US2432413A

US2432413A - Knitting machine and method of operating same

Info

Publication number: US2432413A
Application number: US502359A
Authority: US
Inventors: Haehnel Herbert Erich
Original assignee: Textile Machine Works
Current assignee: Textile Machine Works
Priority date: 1943-09-14
Filing date: 1943-09-14
Publication date: 1947-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 1964-12-09

Description

Dec. 9, 1947. H. E. HAEHNEL KHITTIHG MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME INVENTOR Herlie Hzdme ORNEY KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD 0F OPERATING sAME Y H. E. HAEHNEL Dec. 9, 1947.

Filed Sept. 14, M 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 9, 1947. H. E. HAl-:HNl-:L 2,432,413

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATINGl SAME 'Filed sept. 14. 194:5 v s sheds-sheet s Dec. 9, 1947. i H. E. HAEHNEL KNITTIHG MACHINE AND METHOD. 0F OPERATING SAME Filed Sept. 14,` 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 9, 1947. H. E. HAEHNEL KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME Filed Sept. 14, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 i 96 ,gf-'127 115 Dec. 1947. Y H.'E. HAEHN'EL 2.432.413

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD 0F OPERATING SAME y Filed sept. 14, 1943 6 sheets-'sheet 6 Patented Dec. 9, 14947g KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME Herbert Erich Haehnel, West Reading, Ta., as-

signor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Applicationlseptember 14, 1943,1SerialN'o. 502,359

(Cl. (i6-89) 25 Claims.

The present invention Vrelates to full-fashioned knitting machines and more particularly to improvements in the fashioning mechanism for such machines.

It is standard practise to equip both ends of full-fashioned knitting machines with narrowing heads including two threaded spindles, one for moving the position of the end stops for the yarn carrier rods and one for moving the combs for the points. Said spindles are used singly and 'together in producing a variety of eilects in the iabric knitted on the machines, necessitating that the means for turning said spindles be readily adaptable to the particular conditions determined by the desired fabric effect. lThe means for turning said spindles has `for a long time included ratchet wheels fixe-d to the spindles and pawls for racking said ratchets moved by an actuator member having an up and down motion. Said pawls have been arranged in groups `to turn the spindles in either the lnarrowing direction or the widening direction as desired. Usually, the pawls for turning the spindles in the narrowing direction have operated on the upstroke of the actuator and the pawls for turning the spindles in the widening direction have operated on the downstroke of the actuator.

Wsf-wstroke oi the actuator to effect both narrowing and widening of the fabric being knitted, thus facilitating the use also of the back-racking pawl in widening operations. However, when the fabric is to be widened by the movement of the end stops only, i. e. by increasing the travel of the yarn carrier rods, the arrangement in which all but the back-racking pawl operate on the upstroke of the actuator, it is during this part of the operatingcycle in which the widening pawl for the end stop spindle moves up that the yarn carrier rods strike the end stops, and the end stop spindle being free to move in the widening direction at this time, the impact of the yarn carrier rods 4on the` end stops frequently moves the end stops beyond their proper positions, thereby causing irregularities in the fabric and/or diniculties .in the machine operation.

2 It is therefore 7an object of the `invention to provide in the narrowing head of full-fashioned `knitting machines wideningmeans which willprevent the stops from moving in the Widening direction in .response to blows from the Ayarn carrier rods.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch `pawl for the. end stop .spindle of a fullfashioned knitting machine for preventing the end stops from moving under the impact of the yarn carrier'rods, and means to control it to permit turning said spindle in the widening direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide operating means in :connection with the latching pawl iorthe end-stop spindle of a full-fashioned knitting machine, such means being adapted to initially engage the latching pawl on the upstroke oi the actuator to permit indexing of the end stop spindle and also to -prevent lthe said indexing beyorrd a limited predetermined movement.

Another object of the invention is to combine a vmeans for operating a latch pawl for the end stop spindle with the locking plunger for Vthe standard lock dial for said spindle.

Another object is to simplify and increase the adaptability of the spindle operating means for use in performing a number of diierent functions.

Wth these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the 'present invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly vpointe-d out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a partial end View of a full-fashioned knitting machine having the invention applied thereto in connection with the spindle operating mechanism;

Eig. 2 is a View of the mechanism shown at the upper partfof Fig. 1, enlarged relative thereto, certain parts being added and 'others broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to a portioniof Fig. 2 but with certain of the parts in diiTeren-t relative positions;

Fig. 4 is an elevational View of the mechanism as viewed from the right of Fig, 2;

Fig. 5 is a view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a partial front elevation of the left end Yof the machine showing .certain of the spindle operating mechanism and control means therefore;

Fig. 7 is a detail view partially in section taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a View taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a View taken substantially along the line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail view similar to the left portion of Fig. 3, certain parts being broken away and others omitted;

Fig. 1l is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10 and including the left carrier rod end stops of the machine;

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line |2-l2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a detail view of certain of the mechanismshown at the right center of Fig. 2 but with the parts in different relative positions; and

Fig. 14 is a top plan of the mechanism as viewed in the direction of the arrows lil- I4 of Fig. 13.

In the drawings and description, only the means i and method necessary to a complete understanding of the invention have been specifically set forth; further information as to the construction and operation of other related, usual and well known knitting machine elements, mechanisms, etc., may be found in one or more of the following publications 1. Pamphlet entitled-Full-Fashioned Knitting Machines-published and copyrighted by the TeX- 'le Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1920.

2. Three Catalogs entitled-The Reading Full-Fashioned Knitting Machine Parts Cataleg-published and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, in 1929, 1935 and 1940, respectively.

3. Booklet entitled-The Reading High-Production Full-Fashioned Knitting Machine-which forms a supplement to the above noted 1940 Parts Catalog of the Textile Machine Works, and which booklet is a publication of the Textile Machine Works, and was copyrighted by the latter in 1940.

4. Pamphlet entitled-Knitting Machine Lectures-published by the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, in 1935.

An apparatus within the invention such as that shown in the drawings includes a narrowing head of a full-fashioned knitting machine. Said head includes two threaded spindles, an end stop or carrier spindle and a narrowing point comb spindle together with means for turning said spindles either singly or together as circumstances may require, and means for holding the spindles against turning in either direction when the turning means is not to be used. Said turning means includes pawls and control means therefor, one pawl for each spindle being used for turning it in the narrowing direction and one pawl for the end stop spindles being used to turn it in the widening direction and two pawls for the comb spindle being used to turn it in the widening direction and said holding means includes dials and spring plungers seating in notches in the dials of which the dials for the end stop spindles have each substantially square notches so that they hold the spindle against turning when the carrier rods strike one or the other of the groups of end stops. All the said pawls except the `second widening pawl for the comb spindle act against their corresponding ratchet wheels on the upstroke of the actuator onwhich all the widening pawls are mounted. However, the pawls acting on the upstroke of the actuator engage their ratchet wheelsnear the beginning of a revolution of the cam shaft and therefore the pawls for narrowing must be thrown clear of their ratchet wheels and maintained clear thereof at the start of a revolution in which there is to be a widening action while the locking dial for the stop spindle is automatically released at the beginning of an upward movement of the actuator. But the yarn carrier rods operate during certain widening cycles and strike their stops during the .first part of the revolution tending to move the stops outward in the widening direction when the locking dial for the stop spindle is disengaged. invention,` a latch means is provided for holding the end stop spindle against turning under the impact of the yarn carrier rods. Further, means is provided in accordance with the present invention whereby the latch means is thrown out of latching position in time to permit the widening pawl to act on the carrier spindle and then restored to the latching position prior to the time the carrier rods strike the stops. Preferably, the means for controlling the said latching pawl is associated with the usual means for lifting the plunger for holding the locking dial and comprises preferably a finger so mounted on the oscillating arm forming part of Said means as to turn on a pivot on said oscillating arm as such arm carries the pivot downward so as to drop below the latch pawl but to act rigidly with said arm to lift the latch pawl as said arm carries the finger upward.

The spindle operating and controlling mechanism herein disclosed is very flexible being adaptable to at least ve different conditions of oper,-

ations:

(a) two needle narrowing by both the end stops and combs;

(b) two needle narrowing as under (a) with operation of the back-racking pawl to incline the line of the fashion marks to the selvage;

(c) widening by means of the end stops alone with two one needle movements of the combs produced one by the widening pawl and one by the back-racking pawl to maintain the combs in a desired relation to the end stops;

(d) widening one needle by the combs and two by the end stops with an additional one needle movement of the combs produced by the back-A racking pawl to maintain the combs in a given desired relation to the end stops and (e) lace making by a lace attachment while the comb spindle is out of commission and the fabric is fashioned or shapedV by moving the end stops.

Further, according to the present invention, the controlling means for the spindle operating pawls is made more direct, more simple and more convenient to install in that the generally vertical rod for operating the cams for controlling the pawls is placed at the rear of the machine instead of at the front. The drawings of the present disclosure also show novel means within the present invention for controlling some of the pawls ordinarily forming part of the means for turning the spindles of a narrowing head.

Referring to the drawings, the full-fashioned knitting machine shown therein includes a framework 29 (Fig. 1) having transverse end frames 30 and transverse center frames (not shown) on which is a front beam 3| (Fig. 6) and a back-beam 32 tying the transverse frames together. On said frame-work are mounted the necessary mechanisms, arranged largely in sepa- In accordance with the present rate knitting sections, for knitting flat fashioned, .Fabric blanks such as are used in making full-A iashioned hosiery.` Said mechanisms. include sets of generally vertical spring beard needles and means for giving them movements necessary for knitting yarn into blanks, one blank to a knitting section. fis well known, yarn for knitting is :l on the noses of reciprocatory sinkers and ers which are mounted to move horizontally 'oker heads.

The yarn is laid by yarn carriers, one for each knitting section which are reciprocated by a cculiering i ieans so as to lay yarn parallel to and near the line formed by the stems of the needles and` on the heard sides thereof. The sinkers are Ned alternately with the dividers and said ng means includes slur cams o-ne for each knitting section. which follow the yarn carriers while moving alone a line parallel to the yarn carriers to slur the'sinkers forward and kink the yarn between pairs of needles to thereby measure off the yarn needed to Ineke loops. The measured yarn is thereafter divided by the dividers to provide a yarn knk nn both sides of each needle in use and the needle beards catch theyarp, bights which lie against the stems of the needles and draw the bights down through the loops, of the previous course to form a new course of loops. Said yarn carriers are xed to yarn carrier roes 28, certain of which ere shown in Fig, ll and which are coupled in turn to parts of the cculering means whereby they are reciorocated between end 33 best shown in 2 and il. Two eroi1pof stops S3 are provided. one at each end ci the paths of travel of the yarn carrier rods 28 to limit the t-hrow of the carrier ro-ds to thereby determine the number of needles in each. section to which yarn is laid and thereby determine the width of the blank for a setting of thel stops. Said s'ops 33 are mounted ou nuts which have threaded engagement with rotatable spindles Sill. one at each of tlc-e machine. Parallel ro each spindle lili is. a threaded spindle 3S on which are nuts (not shown) for controlling the position of rods on which. mounted point comb-s for shaping or fashioning the fabric by narrowing and widenir g it but more commonly used for narrowing and therefore usually known as narrowingr rods, while a pair of said spindles and the atiendant mechanism are commonly referred to as a narrowing head. The spindles 3d and 3d at each end of the machine are operated either in the clockwise direction. the narrowing direction. as viewed in Fig. 1 or in the connterclockwise direction, the widening direction, as viewed in Fig. l.

A mechanism forming part or all full-fashioned knitting machines and commonly functioning at the same times as the narrowing head is the narrowing machine. The narrowing machine comprises a set of heavy curved arms pivotally mounted on a shaft (not shown) at the rear of the machine frame known as the back narrowing shaft and extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom to the front of the machine where they are pivoted to a front narrowing shaft. The front narrowing shaft has supported therefrom brackets which carry, among other things, said rods, so-called narrowing rods, for carrying said combs which include points for engaging loops on selected knitting needles, lifting said loops from the needles and transferringr the loop-s to other needles. The weight of said front narrowing' shaft is supported on links which may be elevated and held in the elevated position to hold the narrowingmachine out of operation butI which are connected at their lower ends to levers having cam followersthereon, commonly roller type followers. When the narrowing machine to beused, said links are lowered, either b-y hand or by a means controlled by the pattern mechanism of the machine, so that said followers rest on round disks and the narrowing machine is inactive so long as the machine continues inthe knitting position. When now the narrowing machine is to operate, the pattern means throws into operation a means which shogs the main cam shaft longitudinally tothe right of its knitting position as viewed from the fro-nt of the machine to the narrowing position in which said followers rest Von cam disks. As the camshaft revolves, said cam disks lower the narrowing machine so that one or more points on the combs move into engagement with loops on the needles. The cams for the narrowing machine then lift it enough so that the points clear the needles. At this time, the spindles d@ and Se are operated, either in the narrowing or the widening direction as determined by the pattern means, to shift the narrowing rods one or two needles as desired. The cams for the narrowing machine then dip the machine again so that the points 0n the combs restore the'looos which had been lifted to needles then in line with the points. The cams for the narrowing machine then lift it so the points are above the needles` and the cam shaft is .shifted back to knitting position. It will be understood` further, that the couliering means, of which the yarn carriers forma part. is automatic-ally disconnected from the cam shaft and is thereiore inoperative while the cam shaft is in its right or narrowing position. Therefore. the yarn carrier rods do not operate and no yarn'is laid during revolutions or cycles of the main cam shaft in which the narrowing machine is operated.

Another mechanism forming part of all fullfashioned knitting machines is the main pattern mechanism (not shown) which comprises a pattern chain composed of links on which buttons may be paced which cooperate with levers and/orrods connected to the levers for throwing into action various mechanisms in the machine which are intermittent in action.

The means for operating spindles 3d and 35 to turn them in the desired directions comp-rises a main `earn shaft 58 extending longitudinally of the machne and adapted to be shogged longitudinally of itself from a knitting to a fashioning position and backno yarn being laid when the cam shaft is in its fashioning position. On shaft 33 are shown two cams 3S and d (Figs. l, 6 and 8)' which transmit through a suitable train of mechanism impulses to turn said spindles, said cams 39 and ltltbeing spaced somewhat longitudinally on shaft 3S. Said mechanism includes a eenerally horizontal lever il! running transversely of shaft 3g and pivoted at l2 at its forwardend. Lever 4i has a split section d3 intermediate its ends the spaced sides of which alford bearings for a spindle it for a roller type cam follower 45 whichv is adapted to cooperate with either cam is? or di? but which for the most part lies-in 'aplane intermediate those of 'cams 39 and llt. t its rear end, lever lil has a pivoted connection at l with the lower end of an actuator fl'l, a stop screw @i8 supported from the framework 2li serving to support by contact with the pivot i5 vthe weight of the levert! and of the actuator il as well'a-s the downward pull of a spring 69 connected to `ways move together.

lever 4| and which serves to hold the follower 45 against

cam

39 or 40 when in use. When follower 45 cooperates with either

cam

39 or 40,'

lever 4| is oscillated and thereby produces an upstroke followed by a downstroke of the actuator.

At its upper end actuator 41 is branched to afford connections for pawls for turning spindles 34 and 36. Five such pawls are shown in all (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), a narrowing pawl 50 for end stop spindle 34, a widening pawl 5| for end stop spindle 34, a narrowing pawl 52 for comb spindle 36 and a widening pawl 53 for comb spindle 36 and a second widening pawl or back-racking pawl 54 for comb spindle 36. Spindle 34 has two ratchets xed thereon, a ratchet 51 for pawl 50 and a ratchet 58 for pawl 5|. Also, spindle 36 has a ratchet 59 for pawl 52 and a ratchet 6| for

pawls

53 and 54. Said pawls 50 to 53 inclusive all act to turn theirA spindles on the upstroke of the actuator 41 whereas pawl 54 acts to turn spindle 36 on the downstroke of the actuator. Pawls 5|, 53 and 54 all are pivoted directly on actuator 41 while

pawls

50 and 52 are pivoted directly on

levers

62 and 63 respectively, lever 62 being pivoted on spindle 34 (Fig. 5) and lever 63 on spindle 36 (Fig. 4). Actuator 41 is pivoted to lever 62 at point 64 (Fig. 2) and actuator 41 being connected to lever 63 by a link 66 pivoted at both ends. Lever 62 is shown as having a bell-crank form for reasons pointed out hereinbelow.

When both spindles are to operate, pawls 5|) and 52 act at the same time for narrowing movements of the spindles ywhile pawls 5| and 53 act at the same time for widening movements of the spindles. For determining which one of said two pairs of pawls is to act at the time of a given reciprocation of actuator 41, two

control cams

61 and 68 are provided, one on spindle 34 and one on spindle 36.

Cams

61 and 68 are formed from flat plates and are mounted to turn on the spindles, a link 69 pivoted to both cams connecting themnear theirtop edges so that they al- Means for turning

cams

61 and 68 on the spindles will be described hereinbelow. Further, a link 1| connects the narrowing pawls 50 and 52 so that pawl 52 is thrown out of active position and thrown into active position when pawl 50 is moved out of `and into such positions but, owing :to a pin and slotl connection and between link 1| and pawl 52 at 12 providing lost motion, the pawl 52 can be thrown out of action without throwing pawl 59 lout of action. Widening pawls 5| and 53 have no direct linkage therebetween, but both pawls are urged toward their active positions by springs, spring 13 for pawl 5| and spring14 for pawl 53. As shown

pawls

59, 5| and 53 have pins or

projections

16, 11 and 18 respectively thereon so positioned that they are contacted by

cams

61 and 58 to swing one set or the other of the pawls out of active position as desired. Also, spring 13 is connected to a pivot point; 19 and spring 14 is connected to pawl 54, while pawl 54 is connected to pivot point 19 by a link 8|. Link 8| has a lost motion connection with pawl 54 at point 82 whereby pawl 54 may be held out of action when desired as hereinafter set forth. However, the tension of spring 14 is suflicient so that

pawls

53 and 54 can be used in the same revolution of the cam shaft if desired, pawl 53 being held by cam 68 at such times so as to rack spindle 36 only one tooth at Va time, pawl 54 then racking the spindle another tooth in the same revolution and in the same direction. Pawl 54 can also, of course, be used during the same revolution that pawl 52 is used,

pawl 52 turning spindle 36 two teeth in one direction and pawl 54 turning spindle 36 one tooth in the opposite direction, this being the more vordinary occasion for the u-se of back-racking' pawl 54.

It will be seen that for controlling pawl 54 pivot point 19 to which one end of link 8| is connected is at the lower end of an arm 83. .Arm 83 is fixed to a shaft 84 which is pivotally mounted along the rear of the machine at about the level of the spindle 34 and 36 and which is part of a means for controlling the position of link 8| and thereby the pawl 54 the action of which is, in general, Well known. Also, pawl 5! extends below its pivotl and its lower end is pivotally connected by a', link 86 with pivot point; 19, so that Apawl 5| cannot drop into position to rack spindle 34 when pawl 54 is held out of action by link 8|, irrespective of the position of cam 61. Further, the means Afor controlling pawl 54 is so arranged that on arm 81, Fig. 2, is rigid with and travels with the nut 35 on lwhich the end stops 33 are mounted. Arm 81 carries a contact plate 88 on its front face which, as the spindle 34 moves nut 35 along, presses against a cam or cams xed to a bar 89 xed to the upper end of arm 83 and above shaft 84, lso that contact of plate 88 with any one of certain cams on bar 89 turns the upper end of lever 83 to the right and the lower end to the left as viewed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 to draw pawl 54 out of active position with respect to spindle 36. On the other hand, when plate 88 is out of contact with the cams on bar 89 the lower end of lever 83 swings to the right under the influence of spring 13 to permit spring 14 to draw pawl 54 into position to rack the spindle 36. None of the features of said means for controlling pawl 54, however, forms a part of the present invention.

Preferably the means for moving and controlling

cams

61 and 68 is combined in large measure with the means for moving and controlling the follower 45 to cause operations of the actuator 41 when desired. Said combined means comprises a lever 93 pivoted intermediate its ends to swing abouta vertical pivot and having a fork 94 at its front end embracing the edge of the follower 45. The rear end of lever 93 is shown as curved downwardly close to the side of the beam 32 where it extends between two collars 96, 96 (Figs. '1 and 8) on a rod 91 which runs alongside beam 32 and is controlled by the pattern chain. Consequently, when rod 91 is shifted longitudinally of itself and the beam 32 by means about to be described, lever 93 swings on its pivot to shift follower 45. Rod 91 is held normally toward the right as viewed in Fig. 8 by a coil spring 98 which surrounds rod 91 and one end of which presses against a collar 99 on the rod while the other end of the spring presses against a bracket |92 fixed to beam 32 and which surrounds and helps to support rod 91. Rod 91 is shifted against the pressure of spring 98 by a bell-crank lever |63, shown in Fig. 7. Lever |03 is pivoted at |54 on a bracket |66 fixed to beam 32 and has an arm |91 which extends downward alongside a collar |08 on rod 91 and which is positioned so that, as lever |03 swings clockwise as viewed in Figs. '1 and 8, rod 91 is pushed leftward against the pressure of spring 98. The spring 98 moves rod 91 to the right when the lever returns to its position in Fig. 7. For swinging lever |03 from the position shown, a lever |09 is provided which is pivoted at on the aesafiie` 9 bracket |06 lfixed to the back beam 32. Lever |09 is connected by linkage I3, best shown perhaps in Fig. 9, to the upper end of lever |63. A tension spring 4 is connected to lever |09 forward of pivot i I tending to pull the forward end of lever |09 downward and its rear end upward to thereby turn lever |03 to move rod 91 toward the left against the pressure of its spring 98, Lever |09 has a roller type cam follower |6 pivoted thereon which is adapted to cooperate with a cam |I1 on the main cam shaft 38. During knitting operations and narrowing operations, the forward end of lever |09 is supported by a lever H6 pivoted at 9 on a bracket |2| supported from the front beam 3| as shown in Fig. 6. When narrowing is to be performed, the main pattern mechanism of the machine (not shown) throws into operation the mechanism for shogging cam shaft 38 to the right (as viewed from the front of the machine), the lever IIS, lever |99 and rod 91 remaining stationary so that follower 45 remains stationary. However, the movement of shaft 38 is just enough to bring cam 39 into the same plane as follower 45 without requiring movement of the cam follower, so that actuator 41 is moved up and down to produce narrowing, the

cams

61 and 63 standing normally in positions such that narrowing

pawls

50 and 52 are active. In this case, the end stops and narrowing rods are both moved two needles,

pawls

59 and 52 acting on spindles 34 and 36 to this effect. This occursY on the upstroke of actuator 41. However, in case the back-racking pawl 54 is in active position, it then moves spindle 36 one needle in the widening direction to move the combs outward a like distance. This action of pawl 54 causes the lines of fashion marks to incline toward the selvages. It will be noted further, that cam i1 is wide enough in the direction longitudinally of shaft 38 so that it cooperates properly with follower |I6 both when shaft 38 shifts and when it does not.

Lever ||8 is, however, controlled by the main pattern chain mechanismso that lever i I8 is withdrawn from beneath lever |09 when a widening operation is tc be performed. To permit such control, lever I I8 is shown as having a projection |22 which extends forwardly from the front face of the lever, said projection I 22 being pivotally connected to one end of a link |29 which is pivotally connected at its other end to a lever (not shown) forming part of said pattern mechanism. On the pattern chain forming part of said pattern mechanism, buttons are placed in positions to cause the desired widening actions of the spindles 34 and 36. When one of said buttons strikes said lever in the patterning means, the lever is operated to move link |23 to in turn to move lever H3 out from under the forward end of 1ever |09, thereby permitting follower H6 `to contact cam i1, and operate lever |09, which action moves lever 93 and thereby follower C15 so that the follower is inthe same plane as cam 40. At the same time, rod 91 moves a link |24 which forms a part of the means for turning and controlling the cams $1 and 68 so that they occupy positions throwingoff the narrowingpawls and'permitting, except for other pawl controlling means which may be in use at the same time as cam 40, the widening pawls to operate.` As the cam shaft33 approaches the end of the revolution in which a widening operation hasbeen performed, the button which operated link |23 releases the link. Atthe same time, or 'thereabout, the cam I i1 elevates lever |09 and a spring (not sho'wnl'y moves link |23 to swing lever I8 back under lever |09 sothat lever |09 `is supported in elevated position until the pattern chain again removes lever I I 8 from beneath it. As appears in Figs. 7 and 8, lever IIB has a projection |26 at its upper end adapted to engage the left face of lever |09, as viewed from the front, as lever H8 swings beneath lever |09 and to prevent the lever ||9 from swinging past lever |09.

Said controlling means for cams 01 and 68 includes an arrangement Whereby,at its right hand end as viewed in Fig. 8, the link |24 is pivotally connected at `|21 tothe left end of a block |28 which lies generally behind and at the same level as rod 91 and has at its right end a collar |29 surrounding and fixed to the rod91. Link |24 runs generally parallel to and at somewhat a lower level than rod 91 and at its left end is pivoted at I3| to the lower end of the vertical arm of a bellcrank lever |32. Lever V,|32 has a horizontal arm the free end of which-is pivoted at |33 to a short link |34 the upper end of which is pivoted in turn to the lower end of a relatively long link |36. At its upper end, link |36 is pivotally connected to a short link |31 rwhich is pivoted in turn to a pin |39 (Figs.,2 and 3) on cam 61. It will be'seen therefore that as rod 91 moves toward the left as viewed in Fig. 8, it not only shifts the cam follower 45 into position to cooperate with the cam 40 to cause a movement of'actuatcr 41 suitable to a widening movement of spindles 34 and 39 but also swings bell-crank lever |32 so that its horizontal arm lifts link |36 to swing'cams 61 and 68 in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l and to thereby position the racking pawls forspindlcs 34 and 36 properly for a widening.movement of the spindles at thefsame time that cam 40 is in action to produce such a movement of actuator 41. The arrangement described for operating link |36 and 'thereby control

cams

61 and 69 from link 91 is novel and advantageous in' that the operation of the vertical link does 'not depend on the movement of the follower 45 and the lever 93 as is the case in mechanisms having the equivalent of the vertical link I 36 for the control cams at the front of the machine. Therefore,` it is feasible to disconnect the rod 91 from the lever 93 when it is desired to do so. `It `will be understood that plate type control cam-i768 is `so formed that it permits widening pawl 53 to turn spindle 36 only a distance of one needle. Therefore, pawl 54 is normally in action. when widening is performed to step spindle 36 another needle on the downstroke of actuator 41, this being desired to maintain the points on the combs` inthe same position relative to the'end stops.`

As above mentioned when a narrowing action of the actuator 41 ,is,de`sired, the pattern chain merely throws into action the means for shogging the camshaft 39 to the right without permitting or causing an action' of the control lever |09. Shaft 38,v therefore, shifts to the right and thereby brings cam 39 into the plane of follower 45 as it stands in Fig. 8 so that'narrowing cam 39 delivers an impulse to the actuator.` No motion of link |36 having been caused by lever |09, rod 91 and the connecting train cf mechanism,

cams

61 and 68 remain in the'positions shown `in Figs. l and 2 and prevent widening pawls 5| and 53 from acting while, actuator 41` having been elevated by cam 39 as shown in Fig. 2, narrowing

pawls

50 and 52 act on their respective ratchet wheels as shown 4in Fig. 2 to turn spindles 34 and 35 two needles in the clockwise or narrowing direction.

,It long been the custom to provide indeiring llf means including Adials such as"|4|"and |42 for spindles 34 and 36 respectively, said dials having notched edgesffonreceiving vthe lower bevelled endsy of lspringv pressed locking plungers |43 and |44 respectively to'hold the 'spindles 34 and 36 indefinite indexed relation to the needles in the needle rows. However, onlydial |4| for spindle 34 has substantially square or rectangular notches, dial |42- -havingvshaped notches. Therefore,

pawls

52', 53 and 54 can turn spindle 36 without need of lifting plunger |44 from dial |42, but dial |4| has a locking action when 'plunger 43 is firmly seated i'n its`notches so that plungerv |43' must be liftedl out of the notch it was in contact with beforeV pressure is applied to thepawl50 or 5|. For this purpose, rock lever 62, to which pawl I) is pivoted, is made ofv bell-crank form and pivotally .mounted on spindle 34 as well as pivotallyrconnected to. actuator 41 at point 64 sothatv the said lever turns clockwise about the spindle as the actuatorrises and turns counterclockwiseA asv the 4actuator descends. Lever .62, shown` principally i-n dotted'lines in Figs. 2 and 3, has adownwardly extending arm to which pawl 50 is pivoted at |41.` .iLever.62 `has alsoan upwardly extending arm toiwhicha cam plate `|48 is attached; Plate;A |48 has an upwardly projecting lug |49 thereon having inclined sides. which act as'cam edges against the bevelled ends of a plunger |45, bestshown inFigs. 2 and 5, to lift the plunger |43 by 'contact of the upper end of plunger |45 with 'a screw on the under side of a lever |46 pivoted slightly above and to the rear of the top of plunger |45and projectingforwardly so as to engage in ai groove in the upper end of plunger |43.: Furthenilever |46r projects outwardly beyond the plunger |43 and has -a spring |50 attached between its outer end and a fixed point' below the end of the arm'so that the arm is urged downwardly by the spring and maintains plungers |43 and |45 respectively in contact withthedial. |4.I. and the lug-|49 on arm plate-|48. Therefore, lever-|46fliftsthe plunger |43 each time'lever 62" passes the central -portion of its path and allowsfthe plunger to move down into engagement withfdial-|4|ywhen'the lever moves towardtheend of 'its path solas to engage in notches in the edge of dial I4 I Specialcontrols are provided so that the pawls for' thev comb spindle 36 mayallbe thrown out of action at-times.=;F or this purpose, a finger is provided'onthe outer nut-on eachucomb spindle which automatically vmoves under 4paw-,1 52V so as to disableitwhen the-nut approaches the outer end of its path. Such finger is-shown'only di- I agrammatically -at- I 5 (Fig. ,3)- because it forms perse-noA partof thev present invention. Similarly, a nger|52is-1provided to. disable widening pawl`z53-ffor; spindle 36. vFinger.-.I52 is fixed. to the outer nutinot shown) on spindle` `36 'and so placed with' respect thereto that as thevnutapproachesthe-outerend` ofitspath, finger |52 comes-.into contact with the .pawl-:to hold it out-off active, position. -Furthen-so that backracking pawl 5 4 may bedisabled also, a collar |53 is providedon the rod-69,(Figs. 2, 3, 13 and 14) and. fixed thereto.. in position such that a lever |54` pivoted on collar l |53. at |.56may .be turned to hold pawl 54 out ofaction. Lever |54 is connected at its 4free end to one endA of afthrowover or snap springel51, the other-end of which is connected vto-collar |53 at: point |58 which is soplacedthat spring Y|51holds leverA |54 in either the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 Qimlhm ShoWninrFig;.13. :ivf i i* f. is employed which is pivotally mounted on the.

.rier rod or rods strike the end stops.

In the position ofA the parts as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, pawl 54 will `act on its ratchet wheel whenever lpermitted by link 8|. When, however, the attendant throws lever |54 over into the position of Fig. 13, the lever prevents pawl 54 from coacting with its ratchet to affect spindle 36. Such disabling of all the pawls for spindle 33 is carried out only when lace fabric is being made by the use of a special lace attachment, a situation 'more fully discussed hereinbelow.

When the apparatus is to kbe operated under condition (c) mentioned hereinabove and widening is to be carried outl by the carrier rods and end stops alone, the rod 91 is operated as previously described in response to withdrawal of lever I I8 from beneath lever |69, thereby shr'ftng link |36 to move

cams

61 and 68 into position to throw narrowing

pawls

56 and 52 out of action and to permit widening pawls 5|, 53 and 54 to operate as shown in Fig. 3. As the Widening is to be carried out entirely by the carrier rods and end stops, the pattern chain does not throw the means for shogging cam shaft 38 into operation and, further, the narrowing machine is not dipped, a dipping action of the narrowing machine and therefore of the combs carried thereby occurring only when the cam shaft 38 is in its right hand or narrowing position. Further, follower 45 must be shifted by lever 33 under such conditions to cause the movement of the actuator 41 by cam 40 so the actuator and pawl movements may come during the rst or couliering portion of the camshaft cycle. The parts 63 and |36 being connected to rod 91 as previously described, the operation of rod 91 in response to operation of lever ||8 by the pattern chain causes the follower 45 to shift to cooperate with cam 40 at the same time that cams 61 and 68 are shifted by link |36 to throw the narrowing pawls out of active position. Pawl 5|, however, acts on the upstroke of the actuator 41 to turn the spindle 34 two needles in the widening direction. Pawl 53, on the other hand, is held by cam 68 so that it can move spindle 36 only oneneedle per operation of actuator 41 on the upstroke of the actuator. In o-rder that the combs may maintain a given desired relation to the end stops, the pawl 54 is put into action during widening by the end stops and gives the spindle 36 a second step of one needle in the widening direction on the downstroke of actuator 41. However, as the combs are not dipped such widening movements of spindle 36 are idling movements. This situation is in general that mentioned hereinabove as condition (c) It will be noted as to said condition (c), however, that as the cam shaft has not shifted and actuator 41 is operated by cam 40, the actuator moves upward during the first part 'of the cycle of the shaft 38 during the period the yarn carrier rods and the carriers thereon are laying yarns. It follows that the plunger |43 is fully removed from any notch in disk |4| at the time the car- Therefore, the impacts of the rods tend to shift the spindle 34` beyond the desired point to which it was turned by pawl 5|. To prevent this, a pawl IBI outer end of shaft 84 and which is arranged to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 51 to prevent the spindle from turning in the widening direction except when the pawl I6I is lifted. For lifting pawl IBI at the pro-per time, an arrangement is provided best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 10, 11 and l2 and comprising an arm |62 fixed to lever 62 in the rear of plate |48 and having an upturned finger |63 at its left end as viewed in Fig. 2 to which a movable finger or lever |64 is pivoted at |66 to turn freely on its pivot. The left edge |61 of nger |63 is planed off straight at about right angles to the length of arm |62 and finger |64 has a pin |68 fixed therein about midway of its length and projecting therefrom, the pin |68 being biased against the straight edge |61 by a spring |10, one end being anchored to the pin |68 and the other end to a pin |14 on the arm |62 so as to determine the position of the finger |64. The nger |64 is free to turn clockwise against the action of spring |16 when pressure is applied to its lower edge. Pawl 6| has a pin or short bolt |69 fixed thereto intermediate its ends which projects into the path of a projection |16 which is fixed to and stands out laterally from pivoted finger |64. When pawl |6| is in engagement with a tooth of its ratchet wheel and lever 62 is turned counterclockwise by a downstroke of actuator 41, bolt |69 first lifts finger |64 and then allows it to drop below the level of the bolt. The parts are so arranged that as actuator 41 begins its next upward stroke nger |64 engages bolt |69 and lifts pawl I6 free of its ratchet. By the time the cam |49 has lifted plunger |43 enough to permit its dial to turn, pawl has engaged a tooth of the ratchet wheel 58. pawl 50 being out of commission due to cam 61. As actuator 41 continues to rise, pawl 5| turns spindle 34 two needles. However, as the actuator rises lever 62 moves more to the right as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3 so that pawl |6| drops olf the pointed free end of finger |64 into engagement with the ratchet 51 before the end of the upward movement of pawl 5|. This is just before the yarn carrier rods strike the end stops, so that the spindle is held against turning by pawl |6| at the moments of impact. As actuator 41 reaches the extreme limit of its upward movement plunger |43 passes off the lug portion |49 of plate |48 so that the plunger seats in a notch in dial |4| to lock the spindle 34. This however, is of importance principally in narrowing operations as pawl |6| holds spindle 34 sufficiently during widening movements. On the return movement of the actuator, cam |49 again lifts plunger |43 to release the dial |4|. At this time, however, there is nothing which will act to force the spindle beyond the point to which the pawl turned it and the plunger quickly seats itself again. As the actuator 41 moves downward, arm |52 moves counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3 carrying finger |64 against pin |69, first lifting finger |64 and then letting it drop below the pin.

The pawl |6| is provided with an extension |59 having pivoted thereto a link |69 which is provided with a slot |65 and which forms with a pin |15, carried on the pawl 56. a lost motion connection between the pawls 58 and |6| With this arrangement when the spindle 34 is to be manually turned to move the nut 35 outwardly to its startino: position. the pawl 5!) is manually turned in a counterclockwise direction to release the pawl 5l! from the ratchet 51 which action engages the pin |15 with the right end of the link 66 thereby also releasing the pawl |6| from the ratchet 51 during said manually repositioning of the spindle 34.

Another situation which occurs with more or less frequency in the operation of full-fashioned knitting machines is the one in which it is desired to widen the fabric by the combined effects of the point combs and the yarn carrying rods. This is the situation mentioned hereinabove as situation or condition (d). In this case, the connection between the follower 45 and rod 91 is interrupted by loosening the collars 96 on rod 91 so that the rod 91 can move without affecting shift lever 93. Then, in order to prevent accidental movement of follower 45, it may be locked in place of its shaft by a member |1| shown in Fig. 8 in dot and dash lines and which is held in place by a screw |12, piece |1| `having a flange which extends into a groove |13 on the hub of follower 45 to lock the follower in place Yon its lever 4|. However, the form of the means for preventing accidental movement of follower 45 is immaterial. Therefore, when the cam shaft 38 is shifted to its narrowing position in response to action of the pattern chain, follower 45 cooperates with cam 39 to raise and lower actuator 41. At the same time or before the shaft 38 shifts, the pattern chain operates to throw the lever ||8 out from under the front end of lever |69 so that rod 91 is operated to shift the

cams

61 and 68 to disable the narrowing pawls and to throw the widening pawls 5|, 53 and 54 into action. As the cam shaft has shifted, the narrowing machine will be dipped, assuming the narrowing machine has been lowered to rest its weight on the cam shaft and the combs have been set in proper relation to the selvage loops, and pawl 53 will shift the spindle 36 so that the combs will transfer the edge loops one needle space in the widening direction. At the same time, pawl 5| will shift the spindle 34 so as to move the end stops two needles. On the downstroke of the actuator 41, pawl 54 will shift spindle 36 another needle distance to maintain the combs in the same relative position to the end stops as at the beginning of the cycle. The cam shaft 38 then, of course, is shifted back to knitting position so that yarn is laid to the needles on the next revolution of the shaft and a widened course is then knitted.

A third situation for which the apparatus according to the present invention is adapted and which occurs with more or less frequency in the operation of full-fashioned knitting machines is the one in which lace making is carried on. This is the situation mentioned hereinabove as situation or condition (eh. In lace making the spindle 36 is put completely out of operation, the fashioning combs mentioned hereinbefore for widening and narrowing being moved out of the knitting field and a lace comb having lace making points thereon being thrown into position to act on the fabric loops on the needles when the narrowing machine is dipped. The spindle 36 therefore should remain idle during lace making and therefore, before lace is begun, it is turned to its` extreme position injthe widening direction by a hand lever which can be engaged with the end of the spindle. In this position. all the pawls for spindle 36 are out of commission and held so as hereinbefore explained, so that there is no danger that the spindle 36 will be moved until it is desired that it should be. In this position pawl 52 is prevented from acting on spindle 36 by stop |5| on the outer nut on spindle 36 and pawl 53 ing lace makingcam 39 will'th'en-be brought into the plane of follower t so that actuator 4l' will be ca `ried through an up and down cycle. Also, the cam t'l will be in the correct position for a narrowing operation to be performed by pawl 5R, since cams 5'! and 68 are normally held by rod Si' and link |36 in the positions to cause narrowing. tVhen widening is to be performed on a section of fabric containing lace lever H8 is cpcrated in a knitting cycle, that is when main cam shaft 38 is not shifted, to throw cam Sl `into position to throwfnarrowing pawl Sil out of action and to permit widening pawl 5i to act on spindle 35i, at the same time that follower 45 is moved to cooperate with cam 40 as previously described. When neither narrowing or widening is desired in making a section of fabric containing lace, follower 45 must be shifted to a position intermedia-te those for narrowing and widening so that actuator 41 will not be reciprocated. For so moving follower 5, rod 91 is moved by the pattern controlled cam and lever shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Therefore, at such times, the pattern chain throws lever HS out from under lever HBS and moves the lever H8 for actuating rod 91 and the rod 9'! moves the follower 45 to right and left in step with cam shaft 318, so that follower 45 keeps between cams 39 and 4B while the actuatorll and the spindles 34 and 3E are all prevented from moving.

The widening operations listed hereinabove as "(e), and (b) being performed by the present mechanism in the usual way will not be further described. l

Of course, the improvements speciiically shown and described by which the above results are obtained, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed. e

I claim as my invention:

l. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, th combination of a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle for moving said .stops in response to rotative movements of the spindle. means including an actuator for racking said spindle on the upstroke of said actuator in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired, indexing means holding said spindle during non-fashioning knitting but apt tcbe out of action at the time of impact of said rods when widening solely by said rods, and means for holding the spindle against movements in the widening direction in response to impact of said rods.

2. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle for moving said stops in response to rotative movements of the spindle, means for racking said spindle to move said stops in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including ratchet wheels and racking pawls therefor, a latch pawl for cooperating with one of said wheels to prevent movement of said spindle in the widening direction in response to the action of said rods on said stops, and means to lift the latch pawl when racking the spindle in the widening direction.

3. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the

cluding an actuating member having an up and down movement and a narrowing pawl and a widening pawl pivoted thereon and arranged always to turn the spindle on the upstroke of said actuating member, a latch pawl cooperating with said means to prevent movement of said spindle inthe widening direction in response to the action of said rods on said stops, and means to lift said latch pawl when racking the spindle in the widening direction.

4. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle, a nut on said spindle for moving said stops in response to rotative movements of said spindle, means for racking said spindle in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including an actuator having an up and down movement and a narrowing pawl and a widening pawl pivoted `thereon and arranged to always turn the spindle widening direction in response to impact of saidr rods, and a one way actuating means lifting said latch pawl only at the time the spindle is beginning a rotative movement.

5. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle, a nut on said spindle for moving said stops in response to rotative movements of the Spindle, means for racking said spindie to move said nut in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including ratchet wheels and racking pawls therefor, an actuator having an up and down movement, a latch pawl cooperating with one of said ratchet wheels to prevent movement of said spindle in the widening direction in response to the action of said rods on said stops, and means for lifting said latch pawl near the beginning of the upstroke of the actuator and dropping it before said upstroke is completed.

6. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle, a nut on said spindle for moving said stops in response to rotative movements of said spindle, means for racking said spindle to move said nut in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including ratchet wheels, an actuator, and racking pawls thereon for said wheels, a latch pawl cooperating with one of said wheels to prevent movement of said spindle in thewidening direction in response to the action of said rods on said stops, and means lifting said latch pawl including a pivoted finger arranged to move up on the upstroke of the actuator to engage and lift the latch pawl but moving free of the pawl to permit the pawl to drop while the finger is still moving up, said nger turning on its pivot on the downstroke of the actuator to drop below latch pawl.

7. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle, a nut on said spindle for moving said stops in response to .rotative movements of the spindle, means for racking said spindle in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including an actuator having an up and down movement and Va narrowing pawl and a widening pawl pivoted thereon and arranged to act always on the upstroke of the actuator, a latch pawl to prevent movement of the spindle in the widening direction, a pivoted finger arranged to move up on the upstroke of the actuator to engage and lift the latch pawl but moving free of the pawl to permit the pawl to drop while the nger is still moving up, said finger turning on its pivot on the downstroke of the actuator to drop below the latch pawl.

8. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a series of yarn carrier rods,

stops for said rods, a threaded spindle, a nut on said spindle for moving said stops in response to rotative movements of said spindle, means for racking said spindle to move said nut in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including ratchet wheels on the spindie, an actuator having an up and down movement, and racking pawls for said wheels on said actuator, a latch pawl cooperating with one of said wheels to prevent movement of said spindle in the widening direction in response to the action of said rods on said stops, an arm pivoted on said spindle, a spring pressed member for holding said spindle from turning in either direction except as desired, a cam on said arm lifting the spring pressed member, and a linger pivoted on said arm for lifting said latch pawl on the upstroke of the actuator, said nger arranged to engage and lift the pawl in moving upward but moving free of thepawl to permit it to drop while the finger is still moving up, said finger turning Y on its pivot on the downstroke of the actuator to drop below the latch pawl.

9. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a comb spindle, an end stop spindle, means for turning said spindles in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired comprising ratchets on said spindles and two pawls for each spindle together with a third pawl for said comb spindle for acting in the widening direction, cam means throwing out of action either the two narrowing pawls or the two widening pawls for said spindles as desired, and means moving synchronously with said cam means for throwing out of action said third pawl for the comb spindle.

10. In a knitting machine of the type having a narrowing machine, the combination of a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle for moving said stops, point combs, a threaded spindle for moving said combs, means including an actuator member having an up and down motion and pawls, two for said first spindle and two for said second spindle, all acting on the upstroke of the actuator member for turning said spindles, a third pawl for the second spindle arranged to act on the downstroke of the actuator member to maintain the combs in desired relation to the end stops when the narrowing machine is out of action in a cycle involving operation of said spindles, and means for holding the end stop spindle against movements in the widening direction in response to impact of said rods on said stops following the times the end stop spindle is racked in the widening direction.

l1. In a full-fashioned knitting machine of a type having a narrowing machine, the combination of a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle for moving said stops, point combs, a threaded spindle for moving said combs, means for turning said spindles including an actuator member having an up and down motion in use and pawls, two for said first spindle and two for said second spindle all acting on the upstroke of the actuator member, a third pawl for said second spindle arranged to act on the downstroke of the actuator member to maintain the combs in desired relation to the end stops when the narrowing machine is out of action in a cycle involving operation of said spindles, indexing means holding said first spindle during nonfashioning knitting but out of action during widening when the narrowing machine is out of action, and means for holdingr said rst spindle against movements in the widening direction in response to impact of said rods on said stops.

12. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle for moving said stops in response to rotative movements of the spindle, a point comb, a threaded spindle for moving said'comb, means for racking said spindles to move said stops and said comb in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including ratchet wheels and racking pawls two for said rst spindle and two for said second spindle together with a third pawl for the second spindle, one of said second two pawls and said third pawl acting on said second spindle to maintain said comb inthe desired relation to the end stops when widening by the combined comb and end stop action, an actuator for driving said pawls, a cam shaft having two cams xed thereon for thrusting said actuator, a cam follower for transmitting thrusts from said cams to said actuator, and means for shifting said follower from one cam to the other and for also controlling said pawls to determine the direction of rotation of said spindles, said means adjustable to permit said follower to cooperate with one of said cams only while using both spindles for widening fabric.

13. The method of operating a full-fashioned knitting machine having a narrowing head including end stops, a spindle for operating said end stops, a point comb, a spindle for operating said comb, means including pawls for turning said spindles in either the narrowing direction or in the widening direction, and indexing means for said spindles which is out of action during yarn laying for widening, comprising the steps of widening fabric during a knitting cycle by throwing out of action the pawls for turning said spindles in the narrowing direction, turning said end stop spindle in the widening direction during yarn layingso that the yarn carrier rods strike the end stops while said end stop spindle is released from its indexing means, and preventing turning of the end stop spindle by the impact of the rods.

14. In a method of operating a full-fashioned knitting machine having a narrowing head including end stops for carrier rods, a spindle for moving said stops, a point comb, a spindle for moving said comb, pawl and ratchet means for racking said spindles in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired, a latch pawl for said first spindle cooperating with a ratchet of said means, and an indexing means for said spindles which is out of action during yarn laying for widening, the steps comprising widening fabric during a knitting cycle by preventing said pawl and ratchet means from turning said spindles in the narrowing direction, turning said end stop spindle by said means in the widening direction during yarn laying so that the carrier rods strike said end stops while said end stop spindle is released from its indexing means, lifting said latch pawl out of latching position to permit the end stop spindle to be racked, and dropping said latch pawl into latching position i9 prior to the impact of the yarn carrier rods against the end stops.

15. In a Yfull-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a narrowing head having an end stop spindle and a comb spindle, an actuator having an up and down motion and having pawls connected thereto for racking said spindles in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired, a main cam shaft having cams thereon for operating said actuator, one cam for fashioning cycles and one cam for knitting cycles, a cam follower for cooperating with said cams one at a time, a lever for shifting said follower rfrom a positionfor cooperating with one of said cams to a position for cooperating with the other of said cams and also for shifting said follower at times to prevent it from cooperating with either `of said cams, means for controlling said pawls, a rod for operating said follower shifting lever and for operating said pawl controlling means and lseparately connected to each, and a readily disconnectible connection between said follower shifting lever and said rod, whereby said rod may operate said pawl controlling means by itself when desired.

16. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination as set forth in claim l together with pattern controlled means for shifting the main cam shaft from knitting to fashioning position, and pattern controlled means for moving the rod longitudinally of itself when the cam shaft is in either knitting or fashioning position.

17. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, in combination, a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle for moving said stops in response to rotative movements of the spindle, means for racking said spindle to move said stops in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including van actuator having an up and down motion, ratchet wheels and racking pawls therefor acting all on the upstroke of said actuator, a pivoted latch pawl for cooperating with one of said wheels to prevent movement of said spindle in the widening direction in response to the action of said rods on said stops, an arm fixed to said latching pawl extending on the opposite side of its pivot, the .pawl for racking said spindle in the narrowing direction having an arm extending on the opposite side of its pivot, and a link connected to said arms and affording a lost motion connection therebetween for racking operationsbut arranged so that turning said racking pawl on its pivot to va certain extent lifts said latch pawl from its ratchet.

18. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, in combination, a series of yarn carrier rods, stops for said rods, a threaded spindle for moving said stops in response to rotary movements of said spindle, means for racking said spindle to move said stops in either the narrowing direction or the Widening direction as desired including ratchet wheels and pivoted racking pawls therefor, a pivoted arm turning on its pivot in response to changes in position of said end stops, the pawl for racking said spindle in the widening direction having an arm extending on :the other side 1of its pivot from the end which engages the ratchet, and a link connecting said arms and affording a lost motion connection therebetween during racking operations of the widening pawl but maintaining the widening pawl free of its ratchet when saidstops are in certain positions.

19. VIn a full-fashioned knitting machine including a main cam shaft adapted to occupy both knitting and fashioning positions, -yarn carrier 2O rods, a point comb and a narrowing head having end stops for said rods, and spindles for moving said'stops and comb, the combination with said head of operating and controlling means thereforr capable of adjustment to adapt the head for widening fabric by the end stops and carrier rods v with the cam shaft in knitting position, for widening by `joint action of the comb and end stops, with Vthe cam shaft vin fashioning position, and for lacemaking opera-tions with the cam shaft in fashioning position and the spindles of the head operating in either direction in lace making cycles, and pattern controlled means for determining the position of said cam shaft for knitting or fashioning and the direction of movement of said spindles. v

20. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, in combination, "end stops, an end stop spindle, a comb spindle, means for turning said spindles in either the widening or narrowing Vdirection as desired including an 'actuator having an up Iand down motion, apawl for racking said rst spindle in `the `widening rdirectionon the upstroke of said actuator, a pawl forracking said second spindle in the widening direction on the downstroke of said actuator, means for controlling said first pawl to hold it out nof action during narrowing, means for controlling said second pawl to prevent it from acting at certain positions of `said end stops, and a link between saidrst pawl and said second control means aording a lost motion connection for Anormal operation of Vthe rst .pawl but ,preventing operation "thereof in casesaid second pawl is held out of action by said second control means, irrespective of the position of said rst 'control means.

21. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of `a Ycomb spindle, an end stop spindle, means for turning "said spindles in either the narrowing `direction or the widening direction as' desired comprising Vratchets on said spindles and two pawls foreach 'spindle together with a third pawl for said comb spindle Vfor acting in the widening direction, cam means 'throwing out of action either the two narrowing pawls or the two widening pawls'for said spindles as desired, and means supported on ap'ortion of said cam me'ans'for throwing out of actionsaid thirdpawl for -the comb spindle.

22. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a comb spindle, an end stop spindle, means for turning said spindles in either the narrowing direction orthe widening direction as desired comprising 'ratchets on said spindles and twoY pawlsfor each spindle .together'with a third pawl for said comb spindle 'for acting in the widening direction, cam means for throwing out of action eitherV the? two narrowing Ypawls or the two wideningpawls 'for 'said spindles as desired, including a cain for each of .said spindles and a rod 'transverse 'to the spindles connecting said cams, and-means supported onsaid rodfor throwing out of action said third pawl Vfor the comb spindle.

23. In a 'full-'fashioned knitting machine, the

combination of a comb spindle, an end stopspindie, means for 'turning-said spindles in .either .the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired comprising ratchets onv said spindles and two pawls 'for each spindle together with a .third pawl yfor said comb spindle for acting in the widening direction, cam means Vfor throwing out of action either the twonarrowing pawls or the two widening pawls as desired including a cam for each of said spindles and a connecting rod 21 between said cams, and a throw over latch on said rod adapted to prevent said third pawl from acting on the comb spindle.

24. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a narrowing head having an end stop spindle and a comb spindle, an actuator having an up and down motion and having pawls connected thereto for racking said spindles in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired, means for controlling said pawls to cause either narrowing or widening movements as desired, a rod extending along the back of the machine and movable longitudinally thereof, a bell-crank lever operated by said rod and a link extending from said lever to said controlling means for operating the controlling means and lying generally at the rear of the machine. i

25. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a series of yarn carrier rods, of stops for said rods. a threaded spindle, means for racking said spindle to move said stops in either the narrowing direction or the widening direction as desired including ratchet wheels and REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patentz' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,081,185 Schletter May 25, 1937 2,109,140 Richter et a1 Feb. 22. 1938 2,178,319 Bitzer Oct. 31, 1939 2,198,559 Held Apr. 23. 1940