US2412267A - Circular knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec; 10,1946.

H. H. HOLMES ET AL CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1944 l I r 22 39 '/2 n Ell Attorney.

Dec. 10, 1946.' H. H. HOLMES ETAL 7 7 CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 3, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 2 1946- H. H. HOLMES ET AL CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 3, "1944 5 sheets-sheet s mwQ In e tors, .7

A ttorney Patented Dec. 10, 1946 CIRCULAR KNITTING BIACHIN E Henry Harold Holmes and Alfred Percy Saunders, Leicester, England, assignors to Wildt and Company Limited, Leicester, England, a British company Application January 3, 1944, Serial No. 516,790 In Great Britain January 8, 1943' 18 Claims.

This invention relates to cir ular knitting machines and concerns those of the characteristic type including double axially opposed needle cylinders'and especially such as are furnished with double-ended needles operable by means of sliders, with which, and the purposes for which they are employed, those familiar with the art are now well acquainted.

The present invention is applicable primarily to machines of the characteristic type concerned which are additionally equipped with instruments adapted to co-operate with the needles in stitch or loop formation or variations thereof and which, by reason of their close proximity to the needles, restrict the space available within the cylinders for the provision of verges or knocking-over bits designed to facilitate knitting by needles upon which rib or purl stitches are produced. Such instruments may, for example, consist of individually operable thread guides for feeding patterning or ornamental threads to appropriate needles as in the production of lap or Wrap stitch or loop effects on independent needles singly (single wrap effects) or on a plurality of adjoining needles (multi-wrap effects). Other instruments may consist of stitch or loop transferring elements, e. g. pelerine instruments for producing open or lace effects, and, in some cases, instruments of both kinds may be furnished in the same machine for producing combinations of such effects. I The object of the present invention is to provide improved means for facilitating knitting by the needles required to produce rib or purl stitches having regard to the restricted space available by reason of the presence of instruments such as those aforesaid either alone or in combination with others.

The point or points at which the instruments function for their intended purpose is or are usually removed from the knitting location, or is or are between locations in a multi-feed machine, and therefore it is essential to construct and arrange means to facilitate knitting as aforesaid, suchwise as to be capable of co-operating with the appropriate needles at the knitting location or locations but not otherwise.

Accordingly the present invention has in view the provision of means of a simple and compact form adapted for location in proximity to the hooks of the knitting needles for holding down the old loops or stitches formed by the appropriate needles while the same needles draw the yarn for and knock over the succeeding new loops or stitches, such means being advantageous- 1y employed in the production of broad rib or purl fabrics.

A particular illustrative embodiment of the invention as applied to a circular knitting machine of the superimposed rotary needle cylinder type, in combination with patterning mechanism of the general form described in the specification of United States Letters Patent Nor 2,065,469 will now be described, by wayof exam ple, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of so much of the said machine as is necessary to illustrate the application of the invention thereto,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the needle circle and the lay-out both of the lap or wrap thread guides and the holding-down bits or web holders employed to facilitate knitting by needles in the top cylinder of the machine,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the plate or disc fitted with cam sections for controlling the said holding-down bits or web holders,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken on the line IV--IV in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an underside view of the cam plate or disc as seen in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a further transverse sectional view taken on the line VIVI of Figure Figure '7 is a detail plan view illustrating connections, seen in the direction of the arrowB in Figure l, for rendering the movable cam sec tion inoperative during reciprocatory knitting as will be hereinafter described,

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation drawn to an enlarged scale of portions of the opposing ends of the needle cyli'nders-showing a few of the needles, the fabric and the holdingdown bits or web holders as they appear during the production of rib or purl stitches,

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail perspective view depicting a holding-down bit or web holder in its projected position to facilitate knitting by the adjacent rib needle, and

Figure 10 is a somewhat similar perspective View showing the said bit or web holder in its fully retracted, i. e. inoperative, position.

Like parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout the drawings.

In Figure 1, the bottom or plain needle cylinder and the superimposed top or rib needle cylinder are designated by the reference numerals I and 2 respectively. One of the double-ended needles is indicated at 3 and, as will be seen, this is operable by means of sliders of conventional the numeral 5 indicates the customary bottom sinkers which are arranged in a so-called sinker brass 6 associated with the cylinder I r The machine, in this particular example, is equipped with vertical lap or wrap striping mechanism wherein blade-like thread guides or feeders I with angular thread guiding ends 1a are arranged substantially axially of the needle cylinders l and 2 in a cylindrical bed 8 arranged concentrically within the topcylinder, and the threads are guided from bobbins not shown) on a carrier 9 above the top plate In of the machine through a nest of tubes H within a sleeve l2 which supports the bed for the guides. In this machine the guides l are movable radially from the inside to the outside of the needle 'cir'- cle NC (Figure 2) and thereupon deflected laterally for wrapping the thread around single needles, or two or more successive needles to produce multi-wrap effects; the guides are then restored to their original positions, all of these movements and the meansby which they are efiected bein fullydescribed in the prior specification aforesaid. In Figure I 2, the point at which the'lap or wrap thread guides! are projected for wrapping purposes is indicated at P, this point being removed some distance from the rib or purl knitting location KL. In Figure 2,1moreover, plain needles 3-and rib needles 3 are'alternately arranged in a l x l ri-b set-out.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a flat dial 13 of annular form provided withflan annular flange l3a and having a radially tricked surface l3b in which straight holdingdown bits or web holders l4 each with a butt Ma on one'edge are slidably mounted. The said flange has apertures l3c therein to permit passage of the aforesaid threads to their guides or feeders.

|3d into and held within the cylindrical bed 8 for the thread guides '1 so that the dial I3 is disposed horizontally in'an inverted position, i. e. with its tricked surface downwards, all as clearly shown in Figure-1; The holding-down bits or elements M are inserted into the tricks 15, butts downwards, and are thus movable radially in a horizontal plane, i; 'e'. at rightangles to the axis of the needle cylinders l and 2. The complete device, therefore, is concentric with the needle cylinders and revolves therewith. The controlling means comprise'a cam C (Figure 3) consisting of a mainly annular outer section IS with an inner recess 15a and a partly annular inner section lfifcompleted by a movable section I? form such as that shown at 4. In the drawings pillars or posts'such as 22 fixed in the top plate Ill. The cross arms are shown more clearly in Figure '7. The cam plate I8 is fixed with the projecting portion g of the groove or track'g at volves the bits or web holders l4 therein are, by

reason of the travel of their butts Ma in the cam groove or track moved outwards seriatirn at the knitting location KL so that the tip of each'is projected radially between adjacent needles '3 in the top cylinder 2 (see Figure 8).. But im mediately after projection in this way the bits or web holders are retracted and remain in this position-while the butts Ma travel around the The annular flange l3a is spigoted at with a nose or projection Ha to correspond with the'recess 15a, these'sections being mounted on a-circular plate or disc I 8 with acentral bored boss l9 suchwise that when the movable section I! is in'the normal (operative) position a groove or track-g is formed for the butts Ma which groove or track 'is mainly concentric with the plate or disc but as regards the remainder extends first obliquely outwards, then in the circumferconcentric portion of the cam groove or track g.

The bits or web holders are fully retracted by the time they pass the point P (Figure 2) and are not'projected again until they have travelled nearly'full circle and reached the location KL. The tube 20 has a bifurcated lever .23 keyed thereon, near its upper extremity, and the spaced end portions 23a of this lever carry adjusting screws 24 arranged at opposite sides of a lug;2 5 on one of the cross arms 2|. The screws 24 may, if desired, be furnished, with knurled wheels 26 or the like for rotating them so as to enable the cam C to be accurately set in the required position. A knurled wheel 21 is screwed onv the tube 20 to retain thelever 23 thereon; and to maintain the camring l8 atthe required height.-

As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the movable section II of the cam is formed with a small disc 28 having a cylindrical projection 29 by means.

of which it is pivotally mounted in the cam plate 58 so as to enable the said section to be rendered inoperative for reciprocatory knitting thereby enabling all of the bitsror web holders l l'to be retained in the retracted position to clear the slack yarn. A bit or .web holder in suchposition is shown in Figure 10. The sectionis positively held in-its normal, i. e. out, position during circular upper end and from the central boss l9 atthe lower'end, has a forked lever 33' pinned on its lower end for engagement with a pin St in the profile cam ring 30 At the upper. end the rod 32 is connected with the timing mechanism 'of the machine by means of intermediate connections of any conventional form whereby the profile cam ring is held-with the movable cam section I! in the operative position shown in Figure 3. In the specific example illustratedin Figures 1 and '7 a lever 35, which is fixed by a cotter pin 36 to the upper projecting end of the rod 32,

is connected by means of a link 31 to one arm 38a of a bell crank 38 the other arm 38b of which latter is adapted forconnection with the timing mechanism. When a change is made from circular knitting to reciprocatory knitting the rod 32 is turned as the result of the action of the timing mechanism so that the profile cam 30 is operated to release the movable cam section- I! which thereupon, under the action of the butts I ia on the bits or web holders I4, is turned to the inoperative position. provided in associationwith the section II to assist this movement. Upon reversion to circular If desired, a spring 'may be knitting the timing mechanismfunctions to turn the rod 32 in the opposite direction, thereby positively restoring the cam section 11 to its normal position. In a machine having two or more feeders, duplicate or more cam formations to effect projection of the bits or web holders at the appropriate locations will be provided. As will be understood, with an arrangement of the character herein described the lower edges of the bits or web holders [4 are the holdingdown edges when the device is in use. This will be made clearer in the description of Figure 8 wherein the fabric 1 is shown in relation to rib needles 3 which are being retracted to knock over rib loops. The fabric is normally pulled in a downward direction over the sinker brass 6, and when the rib needles are in the course of being retracted to take the knitting yarn y, as indicated at R, the fabric rests on the said sinker brass. At this stage, the corresponding bit or web holder M is fully projected so as to be in readiness over the fabric. At R, moreover, the rib needle latchl is open and an old loop 01 is around the stem of the needle. The needle at R has been still further retracted and is in the course of casting off the old loop 01; as a result. of this retraction the said needle commences to raise the fabric Ihe needles at R and R are fully retracted, having knocked over the old loops 02 and drawn newloops nl through them. As the needles move to knocking-over position they raise the fabric into contact with the lower edges of the appropriate projected bits or web holders M which latter thereupon serve to hold down the fabric sufficiently to permit of satisfactory rib knitting. A retracted rib needle and a fully advanced bit or web holder co-operating therewith are depicted in detail in Figure 9.

In a machine furnished with patterning mechanism of the kind hereinbefore mentioned the bobbin carrier 9 is fixed on another tube 39 rotatably mounted, exteriorly, on the tube 20 which carries the improved device, and below the bobbin carrier a thread guiding cage 40 or like part is rigidly attached to the same tube.

What we claim then is:

1. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion demands, means at a knitting location for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instruments adapted to co-operate with the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knitting location, movable elements for holding down the old loops formed by needles upon which rib stitches are produced while the same needles draw yarn for and knock over the succeeding new loops, and means for so controlling the said movable holding down elements that the latter are moved to a position in proximity to the hooks of the knitting needles at the knitting location for the purpose stated and are then moved to and maintained in such a position as to avoid the instruments at the aforesaid point.

2. In a circular-knitting machine, in combina-'- tion, a needle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the .said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating to knit a yarn, 'instruments'adapted-to co-operate with the needles in loop formation at a :p'oint removed from said knitting location, a device consisting of a dial having a flat "radially grooved surface, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bits in the grooves for arrangement suchwise that said holding-down bits can be moved radially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, and means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which produce ribstitches at the knitting location and,.after such co-operation, are withdrawn to and maintained in a retracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments until again projected at the said knitting location, and so on.

3. In a circular knitting machine,'in combination, a needle cylinder, 3, second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation .in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same .to be transferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion de mands, instruments additional to and .for co-operation with the needles, a device consisting of a dial, holding-down bits in said dial, and means for co controlling the holding-down bits that they are retracted seriatim where the additional instruments are operative, and projected seriatim where the said instruments are inoperative.

' 4. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the device and associated controlling means are fitted within the confines of the needle cylinders so that the tips of the holding-down bits can be projected seriatim between the opposing ends of the cylinders and between appropriate needles at the rib knitting location, and, as regards the remainder of the needle circle, can be retracted to an inoperative position within the circle.

5. In .a circular knitting machine, in combine. tion, a needle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said. cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other as'occasion demands, means at a knitting-locationfor operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instrumentsadapted to co-operate with the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knitting location, a device consisting of a dial having a fiat radially grooved surface, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bits formed with butts, said bits being arranged in the grooves in the dial suchwise as to be movable radially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, and means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches at'the knitting location and, after such co-operation, are withdrawn to and maintainedzin a retracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments until again projected at the said knitting location, and

so on. i

6. In a circular knitting machine, .in combina-. tion, a rotary needle cylinder, a second rotary needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for op eration in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same' toi'be transferred from one cylinder to the other-as oc- 'casion demands, means at a knitting location for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instruments adapted to coo'peratewith'the needles in loopformation at 7 cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating a point removed from said knitting location, a dial which has a flat radially grooved surface and is mounted to revolve with the cylinders, a series of independently slidable holding-down bits formed with butts, said bits being arranged in .the grooves in the dial suchwise as to be movable radially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, and means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches at the knitting location and, after such col-operation, are withdrawn to and "maintained in'a retracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments untilagain rojected at the said knitting location, and so on. I

7. In a circular knitting machine, in combina .tion, 'a needle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred from onecylinder to the other as occasion demands,1means at a knitting location for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit ayarn, instruments adapted to co-operate with the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knitting location, a device consisting of a dial having a fiat radially grooved surface, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bits formed with butts, said bits being arranged in the grooves in the dial suchwise as to be movable radially in plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches at the knitting location and, after such co-operation, are withdrawn to and maintained in a retracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments until againlprojected at the said knitting location, and so on,

and an adjustment whereby the said means are fixed and can be turned and set in proper 'relationship to the knitting location.

8. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operationin said cylinders, sliders in the cylindersfor operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion demands, means at a knittinglocation for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a'yarn, instruments additional to and adapted to co-operate with the needles in loop forma- 1 tion at a point removedfrom said knitting location, a carrier for said additional instruments, a

dial which is attached to the said carrier and has aflat radially grooved surface, a series 'of inde pendently slidable holding-down bits in the grooves in the dial for movement radially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, and means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches at the knitting location and, after such co-operation, are'withdrawn'to and maintained ina retracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments until the needles and enabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other as occasiondemands, means at a knitting location for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instruments adapted to co-operate with the needles inloop formation at a point removed from said knitting location, a device consisting of a dial having a flat radially grooved surface, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bits formed with butts, said bits being; arranged in the grooves in the dial suchwise as to be movable radially in a plane at, right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, means for'controlling' the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches'at the knitting location and, after such co-operation, are withdrawn to and maintained in a retracted position toavoid the aforesaid instruments until again projected at the said knitting location,-and so on, an adjustment where the said means are fixed and can enabling same to be transferred from one 0171-,

inder to the other as occasion demands, means at a knitting location for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instruments adapted to co-operate with the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knitting location, a device consisting of a dial having a flat radially grooved surface, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bits in the grooves for arrangement suchwise that said holding-down bits can be moved radially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected'seriatim to cooperate with the needles which produce rib stitches at the knitting location and, after such co-operation; are withdrawn to and maintained in aretracted position to avoid the aforesaid instruments until again projected at the said knitting location, and. f so on, and means for rendering the controlling" means inactivaso far as the projection of the holding down bits is concerned, during reciprocatory knitting, so that the bits are completely retracted, for the purpose herein described. 1

11. In a circular single feed knittingmachine adapted to operate for both circular knitting and reciprocatory knitting, in combination, a needle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operatingthe needles and en-- abling same to be transferred fromone cylinder to the other as occasion demands, means'at a knitting location for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, in.

struments adapted to co-operatewiththe needles inloop formation at a Point. removed from said saw?- knitting location, a device consisting, ofa dial ear-lea flatradially grooved Surface, with a serifles of independently slidable. holdingedown' bits formed with butts, said bits being arranged in the grooves in the, di l 'ucnwi'se as to beinov'able radially in a plane atright. angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with/the needles which produce rib s'titc'hfe 'at the knitting location and, after such c'drope'ration, are withdrawn to and maintained in a retracted position to avoid he aforesaid instruments until again projected at the saidknitn location, andso on, a part of said means beingarranged formovement to. and from an op erative position so that said part can be rendered inactive and the bits can thereby be completely retracted to provide clearance for slack yarn, during reciprocato'ry knitting, timing mechanism nder the control of which the movable means are moved, and intermediate connections between, said ch sm a d h a part.

.2: In a circular knittingmach'ine, in combination, a, needle cylinder, a second needle cylinder axially oppgsed to, the'said, first mentioned cylinder,'double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion demands, means at a knitting location for operating the said sliders to cause corresponding needles to knit a yarn, instruments adapted to co-operate with the needles in loop formation at a point removed from said knitting location, a device consisting of a dial having a flat radially grooved suriace, with a series of independently slidable holding-down bits formed'with' butts, said bits being arranged in the grooves in the dial suchwise as to be movable radially, in a plane at right angles to the axis of the needle cylinders, means for controlling the said bits so that they are projected seriatim to co-operate with the needles which produce rib stitches at the knittinglocationan'd, after such co-operation, are withdrawn to and maintained in a retracted'position to avoid the aforesaid instruments u'ntil again projected at the said knittinglocation, and Q an stment whe by t s d m s are fixed and can be turned and set in proper relationship to the knitting location, a tubular memher on which the said means are mounted, said member extending axiall'y'through the cylinder in which needles operate for rib; knitting and being connected exteriorly with the aforesaid adjust ment, apart of the aforesaid means being are rangedfor movement'toand from an operative position, a rod extending through the tubular member for, controlling the movable part, timing mechanism, and connections between said mechanism and the rod whereby the latter is operated to withdraw the movable part so that the bits can be completely retracted when a change is made from circular knitting to reciprocatory knitting.

13. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a rotary needle cylinder, a second rotary needle cylinder axially opposed to the said first mentioned cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred from one cylinder to the other as occasion demands, instruments additional to and for co-operation with the needles, a carrier for said instruments, a flat dial which has a radially tricked surface and is attached to the aforesaid carrier in an inverted position with its tricked surface downwards, straight holding=down bits in v the grooves in medial; eac ofs'aidb'ts having a butt onon'e edge; and'a eamrbr, action uponisa dj b-uttsftjo mm the holdingedoyvn bits, said ca consisting of sections which provide a groove for the butts; and a circu ar plate whiqh c r e he art ct ons u is xed It m pn ri ie t; bi'eleu and'coricentrically with the, dial, the cam servin D 9 0011111701; n? l fi il flo bits tllafi e a retracted. seriatim where. the additional-inst Illenfhs are operative," and projected seria W er e said ns rumeni fa e inolqi i I6 hepurpose' her m described.

'f 14. In acircular knitting machine, in (zombi nation, a rotary. needle cylinder; at second; rotary eeed 'eic nqerj x a ly o po e o e S r t men ioned l n r d ubl n ed ee l o OP tati n in, Said cy ind rs; s d rs n h l d r for operating the needles and enabling same to be transferred from one cylinder, to the other as, occasion demands, instruments. additional to. and. for cQ-operation withth'ene'e'dles', a carrier for said instruments, a flat. dial which has a radially tricked surface and is attached to. the aforesaid carrier'in an'inverted position with its'trick'ed surface downwards, straight hol'ding do'wn bitsfin h groovein media a h or said bits fi iifi 'a u (in one BQ TBM Q a cam q M 1 ee' ii ltts to control. h he i dw bits, an cam, consisting of amainl'y annular'outer section w h n i ner r ess an a ly a u r n r g'c es qomn eted b a mo a c n wi h loss.-

to c r es n wi h h re es he s fi iensbei such that when the movable section is in the nore a etit on he g ol ve o rm'e er the u t s ma nl con n r c w l he e d n e s but as regards the remainder extends firstobliquely dutwallds, then in the. circumferential direct e a hort d st n e a h bl ue y ba k 9 he ocent c o on; a ular. e whi h carries the cam sections and is fixedfcam upper m st bel w and co n rically h' he d l, the am serv n o to, control he sflewn t t h t he are etr ted a m W theadditional instruments are operative, and projected; seriatiin where the said instruments are inoperae tive, for the purpose herein described, timingmechanism, and intermediate connections be; een said m chgnism a d h movab e am sec.- n where y the at r c b op ated at d s redm nfl I 1 5-1 1 a ircula k i m c ine i com nation, a rotary bottom needle cylinder, a superim $1 rotary o need linder c m elnt, xed, bo t m a d t it n ca s stems n sso iat s t h ne d c li ders .c nded eedl s or sera aid linfder he. ers' in the cylinders ror operating the needles and.

n nsane t e miste a ns ias der to the other as ciccasi'on'demands, ins

' Items additionaftoandfor co-operation withthe sition with its tricked surface downwards,

straight holding-down bits in the grooves in the dial, each of said bits having a butt on one edge, and a cam for action upon said butts tocontrol the holding-down bits, said cam consisting of sections which provide a, groove for the butts, a circular plate which carries the cam sections and is fixed, cam uppermost, below and concentrically with the dial, the cam serving, so to control the holding-down bits that they are retracted seriatim where the additional instruments are openslates a 1 1 ativ; and projected seriatimwhere the said instrurnents are inoperative, for the purpose herein described, a tube upon which the circular plate is fixed, said tube extending upwards through the top cylinder component, a lever on the tube, and. adjusting screws in association with said lever whereby the cam can be set in the required posi-' tion in relation to the top knitting cam system.

16. In a circular knitting machine adapted to operate for both circular knitting and reciprocato'ry knitting, in combination, a rotary needle cylinder, a second rotary, needle cylinder axially straight holding-down bits inthe grooves in the dial, each of said bits having a, button one edge, and a cam for action upon said butts to control the'holding-down bits, said cam consisting of a mainly annular outer section with an inner recess anda partly annular inner, section completed by a movable section with a nose to correspond with the recess, the sections being such that when the movable section is in the normal position the groove so formed for the butts is mainly concentrio with the needle cylinders but as regards the remainder extends first obliquely outwards, then in the circumferential direction for a short distance, andthen obliquely back to the concentric portion, a circular plate which carries the cam sections and is fixed, cam uppermost, below and concentrically with the dial, the cam serving so to control the holding-down bits that they are retracted seriatim where the additional instru-l ments are operative, .and projected seriatim where the said instruments are inoperative, for.

the purpose herein described, the movable cam section being pivotally mounted in the circular plate,"means for-positively holding thesaid movable cam section in its normal position during circular knitting, timing mechanism, and intermediate connections between said mechanism and the movable cam section whereby the latter is rendered inoperative for reciprocatory knitting. -17. Ina circular knitting machine. adapted to operate-{or-both circular knitting and reciprocatory knitting, in combination; a rotary bottom needle cylinder, a superimposed rotary top needle cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in the cylinders for operatingthe needles and enabling same to be transferred'from'one cylinder to the other as occasion demands,- instruments additional to and for cooperation with the needles, a carrier for saidin struments, a flat dial .which' has-a radially tricked; surface and is attached to the aforesaid'carrier' in an inverted position with its trickedsuriace downwards, straight holding-down bits in the; grooves in the dial, each of saidbitshaving a; butt on one edge, and a cam'for action upon said butts to control :the holding-down bit saidcam consisting of a mainly annular outer section with an inner. recess and a partly annular inner section completed by amovable section witha' pin there-l in and a'nose to correspond with the recess, the

sections beingsuch thatrwhen the movable 'section is in the normal position the groove soformed for the' butts is mainly concentric with the needle cylinders but as regards theremainder extends first obliquely outwards, then in the circumferential direction for, a short distance," and then obliquely backto the concentric por- :tion, a circular plate which is 'formed with a slot, carries thecam sections and isfixed, cam uppermost, below and concentrically with the dial, the cam serving so to 'control the holding-;. down bits that they are retracted seriatim where, the additional instruments are operative, and projected seriatim where the said instruments are inoperative, for the purpose herein described, an adjustment whereby. the positive motion cam is fixed and can be turned and set in its proper position, a tube upon which the circular plate is fixed, said tube extending through the top needle cylinder and being connected exteriorly, with the aforesaid adjustment, a cam ring which.

has therein a pin and is associated With the circular plate for engagement with the pin in the; movable cam sec-tion, said last mentioned pin extending through the slot in the circular plate, a rod fitted'withi'n the tube,a lever on the rod for engagement with the pin in the cam ring,

timing mechanism, and intermediate connections between said mechanism and the rod whereby the latter is turned to render themovable cam section inoperative during reciprocatory knitting.

18. A circular'knitting machine according to claim 1'7, wherein the rod is connected with the timing mechanism of the machine by means of intermediate connections whereby the cam'ring is normally held with the movable cam section in the operative position, the construction andarrangement being such that (a) when a change inoperativeposition, and (b) when circular knitting is resumed thesaid section is rendered op- 3 erative again. r r

V HENRY HAROLDHOLMES.

ALFRED PERCY SAUNDERS;

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