US2441522A - Knitting machine press-off multiple detector - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR i@ ma i/ 555W Arme/ V54 E. VOSSEN KNITTING MACHINE PRESS OFF MULTIPLE DETECTOR Filed July 9, 1947 May 11, 1948. E. vossEN v 2,441,522

KNITTING MACHINE PRESS OFF MULTIPLE DETECTOR Filed July 9, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 2 A IN V EN TOR. 2|' ZI' 7 7 Eph/@K0 @fsf/v E BY I 12j-@f5 @Tram/5X patented May V1,948

KNITTING MACHINE PRESS-*OFF MULTIPLE DETECTOR Edward Vossen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner to' Stop-Motion Devices Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application July 9, 1947, Serial No. 759,762

(Cl. (i6- 166) 19 Claims. 1

This invention relatesA to new and useful improvements in press-off detectors for iiat and circular knitting machines.

When a slub or knot or entanglement or obstruction occurs at one ci the guide holes at the needles of a knitting machine, the yarn breaks and a press-ofi of the machine is started, that is, the knitted material starts falling off the knitting needles. Unless the knitting machine is instantly stopped the press-off continues until it is completely around or across all of the needles oi the machine and the knitted material is completely disengaged. A complete press-off requires a relatively long time to repair so as to restart the knitting machine. Ii caught early, before the press-ofi` is complete, it is possible to make the necessary repairs in a fraction of the time.

This invention proposes the use of a plurality of feeler members movably supported at spaced positions around the cylinder of the knitting machine and arranged so as to be held down wardly by engagement against the circular knitted material. It is proposed to arrange these feeler members immediately adjacent the knitting needles so that they may detect a press-off as soon as it starts. It is proposed to provide resilient means urging the feeler members upwards so that any of said feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in the circular knitted material. It is further proposed to provide means for instantly stopping the knitting machine when any of sa-id ieeler members move upwards. In this way a press-off may be detected early and the machine stopped and the necessary repairs made before the press-ofi is complete.

It should be rememberedA that this invention proposes to arrange a plurality' of such i'eeler members around the cylinder of the knitting machine directly `adjacent the knitting needles. Any number of these ieeler members may be used, ior example, six or more or less. However, these ieeler members are necessarily positioned at a highly inaccessible spot. They are within the cylinder of the knitting machine and completely hid from view from the sides of the machine. They cannot Very readily be seen from the top because they are beneath the knitted material, and moreover, it is very difficult to' look down into the cylinder of a knitting machine from the top because there are many parts obscurng the view. The best view of the ieeler members may be had by looking up from the Vlfnottom of the knitting machine but this is not easy as it is necessary for the operator to stoop down and look up. Moreover, in many types of machines there is a lot oi mechanism at the bottom of the cylinders of the machines which makes it particularly diiiicult to .see and reach the feeler members. Therefore this invention proposes, as a Very important object, to provide the feeler members with cams for engaging the edges of the openings formed in the circular knitted material and by which the feeler members may be automatically moved back into their down positions when the knitting machine is restarted and knits, and the said openings in the knitted material move downwards. This arrangement permits the automatic resetting of the ieeler members without requiring that they be reached and adjusted.

It is pointed out that knitting machines are provided with various kinds of stop motion devices for detecting various defects in the thread and yarn of the machines for stopping them and preventing the knitting of damaged material. These stop motion devices are electrically operated and actuate an electric controller which functions to sop the knitting machine. Another object of this. invention is to associate and connect electric switches with the feeler members referred to above and to connect said electric switches into the electric stop motion circuit of the knitting machine for actuating the electric controller for stopping the knitting machine when any one or more of said feeler members move upwardly.

Another object of this invention is to provide manual means for opening the stop motion electric circuit so that the knitting machine may be restarted and operated to a point where the circular knitting material moves downwards and automatically moves all raised ieeler members back into their down positions. In these latter positions the switches will be again opened, and then it is possible to reclose the electric circuit at said manual means for allowing the various stop motion units to again guard and control stopping of the knitting machine.

It will be recalled that the feeler members are positioned at highly inaccessible points which cannot readily be reached or seen. For this reason another important obj ect of this invention is to associate a signal with each feeler member for detectingl which oi the ieeler members are up for quickly locating the 4areas oi knitting where repair is required. With this arrangement the necessary repairs may be quickly performed on the yarn of the knitting machine which is then ready to be restarted.

Another object of the invention resides in arranging the signals upon a panel of a signal box which may be located at a convenient point and which may be easily operated for signalling which one of the feeler members is in a raised position, and in this way locating the area of knitting requiring repair.

An arrangement is proposed whereby the operator of the knitting machine need only press a button upon the signal box housing the signals, whereupon one or more of the signals function to indicate the raised feeler members. It is also proposed that each signal be connected in series with a throw-off switch so that after the raised feeler members have been located the throw-off switches may be operated for opening the circuits of the particular signals and in this Way opening the circuits of the particular feeler members which then allows the restarting of the knitting machine and allows its operation until all raised feeler members are automatically depressed and their associated switches are again opened permitting operation of the knitting machine and making it possible to again reclose the throw-off switches and again placing the detector back into operating condition.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a knitting machine provided with a press-off detector constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic horizontal sectional view as though taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, but only illustrating a portion of the cylinder of the knitting machine, and schematically illustrating the circular knitted material, and furthermore illustrating plan views of a plurality of the feeler members and their associated parts mounted around the cylinder of the machine and cooperative with the circular knitted material.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary schematic sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken centrally transversely through a portion of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4. l

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational View looking in the direction of the line 'I--1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an elevational View of the cover of the control box shown in Fig. 7 but viewed from the back.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of feeler member and certain associated parts constructed in accordance with a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11 to which a schematic showing of the knitted material has been applied.

The knitting machine press-off indicator, in accordance with this invention, is applied to a circular knitting machine I0 having a cylinder II through which the circular knitted material I2 passes. The knitting machine I0 is provided with an electric controller I 4 of a type as disclosed in patent to Edward Vossen, No. 2,357,713, patented September 5, 1944, and including a normally closed controller switch I5 (see Fig.l 10) which opens when said controller stops the knitting machine, and a coil I6 for setting the controller off. The controller I4 is electrically operated and controls the clutch or drive of the knitting machine I0 in the usual way, not illustrated herein. A plurality of feeler operated stop motions I8 are arranged around the cylinder Il and are adapted to stop the knitting machine III by actuating the controller I4. Each of these feeler operation stop motion devices includes a movably mounted feeler member 20 mounted upon a support 2|.

Each support 2I is in the nature of a tubular member. A bracket 22 is formed with a slot 23 through which the tube 2I passes. Several set screws 24 are engaged through one of the walls of the bracket 22 and abut the tubular member 2l by which it may be locked in various raised and lowered positions. The bracket 22 has a forked portion 25 for a fastening element 26 by which it is attached to the cylinder I I. The feeler member 20 is in the nature of a metal shell having an open bottom 21. A plate 28 is flxedly mounted on the top of the tubular member 2| and engages into the open bottom 21 at the back end of the feeler member 20. A pintle 29 is mounted through the plate 28 and connects with the feeler member 20 by which the latter is pivotally supported so that it may pivot upwards and downwards. The feeler member 2U is provided with a cam-like surface 30 adapted to be engaged by the knitted material I2 by which the feeler member 20 is normally held downwards and by which it is moved downwards after it assumes a raised position and engages through an opening forming in the knitted material I2.

The operation of the cam-like surface 3U may be better understood by examining Fig. 3 and noting that the feeler member 20 is illustrated in full lines in a down position and is held down by the knitted material I2 passing over the cam surface 3U. As the knitting machine knits the knitted material I2 keeps passing downwards. However, when a slub or knot or entanglement occurs at one of the guide holes at the needles of the knitting machine the yarn breaks and an opening develops in the knitted material I2. Then the feeler member 20 is free to move upwards through the opening, as indicated by the dot and dash lines 20 in Fig. 3. In this latter position the edge of the opening in the knitted material is in a position to engage against the cam surface 30 so that the feeler member 20 will be forced downwards into its original position when the knitting operation is restarted.

A spacer stud 32 is mounted on and projects from the plate 28 and engages the inside diameter of the cylinder I'I for properly holding the support 2I spaced from the cylinder wall so that the feeler member 20 may freely pivot upwards and dowwnwards. The feeler member 2U is limited to an up position when the back edge portion 33 thereof engages the back face of the plate 28. Resilient means normally urge the feeler member 26 into its raised position 4for maintaining the feeler member 28 against the knitted material I2 and for moving it upwards into an opening which may form in the knitted material. rEhis resilient means includes a slide in the nature of a strip of metal 34 extending downwards through the support 2i. The strip of metal 34 has a rounded top section 35 engaging into the open bottom 21 of the feeler member 20 and engaging across the'bottom face of the top wall thereof for urging the feeler member 26 upwards. From this point 35 the strip 24 continues into a downwardly extending section 36 which continues into a laterally extending section 31 and a short upward directed section 38. A spring 39 acts against the lateral section 31 for urging the slide 34 upwards. The spring 39 extends downwards and over and around an adjustment screw 40. This adjustment screw 40 is provided with a follower nut 4I which slidably engages the inner faces of the walls of the'support tube 2|. The screw 46 has a reduced bottom portion 42 which rotatively engages through an insulation block 43 mounted in the bottom of the support tube 2|. Washers 44 :and 45 are mounted on the reduced portion 42 against the top and bottom faces of the block 43 for rotatively supporting the screw 48.

A switch 46 is associated with each feeler member 2li and comprises a contract arm 41 mounted upon and within the insulation block 43 and extending upwards into the hollow of an insulation cover 48 which is mounted on the bottom of the support tube 2|. A contact 49 is mounted upon the bottom of the slide 34 and is cooperative with the contact arm 41. The contact arm 41 has a bent central portion arranged so that when the slide 34 is in a down position the contact 49 will not engage the contact arm 41. However, when the slide 34 is in a raised position the contact 49 will engage the contact arm 41. A terminal 50 is mounted upon the insulation block 43 and connects with the contact arm 41. A knob 5I is mounted upon the bottom portion 42 of the screw 40 by which the screw 46 may be turned for adjusting the tension of the spring 39 and indirectly the tension of the upward urge of the feeler member 20.

A plurality of different signals 55 in the nature of small electric lamps are associated with said stop motion devices I8 for indicating the open and closed positions of the stop motion devices. The diierent signals 55 are distinguished from each other by reference numerals associated with them; for example, numbers 1 to 6 as illustrated in Figs. '7 .and 1Q. The lamps 55 are mounted in lamp sockets 51 which are mounted upon a conductor plate 58 supported by insulation pieces 59 upon a front panel 65 of a panel box 6I. This panel box 6I is mounted in a convenient place on the knitting machine I6. The panel 65 is provided with lenses 68 one for each of the lamps 55. The signal indicating numerals 1 to 6 are imprinted on the front of the panels 65. A normally closed throw switch 6I is provided for each of the lamps 55, and said switches 6I are positioned directly adjacent the lamps 55. These switches 5I have handles 62 passing through openings .63 in the panel 65 by which they may be manually operated. An electric cable Y64 connects with the conductor plate 58. The cur,- rent from the conductor plate 58 may enter all of the casings of the lamp sockets 51. After passing through the lamps 55 the current continues along leads 66 to one of. the terminals of the switches 6I. 'Leads 81 connect with the other terminals of the switches 6I and are gathered in a. cable 68 which passes upwards into'the cylinder Il of the knitting machine. Each ofthe leads 61 of the cables 68 is provided with va clamp 10 for engaging upon the terminals 5!) of the stop motion devices I8.

The lamps 55 are connected in a plurality of parallel secondary circuits 1I one for each of the signals 55 and each of said circuits 1I includes in series one oi the signals 55 and its normally closed switch 6I, and a normally open switch 46 of one of the stop motion devices I8. The stop motion devices I8 are identied with numerals 1 to 6 corresponding with the numerals given to the signals 55 (see Fig.10).

A resistance 13 is provided for each signal 55 connected in shunt circuits 14 'shunting the sig4 nais 55 so that the press-off multiple detector will operate if the circuits of the lamps 55 are open because of defective lamps. .A main electric circuit 18 is provided which receives electricity from .a transformer 11. The main electric circuit 16 includes in series all of said parallel secondary circuits 1l, the switch I5, and the coil I6 of the controller I4. A shunt circuit 18 is provided shunting the controller vswitch I5 and coil I6, and includes in series a manually operable push button switch 80 which is mounted on the side of the signal box 6I.

The operation and use of the device may be understood from the following:

Assume that the knitting machine lo is operating and knitting the circular knitted material I2. Assume that one of the yarns to the knitting machines becomes knotted,'entangled or for some other reason, breaks. Immediately a press-oir starts and begins travelling around the cylinder II of the knitting machine. A point is soon reached where one of the feeler ngers 26 is released because it may move upwards into the opening caused by a partial press-off. For the purpose of explanation assume that the feeler member 28 which has moved upwards is #1, as indicated in Fig. 10. Immediately switch 46 o this particular stop motion I8 closes so that an electric circuit is now established which may be traced from the left hand end of the coil of the transformer 11 and in the circuit 16. The current will flow to the conductor plate 58 through lamp 55 which is numbered l, and coil 13 of said lamp, then through the normally closed throw-off switch 6I thereof to the closed switch 46 to the ground. From the ground the current ows to the controller I4, ilowing through the closed switch I5, the coil I6, and the return to the transformer 11. Instantly, the controller I4 is actuated, operating to instantly stop the knitting machine, and in so doing the controller switch I5 opens. As soon as controller switch I5 opens the circuit 15 is broken and the signal lamp 55 is no longer lit.

The operator now investigates -to ascertain why the knitting machine stopped. He presses closed the push button switch 80. Current now flows from the transformer 11 through lamp 55 which is numbered 1, the resistance 13 of this lamp, the closed throw-oir switch 6I, the closed switch 46 of stop motion device I8 which is numbered #1, the ground, the now closed push button switch 80, and back to the transformer 11. As soon as Y lamp 55, which is numbered #l lights the voperator knows that stop motion device I8, which is numbered correspondingly #1, is the one that stopped the knitting machine. He now examines the yarn in this vicinity. and repairsthe break.

After repair has been made the knitting machine cannot be started because even though the broken yarn has been repaired stop motion device I8, which is numbered #1, has its feeler member 2U is a raised position and its switch 46 in a closed position. The operator cannot reach said stop motion device I8 nor its switch 46. The operator proceeds now by opening the throw-out switch 6| which is associated with lamp 55 numbered 1. Now the electric circuit 'll of stop motion device i8 which is numbered 1 is open and the knitting machine ID can be restarted.

The operator restarts the knitting machine l in the usual way and as knitting proceeds the knitted material l2 will automatically move the raised feeler member 20 back into its down position because the edge of the opening in the knitted material is engaging the cam surface 30 of said raised feeler member 20. As soon as the feeler member 20 is back in its lowered position its switch 46 will be opened and now the operator may reclose the opened throw-out switch 6l which he opened before, in order to start the knitting machine. The parts are now in their original positions and knitting continues until another press ol threatens. It should be noted that the multiple indicator prevented a complete pressoi. While the press-off was still small the knitting machine was stopped and thus a lot of time of the operator was saved.

In Figs. 11 and l2 a modified form of feeler member 85 has been illustrated. This feeler member 85 has a rounded top 86. The feeler member 85 is slidably mounted upon the top of a support tube 2|. The support tube 2l is provided with a spacer stud 32 which passes through a slot 8l' in the feeler member 85, limiting its upward and downward sliding. Within the tube 2 I there is the slide strip 34 which has a rounded top portion 88 engaging against the top of the feeler member 85. The lower portion of the stop motion device, not illustrated, is identical to that shown in Fig. 4. The knitted material I2 normally engages against the rounded top portion 86 of the feeler member 85, holding it down. When an opening develops in the knitted material l2 the feeler member 85 is free to move upwards, which indirectly stops the knitting machine as previously explained. When suitable repair is made and the knitting machine is restarted, the edge of the opening in the knitted material l2 engaging the rounded top 86 of the feeler member 85 forces the latter back into its downward position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming with the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A knitting machine press-ofi detector, comprising a plurality of feeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any of said feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in said knitted material, means forstopping said knitting machine when. any of said feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knitted material and by which the feeler members wlll be moved back into their down positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits and said openings move downwards.

2. A knitting machine press-off detector, comprising a plurality of feeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any of said feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in said knitted material, means for stopping said knitting machine when any of said feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will be moved back into their down positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits and said openings move downwards, said feeler members being pivotally supported.

3. A knitting machine press-oit detector, comprising a plurality ol feeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any of said feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in said knitted material, means for stopping said knitting machine when any of said feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will be moved back into their down positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits and said openings move downwards, said feeler members being slidably supported.

4. A knitting machine press-off detector, comprising a plurality of feeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against the knitted material Iof a knitting machine, resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any of said feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in said knitted material, means for stopping said knitting machine when any of said feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will be moved back into their down positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits and said openings move downwards, and means for adjusting the resiliency of said resilient means. 5. A knitting machine press-oit multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine, a plurality of feeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against the knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, said feeler members being provided with cams for engaging the edges oi openings formed in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will be moved back into their down positions when said knitting machine continues to knit and said openings move downwards, an electric circuit for operating said controller, switches in said circuit and connected with said feeler members for stopping said knitting machine when any one or more of said feeler 9 members move upwardly, and means for opening said electric circuit so that said knitting machine may be operated to a point where the knitted material moves downwards and moves all raised feeler members back into down positions.

6. A knitting machine press-'off multiple detector, comprising 4an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine, a plurality of ieeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held ldownwardly by engaging against the,

knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any Vof said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, said feeler members being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openings formed in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will be moved back into their down positions when said knitting machine continues to knit and said openings move downwards, an electric circuit for operating said controller, switches in said circuit and connnected with said reeler members for stopping said knitting machine when any one or more of said-feeler members move upwardly, and means for opening said electric circuit so that said knitting machine may be operated to a point where the knitted material moves downwards and moves all raised ieeler members back into down "positions, including a throw-out switch.

7. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine, a plurality of feeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against the.

knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, said feeler members being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openings formed in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will be moved back into their down positions when said knitting machine continues to knit and said openings move downwards, an electric circuit for operating said controller, switches in said circuit and connected with said feeler members for stopping said knitting machine when any one or more of said feeler members move upwardly, means for opening said electric circuit so that said knitting machine may be operated to a point where the knitted material moves downwards and moves all raised feeler members back into 'down' positions, and a signal for each feeler member for indicating which of the feeler members are up for'locating the areas of knitting where repair is required.

8. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including a normally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stops said machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality of different signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normally opened switch for each of v said signals, a plurality of parallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closed switch and its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted' on said supports in spaced positions and held down- 10 wardly by engaging against knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, and means for selectively closing said normally open switches controlled selectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, and a shunt circuit shunting said controller switch and said coil and including in series said manually operable switch.

9. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including a normally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stops said machine and a coil for vsetting the controller off, a plurality of different signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normally opened switch for each oi said signals, a plurality oi parallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closed switch and its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports in spaced positions and held down-A wardly by engaging against knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said ieeler Amembers may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectively closing said normally open switches controlled selectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, a shunt circuit shunting said controller switch and said coil and including in series said manually operable switch, a resistance for each of said signals, and shunt circuits shunting said signals and including said resistances in series.

10. A knitting machine press-oli multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including a normally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stops said machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a, plurality of diierent signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallel secondary'circuits one for each of said signals and each circuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closed switch and its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, means normally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stops said machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality of different signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closed switch and its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectively closing said normally open switches controlled selectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, a shunt circuit shunting said controller switch and said coil and including in series said manually operable switch, and means for holding said supports in selected raised and lowered positions, including brackets, and means for holding said supports in adjusted positions on said brackets.

12. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stoping a knitting machine and including a normally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stops said machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality of different signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality oi. parallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closed switch and its normally opened switch, `a main electric circuit including in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectively closing said normally open switches controlled selectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, and a shunt circuit shunting said controller switch and said coil and including in series said manually operable switch, said diilerent signals being lamps and marks distinguishing said lamps.

13. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including a normally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stops said machine and a coil for setting the controller oir, a plurality of different signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closed switch and its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler 12 member for each of said different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any oi said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectively closing said normally open switches controlled selectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, and a shunt circuit shunting said controller switch and said coil and including in series said manually operable switch, said normally closed switches being manually openable.

14. A k-nitting machine press-oil multiple detector, comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including a normally closed controller switch Which opens when said controller stops said machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality of different signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closed switch and its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports in spaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectively closing said normally open switches controlled selectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, a shunt circuit shunting said cont-roller switch and said coil and including in series said manually operable switch, said resilient means including a spring for the resilient tension thereof, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

15. In a knitting machine press-off detector, a support, a feeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardly for engaging against knitted material of a knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler member upwardly for engaging into an opening which may form in said knitted material, a normally open switch mounted on said support, and means for closing said switch when said feeler-member moves upwards.

16. In a knitting machine press-ofi detector, a support, a feeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardly for engaging against knitted material of a knitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler member upwardly for engaging into an opening which may form in said knitted material, a normally open switch mounted on said support, means for closing said switch when said feeler-member moves upwards, and means for controlling the resiliency of said resilient means.

1'?. In a knitting machine press-off detector, a tubular support, a feeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardly for engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, a slide slidably mounted in said tubular support and engaging said feeler member for moving said feeler member upwards, spring means for urging said slide upwards, means for adjusting the tension ci said spring means, and a normally open switch connected to be closed in the up position of said slide and including a contact mounted on said support cooperative with a contact mounted on said slide.

18. In a knitting machine press-off detector, a tubular support, a feeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardly for engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, a slide slidably mounted in said tubular support and engaging said feeler member for moving said feeler member upwards, spring means for urging said slide upwards, means for adjusting the tension of said spring means, and a normally open switch connected to be closed in the up position of said slide and including a contact mounted on said support cooperative with a contact mounted on said slide, said slide comprising a strip extending through said tubular support and having a top portion extending downwards and laterally, said spring means including a spring engaging against said laterally extending portion.

19. In a knitting machine press-oil? detector, a tubular support, a feeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardly for engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, a slide slidably mounted in said tubular support and engaging said feeler member for moving said feeler member upwards, spring means for urging said slide upwards, means for adjusting the tension of said spring means, and a normally open switch connected to be closed in the up position of said slide and including a contact mounted on said support cooperative with a contact mounted on said slide, said slide comprising a strip extending through said tubular support and having a top portion extending downwards and laterally, said spring means including a spring engaging against said laterally extending portion, said means for adjusting said spring including a screw turnably mounted, and a follower nut threadedly engaged on said screw and non-rotatively engaging the inner wall of said tubular support and supporting the bottom end of said spring.

EDWARD VOSSEN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Sperzel Feb. 6, 1945 Number

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