence, even though the machine has failed to add loops of splicing yarns 22 and 2| respectively in courses IV and V, the formation of loops of auxiliary yarn 24 on needles I and 2' at the left, and of auxiliary yarn 23 on needles I and 2 at the right, will facilitate the delayed addition of locked loops of the splicing, yarns on these needles.

Figure 8 shows the section of fabric in a further operating stage after the completion of.

three widening operations. 'As in the case of Figure 5 1n the first widening operation loops are added at the right and then at the left, and

the second operation first at the left and then at the right, and in the third widening operation first at the right and then at the left, which alternate procedure is preferably carried on throughout the entire widened area of the fabric for reasons previously explained. At the left it will be observed that the auxiliary yarn 24 is knit in courses III, VI and .IX, and that the loops of splicing yarn. 22 are added in courses V, VII and left, and loops of splicing yam 2| are added at the right in courses IV, VIII and IX.

The margin loops of the fabric in which the auxiliary yarns enter at the right and the left in course III are respectively indicated at 4|, 42, and 4|, 42' in Figures 60 to 6f, 70. and 8. These are formed on the marginal needles 0, :c, and :r', 0', rather than on the added needles. However, the

auxiliary yarns enter into loops 4;, 44 at the right and 43', 44' at the left of course VI on the needles I, 2, and I, 2' over which the course-forming yarns, here splicing yarns 2| and 22, were extended in the first widening operation at the opposite sides. The loops in which the auxiliary yamsenterin the third widening operation at the right and left of course'lX are indicated at 45, 46 and 48', respectively, these bein formed on needles 3, 4 and 3', 4' over which the I course-forming yarns were extended in the secwidening.

It has been found in practice that improved selvages are obtained in widened fabric with the assistance of the auxiliary yarns both when such yarns are fed at the edge of the fabric and when fed inwardly of the fabric edge according to the several procedures herein described. It will be obvious, of course, that the practices of the invention herein described and shown are merely illustrative and that the inventive process may be carried out in a variety of ways within the scope of the appended claims, with reference to the position of the auxiliary yarn'relative to the fabric margin in any case, and with reference to the positions of the auxiliary yarn, body yarn and splicing yarn rela ive to each other and to the fabric margin in the case of reinforced fabric, and depending on whether the adding of loops to widen the fabric courses is carriedout according to the Somers method or some other .pro-

' cedure.

The invention will be understood to have particular utility in forming widened heel sections in single unit stockings, but of course can be used for other purposes.

' We claim: g

1. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabricon a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse ofthe reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the. fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric marginal area lengthwise of said edge from a stationary yarn carrier positioned near said additional needles, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardlya corresponding number of needles for each widening.

2. The method ofadding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes XI. At the right the auxiliary yarn 23 is knit into the same courses as auxiliary yarn 24 at the increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional'needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the--formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric marginal area lengthwise of said edge from stationary yarn carrier positioned near said additional needles, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly a corresponding number of needles for each widening during .formation of a course contiguous the course in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased at said edge.

3. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric marginal area lengthwise of said edge from a stationary yarn carrier positioned near said additional nee-' dies, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly a corresponding. number of needles for each widening during formation of the course next preceding the course in which the reciprocating yarn 'carrier traverse is increased at said edge.

4. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric marginal area lengthwise of said edge from a stationary yarn carrier positioned near said additional needles, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly a corresponding number of needles for each widening 'during formation of the same course in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased at said edge.v

5. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles sponding number of needles for each widening during formation of the same course in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased at said edge.

' 8. The method of adding selvage loops to widen the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly a corresponding number of needles for each widening.

9. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a fiat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a stationary yarn carrier positioned in the marginal area inwardly of said edge, and shifting the' position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly a corresponding number of needles for each widening during formation of a course contiguous the course in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased at said edge.

10. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting-machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which 6. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming.yarn carrier or carriers 'in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional neestationary yam carrier positionedat said edgea of the marginal area, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly for each widening during formation of the course preceding the course in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased at said edge.

7. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrieror carriers in selected fabric courses across'additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles,

feeding an auxiliary yam to the fabric from a stationary yarn carrier positioned at said edge of the marginal-area, and shifting the'position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly a corredles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for th'e'formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a stationary yarn carrier positioned in the marginal area inwardly of said edge, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly a corresponding number of needles for each widening during the formation of the same course in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased at said edge.

12. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn from a stationary-yam carrier to, thefabric marginal area lengthwise of said edge, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side of the same additional needles for each widening at said edge.

13. The method .of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which in-v cludes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a stationary yarn carrier positioned at said edge of the fabric marginal area, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side of the same additional needlesfor each widening at said edge.

14. The method of adding sewage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles,

feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a stationary'yam carrier positioned in the marginal area inwardly of said edge, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side of e the same additional needles in a course subsequent to the course in which the reciproeating yarn carrier traverse is increased across said additional needles'at said edge.

15. The method of add ng selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in 18. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric at both sides on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-laying yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across addi-' ginal areas over which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased.

19; The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric at both sides on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-laying yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across additional needles beyond one fabric marginal area,

' and in the next courses across additional needles beyond the opposite fabric marginal area, for

" the formation of loops on the additional needles,

' side of the same additional needles at the opposite selected fabric courses across two additional needies beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn from a stationary yarn carrier to the fabric marginal area lengthwise of said edge, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly two needles for each widening at said edge. a

16. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a fiat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric courses across two additional needles beyond the edge of the fabric marginal area for the formation of loops on said additional needles, feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a stationary yarn carrier positioned at the edge of the fabric marginal area, and shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly two needles to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side of the-same additional needlesfor each widening at said edge. I

17. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes increasing the traverse of the reciprocating course-forming yarn carrier or carriers in selected fabric cours'es across two additional neeing the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly two needles to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side of the same two additional needles in a course subsequent tothe course in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased acrossasaid two additional needles at said edge.

marginal areas over which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse is increased but subsequent to the courses in whic the course-forming yarn is extended across said additional needles at the opposite marginal areas. a

20. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine as in claim 18, wherein the-positions of the respective auxiliary yarn carriers at the opposite marginal areas are shifted simultaneously in a common course; i I

,21. The method of adding selvage loops widen fabric-on a flat knitting machine as in which the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse isv increased across the additional needles at the opposite edges.

dles beyondthe edge of the fabric marginal area 22. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine which includes feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a stationary yarn carrier positioned at the fabric marginal area during formation of the fabric courses of yarn laid ,by one or more reciprocating yarn carriers, increasing the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse periodically in selected courses, laid in the direction of said marginal area, while the needle bar is up in course-laying position to extend the course-forming'yarn across the beard side of two additional.

needles beyond said marginal area, and with the course-forming yarn still on the beard side of 'the two additional needles after the needle bar goes down to knockover and back up laying a second course in the. opposite direction across the needle bar and forming the second course into knitted loops when the needle bar again goes down to knockover'and back up, and for each widening operation at said marginal area shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier out- 'wardly'whilethe needlefbar is up in courselaying position to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side of two needles at the marginal area.

23. The method of adding selvage loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine wherein successive fabric courses are formed of the same yarn laid by one or more reciprocating yarn carriers, which includes feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric from a stationary yarn carrier positioned at the fabric marginal area during formation of the fabric courses, increasing the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse periodically in selected courses, laid in the direction of said marginal area, while the needle bar is up in course-laying position to extend the course-forming yarn across the beard side'of two additional needlesbeyond said marginal area, and with the course-forming yarn still on the beard side of the two additional needles after the needle bar' goes down to knockover and back up laying a second course in the opposite direction across the needle bar and forming the second course into knitted loops when the needle bar again 'goes down to knockover and back up, and for each wideningoperation at said marginal area shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly while the needle bar is up in courselaying position to lay the auxiliary yarn across carriers, which includes feeding an auxiliary yarn along the outside of the edge needle of the marginal area from a stationary yam carrier during formation of the fabric courses, increasing the beard side of the two edge needles of the mar-, ginal area, and in a course subsequent to the course in which the course-forming yarn is extended across the two additionalneedles beyond the marginal needles again shifting the position of the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly two needles while the needle bar is up in coursereciprocating yarn carrier traverse periodically in 7 course-laying position to extend the course-form- I ing yarn across the beard side of two additional needles beyond said marginal area, and with the course-forming yarn still on the beard side of-the two additional needles after-the needle bargoes down to knockover and back up laying a second course in the opposite direction across the needle bar and forming thesecond course into knitted loops when the needle bar again goes down to knockover and back up, and for each widening operation at said marginal area shifting the position of the auxiliary yam carrier outwardly two needles while the needle bar is up in course-laying position to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side' of the same two additional needles to which the course-forming yarn is extended.

25. The method of adding selvage"loops to widen fabric on a flat knitting machine wherein successive fabric courses are formed of the same yarn laid by one or more reciprocating yarn carriers, which includes feeding an auxiliary yarn to the fabric marginal area inwardly of the two edge needles of the marginal area from a stationary yarn carrier during formation of the fabric courses, increasing the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse periodically in selected courses, laid in the direction of said marginal area, while the needle bar is up in course-laying position to extend the course-forming yarn across the beard side of two additional needles beyond said marginal area, and with the course-forming yarn still onthe beard side of the two additionallaying position to lay the auxiliary yarn across the beard side of the said two additional needles across which the course-forming yarn is extended.

26. The method of adding selvage loops to side of additional needles beyond the first marginal area, shifting the positions of the auxiliary yarn carriers at both marginal areas outwardly during extension of said first course to place the auxiliary yarns across the beard side of a corresponding number'of needles at both marginal areas, increasing the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse in the following second course, laid in the direction of the second marginal area, while the needles are up in course-laying position to extend the course-forming yarn across the beard side of additional needles beyond the second marginal area, forming a third course, laid in the direction of the first marginal area, across the additional needles beyond both marginal areas, eifecting a second widening atthe opposite sides of the fabric by increasing the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse first in a course subsequent to the second course, laid in the di-. rection of the second marginal area, while the needles are up in course-laying position to extend the course-forming yarn across the beard side of further additional needles beyond the second marginal area, shifting the positions of the auxiliary yarn carriers atboth marginal areas outwardly during extension of said subsequent course-at tfiesecond'marginar-area to "place the auxiliary yarns across the beard side of a corcarrier traverse in the next course following said subsequent course, laid in the direction of the first marginal area, while the needles are up in course-laying position to extend the course-forming yarn across the beard side of further additional needles beyond the first marginal area, and after forming said last-mentioned course extended at the first marginal area forming another course, laid in the direction of the second marginal area, across the further additional needles beyond both marginal areas.

27. The method of adding selvage edges to widen reinforced fabric on a flat hitting mayarns during formation of the fabric courses,

chine wherein the fabric courses are formed of a body yarn and a splicing yarn laid by separate reciprocating yarn carriers, which includes adjusting the traverse of the respective reciprocating yarn carriers feeding the body yarn and the splicing yarn so that in the fabric marginal area one of said carriers feeds its yam to outer marginal needles not fed by the other'carrier for the formation on said marginal needles in the fabric courses of loops composed of only one of said yarns, feeding auxiliary yarn at the edge of the marginal area outside said outer marginal needles from a stationary yarn carrier during formation of the fabric courses, periodically increasing the traverse of the course-laying yarn carriers in selected courses and extending the yarn feeding said outer marginal needles across additional needles beyond said outer marginal needles for the formation of loops thereon, and for 'each widening at said marginal area shifting the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly to extend the auxiliary yarn across said additional needles.

28. The method of adding 'selvage edges to widen reinforced fabric on a fiat knitting machine wherein the fabric courses are formed of a body yarn and asplicing yarn laid by separate reciprocating yarn carriers, which includes adjusting the traverse of the respective reciprocating yarn carriers feeding the body yarn and the splicing yarn so that in the fabric marginal area one of said carriers feeds its yarn to outer marginal needles not fed by the other carrier for the formation on said marginal needles in the fabric courses of loops composed of only one of said'yarns, feeding auxiliary yarn from a stationary yarn carrier to the marginal area in- 'wardly of at'least some of said outer marginal needles fed by onm one of said course-forming periodically increasing the traverse of the courseforming yarn carriers and extending the yarn feeding said outer marginal needles across additional needles beyond said outer marginal needles for the formation ofv loops thereon, and for each'widening at said marginal area shifting. the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly to extend the auxiliary yarn across said outer marginal needles, and shifting the auxiliary yarn carrier outwardly in a subsequent widening to extend the auxiliary yarn across the additional needles beyondthe outer marginal needles to which the one course-forming yarn is extended in the preceding widening.

29. The method of producing selvage-edged widened heel sections at the opposite sides of a stocking blank knit as a single unit on a flat knitting machine of the full-fashioned hosiery legger type through the addition of selvage loops at the opposite marginal areas of the blank, and wherein successive heel courses are formed of yarn laid by the same reciprocating yarn carriers, which includes feeding auxiliary yarns to the opposite marginal areas .of the blank during formation of the heel courses, periodically widening the blank by increasing the reciprocating yarn carrier traverse in selected heel courses at the respective sides of the blank to extend the course-forming yarn across additional needles beyond the marginal areas of the heel sections for the formation of loops thereon, and for each widening at the respective sides shifting the auxiliary yarn carriers feeding to the marginal areas of the opposite hel sections outwardly a corresponding number of needles.

STANFORD C. BADDERS. CHARLES FARRELL.

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