US2337187A - Yarn feeding and controlling means for knitting machines - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 21, 1943.

o. FREGEOLLE 2,337,187 YARN FEEDING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 5, 1942 SSheets-Sheet 1 I 6 -54 I Fla. 1.

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YARN FEEDING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 5, 1942 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Dec. 21, 1943 YARN FEEDING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Oscar Fregeolle, Central Falls, R. L, assignor to Hemphill Company, Central Falls, R. L, a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 5, 1942, Serial No. 457,411

7 Claims. (Cl. 66-134) This application concerns an invention in circular,. independent needle knitting machines, more especially feeding means for a splicing yarn and a trimmer and'binder for that yarn. Among certain objects of the invention is that of producing for new machines and for existing machines, splicing yarn feeding means as well as a trimmer and binder which will be simple in construction, cheap to manufacture and install and efficient in its operation. The yarn feeding means is so constructed as to introduce its yarn positively to the first needle intended to take it and functions under proper adjustment, to feed its yam in plating relation to other yarns. The yarn trimmer and binder is of exceedingly simple construction, operates positively and cuts the yarn very close to the last needle taking it. Operation of these elements from the available working parts of a typical hosiery knitting frame merely involves adding proper cams to existing cam drums on the machine and very simple connections to impart motion as dictated by the said cams to carry out the yarn feeding and withdrawing and the trimming and binding functions.

With reference to the figures of drawings, one preferred embodiment of the device and certain modifications are to be described. These are merely illustrative and will serve to teach the principles of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In the figures of drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional view showing part of a typical hosiery machine and the connections operable by cams on the main cam shaft for actuating the feeding means, the trimmer and binder;

Fig. 1a is a detail of the lower, cam engaging end of a lever shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating that mechanism as seen from the side of the machine rather than from the front;

Fig; 3 is a plan view in which such operating mechanism as is positioned above the yarn lever frame and circular base of the machine and wherein is shown control from the main cam drum which functions independently of the course by course control as taken from the main cam shaft;

Fig. 7 is a development of the surface of part of the main cam drum for such cams on that drum as apply to the control of parts of this invention;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, twice normal size, and showing in plan the carrier ring adjacent the mouthpiece, the splicing yarn feeder and certain features of the trimmer and binder;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of that much of the mechanism as is shown in Fig. 8, the same serving to show to an enlarged scale the mouthpiece, a few needles adjacent thereto and to which yarns are fed by yarn feeding means in the mouthpiece, also the splicing yarn feeder as it is about to feed its yarn to an approaching group of needles;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through part of the carrier ring showing details of the trimmer and binder;

Figs. 11 and 12 are an elevation and plan, respectively, of a block or housing for the trimmer and binder and which is attached to the carrier Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are detail views of a plunger which is the movable part of the trimmer and binder;

Figs. 16 and 1'? show in detail an adjustable collar which is attached at the top of the plunger;

Figs. 18, 19 and 20 show in detail a block or retaining piece which eventually becomes apart of the housing shown in Figs. 11 and 12 and assists in retaining the trimmer and binder in place;

Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate details of the trimmer knife or blade;

Figs. 23, 24 and 25 show details of a block which is to be attached below the mouthpiece or carrier ring and which pivotally supports the yarn feeder;

Figs. 26, 27 and 28 are detailed views of a looking piece which cooperates with the block of Figs. 23-25 to retain the yarn feeder;

Figs. 29, 30 and 31 show in detail the yarn feeder itself and a spring attached thereto;

Figs. 32 and 33 illustrate the short link which moves the yarn feeder to and from active position;

Fig. 34 is a detail of part of the carrier ring, the trimmer and binder, yarn feeder and a spring wire which assists in guiding the splicing yarn;

Fig. 35 is a detail view showing as a modification the operating connection between the trimmer and binder and its connected lever;

Fig. 36 is a section showing certain details of the trimmer and binder and illustrating a modification thereof;

Fig. 37 is a sectional view showing certain of the details of Fig. 36 as seen from a different angle;

Fig. 38 is a section through the carrier ring and showing the wire illustrated in Fig. 34, but as seen from a different viewpoint:

Fig. 39 shows from still another viewpoint the wire above mentioned and how it functions upon contact with needle latches;

Fig. 40 is a detail view of a modified form of block or retaining piece similar to that of Figs. 18-20; and 4 Fig. 41 is a detail view of an auxiliary binder element the same being a feature of the modifled form of trimmer and binder shown in Figs. 36 and 37. I

Now referring to the figures of drawings and especially Figs. 4, 5, 8 and 9, several yarn feeding levers or fingers I are arranged for operation in the mouthpiece of the usual carrier ring 2. These fingers or levers ar common on circular, independent needle knitting machines for knitting hosiery and their control need not be described in detail at this time.

In Fig. 9 two of these levers I are in feeding position and are feeding yams 3 and 4 to the needles 5, a group only of said needles being shown, but it being understood that the usual full complement of needles in this type of machine is employed. A splicing yarn 6 is threaded through an opening in the splicing yarn feeder 1 which is made from flat or sheet material and is pivoted beneath the extension 8 of the carrier ring 2 in a manner hereinafter to be described in detail. That yarn feeder, I may be moved to and from feeding position at predetermined .intervals, as during a part of each knitted course, by mechanism including a connecting link 8 and a tension spring II). The link 9 and further connections to controlling cams will be described in detail, the spring I merely serving to retain or urge the feeder to move to an outward or inactive position.

The trimmer and binder for the splicing yarn include as a main element a plunger generally indicated by numeral I I which is movable vertically, or substantially so, in a supporting and guiding means in the carrier ring 2. The location of the trimmer and binder is at a point adjacent the feeding end of the splicing yarn feeder I and in a position so that as the feeder moves to inactive relationship with passing needles, the splicing yarn will cut across beneath the carrier ring and will move into the trimmer and binder when those elements are moved to open position.

Having now described the general construction of the yarn feeder and trimmer and binder and their positions relative to the main mouthpiece and feeding levers at the machine, a description of the actuating means for these elements will bedescribed after which the details of the feeder andthe trimmer and binder will be furnished. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, enough of a hosiery machine of Banner type is shown to associate the various connections and other parts by means of which motion is imparted at proper times to the splicing yarn feeder and its trimmer and binder. The circular base of the machine is shown at I2 and in Fig. 6 part of the frame I3 is illustrated, the shaft Il-being the well-known main drive shaft andthat at I5 the main cam shaft which makes one revolution during the complete cycle of knitting a stocking.

An extension to the carrier ring i shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The yarn lever controlling box or housing I6 fixed to the circular base I2 and projecting upwardly to a point just beyond the extension 8, carries on a plate I1 two holders I8 and I9 in each of which is pivoted a lever, the holder I8 has a lever 20 pivoted at 2I, the outer end of that lever being connected at 22 to a link 23 which projects down through an opening in the plate I! to connect at 24 at its lower end to the bell crank lever 25. That lever 25 is in 'turn free to swing on a pivot 26 which is really a shaft or spindle fixed in a bracket 21 permanently attached beneath the circular base I2. A set screw 28 retains the spindle 26 in position.

The bell crank lever 25 is of peculiar shape and has extending from its horizontal arm. a projection 29 provided with an opening the purpose of which will be explained later. This ibell crank lever also comprises an elongated hub 30 and a depending arm 3|. A spring 32 is connected to a. collar 33 fixed to the end of spindle 26, then is coiled about the spindle and tensioned so that its other end 34 presses beneath the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever 25 and maintains those elements in such a position that the cam end of the depending arm 8| bears against the row of cams indicated by numeral 35 on the cam ring 36 which is clamped about the,drive shaft I4. The cam ring also has a second row of cams at its right hand side, Fig. l, and that second row of cams indicated by numeral 31 engages the end of a depending arm 38 of a second bell crank lever pivoted on the spindle 26, the horizontally disposed arm 39 of which extends over laterally, Fig. 1, and engages about a vertically extending rod 40. A spring 4| presses against the arm 33 of this second bell crank lever and keeps the end thereof in contact with the cam row 31 or downwardly toward the cam ring itself if th end of lever 38 is not bearing upon a cam at that particular time. A stop screw 4 I prevents this lever 38 from moving down too close to the cam disc when not supported on a cam.

The lever 3| has a lateral extension 42 which extension is over far enough to engage the cam row 35, Fig. 1. Since the drive shaft I4 makes one revolution for each revolution of the needle cylinder or course knitted, the cams 35 and 31 will affect the bell crank levers to move them against the tension of springs 32 and 4| once each course. For splicing such as in the high splice or double sole of a stocking, the cams 35 and 31 will extend approximately half way around the ring 36 and will actuate the yarn feeder 7 so that it will be maintained in its feeding position long enough to introduce a splicing yarn to half the needles or whatever segment of needles is desired. The trimmer and binder will be opened to release the splicing yarn just after it is taken by the needles and will close to cut and bind that yarn just after the feeder I is withdrawn and the yarn has been taken by the last needle intended. or course, it is possible to vary the segment of needles taking the yarn or the elements may complete their cycle more than once during a revolution of the machine or knitted course if desired.

The rod 40 extends upwardly through a guide 43 which is threaded into the circular base I2 and is retained in position by a lock nut 44. This guide 43 is made out of hexagonal stock and the upper end 45 serves for applying a wrench. The rod is urged upwardly by a spring 46 held between the upper end of the guide and an adjustable collar 41.

As seen more clearly in Fig; 6, a U-shaped piece 48 is clamped at its lower end by a set screw to the rod 40, this lower end. designated by numeral 49 acting as a collar or stop against which lever 39 works whenever that lever pulls the rod 40 downwardly against the tension of spring 46.

That U-shaped piece has an upper part 50 which extends about the rod 40 and which engages the projection. 29 at such times as the rod 40 is pulled downwardly by-mechanism working from the main cam drum. For purposes of clearness, in Figs. 1 and 2, only the lower part 49 of the U-shaped piece 48 has been shown.

At such times as it is desired to maintain the splicing yarn feeder and its trimmer and binder out of action entirely, a row of cams on the drum Figs. 6 and 7, acts upon a lever 52 pivoted at 53 and connected to an adjustable Wire or rod 54. The upper end of that wire 54 connects to a projecting piece which is clamped by means of a plate 55 to the rod 40. Whenever the toe of lever 52 rides upon one of the cams on drum 5|,

rod 40 will be pulled downwardly against the 'ment would have been underthe action of the cam row 31 functioning through the bell crank lever arms 38 and 39, and this excessive movement brings about the swinging of the bell crank lever to such position that it will fully withdraw the splicing yarn feeder I. So long as lever 52 is thus controlled by any one of the cams in its path, there will be no splicing thread fed and these elements will remain in what may be termed an inactive position. When lever 52 drops from any one of the cams, then the mechanism is released for control by the course by course actuation as provided by cams and 31 on the main drive shaft l4.

The lever 20 which pivots at 2 l, Figs, 1, 2 and 3,

is moved by the link 23 and the free end ofthat lever 20 engages beneath a second lever which has one arm 53' pivoted at 54". 'That lever is better shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and has a second arm extending downwardly at and which'connects to one end of the link 9. The third arm 56 is for the purpose of connecting a spring 51, one end of said spring attaching to this arm and the other to a pin projecting from the bracket 58 which carries a plate 59, that plate being for the purpose of holding eyelets through which the feeding yarns pass. A stop screw is threaded This movement of through a projection 6| extending from the projection 8 and that stop screw may be adjusted by different positions for the purpose of varying movement of the yarn feeder Land, depending upon the position of the end of the yarn feeder, the splicing yarn may be made to plate either to one side of a yarn, or between other feeding yarns.

The rod 40 connects at its upper end to a lever end engages within a slot in a sleeve which is threaded at the upper end of the plunger ll.

Now referring to Figs. 10-22, parts of the trimmer and binder ar shown as the same has been taken apart and individual pieces illustrated separately. In Figs, 11 and 12, the block 86 has been illustrated in detail, the said block being attach- 'able beneath the carrier ring 2 and fitting within a slot cut in the under side of the carrier ring. This block 66 i for the purpose of retaining the lower end of the trimmer and binder plunger, and in fact, is really a part of the trimmer and binder since it serves as a fixed element within which the movable cutting and binding plunger ll works. This block has a slot 61 cut angularly therein and the lower squared end 68 of the plunger I I, Figs. 12-15, works in the slot 61 and is retained by a filler piece 69 which occupies the outer part of slot 61. The under side of the block 66 is so shaped as to guide the yarn past the cutter and binder element 68 when it is retracted, but allows the yarn to enter the cutting and binding slot-l0 when the plunger is pushed downwardly thereby opening the trimmer and binder.

At the upper end of plunger H the sleeve 65 which is threaded and slotted a at H is screwed on to the plunger and a lock nut 12 maintains adjustment. Spring 13 serves to force the movable trimmer and binder elements upwardly to the position of Fig. 10 at which position a yarn has been cut and is held as illustrated. The end of lever 64 fits within slot H, Figs. 4 and 5.

A cutter blade 14 has a projection 15 whichfits within a small spring 16, Figs. 10, 21 and 22, the spring in turn being held within a drilled opening 11 in the block 66. All these parts are shown assembled in Fig. 10 and in a closed position. When opened, the plunger H is merely pushed downwardly until the squared end 63 which is really the movable cutting and binding element of the assembly, projects below the lower edge of block 66 and in such a position that when a yarn feeding through the feeder I is withdrawn, it will extend from the last needle taking it to the feeder and will follow a pathway into the slot 10 whereupon closing of the trimmer and binder will cut that yarn and will also bind or clamp it.

In Figs. 23-33, elements which go to make up the splicing yarn feeding mean are illustrated separately. The feeder l is shown in detail in Figs. 29-31 and has a pivot 18 which is grooved as at 19. The spring It connects at the point shown and link 9, Figs. 32 and 33, is attached in a hole 83. The yarn feeding end of the feeder l is widened as shown in Figs. 30 and 31 and has an opening 8! through which the yarn is threaded. A hook shaped end 82 is beveled so as to open or allow latches to pass without damage in the event a latch approaches in partially closed position and would strike the end of the feeder. The yarn feeds through the opening 8| and then across a notch 83 and by projecting end 84, all as more clearly shown in Fig. 8.

In that figure the feeder is in position adjacent passing needles and the needle to which the numeral 5 is applied is the first needle to take 52 which in turn pivots on the holder l9. That V lever 62 bears beneath an adjustable plate 63,

that yarn. The purpose of notch 83 and projecting end 84 is to provide a spacing within which a, downwardly moving needle hook may pass without interference with the feeder mechanism itself, but will very positively engage the stretch of yarn which extends across the notch. As before stated, adjustment has been provided whereby the position of the end of the splicing yarn spring I3.

nut as in Fig. 10, the upper end of plunger II is feeder may be adjusted slightly thereby determining different plating relations for the splicing yarn. This splicing yarn feeder is disposed at an angle to the horizontal and when moving to and from feeding position moves vertically throughout a limited extent for the purpose of raising the end of the feeder so as toguide the splicing\yarn into the groove of the trimmer and binder with more certainty. The end of the feeder moves more or less tangentially to and from the circle, of needles and also has a component of movement vertically as described.

A block 85 has an angularly disposed hole 88 within which the pivot I8 works freely, this block in turn being attached by a bolt 81, Figs. 8 and 9, and conveniently fits into a corner of the extension 8 and the back of the mouthpiece. That block is also slotted as at 88 and a U-shaped retaining piece 89, Figs. 26-28, fits into slot 88 and engages the groove 19 of the pivot 18. Block 85 fits into the extension 8 in such a way that when all these pieces are assembled the U-shaped piece 89 is retained in block 85 due to the fact that the side of the block in which the slot is cut bears against a flat surface at the back of the mouthpiece.

Now referring to Figs. 35 and 36, certain modifications are shown and these apply to the connection at the top of the trimmer and binder plunger II, also the guide for that plunger. On the carrier ring 2 a guide 98 is attached by a screw 9|, this guide fitting the plunger tightly, but with a working fit, at the point 92. The guide is also counterbored so as to accommodate the Instead of a sleeve 65 and a lock threaded into an angular piece 93 slotted to receive the end of lever 84, the latter being held within the slot by cotter pin 94. To lock this angular piece 93 in adjusted position, a plate 95 is threaded about the plunger II and is positioned to be spaced away from the angular piece 93 as illustrated in Fig. 36. Then a screw 96 which passes through the angular piece 93 and is threaded into plate 95, is tightened thereby binding these parts so that they resist turning on the plunger II.

In some instances a single binding surface may not be suiflcient, and in that event, as shown in Figs. 36, 3'7, 40 and 41, an additional binding effect may be obtained by slotting thesquared part of the trimming and binding element 68 so that an additional binding means 91 may be employed thus giving three binding surfaces between which the yarn is then held. ,This additional element 91 is shown in detail in Fig. 41 and is held by a pin 98 within a slot 99 in the filler piece I88 which in other respects is similar to that shown in Figs. 18, 19 and 20. Then as the plunger I I is pushed downwardly to open the binder, the additional bindin 'element 91 remains in place, the yarn enters the notch 18 and upon closing, will be out, also will be clamped between the contacting sides of the squared binder element 88 and the cooperating side of the slot in block 86. It will also be retained between the cooperating surfacesdefined by the groove or slot cut in the squared end 88 and then add the additional fixed binding element 91. I

In Fig. 34 a yarn has been shown as it is clamped after the feeder 'I has been withdrawn and needles have passed to the position shown in that figure, the end I8I of that yarn which has been out being shown as it falls within the circle of needles, this cut end being short enough 78 so that it is not necessary to perform any sub-- sequent operation as has frequently been found essential.

Inaddition to special shap of the lower side of block 88 by means of which the splicing yarn is guided, also the angular movement of the feeder I which moves upwardly as well as outwardly upon withdrawing its yarn, a Wire guide I82 may be provided and that further assures that the yarn enters the notch or groove I8 without failure. This wire I82 is attached at I83 to the lower side of block 68 and follows along the lower surface of that block at and adjacent the point I84. Then it is bent downwardly as at I85 so that yarn may'enter between the wire and the lower surface of the block.

The function of this wire is to guide the yarn being withdrawn into a position so that it will enter the notch I8 and its location is such that it also engages latches of passing needles in the event any one of those latches is in partially closed position and at that level, see Fig. 39. In that case, the wire which is of spring material flexes and moves away from the lower surface of block 88 to allow a needle latch to pass without damage and also prevents that latch from closing, in other words, the construction is such that partially closed latches are not affected by the wire and the latch controlling function of the latch ring itself is not interfered with.

Now referring to Fig. 7, several cams have been illustrated in a developed view along with part of the drum to which they are attached. These cams include a cam numbered I88, also cams I01 and I88, the latter really being an extension of the cam I88, or vice versa. Other cams which seem to overlap those just numbered are for another purpose with which we are not concerned at this time. In the cycle of knitting, lever 52 drops from the cam I88 after the leg has been completed down to the high-splice. In the space between the square end of cam I86 and the inclined leading edge of cam I81 the lever 52 drops down to allow splicing throughout the high plice up to commencing the heel. During heel knitting cam I8'I maintains the splicing elements in inactive position. After control by cam I81 the foot is knitted and the lever 52 rests in the space between cam I01 and the start of cam I88. Of course, during knitting the foot, splicing of the sole necessitates continuous control of the feed ing lever I and of the trimmer and binder. The cam I88 raises lever 52 at the start of the ring toe or toe as the case may be, and that lever remains under the influence of cams I88, I86 throughout the remaining parts of the cycle which may include the loopers rounds after the toe, connecting courses such as a draw thread or breaking thread and the top of the next article down through the leg until the high splice is again reached.

The above constitutes a description of one cam set-up for knitting representative types of hosiery by string work. Of course, for other types of hosiery and for slightly different methods of knitting, the arrangement of cams is to be understood to be varied accordingly, all of which is within the province of a skilled knitter once he has the benefit of a description of one mode of practicing the invention.

Operation Now a brief description of the operation will be given as it applies to knitting a typical article of hosiery with reinforced high splice and double sole. It may be assumed that the machine has knitted down through the leg of a stocking up to the beginning of the high-splice at which time a splicing yarn is to be thrown into action, fed for part of a course and then cut and withdrawn until it is again inserted upon the next course. At that time lever 52 would drop from cam I05, that allowing the rod 40 to move upwardly under the influence of spring 46 so that the U-shaped piece 48 no longer holds the two bell crank levers away from cams 35 and 31, Figs. 1, 2 and 6. Thereupon those cams rotating with the main cam shaft l4 will, through the bell crank levers and interconnecting mechanism leading up to the feeder 1 and plunger ll, move those elements so that the feeder 1 will swing to the position of Figs. 8 and 9 just as the leading needle for taking the yarn 6 is in about the position of Fig. 8. Immediately thereafter that needle and a group of needles following which are to take the yarn pass down to engage the yarn and will pull it from the binder which is opened just after enough needles have taken the yarn so as to draw it from the source of supply. The cams 35 and 31 are designed to effect that particular timing.

The elements remain in that position until the last needle which is to take yarn 6 approaches the feeding point and has come to a position at which quick withdrawal of feeder .1 will prevent the yarn feeding to other needles. Accordingly, the feeder 1 is moved to the position of Fig. 34, for example, and the yarn then being carried around by the last needle taking it is drawn in such a pathway as to extend across in front of notch 10 of the trimmer and binder and into that notch. At that time cam 31 will allow the follower at the end of lever 38 to drop from the cam thus permitting the binder to close under influence of spring 13. That will cut and bind the yarn leaving a short float It'll, Fig. 34. It can be seen that the cutting and binding action takes place as the last needle to take the yarn is just abreast of the cutter and hinder, or very close to that point. Likewise, taking of the yarn by a leading needle occurs so close to the position of the binder and cutter, Fig. 8, that a very short end is drawn from the binder and thus these projecting ends at the inside of the stocking are as short as is practicably possible to have them.

This continues until start of the heel at which time the main cam control on the main cam shaft governs to render inactive the splicing yarncontrolling means'until start of the foot at which time splicing continues as in the high-splice. After the foot the elements are again rendered inactive. If splicing is to be resorted to at other points, the cam control as illustrated in Fig. '7 would merely be varied to accommodate the additional splicing at appropriate times throughout the cycle.

The mechanism has been described more or less specifically and by reference to a preferred embodiment of the same and slight modifications positioned outside the, circle of needles and mounted adjacent the carrier ring, said yarn feeder being pivotally mounted to swing tangentially to and from a feeding position adjacent 5 the needles and having a component 0f movement vertically so that it moves upwardly upon being retracted from the needles and downwardly when moving to feeding position, the said trimmer and binder including a vertically movable plunger be- 10 ing positioned very close to the circle of needles and supported for movement within the carrier ring.

2. In a. circular, independent needle knitting machine, a circle of needles, a carrier ring and an extension of said carrier ring, the combination of a yarn feeder and a trimmer and binder, the said yarn feeder being pivoted within the extension of the carrier ring and movable to and from a feeding position adjacent the circle of needles, the trimmer and binder comprising a block attached to the lower side of the carrier ring adjacent the feeding end of the yarn feeder, a vertically disposed plunger having a movable binder element at its lower end cooperating with the said block so that when opened, yarn extending from a needle by which it has been knitted to the feeder when it has been retracted, will be engaged by the opened trimmer and binder, and means for actuating said feeder and trimmer an binder in timed relationship.

3. In a circular, independent needle knitting machine, a circle of needles and a carrier ring, a yarn trimmer and binder carried by said carrier ring and including a block attached beneath said carrier ring and having a slot therein for reception of a plunger, the latter being movable vertically in an opening of said carrier ring and being guided in its lower end within said block, the construction being such that the lower end 0 of said plunger is formed with a notch and has engagement at its side with the block and at the outer side with a cutter blade, 3. spring for urging said plunger in one direction and operating means actuated from cam elements on said knit ting machine for moving said plunger in another direction thereby to open the trimmer and binder for reception of a yarn.

4. A circular, independent needle knitting machine having in combination a circle of needles I and a carrier ring, a yarn feeder pivotally mounted outside the circle of needles and a trimmer and binder cooperating therewith and including a block attached beneath said carrier ring, a slot in said block, a plunger extending through an opening in the carrier ring and having a squared end with a yarn receiving groove, said squared end being a sliding fit within the slot, a retaining element to close said slot and a cutter blade at one side of said squared end of the plunger and being spring pressed against the plunger by a spring retained in a cooperating opening in the block, and a yarn guiding wire attached in such position and being so constructed as to guide a yarn being withdrawn from feeding so that the same will accurately enter the yarn receiving groove in the squared end of the plunger.

5. A circular, independent needle knitting machine having in combination a circle of needles and a carrier ring, a yarn feeder pivotally mounted outside the circle of needles and a trimmer and binder cooperating therewith and including a block attached beneath said carrier 7 ring, a slot in said block, a plunger extending through an opening in the carrier ring and having a squared end with a yarn receiving groove, said squared end being a sliding fit within the slot, a retaining element to close said slot and a cutter blade at one side of said squared end of the plunger and being spring pressed against the plunger by a spring retained in a cooperating opening in the block, and a yarn guiding wire attached in such position and being so constructed as to guide a yarn being withdrawn from feeding so that the same will accurately enter the yarn receiving groove in the squared end of the plunger said wire being attached in such a manner and being so tensioned that it will guide a yarn upwardly against the lower edge of the binder and trimmer block, but will spring away from said block when engaged by a needle latch.

6. In a, circular, independent needle knitting i machine, a. circle of needles, a carrier ring and an extension of said cutter ring, a. yarn feeder pivoted to a retaining block attached at the extension of said carrier ring and wherein said feeder is pivoted to move tangentially toward and away from the circle of needles and also with a vertical component of movement so that upon moving away from the circle of needles, the feeder will move upwardly, said feeder also having its yarn feeding end so constructed as to open needle latches and being notched or grooved so as to feed the yarn very close to passing needles, but to allow the hooks of needles to engage the yarn without physical contact between needle hooks and the feeder, although the feeding yarn actually overlaps the outermost circle defined by passing needle hooks.

7. A trimmer and binder for a circular, independent needle knitting machine including a block having a slot cut therein, a plunger having a squared end adapted to slide within the slot of said block, a yarn receiving groove in one face -of said squared end, a cutter blade movably mounted in said block, resilient means for main mentioned face and also for maintaining the opposite face of said squared end of said plunger against the side of said slot adjacent, thereto.

OSCAR FREGEOLLE.

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