US2680961A - Knitted article of hosiery and fabric - Google Patents

Description

June 15, 1954 P. THURSTON 2,680,951

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 oooooaoooannooo0av..-eooeuoonnyoongnoqou oflulehucooouna n INVENTOR. PA UL L THU/P5 701v J 14954 P. L. THURSTON 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Shets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. IDA (/L L. 7/-UR57'0N 4 7' TUBA/EX June 15, 1954 P. L. THURSTON 2,630,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 1s Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. Pauc L. THURSTON A TTok/vc- June 15, 1954 P. L. THURSTON 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 g INVENTOR.

P4 04 L 72/025 row June 15, 1954 P. L. THURSTON 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 24 UL L THU/PS 701v ATTOk/VfX June 15, 1954 P. L. THURSTON 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 SheetsSheet 6 'INVENTOR. PAUL L. THU/P5 ro/v A 7 TOR/V5) June 15, 1954 P. THURSTON 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet '7 103 mm 103 v 100 102 JNVENTOR.

A 45 PAUL L. THURSTO/V 15 Sheets$heet a P. L. THURSTON KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC June 15, 1954 Filed Sept. 9, 1950 June 15, 1954 L. THURSTON 42,630,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOIER AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN VEN TOR. PA (/L L. 72/0/9570 ATTOR/VfX June 15, 1954 P. THURSTON 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 209 207 208 I II .211

207 I I I I I 2 207 fir? 213 20 07 Eii -m 207 2 20 I I I I INVENTOR. PA UL L, THUASTO/V A TTOR V Y June 15, 1954 P. L. THURSTON 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 0000090900000 0000000000000 DIOIQ T700 uunqqp unnunuun nnuunuunuunanq J66 IN V EN TOR. PA UL L. 7 H0125 7'0/v ATTOR/V X June 15, 1954 P. L. THURSTON Filed Sept. 9, 1950 KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC 15 Sheets-Sheet l3 INVENTOR. R404 A. 71/01937 A TTORNE Y June 15, 1954 P..| T 0 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet l4 INVENTOR. 1 UL L. fill/R570 June 15, 1954, P. L. THURSTQN 2,680,961

KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND EABRIC Filed Sept. 9, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 I a A VIII/1161.!

ATw/f/Mr Patented June 15, 1954 lTED TE? OFFICE KNITTED ARTICLE OF HOSIERY AND FABRIC Application September 9, 1950, Serial No. 183,989

8 Claims. (01. 66-179) The present invention relates to knitting machines and, particularly, to circular knitting machines. It is especially applicable to machines for knitting circular seamless hosiery.

While many mechanisms have been proposed for producing difierent patterns in knitted fabrics, the patterning potentialities of such mechanisms have been limited. This is especially true with respect to solid color patterns, as distinguished from plating where the back yarn tends to show through. Moreover, with present machines, attempts to make more difficult patterns result in decrease of the production of the machines to a point where they are uneconomical to operate. In some instances, hand operations are necessary. The problem of patterning is still more difficult in small diameter machines such as those used for producing hosiery by reason of space limitations. In automatic hosiery machines, the difficulty is increased by the necessity of operating by reciprocation and widening and narrowing to produce heel and toe pockets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a knitting machine with far greater patterning capabilities than the knitting machines presently available. These patterning capabilities can be used either to produce decorative designs or to produce different fabric structures. A further object of the invention is to provide a machine that is wholly automatic in its operation and produces difilcult patterns while maintaining a high rate of production. While the invention is applicable to knitting machines for many dhTerent types of fabric, it is especially advantageous in small diameter circular knitting machines for automatically producing seamless hosiery and, for this reason, a machin of this type is illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood, however, that this machine is shown and described merely by way of example and that the invention is in no way limited to it. As will be seen from the description and drawings, the machine in accordance with the invention is basically diiierent from knitting machines heretofore available and embodies many novel features. While it is preferable to use all of these features to gain full advantage of the invention, it will be understood that certain features can be used without using others.

In accordance with the invention, the neeedles of the knitting machine are individually operated and their operation is electrically controlled, needlc selection being effected by means of electrical control circuits rather than by conventional cams, jacks, etc. The control circuits provide both patterning selection and sequence selection. Patterning selection determines which needles operate and how they operate. Sequence selection determines th timing and sequence of operation of the selected needles. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each needle is individually controlled in each course. The electrical operation of the needles offers many possibilities, such as cross-connecting or interconnecting certain needles electrically by means of switching, and also the possibility of switching from one selection or sequence control to another. Preferably, the yarn selection is also controlled electrically to provide wide selection and extremely flexible control. Many other novel features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a left side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a right side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view corresponding to a portion of Fig. 3 but with certain parts removed in order to show other parts behind them.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine with certain of the superstructure cut away.

Fig. dis a schematic perspective View showing connections for raising the yarn-feeding head of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a radial section taken in a vertical plane indicated approximately by the line 1-4 in Fig. 5.

Figs. 8 and 9 are similar sections showing respectively different forms of needle-operating mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a small scale schematic plan showing means for raising and levelling the needles, for example to receive a transferred top.

Fig. 11 is a plan of the needle-operating cam ring shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a partial section on the line |2l2 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an outside elevation of one of the cam assemblies shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is an outside elevation of another of the cam assemblies.

Fig. 15 is a section on line i5-|5 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 is a developed elevation showing cams on the cam ring of Fig. 11.

Fig. 17 is a developed plan view of the cams.

Fig. 18 is a plan of a control plate for sequence control.

Fig. 19 is an elevation of the control plate and associated parts shown in 18.

Fig. 20 a plan of the upper end of a pattern drum controlling needle selection and yarn selection and also shows an arrangement for cross-connecting certain needles.

Fig. 21 is a partial right side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a wiring diagram circuits for the needle-operating shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 23 is a plan of a sequence control plate use in this embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a wiring diagram showing circuits for controlling the needle-operating mechanism illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8.

Fig. 25 is a view, partially in plan and partially in horizontal section, taken approximately on the line 25-25 in 1 illustrating yarn selection mechanism.

Fig. 26 is an elevation and partial section of the yarn selection mechanism, as viewed from the left of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a side view of an article of hosiery made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 28 is a schematic developed view showing the pattern of the fabric illustrated in 27.

Fig. 29 is a stitch diagram of a small portion of the fabric.

In the drawings, the lines on which sections are taken are located as accurately as possible but should be considered as approximate. In order to simplify the drawings, certain parts of the machine are omitted in the various figures.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION The machine in accordance with the invention has a frame on which the moving parts are sup ported, a needle bed, a series of independent needles reciprocally mounted on the needle bed, mechanism for individually operating the needles, including an electromagnet for each needle, electric circuits controlling both the sequence of operation and the selection of the needles, yarnfeeding mechanism and preferably means for changing yarns during the operation of the machine.

The needle bed is shown in the form of a slotted cylinder (Fig. 8) which is stationary in the sense of being non-rotating but preferably is supported for vertical endwise movement by a cylindrical sleeve portion 2: of the machine frame 3 (Figs. 1 and 8). The needle cylinder 1 is movable vertically by means of a collar d and suitable connecting members 5 and a cam follower 6 (Fig. l) which cooperates with cams 1 carried by the shaft 8 of the pattern drum 9 of the machine. The vertical movement of the cylinder adjusts the lengt i of the knitted stitch and also provides for lowering the cylinder relative to the needles when it is desired to transfer fabric on to the machine, as for example the rib knit top of a stocking.

A circular series of needles is provided on the needle bed, each needle in having a hook H and latch I2 at its upper end and one or more butts 3 at its lower end (Fig. 9). At the upper end of the cylinder, there is a sinker ring l4 carrying a circular series of radially slidable sinkers l5 which are moved in and out by means of suitable cam surfaces in a rotating and oscillating sinker cap [6. The latches of the needles are controlled by one or more latch rings I! (Fig. 9).

Needle-operating mechanism The needle-operating mechanism may assume showing control mechanism for cl different physical forms, three embodiments be ing illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, respectively. In the form shown in Fig. 9, each needle is provided with an operating lever 20 which extends radially outwardly from the needle cylinder l and is pivoted at El on a stationary frame member 22. At its inner end, the lever 2D has a socket 23 that fits over the butt Id of the needle. At its outer end, the lever has an armature 2% disposed between two electromagnets iii and 26 carried, respectively, by stationary rings 2'! and 28. When the magnet 25 is energized, it lifts the armature 2 to pull the needle down. The energizing of magnet 26 pulls downwardly on the armature 24 to raise the needle. Hence, by energizing selected magnets in predetermined sequence, se lected needles can be raised to receive a and then drawn down to knit it.

In order to raise and level multaneously, for example to transfer a rib knit stocking top on to the needles, 2. buffer ring 29 is raised beneath the inner end portions of levers 28 by means of interengaging cam portions on ring 28 and a cooperating ring 38 which is rotatable by means of a handle 3i (Figs. 1 and 10). The inner ends of the levers 2?. are guided in their vertical movement by means of a stationary ring 32 having a series of vertical radial slots 33 in which the levers are received.

In the form as shown in Fig. 7, the needle-operating mechanism comprises an operating lever 35 for each needle. Each of the levers is pivotec at 35 on a bracket 3'1 carried by an upper ring 38 supported by means of posts 39 which project upwardly from radial ribs is projecting outwardly from the cylinder-supporting sleeve At its inner end, the lever 35 a socket portion ll engaging the butt it of the corresponding needle. Intermediate its ends, each lever is provided with a rider 62 which is preferably formed of hardened material. A. portion of the upper surface of each rider 42 is preferably rounded for smooth engagement by one or more cams 43 carried by a cam ring A l which is rotatably sup-ported by means of ball bearings 55. l'he cam ring a l is driven in synchronisin with a rotating yarn feed head (described below) and the number and. position of cams provided on the ring correspond to the yarn feeds. In the present embodiment, there are four yarn feeds which are equally spaced in a circumferential direction and four cams d3 likewise equally spaced. The earns 43 are substantially \.'-shaped with flattened bottoms and. are adapted to engage the riders 42 on the needle-operating levers 35 in either direction of rotation of the cam ring M5 to draw the needles down and thereby draw stitches oi the yarn fed to the needles. The phase relation in such that the cams &3 follow the respective yarn feeds. The cam ring Ml is driven in any suitable manner, for example by means of a separate sprocket as described below in conjunction with Fig. 7 or by an arm l6 that projects downwardly from the yarn-feeding head and acts on one or the other of spaced buffer screws 4'! on the ring 4%, the spacing being such as to provide proper phase re-- lationship between the cam ring and the yarn feed head in both directions of rotation. lhese screws provide suitable adjustment. The levers 35 are guided adjacent the riders :22 by means of a vertically slotted cylinder 48 which also supports a bearing ring 49 for the rotating cam ring 44.

When the needle-operating levers 35 are pressed down by a cam 43, each lever is held in all of the needles siits "down position by means of a spring latch 5| which has a bifurcated upper end straddling the lever and engaging the rider 42. The latch 5| is pivoted at 52 and a spring 53 tends to swing it in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 7 about its pivot. The latch 5| is swung in the opposite direction to release the needleoperating lever 35 by means of a rod 5Q connected with the plunger-type armature 55 of a cylindrical electromagnet 56 supported by a bracket 57 on a stationary ring 58. A tension spring 5!! acts between the lever 35 and the upper ring 38 to raise the lever when it is unlatched.

In this embodiment, the needles and operating levers are normally locked down in their lower position. By energizing selected ones of the magnets 55 in predetermined sequence, the corresponding levers are unlatched and the needles are raised by springs 59. After receiving yarn for that particular feed, the needles are pressed down by one of the cams t3 acting on the operating levers which are again latched. If a magnet 56 is not energized, the correspond ing. needle holds its stitch and does not knit a new stitch in that course.

If it is desired to raise and level the needles for transferring, this can be done by mechanism like that described in conjunction with Figs. 9 and 10. In this event, provision is made for disengaging the cams 43 from the riders 42, for example by making the riders slidable on the levers or by providing for the lifting or radial movement of the cams 43. Otherwise, certain needles would be held down by the cams. One end of the winding of each electromagnet 56 may, for convenience, be connected to a bus bar 64.

In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the needles are operated by radially projecting levers 66, each of which has a socket 6! at its inner end to receive the needle butt l3 and is pivotally mounted at its outer end 62 on a bracket 63 carried by the supporting ring 38. Upper arm 65 is pivoted on the bracket 53 at 66 and is connected with the lever by a pair of rods 6? so that the lever 69 and arm form a parallelogram linkage. A screw adjustment device 68 provides adjustment of the relative positions of the lever 60 and arm 65.

At its inner end-nearest the needle cylinderthe arm 65 carries a roller 10 mounted on a shaft ii that is telescopically slidable in the arm 65 and is pressed inwardly towards the needle cylinder by a spring 72. In its outer position, the shaft H is held against the spring pressure by means of a latch '13 engaging a detent M on the shaft. The latch i3 is pivotally mounted on the arm at it and is pressed into engagement with the detent M by a light spring '56. The latch is released by means of a bell crank lever l1 pivoted at is on an extension of the bracket $3 and having an upwardly projecting portion 19 adapted to engage the rear end of latch 73 at a point adjacent the pivot 66 of arm 55. The other arm of the bell crank 1'! extends downwardly and. is connected by a wire or link 89 a,

at the gore during widening and narrowing, for

with the pivoted armature 8! of a two-pole electromagnet 82. When the magnet is energized, the latch 73 is released to permit the roller 19 to move in towards the cylinder and thereby be in a position to be engaged by cams carried by I a cam ring described below. The roller it is subsequently cammed back to its outer position and held there by the latch 73 until the magnet 82 is again energized. On the needle-operating lever 60, there is a slider 85 carrying a horizontal roller 86 and a vertical roller 81. A spring 88 tends to move the slider in towards the needle cylinder. The slider is held in its outer position against the pressure of the spring by a latch 89 which is pivoted on the lever 60 at 93 and has an upstanding portion 9I adapted to engage an adjustable screw 92 carried by the bracket 63. A spring 93 tends to hold the latch in engagement with a detent on the slider 85 when the lever is in its lower position. When the lever is moved upwardly a predetermined distance determined by the adjustment of screw 92, the engagement of upstanding portion 9| or the latch with the screw 92 causes the latch to release the slider 85, allowing it to move inwardly to a position in which roller 85 is engaged by cams described below. Cam surfaces are also provided to engage with vertical roller 8? to move the slider to its outer position, whereupon it is again held by the latch 89.

The cams that act on the lever 56 and arm 65 are carried by the rotating and oscillating cam ring 45 (cf. Fig. 8) and an associated outer cam ring 95 which is spaced from, and carried by, ring at by means of suitable brackets. These cam rings are rotated and oscillated in synchronisrn with the yarn-feeding head, for example by means of an arm 35, as in Fig. 7, or preferably by means of a chain sprocket 95 (Fig. 3) which is mounted on posts 9! projecting upwardly from the cam ring i and driven by a chain from a sprocket on the control shaft I26 described below.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, there are four complete sets of cams on the cam rings 44 and 95, the sets being equally spaced and corresponding to the four feeds of the yarnfeeding head. Moreover, since the machine is designed to work in reciprocation as well as in straight rotary movement, each of the cams is double-faced or there are two corresponding cams. Referring to Figs. 8 and 11 to 17, the cams adapted to act on the roller iii of arm 65 are carried. by the outer cam ring 95 and comprise clearing cams I00, resetting cams ml and levelling cams I02. The clearing cams are so positioned that they act on the rollers l0 only when the rollers have been fired by release of the latches l3 and are hence in their inner position. The clearing cams are of such height that, acting through the roller iii, arm 65, links iii and lever 60, they raise the corresponding needles to latch-clearing position. The resetting cams H3! engage the ends of rollers ill and push them back out to their outer positions where they are held by latches '33 until they are again fired by energizing the magnets 82. The levelling cams I02 extend out farther than clearing cams H36 in a radial direction so as to engage the rollers 10, even when the latter are retracted. These cams are of such height as to raise the unselected needles so that their hooks are approximately level with the sinkers. This prevents the formation of undesirably large loops example in making the heel and toe in knitting diamond patterns.

The cams acting on the rollers 66 and 8'! on the lever 69 are carried by the inner cam ring 44 and comprise stitch cams t3 and a V-shaped resetting cam M4. The cams Hi3 are in such position radially that they'do not engage the rollers 86 when the sliders are latched in their outer position. When the rollers are in their pockets and inner position, they are engaged by the stitch cams I83 to draw the needles down and thereby draw stitches of the yarn fed to the needles. Resetting cam H34, acts radially on the vertical rollers 8'! to move the sliders 85 to their outer position. As the needles and operating levers 68 have at this time been drawn down by the stitch cam Hit, the sliders 85 are held in their outer position by the latches 89. The resetting cam m4 is slidable relative to the stitch cams N23, for example by being slidably mounted on a rib IE5 that projects from the outer face of the stitch cams. It thereby assumes the position shown in solid lines in Figs. 16 and 17 during rotation of the cam rings in one direction and the position shown in dotted lines during the other direction of rotation so that resetting cam at all times trails the active stitch cam.

There are also provided V-shaped feeding cams 67 (Figs. 11, 15, 18 and 17) which are carried by inwardly projecting portions Hit of the inner cam ring it and are adapted to engage either the inner ends of the levers 6% or additional butts on the needles just below these levers so as to to lower all of the needles to a predetermined level to receive the yarn fed by the yarnfeeding; means. It has been found that the needles should be lowered to a point where their latches are protected by the sinkers so that the yarn cannot accidentally get below the latches.

It has been found that with a four-feed machine such as that shown in the drawings it is not necessary to provide any shogging between the cam rings and the yarn-feeding head during reciprocation. As the yarn-feeding points are disposed between two stitch cams, the needles are operated to draw stitches of the yarn by one stitch cam during rotation in one direction and by the stitch cam on the other side of the feeding point during rotation in the opposite direction.

The rotatable sinker cap it (Fig. 9) is driven from the cam ring is by means of an upwardly projecting arm 59 (Figs. 11 to 13) which engages opposed bumper screws that are adjustable to control the angular relation of the cam ring and the sinker cap in both directions of rotation.

The operation nism shown in Fig. 8 is electromagnet 82 is energized, the corresponding roller '46 is fired to its inner position where it is engaged by one of the clearing cams ills (Figs. 11 to 17) to raise the needle to clearing position. The raising of the needle-operating lever Ed releases latch 39 (Fig. 8), allowing the slider 85 to move to its inner position so as to be engaged by a stitch cam Hit which draws the needle down to form a stitch. The roller H3 and slider 35 are reset by their corresponding resetting cams llli and H34. When a needle is not selected, i. c. When the corresponding magnet 82 is not energized, the roller i0 is raised slightly by the levelling cam IE2 but not enough to release the latch 89 and not enough to clear the latch of the needle. The unselected needles hence hold their stitches.

of the needle-actuating mecha- Needle selection The selection of needles at each of the four feeds is effected by a combination of sequence selection, which determines the sequence and timing of the needle operation, and pattern selection, which determines whether or not a as follows: When the particular needle is to take the yarn and draw a new stitch at that feed.

Sequence selection Sequence selection is provided by means of a series of devices for opening and closing the circuits that supply electric energy to the individual electromagnets in predetermined sequence one after the other. For convenience of terminology, these devices are referred to as circuit breakers although they may assume any suitable form, for example mechanical contacts, mercury switches or equivalent devices for stopping and starting the flow of current to energize the magnets or for varying the now of current above and below a critical value required for energizing the magnets. By means of this sequence control, the magnets that control the needles are energized in predetermined timed relation to the rotation of the yarn feed. When knitting by reciprocation, the sequence control is automatically reversed each time the yarn feed reverses its direction.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the drawings, sequence selection is obtained by the use of a plurality of control plates. The number of control plates may be varied as desired, depending upon the type of patterns it is desired to produce with the machine. In Figs. 2 and 3, five control plates numbered ili, i I2, H3, H3 and H5, respectively, are mounted one above the other at the back of the machine. The plates are supported by suitable frame structure including a plurality of rods H6 which extend between the peripheries of the plates. The plates are formed of insulating material and each carries an arcuate series of electrical contact buttons H1 (Figs. 18 and 19) which are connected by the circuits described below with the respective magnets for the individual needles. Preferably, each contact controls a particular magnet although in some instances a contact may control two or more magnets as desired by suitable cross-connection. In some instances, there may be a complete circular series of contacts, the number of contacts corresponding, for example, to the number of needles in the machine. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the control plates are shown with approximately semi-circular series of contacts, the number of contacts on each. plate being equal to, or slightly greater than, half the number of needles. In order to operate all of the needles, two of the control plates may be used simultaneously, one controlling half of the needles and the other the remaining half. Alternatively, the needles may be cross-connected so that each contact controls two needles, for example pairs of needles that are diametrically opposite one another. In some instances, as illustrated on control plate H5 (Fig. 24), there may be som what more than a semi-circle of contacts. Such a control plate may, for example, be used in reciprocating knitting, as in knitting heel and toe pockets of a stocking when it is desired to use more than half of the needles. Other arrangements of the contacts may be used to obtain the particular results desired. In addition to the contact buttons provided near the periphery of the control plates, each plate has a concentric inner slip ring H8. A rotatable shaft I20 extends up through aligned holes in the control plates and carries brushes adapted to engage the slip rings 1 i8 and contacts i ii, the brushes being electrically connected with one another. The

shaft I is driven from the main shaft I2I of the machine by means of bevel gears I 22, a chain I 2-3 and suitable chain sprocket so that the shaft I20 is always rotated and reciprocated in exact synchronism with the main shaft I 2 I. The latter is driven in any suitable manner, for example by means of pulleys I24 (Fig. 3). The shaft I20 rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the top, during operation of the machine in continuous circular motion.

Each of the control plates II I and 1 I2 (Fig. 24) is shown with a single set of brushes, i. e. a brush I26 contacting the slip ring I I8 and a brush I21 engaging the contact buttons Ill. The brushes are resiliently carried by an arm I28 which projects radially from an insulating collar I29 that is mounted on, and rotates with, the shaft 52!]. Provision is preferably made for adjusting the brush arms angularly with respect to the shaft so as to vary the phase relation of the arms to one another and to the shaft.

Control plates H3, H4 and H5 (Fig. 24) each have a brush engaging the slip ring I38 and a pair of brushes adapted to engage the contact buttons H1. The two latter brushes are spaced a predetermined distance apart, for example a distance of twelve contact buttons, and are so arranged that in reciprocating motion the leading brush is in contact with the buttons while the trailing brush does not engage them. In the construction illustrated in the drawings (Figs. 18 and 19) a split fiber collar having a bushing I32 clamps on to a sleeve 33 that surrounds and rotates with the shaft I26. The collar carries a radially projecting arm 35 on the lower side of which is resiliently mounted a brush I35 adapted to engage the inner slip ring H8. A cross arm I36 is pivotally mounted at the outer end of the radial arm I35 and carries spring-pressed brushes I3? and I38 at its opposite ends. The extent of oscillation of the cross arm I36 is limited by engagement of a point I39 provided on the arm with an adjustable stop M6 on the radial arm i3 5. With this arrangement, the frictional engagement of the brushes with the control plate and contact buttons automatically rocks the cross arm we upon reversal of the direction of rotation so that the leading brushes only contact the buttons. This assures that the needles are properly raised to receive the yarn in both directions of rotation.

Provision is made for lifting the brushes of at least certain of the control plates when the respective plates are not in use. While the drawings illustrate mechanism for raising the brushes of control plates I I2 and H3 (Fig. 3), it will be understood that similar or other mechanism may be provided for raising any desired ones or all of the brushes. The brush-lifting mechanism shown in the drawings comprises a bell crank I 32 pivoted on a suitable support at it and having a forked arm Hi4 engaging a collar I on the sleeve I33 (Fig. 18) that carries the brushes, the sleeve being rotatable with, but axially slidable on, the shaft H8. The other arm of the bell crank is connected by a link 66 with a rocker M? which is pivoted at I48 and has a nose portion adapted to be engaged by suitable cams on the main pattern drum 9. When the nose of the rocker I l! rides up on a cam, the brush assembly is lifted by the bell crank I42.

Means is provided for switching any desired ones of the control plates into the needle-operating circuits so that the sequence of operation of the needles may be controlled by one or another of the control plates or by two or more plates in combination. This makes it possible readily to vary the sequence of operation of the needles, for example when knitting difierent parts of an article or when knitting different articles. As illustrated in the drawings (Figs. 3, 5 and 24) the machine is provided with a. series of switches I 50, each consisting of a pair of contacts adapted to be pressed together by means of a pivoted rocker arm I5I adapted to be engaged by suitable cams on an extension of the main pattern drum 9. Each of said switches is connected in series between a source of electromotive force and the inner slip ring H8 of one of thee ontrol plates. When the rocker arm I5I is engaged by a cam, the corresponding switch is closed so that electrical energy is supplied through the slip ring to the brushes of the corresponding control plate. As the shaft I23 rotates, the brushes supply current sequentially to the contacts II'I since the brush that engages the slip ring I I8 and the brush that engages the contacts are electrically connected. Where provision is made for lifting the brushes, as described above, it is not necessary to have a disconnecting switch I58 since the lifting of the brushes automatically opens the circuit. However, for greater flexibility of control, each control plate is preferably provided with a corresponding switch I50.

Pattern selection Pattern selection is obtained by means of circuit breakers provided in the electrical operating circuits of the individual needles and opened and closed in accordance with a predetermined pattern or plan. The connections between the circuit breakers controlling needle selection and the circuit breakers which control the sequence of needle operation are such that a needle is operated only by the cooperation of both circuit breakers, i. e. when both circuit breakers are in proper position. In the machine illustrated in the drawings, the two circuit breakers are in series with one another so that current is supplied .for operating a particular needle only when both circuit breakers are closed. Suitable patterning mechanism is provided for opening and closing the circuit breakers that control needle selection during the knitting of an article. Preferably, the arrangement is such that the needle selection can be changed for each course of the fabric. The patterning mechanism may assume different forms as, for example, a moving strip or sheet which may be perforated or may have magnetized and unmagnetized areas acting through suitable responsive media to open and close the circuit breakers controlling pattern selection. Alternatively, a strip or sheet may have areas of diiferent opacity acting through lightresponsive media to control the circuit breakers. However, the machine illustrated in the drawings has pattern selection circuit breakers controlled by a rotatable drum having removable pins for actuating the circuit breakers.

As shown in Fig. 1, the circuit breakers controlling pattern selection comprise a series of switches I53 mounted on a vertical supporting strip I54 which is preferably formed of insulating material. The switches may be of any suitable form, as, for example, contacts carried by spaced resilient leaves mounted on a suitable insulating strip or block. Switches of this type-but for a difierent purpose-are illustrated in Fig. 21. Suitable terminals are provided for the wiring connections described below. The contacts are

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