US2637183A

US2637183A - Carrier rod driving mechanism for knitting machines

Info

Publication number: US2637183A
Application number: US230304A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bitzer Gottlob; Henry C Pingel; Charles R Fegley
Original assignee: Textile Machine Works
Current assignee: Textile Machine Works
Priority date: 1951-06-07
Filing date: 1951-06-07
Publication date: 1953-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-05
Also published as: DE950953C

Description

y 5, 1953 a. BlTZER ET AL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet l 1 M 5 0 4' 51 e Z FIE--l- 1511 I w v v T i0 Z5 j z 5 55 Henry C. P

C' BY 'harlesgj'gi e CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 5, 1953 G. BITZER ETAL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 5, 1953 G. BITZER ET AL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I o 00 III T (01016 '5 m 3 1077/1/66 wwawwm 102 lNvEgqToR Gafilob Brijer, Henry C.

Char .s' yfg 0; BY M y 5, 1953 cs. BITZER ETAL 2,637,183

. CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR May 5, 1953 G. BITZER ET AL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 5, 1953 G. BlTZER ETAL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 .11 551 JM 1& 56 5151 16 .51 F1E- E 4L 5 126 .60 H 0 0 00 a 55 1 5 4w 1% 4 111 14 aamozwa'i'gsz Patented May 5, 1953 CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING 'MACHINES Gottlob Bitzer, Lincoln Park, Henry C. Pingel, Wyomissing, and Charles R. Fegley, Laureldale, Pa., assignors to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 7, 1951, Serial No. 230,304

23 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a friction box drive in a full-fashioned knitting machine.

The ordinary full-fashioned knitting machine feeds yarnto be knit into fabric by means of one or more yarn carriers which are reciprocated parallel to integrally mounted banks of alined needles. carriers, laying yarn across the full width of the fabric, are'driven by friction boxes having frictional engagement with a full speed friction box rod and the reinforcing carriers are driven by the same or other friction boxes having frictional engagement with a slow speed friction box rod. Each of the friction box rods has a greater traverse than the yarn carrier it drives, the path of the latter being limited by stops carried by nuts mounted on threaded spindles or worms which are rotated automatically as part of fashioning operations. Therefore, during the latter portion of each stroke of the friction box rods, the rods slide through the friction boxes while the boxes are stationary. It is essential that the boxes and When in use, the main yarn carrier or.

a yarn carrier which does not depend entirely on frictional engagement between two members for its effect. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for reciprocating a friction box which is associated with a retarding or shock absorber means in such a way that the desired timing of the two functions is maintained.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative and practical embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the invention comprises the novel method steps, elements, features of constructionand combination of parts in cooperative relation ship, as hereinafter pointed out in the claims.

particularly those driving the main yarn carriers start to move simultaneously with the full speed rod at each reversal of the movement of the rod in order to maintain the boxes in timed relation to other parts of the machine. Therefore, in order to prevent or reduce to a minimum slippage of the boxes on the full speed rod at the start of each movement of the boxes the frictional grip ofthe boxes on the rod must be quite strong with the F result that the relative sliding movement between the boxes and rod when the boxes are stationary causes a high rate of wear and overheating of the parts. In fact, it is ordinary to cool the rods by circulating liquid therethrough.

N In addition to the problem of quick starting of the friction boxes driving the main yarn carriers, there is the problem of stopping them. Un-

less special means is provided to slow the boxestween the boxes and the full speed friction, box

rod, has been suflicient to frequently throw the shock absorbers out of proper timing with consequent reduction or loss of their desired functions. I

It is anobject of the present invention to pro:

vide a means for reciprocating a friction box for In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a fullfashioned knitting machine to which the invention has been applied the View being taken on a vertical plane transverse to the length of the machine, near its center and looking from the left of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation on a reduced scale compared to Fig. 1 of a portion of the machine near its center, parts being omitted for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of that part of the machine shown in Fig. 2 indicated by the arrows 3--3 on Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a front elevational view of the portion of the machineshown in Fig. 1 looking substantially in the direction of the arrows 44 on said figure;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the mechanism of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows 5-5 parts being omitted for purposes of clarity of illustration;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 'i--l of Fig. 4 looking in the'direction of the arrows, certain of the parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail View of a portion of the mechanism shown at the upper left of Fig. 2 and enlarged relative to Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is an end'elevational View of the mechanism of Fig.8, looking in the direction of the arrows 99 and enlarged relative to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail View taken substantially on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, certain of the parts being in elevation and others in section; M

Fig. 11 is an elevation of parts shown in Fig. 10

3 looking in the direction of the arrows HH in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a plan view on a much enlarged scale of the portion of the apparatus shown at the upper left of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a plan view on a much enlarged scale of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 and lying substantially between the arrows I 3-| 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line l4l4 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line l5--l5 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 16 is a detail view similar to a portion of Fig. 3 showing one of the stops for a friction box;

Fig. 17 is a detail plan view of the friction box arrangement shown in Fig. 2 and the stops therefor and including the stop shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 3, the parts being shown in different positions relative to Fig. 3;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 18 but with the parts in different positions relative to Fig. 18; and

Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 are diagrammatic views showing the relative positions assumed by the parts of the apparatus according to the present invention just before the start, during and just after the end of a driving movement of a yarn carrier rod.

In the drawings and description, only the means necessary to a complete understanding of the invention are specifically set forth; further information as to the construction and operation of other related, usual and well known knitting machine elements, etc., may be found in one or more of the following publications:

1. Pamphlet entitled-Full-Fashioned Knitting Machines-published and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1920.

2. Four Catalogs entitled-The Reading' Full-Fashioned Knitting Machine Parts Catalog-published and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, in 1929, 1935, 1940 and 1947, respectively.

3. Booklet entitled-The Reading High Production Full-Fashioned Knitting Machine-- which, forming a supplement to the above noted 1940 Parts Catalog of the Textile Machine Works, is a publication of the Textile Machine Works. copyrighted by the latter in 1490.

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

A method of knitting a stocking within the invention includes reciprocating an operating friction box mounted on a friction box rod of a fullfashioned knitting machine by applying a sufficient accelerating force to the friction box at the beginning of each yarn laying stroke of the box, in addition to the force generated by friction between the rod and the box, to prevent substantial slippage between the box and the rod, continuing the application of force from said source to said box in the initial direction at least until the box has attained a speed at which the source ceases to accelerate the box, interrupting or reducing the application or flow of force from said source to the box before the box reaches the end of its stroke irrespective of the length of stroke of the box, retarding the box before it reaches the end of its stroke, repeating said steps for the reverse movement of the box, and continuing to repeat said steps throughout the knitting of a major portion of the stocking. Also, it is a feature of the present invention to mount the driving box on the friction box rod much more loosely than is now ordinarily done to reduce the friction with consequent reduction in the heating and wear on the box and rod. This is permissible because a source of accelerating force other than thefriction box rod is available to start the box at the beginning of each of its strokes.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises portions of a full-fashioned knitting machine to which the features of my apparatus invention have been applied or in which said features have been incorporated. Said apparatus includes, in addition to the ordinary friction box and reciprocating friction box rod, a bar member connected to the friction box rod or coulier cam to reciprocate with the boxand a head mounted on said member together with an automatic clutch means connecting said head to said mem- A} bar at the start of each stroke of 'therod, the

connection being firm enough to prevent substantial slippage of the head on the member: Also, means, preferably cam controlled, are provided to act on the clutch means to release the head from its driving member. Preferably this clutch releasing means is combined with a means acting as a shock absorber to slow the head and box. In this case, two cam controlled blocks are used, one on each side of the head. A connection between the head and the friction box having no more than a slight lost motion serves to accelerate the box at the beginning of a stroke and to slow it down toward the end of a stroke to prevent shock. Preferably, a second friction box is provided fixed to said connection so as to avoid or prevent lost motion therebetween to ensure'that no chatter will occur due to repeated disconnection and reconnection of said automatic clutch in the interval between the initial disconnection of such clutch and the final stopping of the friction box at the end of a stroke. Owing to the acceleration of the box through said con nection, it is permissible to mount the .box much looser on its rod than is ordinarily done. Preferably, in addition to the ordinary end stops for the yarn carrier rods and which also act to limit the stroke of the friction box, end stops for the friction box are provided which are movable together with the end stops for the yarn carrier rods. The cam for controlling the releasing means for the head clutchand for slowing the head preferably is reciprocatory and, in this case, moves at about one-half the; speed of the slur cam and the high speed friction box rod.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a main cam shaft is shown at 25. The knitting needles 26, together with their cooperating knitting elements such as'sinkers 23, dividers 29 and jacks 39, are all operated from the cam shaft 25 by means which may be of known types, and are supported in a framework of which transverse center frame 3|, front beam 32, back beam 34, center bed 38 and front bed or table 33 are usual features. Yarn to be'knit by the needles is fed by yarn carriers, one of which is shown at 4!]. Each yarn carrier is fixed to a yarn carrier rod 42, nine of which are shown. Friction boxes are provided for driving rods 42 one of such boxes being shown at 44 in Figs. 2 and 1'7. Each friction box 44 has a slide 46 best shown in Figs. 1 and 17 and fixed to which is a handle 4! by which the slide 46 may be moved'to engage a dog 49 on a desired-one of rods to reciprocate the rod between end stops 48, diagrammatically shown in Figs. 20 to 24. mounted on nuts 50, which are carried in turn by threaded spindles 52 forming parts of automatic fashioning means by which the spindles 52 are turned at each fashioning operation to move the end stops 48, thereby varying the length of stroke of the yarn carrier and the width of the fabric. The means for turning spindles 52 is not shown but may be of an ordinary type.

The friction box 44 for driving the yarn carriers 4|] is shown mounted on two reciprocatory rods, a high speed rod 55 and a low or slow speed rod 56. Box 44 has two handles 51 and 58 whereby it may be frictionally engaged with either of the

rods

55 and 56 as desired. Power for

reciprocating rods

55, 56 is taken from the main cam shaft 25 by a jack shaft 69 shown in Fig. 2. A coulier cam 62 on shaft 60 reciprocates a floating link 64 in opposite directions, as viewed in Fig. 2. At one end, link 64 is pivoted to a lever 66 which is mounted for oscillatory movement on shaft 68 carried on the back beam 34. At its other end, link 64 is pivoted to an oscillatory lever I having a fixed pivot 12 at its upper end. Lever 66 operates the high speed rod 55 through a link 14 pivotally connected to both the upper end of lever 66 and a head 16 fixed to rod 55.

The low speed rod 56 is operated from lever 19 through a linkage beginning at a pivot pin 18-on lever and a link 80 only one end of which is shown. This is for the reason that the functions performed by the low speed rod in part have no connection with the present invention and in part have been taken over by novel mechanism according to the present invention and which will be hereinafter described.

In order to facilitate movement of the friction box 44 with the rod 55 and to prevent relative movement between the box and rod at the beginning of a stroke of the rod, driving means additional to the rod 55 is shown, such means including clamps 82 on rod 55, the clamps being fastened by bolts or otherwise to a driving member or bar 84 (Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 12) which is thereby constrained to reciprocate at the same speed as the head 16. Mounted on bar 84 for movement with the bar and for movement rela-' tive thereto is a driving member or head 86 having releasable clutch means 88 (see Figs. 10 and 11) associated therewith for alternately clutching and unclutching the driving member 85 to and from the bar 84. Said clutch means comprises a block 99 which is'shown in Figs. 10 and 14 as inserted in a recess in the head 86 and bolted therein in contact with one face of bar 84. Block 99 has

recesses

92 and 93 therein withopen sides against the bar 84. Recesses 92 and 9 3'are alike except that each is. reversed relative to the other. The walls of

recesses

92 and 93 opposite the bar 84, see Fig. 19), are inclined away from the bar, the inclination, in the case of each recess, being toward the center of head 86. In each recess is one of a pair of roller type'clutch elements 94. It will be seen that gravity tends-to cause rollers 94 to move away from the surface of bar 84 but that this tendency is opposed by a pair of spring pressed plungers 95 which tend to keep the rollers normally in contact with both the surface of bar 84 and the bottoms of

recesses

92 and 93. Consequently whenever bar 84 begins to move in either of the directions indicated by the arrows A- or B in Fig. 10, the'contact between the bar End stops 48 are and one roller 94 moves the roller to wedge it tightly between the bar and the block 90, thereby clutching head 86 firmly but releasably to the bar, whereby the head is adapted to accelerate one or a number of boxes operating yarn carrier rods. The same movement of bar 84 which causes one roller 94 to clutch the head 86 to the bar moves the other roller clear of clutching engagement. Block also has two plungers or tappet pieces 96, between the ends of the block and the rollers for moving roller clutch members 94 when it is desired to release the head 86 from bar 84. Means for operating the tappet pieces 96 also forms, in the mechanism shown herein, a part of a means for retarding the movement of head 86 when unclutched and will be described below. 1

Means for transmitting an accelerating force from head 86 to a frictionbox 44 is shown as comprising a rod 98, and. a driving connection between the head 88 and rod 98. The driving connection, as best shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 14, includes a pair of collars I90 on the rod and a tongue I02 mounted on head 86 in a way to maintain the tongue in substantially fixed relation to the head, and extending between said collars to transmit movement from the head to the rod in either direction depending on the direction of motion of the bar 84 and the head. Tongue I02 is shown as forming the lower end of a member 594 pivotally carried on a stud I06 secured in the head 85. The member I94 is maintained in the position of Fig. 11 by a pin Illl', one end of which is fixed in anextension I08 of the member and the other end fixed in the driving head 86, as shown in Fig. 14. An over-the-center spring III] is connected between an extension H2 "of the member I94 and the driving head 86. The pin I81 not only acts to hold the member I04 in'the position of Fig. 11 as hereinbefore set forth but also acts as a safety between the driving head 86 and the rod 98, the pin being an intentional weak spot easily sheared in case movement of either the head or rod becomes obstructed in relation to the other. Upon shearing of the pin II]? the member I84 will be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise about the stud I06, depending upon the direction of travel of the driv ing head 86, thereby removing the tongue I92 from its position between the collars I90. Upon movement of the member I94 either clockwise or counterclockwise about the stud I96, the spring i II] will draw either the extension I08 of the lower tongue portion I82 against a stop pin H4 and maintain the tongue out of the path of the collars I99 until the machine is brought to a stop and the diflioulty causing the pin shearing action is corrected.

The driving connection between rod 98 and box 44 isbest shown in Fig. 17 and includes a pair of blocks I I 8 fixed to'the rod and a tongue I I8 movably connected to the box 44 but lying, when the box is in use, between the blocks M6 to receive driving impulses therefrom. As shown in Figs. 17 and 20. slight clearances I20 are provided between the blocks I I6 and the tongue I I8 for purposes hereinafter set forth. The tongue H8 is hinged or otherwise movably connected to the friction box 44 so that the box can be disconnected from the rod 98 when it is desired to move it out of the knitting field to take it out of action. The tongue I i8 must also be disconnected from the rod 96 when the box 44 is connected to the slow speed friction box rod 56.

While the yarn carrier rods such as 42,'Fig. l, andthe carrierirod end stops 48, diagrammatieally shown in 'Figs; 20 1:024; inclusive, together limit the throw of the friction-boxes 44, it is preferred to induce the pressure exerted by the friction box on the carrier rods, after the rods are against the end stops, by distributing the total pressure over additional surfaces such as the stops I22, I23 for the box per se. Stops I22 and 123, Figs. 16 and ii, are shown as mounted on rods or bars I25, I26 respectively which are connected. to move with the nuts 52 and the end stops 48 carried on the nuts. The tongue I58 therefore is adapted to contact one of its stops 22 and I23 at the same instant that the yarn carrier rod 42 contacts a stop whereby the pressure on the yarn carrier rod is reduced.

The ordinary full-fashioned knitting machine as now manufactured also includes shock absorbing means and it is preferred to combine such shock absorbing means with the driving head forming part of the friction box accelerating means disclosed herein. In the arrangement shown for this purpose. the means for throwing out the clutch to release the driving member 86 from bar 64 is also employed. For absorbing shock and for releasing the clutch, blocks i28, i 29 (Figs. 3, 4, '7, 18 and 19) are employed which are slidably mounted on a fixed horizontal rod or bar I32 adjacent the bar 84 for driving member 86. Blocks I 28 and 829 are arranged at pposite ends of the path of movement of member 86 as viewed from the front of the machine. The positions of blocks i26 and E29 are controlled by the rods I25 and I26, respectively, which in turn are carried by the end stop nuts 50 as previously explained, the blocks being connected to the rods as hereinafter set forth. The shock absorbing action of the blocks I28 and I29 on the driving member 86 is governed by a cam I34 which is reciprocated at approximately half the speed of bar 84 and friction rod 55 by an oscillating lever I36 (Fig. l) which is driven in turn by a link I38 (Fig. 2) pivoted to lever I36 at point I39 and to lever 16 at point 540. Lever I36 is connected to cam I34 by a means comprising a link I42 (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) pivoted to the upper end of the lever, the other end of link I42 being pivoted at I43 to a head I45 slidably mounted on a fixed rod or bar I45 and connected. to cam I34 by a pair of rigid arms 48, best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the end of arms I48 being shown bolted to the cam.

The cam I34 has a low portion I50 and high end portions II connected to low portion I50 by inclined portions I52 and. it controls blocks I 26 and I29 by means of lever systems I54 which are similar except that one is reversed with respect to the other. Each of said lever systems is connected to a block I28 or I29 by means of a link such as I56, best shown in Fig. 4. Each link I56 is pivoted to a lever arm I51 fixed to one end of a shaft I58 (Fig. 4) and which is journalled in a right hand head or block I so or a left hand head or block IIiI (Fig. 4) slidably mounted on a fixed bar I52. The other end of each shaft I58 has fixed thereto a second lever arm I63 at the free end of which is journalled a roller type cam follower I65. As shown in Figs. 4 and to 24, when a cam follower IE5 is on a high portion I5I of cam I34, the block I 28 or I29 is moved toward the driving head 86. This is the condition as to block I28 shown in Fig. 4. As the cam I34 moves toward the right in this figure, the high portions iEI of the cam being level and of some length, the block I28 remains stationary for a time while the head 86 approaches it.

. As cam I34 continues to move towardthe right.

the follower 465 begins to move'down the in: clined portion I52 connecting the high and low portions I5I and I56, respectively and thereby moves the block I28 in the same direction as the driving member 86 but at a slightly slower speed than the driving member. Shortly after the block I28 starts moving a part of the driving member 86 overtakes and engages a part on the block, as shown in Fig. 18. As is clear from Figs. 10 and 11 the above referred to part on the driving member 86 is the tappet 96 which projects from the end of member 86 and which is adapted to engage an adjustable contact screw I61 in a turret like portion I68 of the block I28. As the tappet 96 continues to move at a faster speed than the block I 28 the end of tappet 96 forces the right roller 34 leftward out of its wedging and clutching position to release the head 86 from the bar 64. Immediately upon release of the right roller 94 the driving head 86 is carried along by the rod 88 which is driven at this time by an auxiliary friction box I12 on the friction box rod 55. The auxiliary box I12 is connected to the rod 98 by one of the collars H6 and a collar I13 on the rod, as shown in Figs. 17 and 20 to 24, which are placed on each side of and in juxtaposed rela* tion to a tongue I15 on the auxiliary friction box so as to prevent lost motion between the box and the rod 98. The driving head 86 continues to move at a faster speed than the block I28 through the auxiliary friction box I12 until the head engages stop screw I'll) also adjustably carried in turret portion I68 of the blockv I28 (Fig. 19) after which the head 86 is carried along by the box I 12, as hereinafter set forth, at the speed of the block. Asthe speed of the block I28 is reduced, the speed of the rod 93 and the auxiliary friction box I12 is also reduced and the friction box 44 which is still moving with and at the same speed as the friction rod 55, immediately overtakes and engages the right collar H6. Engagement of the box 44 with the collar II6 reduces the speed of the box 44 to that of the rod 98.

Further, as follower I on head I60 moves down the inclined portion I52 of cam member I34, shaft I58 and lever arms I51 and I63 turn gradually in the counterclockwise direction, thereby reducing the speed of block I28, the head 86, the rod 98, friction boxes 44 and I12 and the carrier rod 42. This reduction in speed continues and as the follower approaches the low portion of the cam, the system including said head 86, friction box 44 and carrier rod 42 is moving very slowly as the tongue II8 of the box 44 contacts and is stopped by the stop I23 and the carrier rod engages its end stop 48. The relationship is the same between head 86, screws I61 and I10 in a turret like portion I69 of the block I29 and stop I22 when the member approaches block I29.

Throughout the accelerating portion of the stroke of head 86 from left to right, illustrated in Figs. 20 to 24 inclusive, the stress in rod 98 is one of compression due to pressure of tongue II8 against the left block I I 6 as illustrated in Fig. 21. After the friction box 44 and carrier rod 42 reach full speed, there is little stress if any in rod 98 because the friction box and the driving head 86 move at the same speed until head 86 contacts bolt I16 and block I28 at which time the stress in rod 98 changes to one of tension due to the pressure of the tongue I I8 against the right or leading block II6, as illustrated in Fig. 22. At the moment tongue I I8 engages stop I23, however, the cam I34 still permits right hand cam follower I65, controlling block I28 to settle .9 slightly toward the low portion I50 of the cam. This final movement of the follower I85 is caused by the auxiliary friction box I12, on the high speed friction box rod 55, which continues to apply pressure to the rod 98 as long as the rod 55 continues to move in the same direction. As shown in Figs. 20 and 24, when the left or right .follower I65 is in engagement with the low portion I50 of the cam I34 which corresponds to the limit of movement of the rod 98 in the left andright directions, respectively, there is a slight clearance between the collars H6 at both sides of the tongue I I8. This slight clearance between the collars H6 and tongue II8 permits the auxiliary friction box I72 to maintain pressure against rod 98 and thereby hold the rod at the limit of its movement in either direction until the direction of its movement is reversed by the cam 62 and the associated parts, as hereinafter set forth.

In order to bias cam follower I65 toward the cam I34, the lever arms II have extensions .I'II

which have noses I18 formed thereon. The noses I19 are normally in contact with the closed ends of spring pressed hollow plungers I80 (Fig. mounted in portions I82 of blocks I60. A compression spring I84 abuts the closed end of each plunger I80 and one end of a bolt I86 which is adjustably mounted in the closed end of member I82 so as to vary the pressure of the spring against the closed end of member I80 and the extension Ill of the lever I51. Further, the extension Ill of each lever I51 has a lateral extension I88 (Figs. 7 and 13) in which is a stop bolt I90 adapted to engage a portion of the heads I60 and I 6| to limit the counter-clockwise or clockwise movement of the right and left levers I63 respectively, if for some reason the levers I83 become misadjusted relative to the shafts I58.

It will be noted that for purposes of illustration the diagrammatic Figs. 20 to 24 show the lever systems I54 as connected directly to rods I and I26. However, the lever systems I54 and heads I60 and I6I on which they are direct- 1y mounted are actually supported for sliding movement by the fixed bar I62 shown in Figs. 5-7 but which is not shown in'Figs- 20-24 and the bars I25 and I26 for moving systems I54 as Well as the stops I22 and I23 from the fashioning nuts 50 are shown in their actual relative "proportions in Figs. 47, inclusive, 16 and 17. As -shown in Figs. 4 and 5, rod I25 is connected to the left hand head IBI by means of a bracket I92 the rod also being connected to stop I22 for the friction box 44, as hereinbefore set out.

Bracket I92 is shown in Fig. 5 as having a portion in sliding engagement with the rod I26 for supporting the end of rod I25 (Fig. 16). As

shown in Fig. 17, rod I25 is connected to move the :stop I22 also but, as shown in Figs. 5 and 16, rod I25 is interrupted between left hand block IEI and stop I22 to avoid a structural feature of the a portion providing a sliding support on the rod I29. Rod I84 connects at its right end to the portion of rod I25 beyond the interruption through a bracket I98 which also has a portion for sliding engagement with the rod I26, the

bracket I98 also having the stop I22 for box 44 formed thereon. Rod I28 has a bracket 200 se- "cured thereto (Figs. 4, 7 and 16) by-meansof which the rod is connected to the right hand block I60, the bracket 208 being of the same general type as bracket I92. Rod 426 has a bracket 20I secured thereto which also has a portion slidably engaged with the rod I25, the bracket 20I also having the stop H23 formed thereon. Rod I26 connects with the nut 50 for the end stops at the right hand end of the machirzie as shown in the diagrammatic views, Figs. 20- 4.

In addition to the rods previously mentioned, there is shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 a fixed rod 202 used as a guide to prevent heads I45, I28 and I29 from turning on their supporting rods, head I45 having fork portions 284 (Figs. 4 and 6) for this purpose embracing rod 202 and heads I28 and I29 having forks 295 and 208, respectively, embracing rod 202 for the same purpose.

The manner of operation of the mechanism herein disclosed will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description but the operation of the mechanism will be summarized for purposes of convenience, as follows:

The member 88 for assisting the friction box 44 in driving the carrier rod for laying the body or other yarn is automatically engaged by clutch 88 to the reciprocating driving bar 84 at the start of each stroke of the bar to transmit accelerating forces to the box 44. The driving bar has a longer throw or stroke than the stroke of the box 44 and the box therefore must be unclutched automatically from the driving bar as the box approaches the end of a stroke and is brought nearly to rest before contacting a limit stop I22 or I23, the driving bar continuing to the end of its path and then beginning its return stroke. On the return stroke of the driving bar 84, it is again clutched automatically to the member 86 to initiate a return stroke or movement of the member and the friction box without material or substantial slippage between the member and the driving bar.

As shown in Fig. 20 the friction box 44 and driving head 86 are at the left end of their movement from right to left which also corresponds to the starting position of the parts from left to right. In this position both right and left collars H6 are spaced from the tongue H8, the spaces being indicated at I20. As the cam 62 reverses the movement of the friction box rod 55, in the direction from left to right as viewed in Fig. 2 and 20 to 24, the bar 84 and cam I34, are also moved toward the right, the bar 84 moving at the same speed as the friction box rod 55. Immediately upon movement of the bar 84, the right hand roller 94 (Fig. 10) is wedged between the bar and the inclined surface of the recess 92 and the driving head 88 is carried along with and at the same speed as the bar. Movement of driving head 86 toward the right causes the tongue I02. of the member I04 to bear against the right collar I00 (Fig. 10) to drive the rod 98 with the head. Movement of the rod 98 engages the left collar II6 with the tongue I I8 of the friction box 44 to thereby carry the friction box and carrier rod 42 along with the rod 98 as shown in Fig. 21. Also as shown in Fig. 21, the cam I34 is moving in the same direction but, as hereinbefore set forth, at a slower speed than the friction box rod 55, the right hand high portion I5I of the cam maintaining the right hand lever system I54 and the block I28 stationary as the driving head 86 approaches the block I28.

Upon continued movement of the friction box rod 55, the driving head 86 and rod 98, and the cam I34 toward the right, the follower I65 of the l 1 right hand lever system I54 starts downthe right inclined surface I52 of cam 13 3 which starts to move the block E28 toward the right but at a slightly slower speed than the speed at which the driving head is travelling. Continued movement of the head 88 at full speed causes the tappet 93 to overtake and engage the screw H51 in the slower moving block I28. As the head continues to move the tappet forces the right roller 34 out of its wedging position to disengage the driving connection between the head and the bar 84. As the parts continue to move toward the right the auxiliary friction box $72, which is moving at full speed with the friction box rod 55, pulls the driving member 86 against the stop screw Ht through the connection of the box H2 with the rod 98. The driving member 3%, rod Slit and friction box H2 thereupon travel at a slower speed as controlled by the cam I34. The friction box 44, which is still travelling at the same speed as L It will be seen in Fig. 23 that at the time of engagement of the tongue H8 with the stop :23 and the carrier rod G2 with the stop 38, the right hand follower IE has not engaged the lon portion I50 of the cam 13A. At this time the auxiliary friction box H2 continues to exert pressure on the rod 93, toward the right to, thereby move the right follower 65 against the low portion 55%. This final movement of the follower H55 causes both right and left collars HE. to be spaced from the tongue H8, as indicated at 5% in Fig. 2d. The friction box rod 55 continues toward the right to complete its movement, the movement of the rod 55 then being reversed by the cam 62 and the cycle of movements illustrated in to 24, inclusive, is. repeated while the parts are moving from right to left.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the driving head acts as a positive means to assist the friction box 54 in overcoming theinertia of the carrier rod as it is accelerated at the start of its movement and thereby maintain a predetermined relation between the box and the means for reducing the speed of the-box and carrier rod near the end of their movement. Further, that a much lighter frictional engagement may be maintained between the friction boxes 46 and H2 and the friction rod to complete the stroke of the carrier rod, which will greatly reduce the wear and the heat generated as the rod 55 continues to slide through the boxes after the boxes have been stopped as hereinoefore set forth.

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

We claim:

1-. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a friction box rod, yarn carrier rods and a friction box therefor on said friction box rod, of means for reciprocating said friction box comprising in addition tosaid friction box rod, a head mounted for reciprocation parallel to the friction box rod, a connection b;-

tween said headand the friction box for transmitting a driving force from the head to. the box, means for intermittently driving said head and means for disconnecting said head from its driving means and retarding the head as the friction box approaches. the end of its. stroke.

2. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination as set forth in claim 1 and in which the means for driving the head includes a member which reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than the stroke of the yarn, carrier rods and a disconnectible clutch between said member and the head.

3. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination asv set forth in claim 1- and in which the means for driving the head includes a memher which reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than the stroke of the yarn carrier rods, and a disconnectible clutch between said member and the head which reconnects the head to the member of the driving means; automatically upon reversal of its direction of movement by the interaction of the reciprocating member and a portion of the clutch.

4. In a full-fashioned knitting machine the combination as. set forth in claim 1 and in which the means for driving the head includes. a mom..- berwhich reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than the stroke of the yarn carrier rods, and a disoonnectibl'e clutch between said member and the head, and. themeans for disconnecting the head from the reciprocating member includes a pair of contact blocks having alternately part time contact with said clutch means to release the head from said member and having contact with the head, and a cam means to control the movement of the blocks to thereby control the motion of thehead and the box after the clutch means has released the head.

5. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination as set forth in claim 1 and in which the means for driving; the head includcs a member which reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than the stroke of the yarn carrier rods, and a disconnectible clutch between said member and the head, and the. means for dis,- connecting the head from the reciprocating member includes a pair of. contact blocks having alternately part time contact with said clutch means to release the head from. said member and having also contact with the head, a cam means to control the. movement. or the blocksto thereby control the motion of the, head, and the box after the clutch means has. released the head. the. cam means. includes. a reciprocating cam having. two high sections connected by a, low section and moving at av lesser rate of speed than the. driving means, cam followers cooperating with said cam, lever systems on which. said followers arev journalled and which are. connected to the Contact blocks to determine the movement of the blocks together with nuts for end stops, second blocks on which said lever systems are pivoted and. bars movable with said nuts, for moving. said. second blocks.

6. The combination with the friction, box rod and the friction box of a full-fashioned knitting machine of a friction. box accelerator member reciprocating synchronouslywith. the friction box rod, a head contact with said member, means to clutch said head. firmly to the member as the member and friction box rod initiate, a movement: in one direction and release it there,- from. the. rod. approaches a. pointy at which. its

'13 movementreverses, anda connection from, said head to the friction box. x 7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reverses its direction.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reverses its direction together with a cam actuated member for releasing the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of the stroke, and the means for releasing the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as a shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connection between the head and the box.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the means for releasing the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as a shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connection between the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated means reciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the cam actuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at times the follower is active to actuate the releasing means.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the means which releases the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as a shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connection between the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated means reciprocates butYat a lower speed than the friction box, the cam actuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at times the follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for moving end stops for fashioning and a connection between the nut and the axis of the cam follower to move the axis with the nut. I v

12. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reversesits direction, a oam actuated'member releases the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the means which releases the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as a shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connection between the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated means reciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the cam actuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at times the follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for moving end stops for fashioning and a connection between the nut and the axis of the cam follower to move the axis with the nut, the nut has end stops for carrier rods'thereon, the connectionbet'ween the nut and the axis of the 14 cam followerhas a stop thereon and the friction box has a tongue fixed thereon arranged to contact said stop on the connection at approximately the time the carrier rod contacts an end stop on the nut.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and'in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the means which releases the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as a shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connection between the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated means reciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the cam actuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at times the follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for moving end stops for fashioning, a connection between the nut and the axis of the cam follower to move the axis with the nut; the nut has end stops for carrier rods thereon, the connection between the nut and the axis of the cam follower has a, stop thereon, the friction box has a tongue fixed thereon arranged to contact said stop on the connection at approximately the time the carrier rod contacts an end stop on a nut, and the connection between the head and friction box provides a lost motion permitting the connection a relatively small movement after the friction box has come to a stop.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator member as the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the means for releasing the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as a shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connection between the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated meansreciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the cam actuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at times the follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for moving end stops for fashioning, a connection between the nut and the axis of the cam follower to move the axis with the nut, the nut has end stops for carrier rods thereon, the connection between the nut and the axis of the cam follower has a stop thereon, the friction box has a tongue fixed thereon arranged to contact said stop on the connection at approximately the time the carrier rod contacts an end stop on the nut, the connection between the head and friction box provides a lost motion permitting the connection a relatively small movement after the friction box has come to a stop, and the connection between the head and the friction box comprises two stop blocks on opposite sides of the tongue and spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the tongue in the direction of motion of the friction box.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the means for driving the headincludes a member which reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than the stroke of the yarn carrier rods, and a disconnectible clutch between said member and the head which is of the roller type and which reconnects the head to the member of the driving means automatically upon reversal of its direction of movement accuse by' iinteraction between the reciprocating fmemberand a portion of the clutch.

16.'In a fulL-fashioned knitting machine, the Combination with a driven member of a reciproeating accelerator member, a head in contact with said member, automatic clutch means acting to clutch said head and member firmly't'ogather as the accelerator member initiates a movement in one direction, a cam controlled means for acting on. said clutch means to release the headfroni the accelerator member and to slow the head relatively to the member as the head approaches an end of a stroke in said direction, and a connection to transmit an ac celerating pressure from said head to the driven member as the head accelerates and a retarding pressure from the head to the driven membe]: as the head slows down.

17. In a. iull-fashioned knittingv machine, the combination as set forth in claim I6 and; in which the cam controlled means includes a cam reciprocating parallel to the accelerator memher but at a slower rate or" speed and having high parts near its ends and a low part connecting said high parts, cam followers each passing from one of said high parts to said low part or the reverse as the head approaches an end of its path, and pivoted levers on which said followers are journalled and which have operating connections with said clutch arranged to act one at a time to disconnect the clutch as the follower moves from a high to the low part of the cam, said last named connections retarding the movement of the head after disconnecting the clutch.

l8-.. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination as set forth inclaim 16 and in which the cam controlled. means includes a cam reciprocating parallel to the accelerator member but at a slower rate of speed and having high parts near its ends and a low part connecting said high parts, cam followers each passing from one of said high parts to said low part as the head approaches an end of its path, pivoted levers on which said followers are journall-ed which have operating connections with said clutch arranged to act one at atime to disconnect the clutch as the follower moves from a high to the low part of the cam, said last named connections retarding the head after disconnecting the clutch, together with mounted to move each narrowing cycle and to be held stationary during knitting cycles, end stops on said nuts, a bar connected to move with said nuts and supporting blocksconnected: to saidbars on which the levers are pivoted 19 In a trill-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a yarn carrier rod of a reciproeating accelerator member, a head inx contact with said. member, a box member mounted to reciprocate parallel to and synchronously with said accelerator member and having a connector, adapted to be engaged with said yarn car- .rier rod. to drive it when desired, stops for said yarn carrier. rodand said box member, anautomatic c-lntch means acting to clutch said head and accelerator member firmly together as; the member and friction box initiate a movement in one direction, means acting on said. clutch means to release it and including a ta-ppet piece on the head. and a block member with: which the tappet piece contacts to move the: tappet piece relative to the head and into position to release the clutch means, a connection. between said head and said box memberv to transmitv ac gelerating and retarding. pressures from the head nuts to the. box member and carrier red. but provid: ing a limited lost motionv between the connection and box member, and a box member connected to said connection without lost motion therebetween and operated frictionally to reciprocate at the same number of strokes per minute as the head and acting through the connection to maintain the head in constant position relatively to said blocl; member from the time the clutch is released to cause said tappet piece to maintain the head unclutched until the accelerator member reverses its direction of movement.

20. In a full-fashionedv knitting machine, the combination with the friction box rod, the yam carriers and box therefor on said friction: box rod, of means for reciprocating said box com prising, in. addition to said rod, a head mounted for reciprocation parallel to the rod, a connection between said head and the box for trans initing a driving force from the head of the box, .means for intermittently driving said head, means for disconnecting said head from its driving means and retarding the head as the box approaches the end of its stroke, said intermittent driving means including a member reciprocating synchronously with the friction rod, a roller type clutch acting automatically to connect the head to said reciprocating member as the member reverses its direction, saidv connection including a. second rod and means providing a small amount of lost motion between. the second rod and said friction box, and a second friction box connected to said second rod to prevent lost motion there between.

21. in a full-fashioned knitting machine hav ing. a reciprocating driving member, a, head to be rcciprocated, and clutch on the head to transmit driving thrust from the driving member to the head, a combined means for releasing the head from said member and slowingdown the head comprising a sl-iclably mounted block, a pivoted lever system. conneotmi to said blocl: at one endand having a cam follower journalled thereon at the other end and a reciproca-ti-ng cam. cooperating with said follower having a straight high portion at one end and a straight low portion connected to said high portion by an inclined portion,- said cam and lever system holding said block in the path of. the head and controlling the block to contact and. release said clutch on the head and to thereafter slow the head to a standstill while the follower is moving down said inclined portion of the cam. a 22. In a full-fashioned knitting machine hav mg a friction rod, a friction box on said rod,

' a yarn carrier rod connected to said box and end stops for said box and carrier rod, means for accelerating the box and carrier rod to the speed of said friction. rod comprising a driving head movable through a greater distance than said box and carrier rod, means connecting. thehead to said box to transmit a driving force from the head to the box, means for intermittently driving said head, means for disconnecting said head from its driving, means, means for retarding said; head and disconnecting means, and a second. friction box on said friction rod. for maintaining said head in contact with said disconnecting means during the retarding action to thereby retard said first box and carrier rod as said box and carrier rod approach saidend stops, said second box continuing to move said head through said greater distance after said first box and carrier rod engage said stops.

23;; In: a full-fashioned knitting machine hav- 17 ing a friction rod, a friction box on said rod, a yarn carrier rod connected to said box and end stops for said box and carrier rod, means for accelerating the box and carrier rod to the speed of said friction rod comprising a driving head, means connecting said head to said box to transmit a driving force from the head to the box, means for intermittently driving said head, means for disconnecting said head from its driving means, means for retarding said head and disconnecting means, and a second friction box on said friction rod for maintaining said head in contact with said disconnecting means during the retarding action to thereby retard said first box and carrier rod as said box and carrier rod approach said end stops.

GOTTLOB BITZER.

HENRY C. PINGEL.

CHARLES R. FEGLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 10 Number