US2722116A - Drive apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 1, 1955 o. GRIESBACH 2, 6

DRIVE APPARATUS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 7, 1953 5 heets-Sheet 1 Nov. 1, 1955 o. GRIESBACH 2,722,116

DRIVE APPARATUS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 7, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ma. 6+0 ma Nov. 1, 1955 Q. GRIESBACH 2,722,116

DRIVE APPARATUS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. '7, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 1, 1955 o. GRIESBACH 2,722,116

DRIVE APPARATUS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 7, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 1, 1955 o. GRIESBACH 2,722,116

' DRIVE APPARATUS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 7, 1953 5 s-$11891. 5

United States Patent )fiiice DRIVE APPARATUS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Otto Griesbach, Sonthofen im Algau, Germany, assignor to Bayerische Berg, Huttenund Salzwerke, A. G., Munich, Germany Application January 7, 1953, Serial No. 330,017 Claims. (Cl. 66-56) The present invention relates to a drive apparatus and more particularly to a drive apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 300,583, filed July 24, 1952, and entitled Circular Knitting Machine.

Known drives for circular knitting machines and the like operate through slip clutches and similar devices which prevent parts from becoming jammed and broken when accidents occur, but these known drives are exceedingly complicated, require much space, and consume a considerable amount of power in and of themselves.

One of the objects of the present invention is to greatly simplify these known drives by providing a relatively simple drive mechanism capable of operating at at least two different speeds.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drive with a centrifugal means for automatically disconnecting the same. i

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for automatically changing the speeds of the drive.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a hand operated means for changing the speed of the drive.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a means for releasably holding the drive in predetermined positions.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for automatically disconnecting the drives upon occurrence of breakage of yarn or other mishaps during the knitting process.

A still additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of accomplishing all of the above objects while at the same time being made of simply and ruggedly constructed parts.

With the above objects in view the present invention mainly consists of a driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, this apparatus including a support means on which an inner cylindrical member is turnably mounted for rotation about its axis, this inner member being formed with at least one recess extending into the same from the outer surface thereof. A hollow, tubular outer member is located about the inner member over the recess thereof, and a motion transmitting means is movably mounted on the outer member adjacent the recess of the inner member for movement into and out of this recess, so as to connect and disconnect, respectively, the outer and inner members to each other for rotation together and independently of each other, respectively. An actuating means is operatively connected to the outer member for moving the motion transmitting means into the recess of the inner member, and this motion transmitting means moves out of this recess by centrifugal force. The actuating means may be operated automatically or by hand, and a means is provided to releasably hold the apparatus in different positions where it is either transmitting no drive or where it transmits drives of different speeds. Also, a means is provided to automatically disconnect the drive under certain circumstances.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a double cylinder circular knitting machine the details of which are fully described in the copending application referred to above;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line IIII of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows and showing the drive apparatus which is located behind the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IIIIII of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVIV of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken along line VIIVII of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of a part of the structure of Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a double cylinder circular knitting machine which includes the needle cylinders 1 and 2 located partly within cam cylinders which are controlled by the motion transmitting members 3, 4, 5 and 6. The pattern cylinders 12 and 13 are turned by the gearings 7, 8, 9 and 10, the gears 8 and 9 being interconnected by the shaft 11 for rotation together. The drive, for the apparatus of Fig. 1, which or any other suitable source of power (not shown) which through a pulley rotates a belt engaging the pulley 14, shown at the top part of Fig. 2, for turning this latter pulley. A hollow, horizontal drive shaft 16 is provided at one end thereof with an annular flange 15 fixedly connected to the hub of pulley 14 so that drive shaft 16 always turns with the pulley 14. Within the hollow drive shaft 16 there is located a tubular driven shaft 17 turnably mounted and supported by a bearing 18 which is fixed to the stationary support means 19. A hand crank 20 is threadedly connected to the top threaded end portion of the shaft 17, so that the latter may be turned by hand, this hand crank 20 having a hand lever 21 and having an end face which forms a bearing surface for the flange 15 at the end of drive shaft 16.

As is shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the drive shaft 17 is formed on its outer surface with a pair of arcuate recesses 22 which extend about the axis thereof, and the drive shaft 16 is formed with a pair of opposite circular bores 23 which pass through an annular portion of shaft 16 extending about the recesses 22. A pair of ball members 24 are loosely mounted in the circular openings 23 for movement into and out of the recesses 22.

A tubular operating member 25 is located about the drive shaft 16 and has first inner surface portion slidaguide the operating member 25 for sliding movement Patented Nov; 1, 1955 alongthe axis of the drive shaft. A second inner surface portion of the operating member 25, located closely adjacent to the first inner surface portion thereof, and just above the same as viewed in Fig. 2, has an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of shaft 16 by an amount which is slightly greater than twice the depth of one of the recesses 22. The ball members 24 each have a diameter which is slightly smaller than the thickness of the wall of shaft 16 plus the depth of one of the recesses 22, so that these ball members 24 may, on the one hand, be located within recesses 22 to connect shaft 16 to shaft 17 and may on the other hand be located out of the recesses 22 and against the second inner surface portion of operating member 25 to disconnect the driven shaft 17 from the driving shaft 16. A conical inner surface portion 26 serves to interconnect the abovementioned first and second inner surface portions of the operating member 25. This second inner surface portion of the operating member 25 forms with the drive shaft 16 an annular space 27.

The drive shaft 16 is formed with a pair of arcuate recesses 28 substantially identical with the recesses 22,

and a second driven member in the form of a tube 29 is.

slidably located about the shaft 16 over the recesses 28 thereof, this second driven member 29 having an annular portion extending about the recesses 28 and formed with a pair of circular bores 31 in which the ball members 30 are loosely mounted. As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the operating member 25 is provided with a third inner surface portion which slidably engages the outer surface of the tubular driven member 29 and with a fourth inner surface portion which has a diameter greater than the outer diameter of driven member 29 by an amount slightly more than twice the depth of one of the recesses 28; This fourth inner surface portion is interconnected with the third inner surface portion of operating member 25 by a conical inner surface portion 33, and this fourth inner surface portion of the operating member 25 forms with the outer surface of driven member 29 an annular space 32. The ball members 30 each have a diameter which is slightly smaller than the thickness of the wall of driven member 29plus the depth of one of the recesses 28, so that these ball members 30 may, on the one hand, be located within the recesses 28 to interconnect the drive shaft with the driven member 29 and may, on the other hand, be located out of the recesses 28 and in a part of the annular space 32 to disconnect the drive-fromshaft 16 to the driven member 29.

The driven member 29 is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange 34 which on one side bears against an end of shaft 16 to provide a bearing surface therefor and on its opposite side bears against the annularv projection 17a of the driven shaft 17 so as to be supported thereon for rotation.

The driven member 29 is formed integrally with a gear 35 which meshes with the gear 36 keyed to the shaft 37 so as to rotate the latter, this shaft 37 being fixed to a gear 38 which meshes with the larger of a pair of stepped gears 39 to rotate the latter. The pair of stepped gears 39 are keyed to the driven shaft 17 so as to rotate therewith, and the lower end face of the stepped gear 39, as viewed in Fig. 2, forms one half 41 of a clutch the other half of which is formed by the top end face of the clutch member 42, as viewed in Fig. 2, this clutch member 42 being slidably keyed on the solid shaft 43 one end of which extends into the tubular driven shaft 17 for free rotation with respect to the same and the other end of which extends into the bearing 44 mounted on the support means 19.

Located on the opposite side of clutch member 42 from shaft 17 is a gear 40 which is freely rotatable on the shaft 43 and which is formed at its top face, as viewed in Fig. 2, as one half of a clutch adapted to mesh with the other half of a clutch formed by the lower end face of clutch member42, as viewed in Fig. 2. A bevel gear 4 45 is keyed to shaft 43 for rotation therewith and meshes with a bevel gear 46 which is fixed to or integral with a spur gear 47 meshing with the gear 48 which in turn meshes with the gear 49, the latter meshing with the gear 50 of one of the needle cylinders 1 and 2. The drive is connected by suitable gearing (not shown) to the other of the needle cylinders, and any suitable drive (not shown) is connected to the mechanism for periodically .turning the pattern drums 12 and 13.

The smaller of the stepped gears 39, which is out of engagement with gear 38, may be used as a power take off to transmit power to any suitable location through suitable gearing. An independent drive of a speed different from those produced by the above described apparatus may be connected by suitable gearing to the gear 40.

As is apparent from Fig. 2, the operating member 25 is formed with a plurality of bores extending into the same from the opposite end faces thereof. Springs 51 bear at one end against flange 15 and extend into some of these bores to urge the operating member 25 downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2, while springs 52 extend into bores at the opposite end of member 25 to urge the latter upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2. The springs 52 bear against a ring member 53 which slidably engages the top face of gear 35, as viewed in Fig. 2. A number of guide pins fixed both to the ring 53 and to the flange 15 extend into some of the bores of the operating member 25 to guide the same for axial movement along the axis of drive shaft 16.

As is apparent from Figs. 2 and 3, the operating member 25 isformed with an annular groove in which a ring member 54 is located so that the operating member 25 may rotate with respect to the ring member 54. A pair of pins 55 are fixed to opposite sides of the ring member 54 and extend therefrom. A fork means is formed by the side arms 56 and 57 which are fixed to opposite ends of the shaft 58 for rotation about the axis of the latter (Fig. 3) this shaft 58 being turnably mounted on the support means 19 and extending in a direction normal to.-

the axis ofdrive shaft 16. These side arms 56 and 57 of the fork means 5658 are formed at their free ends with inwardly extending notches in which the pins 55 are located.

A control member 59 is fixed to the outer side of the.

arm 56 and is provided with an end portion 60 having a free edge forming an end face and opposite side faces of the control member 59. A pivot pin 61 (Figs. 2 and 3) is fixed to the support means 19 and pivotally supports, intermediate its ends, a releasable lock member 63 having a free left end portion, as viewed in Fig. 3, movable toward and away from the end portion 60 of control member 59. A spring 62 is located in a bore of the support means 19 and presses against the left free end portion of lock member 63, as viewed in Fig. 3, to urge this free end portion of member 63 toward the control member 59.

A bracket 65 is fixed to the outer side of the arm 56 and carries a pivot pin 66 on which the hand lever 64 is turnably mounted, this hand lever 64 having a free end portion 64a engaging the lock member 63 to turn the latter in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 61, as viewed in Fig. 3, against the action of spring 62, when the hand lever 64 is turned in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 66, as viewed in Fig. 3. A spring 67 extends into a bore of the arm 56 and into a bore of the hand lever 64 to urge the latter to the rest position shown in Fig. 3 where the lock member 63 is located against the'control member 59 by the spring 62.

Fig. 2 shows at its lower part a portion of the pattern cylinder 12 which has the cam members 70 and 71 mounted thereon. As is shown in Figs. 2 and 5, duringa revolution of the pattern cylinder 12 the cam member 70 engages the lever 72, and the cam member 71 engagesthe lever 73 (Fig. 5) located beside the lever 72., both of these, levers being turnably mounted on a pivot pin 74' fixed to a bracket mounted on the support means 19. The left free ends of the levers 72 and 73, as viewed in Fig. 2, are located in notches of the rods 75 and 76, respectively, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5, so that when the levers 72 and 73 are respectively turned by cams 70 and 71 the rods 75 and 76 will be moved downwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5. These rods are each provided with shoulders engaging the support means 19 to limit the movement of these rods, in an upward direction as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5, and the rods 75 and 76 are guided in bores formed in the support means 19.

A guide member 77 is fixed to the support 19 and has located therein a pair of catch members 78 and 79 which are guided by member 77 and by each other for movement in a direction parallel to the axis of drive shaft 16. The catch members 78 and 79 are tubular and respectively provided with inner apertured partitions through which the rods 75 and 76 respectively extend, in the manner clearly shown for rod 75 in Fig. 2.

Each of the rods 75 and 76 is threaded-at its end distant from the pivot pin 74 and carries a pair of lock nuts 82 and a washer against which a spring 81 bears. The springs 81 respectively extend into the catch members 78 and 79 and bear against the partitions thereof, these springs 81 being respectively located about the rods 75 and 76 so that they urge the catch members 78 and 79 downwardly with respect to the rods 75 and 76, respectively, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5.

An additional pair of springs 80 are located about the rods 75 and 76, respectively, and hear at one end against the support means 19 and at an opposite end respectively against the partitions of the catch members 78 and 79, on the opposite sides of these partitions from the springs 81, so as to urge the catch members 78 and 79 upwardly with respect to the rods 75 and 76 as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5. Thus, the springs 80 and 81 serve to maintain the catch members 78 and 79 in an intermediate position shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

The catch member 78 is provided with a free projection 83 located opposite a pin 85 fixed to the arm 57 of the fork means 56-58, and the catch member 79 is provided with a free projection 84 located opposite the pin 86 fixed to the arm 57, these pins 85 and 86 respectively being located on opposite sides of the shaft 58.

As is shown in Fig. 3, a gear 88 meshes with the gear 38 and also meshes with the gear 89 fixed to a sprocket wheel having the sprockets 90 which act as cams, so that this sprocket wheel turns with the gear 89. A counting chain 92 is turned by the sprocket wheel and is connected to a counting device (not shown). The earns 90, forming the sprockets of the sprocket wheel, are adapted to successively engage the free end of lock member 63 distant from control member 59 for a purpose described below.

A pin 93 (Figs. 2 and 3) is fixed to the lock member 63, and a pin 94 extends through a bore of the support means 19, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. To one end of this pin 94 there is fixed a member .95, and to an opposite end of the pin 94 there is fixed a member 98 having a roller 97 turnably mounted thereon. The pin 94 is horizontal and the members 98 and 95 hang downwardly therefrom to form a pendulum means. A can ring 96 is fixed to the pulley 14 for rotation therewith and the member 98 is formed with a suitable groove (not shown) through which the cams of rings 96 pass, these cams successively engaging the roller 97 to swing the pendulum means 94, 95, 98 away from the cam ring so that the member 95 approaches the pin 93. The member 95 is too short to engage this pin 93 and during normal operation of the apparatus the pendulum means simply swings back and forth.

As is shown in Fig. 7, a pivot pin 99 is mounted on a suitable bracket fixedly carried by the support means 19, and a lever 100 is turnably mounted on this pivot 99.

When the lever 100 turns in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 99, as viewed in Fig. 7, the lower end of the lever 100 (see also Fig. 2) moves into the space between the member and the pin 93 so as to transmit a movement from the member 95 to the pin 93 and in this way moves the lock member 63 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 61, as viewed in Fig. 3. The lower end of lever is thicker than the space between members 93 and 95 when they are closest to each other.

To the end portion 102 of lever 100 there isconnected a cable 101 which is guided through the support means 19 to a pulley 111 turnably mounted thereon, and over this pulley to a pin to which the cable 101 is also connected. As is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a bracket 103 is fixed on the support means 19 next to the needle cylinder 1 and carries a pivot pin 104 which pivotally supports a member 106, this member 106 being urged in a counterclockwise direction about pin 104 by the spring 105, as is clearly shown in Fig. 7, and the member 106 having a stop member engaging the bracket 103 to limit the turn ing movement of member 106 under the influence of the spring 105.

The member 106 is provided with an upwardly extending bore in which a pin 107 having a top pointed end is slidably located, a spring 108 being located in this bore of member 106 and engaging the pin 107 to urge the latter upwardly. The pin 110, to which thhe cable 101 is fixed, is fixed to the pin 107 and extends through a vertically extending slot 109 formed in the member 106.

A support 112 is turnably mounted for movement about a vertical axis on member 106 and adjustably carries an elongated feeler member 113 which has a free end located over the elongated slits 114 of the needle cylinder 1 which turns in the direction of the arrow shown at the left of Fig. 8. An adjusting screw 115 is threadedly mounted on the part of member 106 and engages the feeler 113 so that the latter can turn only in a clockwise direction about the axis of support 112, as viewed in Fig. 8.

The above described apparatus operates as follows:

The operating member 25 is shown in an intermediate position in Fig. 2, and in this intermediate position both of the driven members 17 and 29 are disconnected from the drive shaft 16. Assuming that the motor or other source of power is running and turning the belt and pulley 14 therewith, in the intermediate position of the parts, shown in Fig. 2, the drive shaft 16 will simply rotate about its axis while the driven members 17 and 29 remain stationary.

If it is desired to manually set the apparatus at the higher of the two speeds of the drive means, the handle 64 is turned to turn the fork means 5658 about the axis of shaft 58 to move the ring 54 and operating member 25 therewith upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2. The first inner surface portion of the operating member 25, which slidably engages the outer surface of the drive shaft 16, will therefore move along the drive shaft 16 and locate the ball members 24 in the recesses 22, the operating member 25 serving to hold these ball members 24 in the recesses 22. In the intermediate position of the parts, the left end portion of lock member 63, as viewed in Fig. 3, is located against thhe end face of portion 60 of operating member 59, and, upon turning of the fork means, the spring 62 urges the lock member 63 to the position where it engages one of the sides of the control members 59 (Fig. 6), so as to thereby hold the fork means and the operating member 25 therewith in one of its operating positions.

Thus, the inner driven member 17 is connected to the drive shaft 16 for rotation therewith, and the lock member 63 releasably holds the parts in this position. The drive is transmitted from shaft 16 to the driven member 17 which is keyed to the stepped gears 39 so that the latter rotate with the shaft 17. The clutch member 42 engages the clutch portion 41 of the stepped gears 39 so as to transmit-the drive to the shaft 43 which therefore 7 turns the" bevelgear45. The latter turns thhe' bevel gear- 46,- andthe gear train--4750 is thereby operated at the faster of the speedsof the driveapparatus.- noted that-the drive also: goes fromthe larger of the stepped gears '39 to the cams =90: andthecounting chain 1 92. As was. mentioned 'above, an'additional drive may be takenoff from the-smaller of the step gears 39.

If the member is-shifted through the abovedescribed apparatus, in'an opposite direction, it will move the ball'members into the recesses 28 so-asto connect the drive shaft 16 to the drivenmember 29which thenrotates the gear to rotate the' stepped gear 39 through the gearing 36, 38, the drive then being transmittcd tothe gearing-46-50in thesame way-as'described above. This position-of the partscorresponds to the lower of the operating-speeds of the-above-described apparatus.

Theclutchmember 42 may be shifted alongshaft 43-through a-suitable shifting fork (not shown) so? as to disconnect the drive from-the step gears 39 to theshaft 43 and bevel gear 45. This clutch member 42.may-be shifted into engagement'with the. gear 'which may be rotated at athird drive speedlby armechanism' (not shown), and in' this case the drive will go from the'gear 40 to the clutch member-42, and from.thei latter to :the shaft 43 and bevel gear '45 and to the gear train-.46'50.

When it' is desired to manually disconnect thedrive, with the clutch 42 in the position shown in Fig. 2, it is only necessary to: turn the handle 64 so as torelease the lock member 63, and the springs 51 and 52 williautomatically locate the: operating member-25 in its intermediate positionwhere the drive is disconnected from both of-the-driven members Hand 29.

The speed position of the apparatus is automatically changed by'engagement of the earns and71 with the levers 72' and 73. When either of these levers 72 or 73 is thusengaged, the rods 75 M76 are moved downwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5, to compress the springs.81= which thereby tend' to move the catch members 78and 79 downwardly, these catch members being stopped in their downward movement by. respective. engagement with the pinsi and 86. Thus, the cams 70 or '71 actto' stress the springs'80 and 81, the springs 81.

urgingvthe catch members-78' and'79 against thepins 83 and 84. The catchmembers 78 or 79 are prevented from =turning-=-the iforkf'm'eans 56-58: because it' is'releasably locked by thez'lock member: 63.

The parts are so designed and timed that one ofthe camsr70 or 71 will act on its associated lever 72 or. 73

to stress-the: springs 80 and.81just' before one of the.v

cams *(Fig. 3) engagesthe lock member 63. Thus, oneaof the catch members 78201 79 isurging the fork means in one direction ofturning'mcvement and is freed to turn the same only when one of the cams 90 engages the lock'member63 to move the same'against the action of spring 62 andthereby release the fork means to the influence of either one of the springs 81 acting through. one of the: catch members 78 or 79. These springs-81 are sufficiently stressed by theapparatus to cause the fork means to movebeyond its intermediate position and into the other speed position thereof, and the-spring 62 -automatically moves the lock member 63 into its-locking.position\on-the opposite side of operating.-member59-so as to-hold the parts in the changed speed osition. In this way the apparatus is capable of automatically changing from-the slow to the fast speed position and from the fast to theslow speed position duringthe knitting process.

As was'mentioned above, the pendulum means 94, 95, 98 is .constantly: swinging due to the action of'the cam .ring 96. Intheposition'of the parts shown in Fig. 7,=.the pin"107 isurged by the spring.108 against the feeler; member 11-3, L this feeler' member. preventing further movement of theypin 107. When. one of the yarns-breaks, .it will become: frayed; and increase: ilLCtOSS 81. section. and-engage; the-.feeler 113; to turn the sarnezinia clockwise direction about the-axis. of support '112'so that thefeeler 113'moves:ofi from the member.107 which is then released-to the'action: of spring 108 was to move upwardly.

The-upwardly movementof-pin 107 carriesthepin 110 upwardly therewith, and this causes the cable-101 to move in the direction of the arrowshown in'Fig. 7 so-as to turn the lever *in a counterclockwise direc-. tionaboutpivot 99, as viewed in Fig. 7. Therefore, the lower end of the 1everi100 becomes locatedbetween the pin 93 and the swinging member 95 to transmita movement from the latter-to the pin 93: and'thereby turn the lock member .63: against the action of 1 spring 62 to automatically release .the operatingmcmber 25 .-to the influenceofsprings: 51"and 52-which automatically locate the operating member. 25 .in' its: intermediate. position shown in Fig. 2. Thus,-.this apparatus iscapable of automatically disconnecting a' drive when a'mishap, such as the breakage of yarn, occurs. After the yarn breakage, or the like, is repaired, the member is moved downwardly 'against' the action -of spring. 108 by hand, the feeler 113 is located'over' the pointed'end of pin 107, and the parts are again in their operative position where operations can :be resumed.

It will be understoodthat each'ofvthe elements-described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other' types of drive apparatus for circular knitting machines andthe like differing from the types described above.

While the invention has beenillustrated and described as embodiedinautomatically controlled drive apparatus for circular knitting machines and. the like, it is not intended to be limited" to the .details shown, since various modifications andlstructural'changes may be made with- Out departing in any way from'the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the .gist of the present invention that others can by applying currentaknowledge readily adapt it for 'various applications without. omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,'fai'rlyconstituteessential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such'adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended-within the meaning and range of equivalence of the'following claims.

What is. claimed .as new and-.desiredto be secured vvby Letters Patent is:

1. Driving apparatus for'circular knittingmachines and the like, comprising; in combination, support means; an inner cylindrical member 'turnably mounted for rotation about its." axison saidi supporta'means, said: inner member beingformed/With/at least one recess extending into the same from the outer surface thereof; a hollow, tubular t outer member locatediabout said :inner member over said of said recess; and l actuatin g:means :operatively connected to said outer member for-moving said motionitransmitting meansxinto said recess of said. innermember so asv to interconnect said inner: member and said: outer' member for rotation together.

2.. Drivingzapparatus for. circularkknitting'machines andthe like,.comprising,: in combination, support means; an

inner cylindrical member: turnably. mounted for rotation about itsaXis on:-said-support means, said inner member being formed'withnat least one recess*extendingintoathe same from the outer surface thereof; a.hollow, tubular outer member located about saidninner member over said recess thereof; motion transmitting means looselymounted on: said outernrnember adjacent said'recess of said "inner; member: fora :movement: into said. recess and,

bycentrifugal;action,=..outfof said'recess; and actuating meanseoperatively cconnected .10. said outer member for moving said motion transmitting means into said recess of said inner member so as to interconnect said inner member and said outer member for rotation together.

3. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; an inner cylindrical member turnably mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means, said inner member being formed with at least one recess extending into the same from the outer surface thereof; a hollow, tubular outer member coaxial with said inner member, located about and slidably engaging the same, and covering said recess thereof, said outer member having an annular portion extending over said recess, and said outer member being formed with a bore passing therethrough at said annular portion thereof; a ball member loosely mounted in said bore so as to move in the latter away from said inner member by centrifugal force; and actuating means associated with said outer member for moving said ball member toward said inner member and into said recess thereof against the centrifugal action of said ball member to thereby connect said outer and inner members to each other for rotation together.

4. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; a driven shaft turnably mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means, said shaft being formed with at least one elongated recess extending into the same from the outer surface thereof and extending transversely about said axis thereof; a hollow, tubular drive shaft located about and slidably engaging said driven shaft at said outer surface thereof and having an annular portion passing over said recess when said drive shaft rotates with respect to said driven shaft, said drive shaft being formed with a circular bore passing through said annular portion thereof and being of a diameter substantially equal to the width of said recess; a ball member, of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said bore and slightly smaller than the thickness of the wall of said drive shaft plus the depth of said recess, loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft; a tubular operating member located about said drive shaft, having a first inner surface portion of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same, a second inner surface portion of a diameter greater than the outer diameter of said drive shaft by an amount slightly greater than twice the depth of said recess of said driven shaft, and a third, conical inner surface portion interconnecting said first and second inner surface portions; and moving means connected to said operating member for moving the same between a first position, where said first inner surface portion of said operating member is located over said bore to locate said ball member in said recess for connecting said driven shaft to said drive shaft to be driven thereby, and a second position, where said second inner surface portion of said operating member is located opposite said bore of said drive shaft to allow said ball member to move out of said recess by centrifugal force and thereby disconnect the drive from said drive shaft to said driven shaft.

5. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; an elongated inner cylindrical member turnably mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means, said inner member being formed with at least one elongated recess extending into the same from the outer surface thereof and extending transversely about said axis thereof; a hollow tubular outer member located about and slidably engaging said inner member at said outer surface thereof and having an annular portion'equal in width to the width of said recess and covering the latter during rotation of said inner and outer members with respect to each other about said axis, said outer member being formed with a circular bore passing through said annular portion thereof and being of a diameter sub:

stantially equal to the width of said recess; a ball mem ber, of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said bore and slightly smaller than the thickness of the wall of said outer member plus the depth of said recess, loosely located in said bore of said outer member; a tubular operating member located about said outer member, having a first inner surface portion of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said outer member and slidably engaging the same, a second inner surface portion of a diameter greater than the outer diameter of said outer member by an amount slightly greater than twice the depth of said recess of said inner member, and a third, conical inner surface portion interconnecting said first and second inner surface portions; and moving means connected to said operating member for moving the same between a first position, where said first inner surface portions of said operating member is located over said bore, and a second position, where said second inner surface portion of said operating member is located over said bore, so that in said first position of said operating member said ball member is located in said recess to interconnect said outer and inner members for rotation together and so that in said second position of said operating member said ball member is located out of said recess, by centrifugal force, so that said outer and inner members may turn about said axis with respect to each other.

6. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; a hollow tubular drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being formed at one part thereof with a bore passing therethrough and at another part thereof with a recess extending inwardly from the outer surface thereof; a first, cylindrical driven member slidably located within said drive shaft and being formed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about and slidably engaging said drive shaft, said second driven member covering said recess of said drive shaft and terminating short of said bore of said drive shaft, and said second driven member being formed with a bore passing therethrough and being located opposite and communicating with said recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball member loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for movement into and out of said recess of said drive shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first and second inner surface portions having a total length in the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member; and moving means operatively connected to said operating member for moving the same to a first position where said first inner surface portion thereof is located over said bore of said drive shaft and a second position where said second inner surface portion thereof is located over 7 said bore of said second driven member, whereby said first driven member is driven by said drive shaft when said operating member is in said first position thereof land said second driven member, is driven .by said drive shaft and said operating member is in said second position thereof.

7. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; a hollow-tubular drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being formed at one part thereof with a bore passing therethrough and at another part thereof with a recess extending inwardly from the outer surface thereof; a first, cylindrical driven member slidably located within said drive shaft and being formed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member'with respect to each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about and slidably engaging'said drive shaft, said second driven member covering said recess of said drive shaft and terminating short ofsaid bore of said drive shaft, and said second driven member being formed with a bore passing therethrough and being located opposite and communicating with said recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball member loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for movement into and out of said recess of said drive shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of a diameter substantiallyequal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first and second inner surface portions having a total length in the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member; moving means operatively connected to said operating member'for moving the same to a first position where said first inner surface portion thereof is located over said bore of said drive shaft and a second position where said second inner surface portion thereof is located over said bore of said second driven member, whereby said first driven member is driven by said drive shaft when said operating member is in said first position thereof and said second driven member is driven by said drive shaft and said operating member is in said second position thereof; and spring means operatively connected to said operating member for urging the same to an intermediate position where said first inner surface portion thereof uncovers said bore of said drive shaft and said second inner surface portion thereof uncovers said bore of said second driven member, so that said drive shaft is out of driving relation with both said first and said second driven members when said operating member is in said intermediate position thereof.

8. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; a hollow tubular drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being formed at-one part thereof with a bore passing therethrough and at another part thereof with a recess extending inwardly from the outer surface thereof; a first, cylindrical driven member slidably located within said drive shaft and being formed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member with respectto each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about andrslidably engaging said drive shaft, said second driven member covering" said'recess-of said drive shaft and terminating short of said bore of said drive shaft, and said second'driven member being formed with a bore passing therethrough and being located opposite and communicating with said recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball member loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for movement into and out of said recess of said drive shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first and second inner surface portions having a total length in the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member; moving means operatively connected to said operating member for moving the same to a first position where said first inner surface portion thereof is located over said bore of said drive shaft and a second position Where said second inner surface portion thereof is located over said bore of said second driven member, whereby said first driven member is driven by said drive shaft when said operating member is in said first position thereof and said second driven member is driven by said drive shaft and said operating member is in said second position thereof; and releasable lock means operatively connected to said moving means for releasably holding the same both in the position where said operating member is located in said first position thereof and in the position where said operating member is located in said second position thereof.

9. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines from the outer surface thereof; a first, cylindrical driven member slidably located within said drive shaft and being formed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about and slidably engaging said drive shaft, said second driven member covering said recess of said drive shaft and terminating short of said bore of said drive shaft, and said second driven member being formed with a bore passing therethrough and being located opposite and communicating with said recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball mem ber loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for movement into and out of said recess of said drive shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of adiameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first and second inner surface portions having a total. length in the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member, said operating member being formed with an annular groove extending about the same and the outer surface thereof; a ring member slidably located in said annular groove; fork means turnably mounted on said support means for turning movement about a second axis normal to the axis of said drive shaft and being operatively connected to said ring member for moving the latter and said operating member therewith in one direction along said drive shaft to a first position, where said first inner portion of said operating member is located over said bore of said drive shaft to transmit the drive from the latter to said first driven member, and in an opposite direction along said drive shaft to a second position, where said second inner portion of said operating member is located over said bore of said second driven member to connect the latter to said drive shaft for rotation therewith; first spring means operatively connected to said operating member for locating the same at an intermediate position, between said first and second positions, where said operating member uncovers both said bore of said drive shaft and said bore of said second driven member; a control member fixed to one side of said fork means for turning movement therewith and having a free edge portion provided with an end face and opposite side faces extending from said end face; a lock member having a free end portion located opposite and facing said free edge portion of said control member, said lock member being turnably mounted intermediate its ends on said support means for movement at said free end portion thereof toward and away from said control member; and second spring means connected to said lock member for urging said free end portion thereof toward said operating member, said free end portion of said lock member engaging said end face of said control member when said operating member is in said intermediate position thereof, engaging one of said side faces of said control member when said operating member is in one of said first and second positions thereof, and engaging the other of said side faces of said control member when said operating member is in the other of said first and second positions thereof, so that said lock member releasably holds said operating member in said first, second, or intermediate position thereof.

10. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; a hollow tubular drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being formed at one part thereof with a bore passing therethrough and at another part thereof with a recess extending inwardly from the outer surface thereof; a first, cylindrical driven member slidably located within said drive shaft and being formed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about and slidably engaging said drive shaft, said second driven member covering said recess of said drive shaft and terminating short of said bore of said drive shaft, and said second driven member being formed with a bore passing therethrough and being located opposite and communicating with said I recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball mem ber loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for movement into and out of said recess of said drive shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first and second inner surface portions having a total length in the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member, said operating member, said free end portion of said lock extending about the same and the outer surface thereof; a ring member slidably located in said annular groove; fork means turnably mounted on said support means for turning movement about a second axis normal to the axis of said drive shaft and being operatively connected to said ring member for moving the latter and said operating member therewith in one direction along said drive shaft to a first position, where said first inner portion of said operating member is located over said bore of said drive shaft to transmit the drive from the latter to said first driven member, and in an opposite direction along said drive shaft to a second position, where said second inner portion of saidoperating member is located over said bore of said second driven member to connect the latter to said drive shaft for rotation therewith; first spring means operatively connected to said operating member for locating the same at an intermediate position, between said first and second positions, where said operating member uncovers both said bore of said drive shaft and said bore of said second driven member; a control member fixed to one side of said fork means for turning movement therewith and having a free edge portion provided with an end face and opposite side faces extending from said end face; a lock member having a free end portion located opposite and facing said free edge portion of said control member, said lock member being turnably mounted intermediate its ends on said support means for movement at said free end portion thereof toward and away from said control member; second spring means connected to said lock member for urging said free end portion thereof toward said operating member, said free end portion of said lock member engaging said end face of said control member when said operating member is in said intermediate position thereof, engaging one of said side faces of said control member when said operating member is in one of said intermediate position thereof, engaging one of said side faces of said control member when said operating member is-in one of said first and second positions thereof, and engaging the other of said side faces of said control member when said operating member is in the other of said first and second positions thereof, so that said lock member releasably holds said operating member in said first, second, or intermediate position thereof; and a hand lever turnably mounted intermediate its ends on said one side of said fork means for move ment about a third axis transverse to said second axis, and having a free end portion located opposite and next to said free end portion of said lock member to engage and move the latter, upon turning of said hand lever about said third axis, against the action of said second spring means away from said control member, so that said hand lever may be turned about said third axis to release said operating member and may be turned with said fork means about said second axis to change the position of said operating member.

11. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; a hollow tubular drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being formed at one part thereof with a bore passing therethrough and at another part thereof with a recess extending inwardly fr0m':the outer surface 'thereof; a first, cylindrical driven member slidably locatedwithin said drive shaft and beingiformed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about and slidably engaging said drive shaft, said second driven membercovering said recess of said drive shaft and terminating short of said bore of saiddrive shaft, and said second driven member being formed with a bore passing therethrough: and being located opposite and communicating with said recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive-shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely-located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member'so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball member loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for movement into andout of said recess of said drive shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first'inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of'a diameter substantiallyt equal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first and second inner surface portions having a total length in the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member, said operating member being formedwith an annular groove-extending about the same and the outer surface thereof; a ring member slidably located in said annular groove; linkage means operatively connected to said ring member for moving the same and saidoperating member therewith along said axis of said drive shaft to change the position of said operatingmember; and cam means operatively connected to said linkage'means fortautomatically actuating the same to move said ring member and operating member therewith.

12. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in'combination, support means; a hollow tubular drive shaft mounted for'rotation about its axis on said support means and being formed at one part thereof with a bore passing therethrough and at another part thereof with a recess extending inwardly from the outer surface thereof; a-first, cylindrical driven member slidably located Within said drive shaft and being formed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about and slidably engaging said drive shaft, said second driven member covering said recess of said drive shaft and terminating short of said bore of said drive shaft, and said second driven member beingformed with a bore passing therethrough and being located opposite and communicating with said recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball member loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for'movement into andout of said recess of said drive'shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer-diameterof'said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first-inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of a diameter'substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first :and second inner surface portions having a total length in-the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member, said operating member being formed with an annular groove extending about the same and the outer surface thereof; a ring member slidably located in said annular groove; linkage means operatively connected to said ring member for moving the same and said operating member therewith along said axis of said drive shaft in one direction to a first position, where said -first inner portion of said-operating member is located over said bore of said drive shaft to transmit the drive from the latter to said first driven member, and in an opposite direction to a second position,'where said second inner portion of said operating member is located over said bore of said second driven member to connect the latter to said drive shaft for rotation therewith; spring means operatively connected to said operating member for locating the same at an intermediate position, between said first and second positions, where said operating member uncovers both said bore of said drive shaft and said bore of said-second driven member; cam means operatively connected to said linkage means for automatically actuating the same to move said ring member and operating member therewith; and releasable lock means operatively connected to at least part of said linkage means for releasably holding the latter, and said ring member and operating member therewith, respectively in positions where said operating member is located in said first, second, and intermediate positions thereof.

13. Driving apparatus for circular knitting machines and the like, comprising, in combination, support means; a hollow tubular drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being formed at one part thereof with a bore passing therethrough and at another part thereof With a recess extending inwardly from the outer surface thereof; a first, cylindrical driven member slidably located within'said drive shaft and being formed with a recess located opposite and communicating with said bore of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and first driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a second, tubular driven member located about and slidably engaging said drive shaft, said second driven member covering said recess of said drive shaft and terminating short of said bore of said drive shaft, and said second driven member being formed with a bore passing therethrough and being located opposite and communicating with said recess of said drive shaft during a fraction of a revolution of said drive shaft and second driven member with respect to each other about said axis; a first ball member loosely located in said bore of said drive shaft for movement into and out of said recess of said first driven member so as to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and first driven member; a second ball member loosely located in said bore of said second driven member for movement into and out of said recess of said drive shaft to respectively connect and disconnect said drive shaft and second driven member; a tubular operating member having a first inner surface portion substantially equal in diameter to the outer diameter of said drive shaft and slidably engaging the same and having next to said first inner surface portion a second inner surface portion of a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second driven member and slidably engaging the same, said first and second inner surface portions having a total length in the direction of said axis which is less than the distance between said bores of said drive shaft and second driven member, said operating member being formed with an annular groove extending about the same and the outer surface thereof; a ring member slidably located in said annular groove; fork means turnably mounted on said support means for turning movement about a second axis normal to the axis of said drive shaft and being operatively connected to said ring member for moving the latter and said operating member therewith in one direction along said drive shaft to a first position, where said first inner portion of said operating member is located over said bore of said drive shaft to transmit the drive from the latter to said first driven member, and in an opposite direction along said drive shaft to a second position, where said second inner portion of said operating member is located over said bore of said second driven member to connect the latter to said drive shaft for rotation therewith; first spring means operatively connected to said operating member for locating the same at an intermediate position, between said first and second positions, where said operating member uncovers both said bore of said drive shaft and said bore of said second driven member; a control member fixed to one side of said fork means for turning movement therewith and having a free edge portion provided with an end face and opposite side faces extending from said end face; a lock member having a free end portion located opposite and facing said free edge portion of said control member, said lock member being turnably mounted intermediate its ends on said support means for movement at said free end portion thereof toward and away from said control member; second spring means connected to said lock member for urging said free end portion thereof toward said operating member, said free end portion of said lock member engaging said end face of said control member when said operating member is in said intermediate position thereof, engaging one of said side faces of said control member when said operating member is in one of said first and second positions thereof, and engaging the other of said side faces of said control member when said operating member is in the other of said first and second positions thereof, so that said lock member releasably holds said operating member in said first, second, or intermediate position thereof; a projection fixed to said lock member; and moving means mounted on said support means for engaging said projection and moving said lock member against the action of said second spring means away from said control member upon breakage of a yarn of the knitting machine, so that said first spring means may automatically locate said operating member in said intermediate position thereof upon breakage of a yarn of the knitting machine.

14. Driving apparatus as defined in claim 9, a pair of pins fixed to a side of said fork means opposite to said one side thereof and being respectively located on opposite sides of said second axis; a pair of elongated catch members mounted on said support means for movement in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of said drive shaft and each having a free end portion, said free end portions of said catch members respectively being located opposite said pair of pins to respectively engage the same and turn said fork means about said second axis upon movement of said catch means; third and fourth spring means operatively connected to said catch members for maintaining the same in a neutral position out of engagement with said pair of pins; a pair of elongated rod means slidably mounted on said support means for movement in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of said drive shaft and respectively having shoulder portions respectively engaging only said third and fourth spring means and being out of engagement with said catch members; first cam means operatively connected to said pair of rod means for respectively actuating the same at different times so as to respectively stress said third and fourth spring means to respectively move said catch members into engagement with said pins to bear against the latter with the force of said third or fourth spring means, respectively, said lock member holding said fork means against turning movement under the influence of said third or fourth spring means acting through said catch members, respectively; and second cam means operatively connected to said lock member for periodically turning the same against the action of said second spring means to release said fork means to the influence of said third or fourth spring means.

15. Driving apparatus as defined in claim 9, a pin fixed to said lock member; a pendulum means swingably mounted on said support means for swinging movement to a position closely adjacent to said pin; a cam disc operatively connected to said drive shaft for rotation therewith and periodically engaging said pendulum means to swing the same to said position adjacent said pin, said pendulum means moving back to said cam disc by gravity to be repeatedly actuated by said cam disc for swinging movement towards said pin; a motion transmitting member turnably mounted on said support means and having a free end portion adapted to be located between said pendulum means and pin for transmitting movement from said pendulum means to said pin so as to turn said lock member against the action of said second spring means to release said operating member to the action of said first spring means; third spring means operatively connected to said motion transmitting member for urging said free end portion thereof to the space between said pendulum means and pin; releasable holding means releasably holding said third spring means in a stressed condition ready to move said motion transmitting member to said space between said pendulum means and pin; and feeler means operatively connected to said holding means to move the same to a release position releasing said third spring means, said feeler means being adapted to be engaged and actuated by a broken yarn of the knitting machine.

No references cited.

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