US2388311A - Pattern chain for knitting machines and the like - Google Patents

Description

N 1945. s. c. DOUGllTY I 2,388,311

PATTERN CHAIN FOR KNITTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 14, 1944 X iggfil l g i Patented Nov. 6, 1945 UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE- PATTERN CHAIN FOR KNITTING MACHINES \AND HE LIKE Samuel C. Doughty, Perkasle, Pa. Application August 14, 1944, Serial No. 549,418

Claims.

' ling thevarious mechanisms of the machine and bringing the same into operation at the proper times.

On most of thefull fashioned knitting machines, as well as on various similar automatic machines, there are employed pattern chains which are so constructed and arranged that the same may be lengthened'or shortened as may be necessary to permit the control of the various mechanisms which are brought into operation during a complete cycle of the operations of the. machine. As

is well known. in connection with such pattern chains, there are employed detachable buttons of various sizes, shapes and styles which are mounted at desired locations on the chain for the purpose of bringing the various mechanisms of the machine into play at the desired times.

However, in the use of such pattern chains it sometimes happens that the buttons become loosened on their respective links and slide sidewise thereon with the result that the nisms ofthe machine may be caused to operate at improper times and sometimes in conflict with each other. In this manner not only is the product of the machine improperly made but also, in many instances, the various mechanisms of the ,machine itself are badly damaged or destroyed.

It also happens, when such buttons are moved s deways even to a slight extent, said buttons will engage the supporting portions of the sprocket drum, and in some instances cause the transverse portion of the chain link to be bent so that the same will not thereafter function properly.

The principal'object of the present invention is to provide a pattern chain-for knitting machines, and other automatic machines of a simi-' lar character, which is so constructed andarranged as to prevent sidewise movement of the chain buttons on the transverse bar portions of the chainlinks: v

A further object of the invention is to provide a pattern chain of the character aforesaid in connection with which buttons of. the usual tynes and as at present in common use, may beemseveral mechawhich is so constructed and arranged as to provide an adequate bearing for the several links of the chain at points wherein the same are engaged by thesupporting portions of the sprocket drum. 7 With the foregoing objects in view, my invention contemplates thev provision of a novel form of pattern chain, for knitting machines and the like, which, however, may be readily fabricated without adding materially to the cost thereof.

The nature and characteristic features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan'view of a portion of a pattern chain embodying the main features of the present invention and having typical buttons mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation oi. the portion of the pattern chain shown in Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section of one of the links, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 iliustratinga modified form;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another modified form;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8.-8 of Fig. 1.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein are illustrative merely, and that various changes and modifica- 1 from a-heavy gage wire, each link havin a transverse bar portion l0 and having its ends bent and shaped to'form hooks ii to engage the end portions of the adjacent links. thereby to form a chain the parts of which may be readily detached from each other at any point in the length thereof. and rejoined either with a larger or smaller number of links whenever'it is required to reployed, therebymaking it unnecessary to procure speciallymade buttons.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pattern chain of the character aforesaid arrange the chain for adifferent pattern. In the case of a stocking knitting machine the pattern chain is ordinarily provided with a link for each course of stitches in thestocking, or that portion thereof which is knitted on the machine. The end formation of the several links of the chain may be and preferably is the same as that oi the chains at present in common use.

In the particular chain shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the buttons may be disposed transversely at three. different positions between those portions of the transverse bars it which are supported by the sprocket drum (not shown) over which the chain is guided at the point where the pattern buttons engage the several levers (not shown) which control thee various mechanisms of the machine. Plain buttons such as are shown at l2 may be employed at such sidewise locations on the links. However, the capacity of the chain is increased in the usual manner by providing overhanging buttons of the type shown-at l2a which may extend over those portions of the chain links which rest upon thesupporting parts of the sprocket drum.

Those portions of the chain links to which the buttons are secured are straight, as-at l3, and lie in the principal axis of the transverse bar portion of said link. However, between the straight portions i3 01' the transverse bars III of the several links there are provided sinuous formations ll of the wire which in effect provide obstructions which effectively serve to prevent sidewise displacement of the buttons which are disposed on the straight portions l3 therebetween.

The buttons l2,or l2a may be of any of the common types which are readilyprocurable in the open market and which ordinarily consist of a body portion IS, a clamping plate .IB, and a clamping screw ll extending through the plate l6 and threaded in thebody portion l 'of the button. The body portion it of the button and' the clamping plate 16 thereof is in each instance provided with the usual transverse grooves, one pair of which is of such diameter as to grip the link bar ill, the other pair of which is 01' a larger; diameter so as to permit the requisite freedom of pivotal movement of the bar of the adjacent link. 01 course, where the lever to be actuated by the button lies in the same plane as the supporting portion of the sprocket drum, the button used is of the type shown at Ma with-the actuating portion I50 of said button extending over the sinuous part I4 of the transverse bars Ill of the several links upon which said button is mounted.

- In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing there is illustrated a modified form of chain link in which the shoulders for preventing sidew-ise movement of the buttons on the link bars are provided by punching and forming the metal by means of round punches to provide projections l8 which Y are formed from the metal pressed up by the punches.

In Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawing there is shown another form of link in which the shoulders are provided by deforming the metalby means of suitable compression'tools having inclined faces which will tend to force the metal outwardly to provide the desired projections l9 at the necessary locations It will be seen that by the foregoing arrangement the pattern buttons when once arranged upon the chain at the proper locations will be eflfectively prevented from being displaced sidewise on the bar portions of the links of the chain, and accidents to the machine as well as misformations of the products, by reason 01! such displacement, will be effectively prevented.

It will, of course, be readily understood by those familiar with devices or this character that it will not be necessary to make up the entire chain with the special links of the present invention, as ordinary plain links may be used where there-is a run of the chain without any pattern efl'ects ito'be controlled. Also, it will be readily apparentthat, if desired, each alternate link only may be-of the special type contemplated by the present invention and that the other alternate links may be of the ordinary plain ty e.

I claim: A,

1. A pattern chain of the 'haracter described comprising a plurality of links made from heavy wire bent and formed to provide co-acting end portions and transversely extending bar portions,

pattern buttons mounted thereon, the transverse bar portion of each link having spaced straight parts adapted to receive the pattern buttons and a plurality of parts between said straight parts.

each provided with limiting projections positioned to confine the pattern buttons against sidewise displacement on the chain links.

2. A pattern chain of the character described comprising a plurality of links made from heavy wire bent and formed to provide co-acting end portions and transversely extending bar portions, pattern buttons mounted thereon, the transverse bar portion of each link having spaced straight parts adapted to receive the pattern buttons and a plurality of parts between said straight parts I each provided with limiting projections extending outwardly and positioned to confine the pattern buttons'against sidewise displacement on the chain links.

3. Apattem chain of the character described comprising a plurality of links made from heavy wire bent and formed to provide co-acting end portions and transversely extending bar portions, pattern buttons mounted thereon, the transverse bar portion of each link having spaced straight parts adapted to receive the pattern buttons and a plurality of parts between said straight parts each having the metal thereof displaced outwardly to provide limiting projections positioned to confine the pattern buttons against sidewise displacement on the chain links. 7

4. A.pattern chain of the character described comprising a-plurality of links made'from heavy wire bent and formed to provide co-acting end portions and transversely extending bar portions upon which pattern buttons are adapted to be mounted, the transverse bar portions having straight'parts adapted to receive the pattern buttons and parts between said straight parts formed in sinuous contour to provide limiting projections for confining the pattern buttons against sidewise displacement on the chain links.

5. A pattern chain of the character described comprising a plurality of links made from heavy gage wire bent and formed to provide co-acting end portions and transversely extending bar portions upon which pattern buttons are adapted to be mounted, the transverse bar portions haw'ng straight parts adapted to receive the pattern buttons and parts between said straight parts formed in sinuous contour disposed outwardly with respect to the straight parts thereby to provide

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