US2839906A

US2839906A - Widening and narrowing means for circular knitting machines

Info

Publication number: US2839906A
Application number: US477977A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herman E Crawford
Original assignee: H E CRAWFORD CO Inc
Current assignee: H E CRAWFORD CO Inc
Priority date: 1954-12-28
Filing date: 1954-12-28
Publication date: 1958-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1975-06-24

Description

June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 HERMAN E. CRAWFO D.

INVENTOR June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 25! 233 HERMAN E. CRAWFORD 245 245 4 260 INVENTOiK.

I 0 BY June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 28. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 MANN mvw HERMAN E. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR.

June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 HERMAN E. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR- June 24, 1958 Filed Dec. 28. 1954 H. E. CRAWFORD WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR JSW CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 HERMAN E. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR.

June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 28. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 H7 I I 145 in, Ha

HERMAN E. CRAwFoRD,

I NVEN TOR Q June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 9,

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 v HERMAN E. CRAWFORD, INVENTOR.

2,839,906 FOR June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 28. 1954 HERMAN E. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR.

m mm 1 A L Km. m2 mm- Un wd S es, Patai 'o WIDENING AND NARROWINGMEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Herman E. Crawford, Kernersville, N. C., assignor to H. E. Crawford Company, Incorporated, Kernersville,

N. C., a corporation of North Carolina I Application December 28, 1954, Serial No. 477,977 23 Claims. (or. 66-48) the active-needle-decreasing mechanisms disclosed-in my copending application entitled Knitting Machine, Serial Number 192,935, filed October 30, 1950, now Patent No. 2,757,526, of which the present application is a continua-v tion-in-part.

In said copending application, the means for widening in the fabric includes two sets of widening picks each including a pair of coacting widening picks,'each of which lowers two needles upon each revolution of the needle cylinder during reciprocatory knitting and wherein narrowing picks are provided which have a capacity to move two needles to inoperative or elevated position before the needles approach the stitch cams. This results in the yarn knitted in a particular rectilinear area forming two additional wales in each succeeding course, in the knitting of Argyle fabrics.

The knitting machine disclosed in my copending application is provided with two narrowing picks each having means for varying the capacity thereof so they may pick up either one or two needles to move them out of action with each movement of the needle cylinder during reciprocation. thereof. The aforementioned knitting machine also has two sets of widening picks each including a'pair of co-acting widening picks, each of which lowers two needles upon each revolution of the needle cylinder during reciprocatory knitting. Widening pick feed cams are provided for selectively lowering needles to where the butts of the leading needles corresponding to the direction of rotation of the needle cylinder engage and are lowered by one of the sets of widening picks with rotation of the needle cylinder in one direction and, as said one set of widening picks are lowered by the needles, they cause the other of said sets of widening picks to move into operative position whereby,upon the next movementof the cylinder in the other direction, the other set of widening picks is positioned-so'as 'to engage the butts of and lowerv the then leading needlesdirected thereto. The other set of widening picksxalso operates to move. the first-named setof widening picks back into operating position and this continues through reciprocatory knitting. i

Because of the fact that the widening picks of each set are moved into operating position by the-other widening picks, it hasbeen negessary, heretofore; to1increase the number of needles in action with each revolu-.

ice

tion of the needle cylinder in which widening of the fabric is taking place during reciprocatory knitting with the result that each gusset, rectilinear area or triangular area formed from a particular yarn in knitting a stocking has had to be substantially symmetrical each siderof the longitudinal center or centermost wale inknitting any given area, at least insomuch as the widened portions oftsuch areas are concerned. I

It is an object of this invention to provide acircular knitting machine of the type having two spaced sets of widening picks each having two or more widening picks, with pattern controlled meansfor moving'the widening picks in either or both sets independently of eachiother into or out of operating position andto further provide means, under control of said pattern controlled means, for moving'at least onev of the widening picks in either or both sets into or out of operating position independent of all of the other widening picks. This greatly increases the patterning capabilities ofthe knitting machine, since the number of needles in action can be increased by one or more needles upon predeterminedly selected rotative movements of the needle cylinder during reciprocatory knitting so the gusset, triangular area or rectilinear area thus knitted may be widened at one side only-relative to a given Wale or it may be widened: a substantially greater number of needles from course to course at'one side thereof than it is at the other side thereof or it may be widened an equal number of needles at eachside of a given wale according to any desired preconceived pattern.

It is another object of this invention to provide individually controlled widening picks in a circular knitting machine in combination withvariable-capacity narrowing picks whereby narrowing of the fabric by one or more wales may take place with successive movements of the needle'cylinde'r in one direction and widening of the fabric by one or more wales may take place with 'intervening movements of the needle cylinder in the other direction during reciprocatory knitting. i i

It is another object of this invention to provide pattern controlled means for rendering the variable-capacity narrowing picks inoperative during reciprocatory knitting to enlarge the scope of patterns which may be knit and to provide better cooperation between the widening picks and the narrowing picks. 9

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a knitting machine of substantially the character shown in my said copending application and showing parts of the improved mechanism for controlling the position of the improved widening picks; I Y V Figure 2 is an enlarged view with parts broken away looking substantially'along line 22 at the left hand side ofthe central portion ofFig'ure l; l

. Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation looking at the right-hand side of Figure l substantially along line 3 3j Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, mostly in section, taken substantially along line 4-4 inFigure 3;

Figure Sis a greatly enlarged view of the left-hand central portion of Figure l; i i 'Figure 6 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along line 6-6 in Figure 5; Y

Figure 7 issan' enlarged fragmentary elevation, with parts broken away and partially in section, taken looking substantially along line 7-7 in Figure 6-and showing the pattern controlled means for engaging and controlling the position of the stemsof the said left-hand widenirig Figure'8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 88 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 in Figure. 7;

j Figure lll an enlarged fragmentary elevation, with parts broken away and in section, taken substantially along line 10 -10 in Figure 6'and showing the pattern controlled means for engaging and positioning the stems of the right h'and widening picks; g,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view looking substantially along line 1111 at the right hand side of Figure 10; "Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a'rea'r portion or the top auxiliary pattern'drurn taken'substantially along line 12-12 in Figure v Figure 13 is a view of the widening picks shown in Figure 7 with some of the parts indifferent positions;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 with some of the parts in different positions; i

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, showing a means to render one of the narrowing picks inactive, taken substantially along line 1515 in'Figure 6;

Figure 16 is a side elevation of a mens half hose showing one of the patterns which may be knit utilizing the improved widening and narrowing pick controls;

3 Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 showing another of the patterns which may be knit;

Figure 18 is adeveloped view of the patterned area of the'hose shown in Figure 16;

4 Figure 19 is a schematic view of the needle cams surrounding the needle cylinder as if looking from the inside of the needle cylinder;

Figure 20 ha view of the patterned area of the hose shown in Figure 17.

Brief synopsis of the machine As heretofore stated, the present invention is primarily concerned with the devices for increasing the number of needles in action during the widening of a fabric portion,

that is, means for individually controlling each of a plurality of widening picks. The principles of the present invention may be readily applied to many difierent types of circular knittingmachines. However, the utility of the present invention can be best expressed by application of the. principles ofthepresent invention to machines of. the character disclosed .in my copending application, Serial No. 1l8,964, filed. September 30, 1949 and entitled Knitting, Machine and Method of Knitting Hosiery and Other Fabrics, and the machine disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 192,935, filed October 30, 1950 and entitled Knitting Machine. Accordingly, thepresent invention, is shown in association with a machine of sub? stantially the character disclosed in my copending-applica tion,v Serial. No. 192,935 and, since this machine is fully illustrated. and described in the last-named copending 'ap.- plication, many of the parts shown in the. present drawings will not be described herein in, detail and only-the function of such parts will be hereinafter described sufficiently to define the manner in which they cooperate with the improved controls for the widening picks.

The machine to which the present invention is shown as being applied has many of the principles of knitting machines heretofore in use, many of the parts being adapted to the machine from a machine of the type made by Scott and Williams under their model No. B-5 and as shown in the patent to R. W. Scott, No.,1,l52,850 of September 7, 1915. g h

tflfig fiqb d umy copending application, Serial No. 192,935, the present machineemploys much ofthe conventional: type of driving and clutch mechanismsof said patent for shifting from rotaryto reciprocatory knitting vice versa and also employs the conventional type of cam shaft having the usual patternchain and main thereon for. controlling the clutch mechanism. Tho usual type of needle cylinder and latch needles which move in individual slots in the periphery of the needle cylinder are provided, the needle cylinder being driven, at times, to rotate and at other times to reciprocate.

The usual type of sinker head is employed having conventional sinkers therein which are controlled by conventional cams in a sinker cap associated therewith. A top or first auxiliary pattern drum, also termed a needle cam control pattern'drurn, is driven in a step-by-step manner and a clutch mechanism is provided on one end of the main drive shaft of the machine for shogging the needle cylinder at predetermined intervals. The yarn feeding, clamping and cutting means of the present machine may be identical to those disclosed in said copending application Serial No. 192,935 and the widening and narrowing picks associated with the present machine are similar to those disclosed in the last-named copending application.

The present invention resides in novel means for controlling the sets of widening picks so they may be brought into operationindividually, severally or in their entirety and wherein the widening picks cooperate with thenarrowing picks'in increasing the number of needles in action from course to course during widening in the fabric being knitted. As-a matter of fact, the improved controls for the widening picks enable such cooperative action between the widening picks and the variable capacity narrowing picks disclosed in said copending application Serial No. 192,935 to the extent that the number of needles brought into action with rotation of the needle cylinder in one direction may be increased by one or more needles while the number of needles in action may remain constant with movement of the needle cylinder in the other direction during reciprocatory knitting, or the number of needles. inaction with movement of the needle cylinder in either direction may be increased by one or more needles and decreased by one or more needles upon the next movementor revolution of the needle cylinder in the opposite direction. Figures 16, 17, 18 and 20 show two of many different types of variegated patterned areas which may be formed in a tubular knitted fabric or in mens hose by meansof the improved pattern controlled widening picks cooperating with the variable-capacity der 110 (Figures hand '11) in the usual manner, as disclosed in said. Patent No. 1,152,850 and in said copending applications.

The needle cylinder carries the usual type of independent Iver tically movable latch needles such as is indicated at N in Figures 11 and 19. Each of the needles N has a butt'lll' extending outwardly from the lower end' thereof. The latch needles N are of the conventional type'and-alternate ones of the needles preferably have 'conventiona'lsjacks J (Figures 11 and 19) disposed therebelow which are employed in raising alternate needlesfor taking elastic yarn in'the hooks thereof. The needles N cooperate with the usual sinkers in drawing stitches. Thesinkers, not shown, aremounted in a conventional sinkerhead 113 ('Fi-gu1'-es 1, 2 and 5) supported in the usual manner? on the upper end of the needle cylinde'r 1'10" and abovewhich alatch ring 114 is mounted. The needle cylinder 1'10 extendsthrough a conventional circular bed plate or cam plate 116 adjacent which an auxiliary bed plate 117 is disposed, the circular bed or cam plate 116 and auxiliary bed plate 117 being suitablysecured to the, upright members 103,103a of the frame lflflc i.

' The circular bed plate' 116 supports the various needle cams, the yarn feed fingers, the clamping and cutting mechanisms andthe post to which the latch ring 114 is secured, all in a manner substantially as shown in said copending application, Serial No. 192,935. A conventional sock horn 120 is also mounted for vertical sliding movement in the circular bed plate 116, the sock horn 120 being raised and lowered in a conventional manner for elfecting the desired amount of tension, or length of stitches, in the fabric being knitted.

- 'A plurality of 'yarns generally designated at Y are drawn from a suitable source, pass through suitable

respective tensioning devices

121, 122 and, thence, downwardly through individual yarn holding and clamping fingers (Figures 1 and each of which is designated at 123.' The yarn holding and clamping fingers 123 may be of the type disclosed in said last-named copending application and are individually pattern controfled for directing the yarns Y, one at a time, through an opening 124 (Figure 19) formed in the side of the latch ring 114 for selectively directing the yarns to the needles N.

The lower portion of the needle cylinder 100 is surrounded by a plurality of stationary and movable needle and jack raismg and lowering cams which are shown in Figure 19 as being arranged in substantially the same manner as disclosed in said last-named copending application.

Needle and jack raising and lowering cams Only a general description will'be given of the needle and jack raising and lowering cams and many of the details thereof, as to how the cams are supported and operated, will be omitted, since all of the needle and jack lowering and raising cams and the stitch cams may be mounted and controlled in identically the manner in said last-named copending application. Referring to Figure 19, the inner or operating ends of the needle and jack controlling cams are shown, as though looking outwardly from the center of the needle cylinder, the set of stitch cams being disposed adjacent the rear of the needle cylinder as shown in Figure 6.

A conventional cam cylinder or ring 130, of substantially greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the needle cylinder 110, surrounds the needle cylinder 110 and has a jack guiding ring 131 fixed to the inner surface thereof whose lower edge is spaced upwardly from the lower edge of the cam cylinder 130 so as to provide a slot through which the butts of the needle jacks I may pass. The jack guide ring 131 is cut away at one side thereof and has a conventional jack lowering cam 134 and a needle guide cam 135 mounted in the space defined by the cut-away portion of the jack guide ring 131. The lower proximal portions of

cams

134, 135 are cut away to form an inverted V-shaped opening in which an advancing jack cam 136 is disposed for raising the needle jacks J, alternate needles having a conventional needle jack I disposed in the'same vertical plane for raising them so they may take the elastic yarn R (Figures 1 and 5) fed thereto by an elastic yarn feed finger 137, during the knitting of the elastic top of a stocking. The elastic yarn feed finger 137 may be controlled in identically the manner disclosed in said lastnamed copending application and a further description thereof is thus deemed unnecessary.'

A segmental needle support race 140 is mounted atop the jack guide ring 131 and terminates at one end thereof in engagement with the cam 135. Conventional hardened cams 141, 142 are disposed at a point at the rear of the knitting machine, which, together, form a V-shaped opening from which sloping

respective surfaces

143, 144 of hardened cams 141, 142 lead in opposite directions to return the butts of any needles, which may be passed into said opening'during the knitting operation, to a mean horizontal plane.

A set of stitch cams defininga knitting s'tation'is dis posed in the V-shaped opening defined by surfaces 143 144, said knitting station or set of stitch camsbeing disposed below the yarn feed opening 124 in the latch ring 114. The stitch cams include bottom and

top center cams

145, 146 and left-hand and right-

hand stitch cams

147, 148. r

Although conventional narrowing picks may be employed in the present instance, the elfectiveness of the improved controls for the widening picks, to be later described, is best realized by utilization of variable-capacity narrowing picks of the type disclosed in said last-named copending application Serial No. 192,935. Accordingly, variable-capacity narrowing picks of this type are shown in Figures 6 and 19, the left-hand narrowing pick being broadly designated at 150 and the right-hand widening pick being broadly designated at 151. The narrowing picks 150, 151 will be later described in detail.

Reading from rightto left in Figure 19, the needle cams include upper and lower stationary needle leveling cams 152, 153 which are provided to insure that needles Will be directed to respective right-hand and left-hand widening pick feed cams 154', 155 at the properelevation. The widening

pick feed cams

154, 155 are shiftable'ra dially inwardly and outwardly relative to the needle cylinder according to a predetermined pattern. As the needles N move from right to left in Figure 19, those needles whose butts 111 are disposed on a level between the leveling cams 152, 153 are lowered by the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 when it is in operative posi-' tion and those needles which are disposed on said mean horizontal plane, that is, below the, level of the lower leveling cam 153,are elevated by a first elevating'switch cam 156 when the latter cam is in operative position, 'de; pending upon the lengthsof the butts 111 on the corre} sponding needles N. 1

Referring to the left-hand portion of Figure 19, as the needles move from left to right, any needles whose butts 111 are disposed'on a level between the leveling cams 152, 153 may be lowered by the left-hand widening pick feed cam 155 and any needles whose butts are disposed on said mean horizontal level may be elevated by; a second needle elevating switch cam 157 when the latter is in operaitve position and depending upon the length of the butts of the corresponding needles; At times when the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 is in operative position and during counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder, this will direct the butts of certain of the needles downwardly to a set or pair of first and second right hand widening picks 163, 164, respectively.

Upon the left-hand widening pick feed cam 155 being moved to operative position and during clockwise movement of the needle cylinder, cam 155 will direct the butts of certain needles downwardly to engage a set or pair of first and second left-hand widening picks 165, 166, respectively. The right-hand and left-hand widening picks each have a capacity for engaging and lowering two needles when the widening picks are positioned for reception of the butts of the leading needles directed downwardly by the respective widening

pick feed cams

154, 155. The Widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive,-are constructed and supported in substantially the same manner as the widening picks shown in said last-named copending application, as will be later described. However, novel means peculiar to thepre'sent invention are provided for positioning the widening picks 163 tov 166, inclusive, in operative or needle-butt. receivingposition either individually or in their entirety, this being one of the important features of the present invention. The mounting and controls for the widening picks will be later described.

Disposed to the left of and below the level of the right-hand widening picks 163, 164 in Figure 19 is a first needle lowering switch cam which is normally disposed out of the path of travel of the butts of all the needlestin'the needlecirclebut'is adapted to 'engagethe butts ofalternatev needles, which are directed thereto by the corresponding, jacks J 1 in knitting the elastic top of a stockingwherebythe butts of all the needles are in lowered, position sothey engage and ride up the righthand hardened cam 142 to direct the butts of the needles through the stitch cams. Spaced above the right-hand hardened cam 142 and to the right of the right-hand stitch cam 148 is a third elevating switch cam 171 above which a portion of a second lowering switch cam 172 is disposed.

Disposed to the left and above the stitch cam 147 is an auxiliary needle leveling cam 173, this being a stationary cam. All of the cams described and shown in Figure 19 may be mounted in identically the same manner as that disclosed in said last-named copending application and, therefore, only so much of certain of these cams will be described in detail as is necessary to a clear understanding of the present invention. 7 It might be stated that the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 is controlled as to radial inward and outward movement relative to the needle cylinder by suitable cams on a lower auxiliary pattern drum 175; the first elevating switch cam 156 (Figure 19) is controlled by the lower auxiliary pattern drum 1 75 and by suitable cams on a top auxiliary pattern drum 176 (Figures 1, 2 and 5); the second elevating switch cam 157 (Figures 6 and 19) is controlled by suitable cams on the top auxiliary pattern drum176; the first needle lowering cam 170 is controlled by suitable cams onthe lower' auxiliary pattern drum 175; and the third elevating switch cam 171 andthe secin identically the same manner as that disclosed in said last-named copending application and, therefore, the in tervening connections between the

needle control cams

156, 157, 170, 171, 172 and the corresponding auxiliary pattern drums will'not, be described. The top and lower auxiliary pattern drums 176, 175 are also mounted and are pattern controlled for intermittent rotation in identically the manner, disclosed in said last-named copending application and a further description of these pattern drums is also deemed unnecessary.

In order that the advantages of the improved controls for the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, may be fully realized, the present machine is equipped with means for shogging the needle cylinder, whichmeans is broadly designated at 200 in Figure 2. The shogging means 200 in the present application is identical to the shogging means disclosed in said last-named'copendingapplication Serial No. 192,935 and the butts of the needles in the needle circle may also be arranged in substantially the same manner as thatdescribed in said last-named copending application. Since the shogging means 200 is fully disclosed in said last-named copending application, only a brief description thereof will now be given.

Theshogging' means 200 generally comprises a shogging"disk,201 which is fixed on the end of the shaft 108 onwhich the cylinder-driving gear 107 is loosely mounted and which shogging disk 201 carries a pivoted latch or locking finger 202 (Figure 2) adapted to selectively engage, one at a time, a plurality of notches 11 formed in' the periphery of a locking disk 203 fixed on the outer surface of the cylinder-driving gear 107. The position of the locking finger or latch 202 is determined by a pattern controlled shogging crank arm 204 pivoted on .a vertical shaft 205 (Figures 2 and 5) depending from the circular bed plate 116.

It'is thus seen that, when the latch or locking finger 202 ,is in engagement withany one of the notches n in the locking disk-203, rotational movement of the shaft 108 is transmitted to the cylinder-driving gear 107 to, in turn, impart corresponding movement to. the needle cylinder'110. "Thus, the means for shogging the needle cylincauses acer'taiu group, representing a portion of the,

, "i needlesinithe needlecircle, to. move equidistant past the knitting station in knitting a first portion of a stocking during, reciprocatory'knitting, for example, When theneedle cylinderisshogged, thepattern controlled arm 204 releases the latch'or locking finger 202 from engagement with its corresponding notch n in the locking disk 203so the shaft 108 then causes the shogging disk 201 to rotate relative to the gear 107. The shogging operation is furthercarried out by the arm 204 subsequently causing the latch or locking finger 202 to move into another notch 1 in the periphery of the locking disk 203 whereupon movement is again imparted to the needle cylinder 110.

The shogging of the needle cylinder causes either a group of needles opposite the first-named group to move equidistant past the knitting station during reciprocatory knitting or to cause, another group of needles, including some or the needles in the first group along with additional needles from the second group, to move equidistant past the knitting station in order to, produce triangular or rectilinear areas in knitted fabric wherein the junctures of adjacent areas, generally referred to as the suture, may extend at an angle relative to the wales and courses being knitted. v t

V urz'able-capacit y' narrowing picks As heretofore stated, the narrowing picks 150, 151 are preferablytof the type disclosed in said last-named co pending application; .Due to the fact that each of the four widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, when in operative position, engages the butts of two needles, depending upon the direction of rotation of the needle cylinder. Now, at times, it is necessary that a single needle be picked up by one of the narrowing picks during each movement of the needle cylinder in either direction and, at other times, it is necessary that one or both of the narrowing picks 150, 151 pickup two needles during movement oftthe needle cylinder in either direction and, at still other times, it is necessary that neither of the narrowing picks 150, 151 picks up any needles during each movement of theneedle cylinder in either direction.

Since the means for varying the capacity of the narrowing picks 150,-151 shown in the present drawings is identical to that described in said last-named copending application, onlya sufficient description thereof will be given to provide a clear understanding of the present invention. A more detailed description will be later given of the means for moving the narrowing picks to inoperative position so they will not raise any needles. The capacity of the narrowing picks 150, 151 is varied so these picks may pick up either one or two needles by means under control of a conventional main pattern drum 210 (Figure 2) and, at certain times, the right-hand narrowing pick 151 is elevated to inoperative position to thus move the pick to operative position by means under control of suitable cams on the top auxiliary pattern drum 176, although the right-handnarrowing pick 151 may not have been moved to inoperative position by any of the butts of 'thc needles moving from right to left in Figure 19 having engaged the same.

For example, during the shogging operations of the needle cylinder, all the needles in the needle circle assume an elevated position so the butts thereof pass above the stitch cams and, upon going into the knitting of a rectilinear area following'a shogging operation, two needles are moved downwardly to passthrough the stitch cams as the needle cylinder moves in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 6. It is apparent that, upon these two needles being moved downwardly, if the right-hand narrowing pick 151' is then in operative position, these two needles would engage and be elevated to inoperative pdsition by the right-hand narrowing pick 151. It is essential that these two first needles remain ina lowered position and pass through the stitch cams and, therefore, the righthand narrowing pick 151 is elevated to inoperative posiiion by suitable cafns on the top auxiliary pattern drum or first needle cam control pattern drum 176.

Generally, the narrowing picks 150,151are each universally mounted on a base 211 suitably secured to the rear portion of the circular bed plate 116 (Figures 6 and 15). 7 Each narrowing

pick

150, 151 is provided with a notch 212 in the inner free end or working end thereof,

this notch being open at the inner edge of the correspondingnarrowing pick. The width of each notch 212 is such as to engage two needle butts projecting from the needle cylinder and to then swing upwardly with moveinent of the needle cylinder 110 by virtue of corresponding lifting cams 213 supported on respective brackets 215 and engaging the lower surfaces of the corresponding narrowing picks 150, 151 adjacent the working ends thereof. The brackets 215 also support the right-hand and left-

hand stitch cams

148, 147.

The medial portions of the narrowing picks 150, 151

outwardly of the points at which they are pivotally mounted on the bases 211, have opposite ends of a composite or extensiblelink 214 pivotally connected thereto, which link 214 is pattern controlled as to its effective length. and-pin connection between opposite ends of the composite link 214 and the corresponding narrowing picks 150,151 and, as is clearly disclosed in said last-named copending application, the pattern controlled means for varying the length of the composite link 214 varies the distance between the remote walls of the slots in opposite ends of the composite link 214. The purpose of the compositelink' 214 is to control the length of the arc of movement of the working ends of the narrowing picks 150, 151.

, For example, when each of the narrowing picks 150, 151 is conditioned for receiving the butts of two needles, they are swung by the needle butts during each movement of the needle cylinder in each direction a predetermined distance until the butts pass thereby. On the other hand, when the narrowing picks 150, 151 are conditioned for receiving the butt of but a single needle, it is obvious that the narrowing

pick

150 or 151, as the case may be, would move toward the other of the narrowing picks a greater distance when elevated by the butt of a single needle than would be the case when they are engaged by the butts of two needles. Thus, the length of the composite link 214 is relatively greater when narrowing one needle with each movement of the needle cylinder in each direction than it is when narrowing two needles with each movement of the needle cylinder in each direction.

Now, in order to vary the capacity of each of the narrowing picks 150, 151, each narrowing

pick

150, 151 is provided with a pattern controlled pick restrictor 216 (Figures 6 and 15) which is controlled by'intervening connections between each narrowing

pick

150, 151 and the main pattern drum 210, said intervening connections not being shown in the present drawings but being clearly shown in said last-named copending application. Thus, when oneneedle is to be elevated by either of the narrowing picks 150, 151, the corresponding restrictor 216,

It'will be noted in Figure 6 that there is a slotwhich is in the form of an elongated bar, moves inwardly I toward the needle cylinder 110 and reduces the size of the corresponding notch 212 to thereby limit the capacity of the corresponding narrowing pick so that only a single needle can be picked up by the corresponding narrowing pick.

On the other hand, when called for by the pattern mechanisms, the pick restrictors 216 are individually moved radially'outwardly relative to the needle cylinder 110 to thereby increase the size of the corresponding notches 212 in the narrowing picks 150, 151 so that they are then in condition for each receiving the butts of two needles for raising the same to pass above the stitch cams with corresponding movement of the needle cylinder 110.

In order to control the position of the right-hand nar- 10 rowingfpick 151 when it is necessary that the right-handnarrowing pick' 151 be elevatedto inoperative position,

although it may not have been moved to inoperative position by any of the butts of the needles moving from right to left in Figure 19, the same intervening connections are provided between the auxiliary pattern drum 176 and the right-hand widening pick 151 as are disclosed in said lastnamed copending application, said intervening connections including a clip 220 carried by the right-hand narrowing The forward portion of the narrowing pick control fin ger 222 is normally biased against the periphery of the top auxiliary or first needle cam control pattern drum 176 and is adapted to be successively engaged by suitable circularly spaced cams, not shown, on the drum 176, as is clearly illustrated and described in said last-named co pending application. The present invention also includes a novel left-hand narrowing pick lifter lever 223 (Figures 6 and 15) which is provided to render the narrowing picks 150, 151 inoperative at certain times. One end of the lever 223 has a foot portion integral therewith which engages the lower surface of the left-hand narrowing pick and will, at times, raise the pick 150 to a position above the level of the left-hand stitch cam 147 so that any needles N which are raised by the stitch cam 147 will pass therebeneath. The pick 150 is raised high enough for the butts 111 on the needles N to pass therebeneath, but is not raised high enough to engage the butts 111 on'the needles N which pass above the cam 173 (Figure 19). An adjustable stop in the form of a screw 2230 is positioned beneath the lever 223 (Figure 15 and is engaged by said lever upon the inner end of the lever 223 raising the left-hand narrowing pick to inoperative position. The lower endof the screw 223a is shown threadably em bedded in the foot portion of the bracket 225 on which the lever 223 is oscillatably mounted (Figure 15).

Heretofore, during a widening operation, in order to widen two needles in each course during reciprocatory knitting it has been necessary to lower two needles with each widening pick, into knitting position, and raise two of the lowered needles with the corresponding narrowing pick so that only two additional needles would pass through the stitch cams with each movement of the needle cylinder. .Now, in order to increase the number of needles knitting in each course "by two it is only necessary to lower two needles with one of the widening picks at each side of the machine and raise the left-hand narrowing: pick 150 to inoperative position so that the two lowered needles pass through the stitch cams. This simplified method of widening greatly decreases the possibility of accidentally lowering needles as well as reducing the. number of working parts during widening, since only one widening pick at each side of the needle cylinder has to work during each'movernent of the needle cylinder. to increase the length of each course by two additional needle wales. v

The lever 223 is oscillatably secured intermediate its ends, as at 224 (Figures 6 and 15), on .a standard 225, the lower end of which is fixed on the bed plate- 116. The outer end of the lever 223 has one end of a Bowden wire 226 secured thereto, as at 226a, the casing of which is secured to the bed plate 116 by a suitable clamp'226b (Figure 15). The opposite end of the Bowden wire 226 issecured to an outwardly extending arm 227, as at 227a (Figure 12), fixed on a lever 228.

The lever 228 is oscillatably mounted on the upper end of .a post 228a, the lower end of which is fixed on the plate 117 and the reading end of the'lever 228 is resili ently' urged against the periphery of the drum 176 by a 11 tensionspring- 228b, at times, and at other times is urged against camsf229 fixed on the drum 176 and spaced therearound according to the desired pattern. 7 One end of the spring 228b is fixed on the lever 228 and the other end thereof is fixed to a spring perch 2280 fixed to the plate Improved controls for widening picks As disclosed in said coperiding application Serial No; 192,935, in addition to the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 being individually controlled by the lower auxil- As disclosed in said last-named copending application,

the top auxiliary pattern drum or first needle cam control pattern drum 176. is intermittently rotated in a step-bystep manner by a ratchet mechanism controlled by a continuously driven rotary cam drum stepping cylinder 231 (Figures 1, 3 and 4), this stepping cylinder 231 being journaled on a shaft 232 which is, in part, supported by a bracket 233 fixed to a rearwardly projecting portion 234 (Figure 3) of the auxiliary bed plate 117. Since the intervening connections between the top auxiliary pattern drum 176 and stepping cylinder 231 for driving the drum 176 in a step-by-step manner are clearly shown and described in the said last-named copending application, a detailed illustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary. As a matter of fact, the stepping cylinder 231 is only described in the present application because it is instrumental in controlling the movement of the widening pick feed cams 154, 155 'during widening operations. j

As is the case in said lastnamed copending application, the outer portions of the stems of the right-hand and lefthand widening pick feed cams 154,155 each have a protuberance 236 thereon which is in the 'form of an angle clip (Figure 6). The angle clips 236 are each adapted to be resiliently engaged by one of a pair of substantially L-shaped dogs 237 oscillatably mounted on opposite ends of a substantially V-shaped feed cam actuating arm 238. The inner ends of the L-shaped dogs 237 are normally urged inwardly by respective tension springs 239. The central-portion of the V-shaperl cam actuating arm 233 is fixedon the upper end of a post 240 journaled in a bracket 241 suitably secured to the front surface of ,the circular bed plate 116 (Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6). I

The post 240 loosely penetrates the bracket 241, is suitably restrained from vertical movement therein'and has one end of a crank arm 242 fixed thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. One end of a link 243 is pivotally connected to the rear end of arm 242. Link 243 extends to the right in Figures 1 and 5 and is pivotally connected, as at 244 (Figures 1 and 3),,to the front end of a lever 245. The lever 245 is pivotally supported intermediate its endson a stud orpost .246 suitably secured to and extending upwardly from the auxiliary bed plate 117 (Figure 3). g It will be observed in Figures 1 and 3 that lever 245. extends rearwardly and has an outwardly and downwardly projecting portion 250 on its rear end (Figures l and 4) on which one end of a pivoted follower support.251 is pivotally mounted, as at 252. It will be observed 'in; Figure 4 that the pivoted follower support 251 projects into the hollow stepping cylinder 231 and hasan upwardly projecting follower 253 thereon which is adapted to, at times, engage the inneredges ofja pa'irpf circularly spaced cams 254 suitably secured to the inner surface of the stepping cylinder 231. It will be observed in Figures 3 and 4 that the medial portion'of the follower support 251 rests upon and is controlled by a lever 256 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the bracket 233 heretofore described. The rear end of lever 256 has one end of a Bowden wire 257 connected thereto, the upperend of the housing of which is clampingly or otherwise secured to the rear end of an arm 260 whose front end is suitably secured to the outer surface of bracket 233. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the Bowden wire 257 extends downwardly from lever 2S6, beneath the, base plate 101 and then upwardly on the other side thereof where the housing of Bowden wire 257 is clampingly or otherwise secured, as at 262, to a bracket 263 (Figure 2) carried by the frame 100. The Bowden wire 257 then extends upwardly and out of its housing where it is pivotally connected to the outer end of a cam follower lever 2.6.4. The cam follower lever-264 extends rearwardly and is pivoted on a rod 265 projecting from the uprising frame member 103a and the other end of the lever 264 is alternately engaged :by the periphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum. 175 and suitable circularly spaced cams 265a thereon (Figure 2). a

The reading end of the cam follower lever 264 is resiliently urged toward the lower auxiliary pattern .drum

175 .by a spring 266 one end of which is secured to the lever 264 and the other endof which is fixed .to the bed plate 116 (Figure 2). His thus seen that, when the reading end of the follower lever 264 is in engagement with the periphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum 175, the follower support 251 (Figure 4). occupies substantially horizontal or operative position so the irregular inner edges of the cams 254 will impart reciprocatory movement to follower 253 inwardly and outwardly V as they move in engagement with the cam follower 253. In so doing, theintervening linkage between the follower support 251 and the post 240 (Figures 1 and S) imparts rocking movement to the feed cam actuating arm 238 to thereby impart corresponding inward and outward movement to the widening pick feed cams 154, (Figures 6 and 11). It is apparent that, when ,a cam 265a engages follower lever 264, lever 256 is moved counterclockwise in Figure 3 to permit follower 253 to move, downwardly, by gravity (Figured), out of engagement with cams 254.

Now, in said last-named copending application, either set of widening picks was moved into operative position by movementof the other set of widening picks into inoperative position as effected by said other set or at least one of the widening picks in said other set being engaged and lowered by engagement with the butts of corresponding needles as the needle cylinder rotated in the corresponding direction. However, in the present mstance, each set of widening picks is moved inwardly, and, at times, into operative position, through oscillation of the feed cam actuating arm 2-38, as imparted thereto by the means heretofore described.

To this end, the feed cam ,actuating arm 238 has the front ends of a pair of rearwardly diverging widening p1

ck activating arms

270, 270 fixed thereto whose hooked free rear endsalternately engage respective abutments 2 71, 271' which are in the form of the vertical legs of angle clips in Figures 6, 7, 8, l0 and 11. The substantially horizontal legs'of the angle clips 27 1, 271 extend outwardly and are fixed to the upper bifurcated ends of respective vertically disposed shafts 272, 272' which serve as parts of universal mountings for the respective inner right-hand and left-hand widening picks 163, 1 65.

Since both the right-hand and left-hand sets of widenmg picks 163, 164 and 165, 166 are mounted and controlled .in an identical manner, except being opposite hand, onlya detailed description will be givenas to the manner in which the set of right-hand widening picks left-hand widening picks .165, 166.,

n will be observed in Figures ,6, and 111 that the shank. or medial portion ofj'the' widening pick. 164 is oscillatably mounted for movement about a'substantially horizontal axis in the slottedor bifurcated upper end of the vertically. disposed shaft 272 and the shank or.

medial portion of the outer right-hand widening pick 164 is mounted for pivotal movementabout a substantially horizontal axis in the bifurcated 'orjslotted upper .end of a substantially vertically disposedv shaft 273. Referring to Figure 11,,it will be, noted that each of the vertically disposed

shafts

272, 273 has areduced lower portion 274 oscillatably mounted'in' vertically'spaced outwardly projectingears 275, 276 integral with a block 277 suitably secured to the upper surface of the circular bed plate 116. i a l p a The universal mounting for each of the widening

picks

163, 164 also includes a'suitable spring anchor 280 projecting radially from the lower portion 274 of the corresponding vertically disposed shaft, between the projections or

ears

275, 276. The lower end of a tension spring 281 is connected to theispring. anchor 280, in each instance, and the upper end'of the spring 281 is conscrew serves'as an abutment for engaging the shank of the outer right-hand'widening pick 164. It is thus seen that, each time the feed cam actuating arm 238 moves in a clockwise direction in Figure 6 the pick activating arm 270 engages the angle clip 271to impart counterclock-' wise movement to the inner or first'right-hand widening pick 163 which will, in turn, impartcorresponding movement to the outer or second right-hand .widening pick l64- by meansof the adjustmentscrew 284 Movement of the inner or'first right-hand widening toward the forward and rearward axis of the knitting m'a chine cylinder 110. As a result, the widening picks could not be swung inwardly toward the center of the machine without being raised and thus moved into operative posi-- tion so they would necssarily lower the leading needles of any needles which had been positioned in the operating level thereof in the course of rotation of the needle cylin' der in the corresponding direction during reciprocatory knitting.

Although the last-named copending application shows means to render one of the widening picks of' one set inoperative, so that only two needles are lowered upon movement of the needle cylinder in the corresponding pick 163 in a counterclockwise direction is limited by engagement of the angle clip271 with an abutment 285 (Figures 6 and 10) which is also shown in the form of an'angle clip and may be secured to any stationary part of the machine. In this instance, the abutments, stops or angle clips 285, 285' are suitably secured to respective plates 286, 286' (Figures 10 and 7, respectively), which plates hold the stems of the widening

pick feed cams

155, 154 in sliding engagement with respective .blocks 287, 287', said blocks 287, 287' being suitably secured to the upper surface of the circular bed plate 116. It will be noted that the first and second elevating

switch cams

156 and 157 are also mounted for radial sliding movement in the respective blocks 287, 2871 As heretofore stated, the widening'pick feed cams-154, 155 and the first and second elevating

switch cams

156 and, 157 are supported for radialsliding movement in identically the manner disclosed in said last-named copending application and, therefore, adetailed description thereof will not be given. i The'parts associated'with the widening picks 163 to 166,'inclusive,- thus far described, with the exception of the ac'tivating'arms 270, 270' and the angle clips 271, 271' and 285, 285' are substantially the. same as corresponding parts described and illustrated in said last-named copending application; In said' last-named copending application, the outer portions of thershanks of the widening picks rests upon cam plates having inclined surfaces thereon which would automatically move the operating ends of the widening picks upwardly into operative position each time the widening picks were swung inwardly direction and wherein one of said two needles is subsequently raised to'pass above the stitch cams by the corresponding narrowing pick while widening in the heel and toe of a stocking, for example, this has automatically caused one of the widening picks in the otherset to also be inoperative so that a single additional needle has been brought into action with each movement of the needle cylinder in each direction. Accordingly, in utilizing the control means for the widening picks as disclosed in said last-named copending application, it has been necessary to lower either two or four needles and subsequently respectively raise either one or two needles with each movment of the needle cylinder in each direction during rciprocatory knitting whereby it has been necessary to increase the number of stitches drawn by the same amountupon movementof the needle cylinder in each clockwise direction as has been necessary with each movement of the needle cylinder .in counterclockwise direction. In

other words, the corresponding portions of the Argyle patches thus formed have been formed symmetrical each side of the longitudinal center thereof.

In order that the number of needles thrown into action with each movement ofthe needle cylinder in either direction may be increased by either one needle or two needles or the number of needles may remain constant from course to course, regardless of whether the number of needles thrown into action is increased by either one needle or' two needles or the number of needles remain constant withfsubsequent movement of the needle cylinder in the other direction, a novel pattern controlled selector means is provided for each of the sets of widening

picks

163, 164 and 165, 166 which will cause One or both of the widening picks in eitherset to either remain on a lowered or inoperative level or cause either one or both of the widening picks in either set to be raised from a lowered inoperative level to a raised operative level as the widening picks at opposite sides of the machine are alternately moved inwardly toward the center of the machine.

To this end, it will be observed in Figures 10, ll, 7, 8 and 9 that the outer portions of the respective sets of right-hand and left-hand widening picks 163, 164 and 165, 166 resiliently bear against the upper surfaces of righthand and left-hand widening pick cam plates 290, 290' whose upper edges are generally flat and extend in a substantially horizontal plane and have respective pairs of spaced projections or

abutments

291, 292 and 291', 292' thereon for limiting the inward movement of the corresponding sets of widening

picks

163, 164 and 165, 166 toward the longitudinal axis of the needle cylinder which will hereinafterbe termed as the longitudinal center of the machine. V a

7 It will be noted that the surfaces of the projections or

abutments

291, 292 and 291, 292 which are adapted to be engaged by theouter end portions of the shanks of the respective widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, define the outer walls of

respective notches

293, 294. The inclined inner walls of

notches

291, 292, 291, 292' serve as cam surfaces downwardly against which the outer portions, of the corresponding widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, move as they are' swung outwardly with respect to the longitudinal center of the machine by the corresponding anagram activatingarms 270,270, Thus, the operating or needle,

engaging ends of the widening picks are moved upwardly in, the course of such outward and'downward movement of the outer portions or shanks thereof to occupy operating-level positions. It is apparent that, when any of the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, are subsequently swung outwardly at their needle engaging ends relative to the center of the machine, the outer portions or tails thereof ride up the inclined cam surfaces formed by the notches 293 to 29 4, inclusive, so the movement of the butts of any needles thereagainst causesthe reading or needle engaging ends of the widening-picks to move downwardlyto lower the corresponding needles to where those needles whose butts are notsubsequently engaged by a corresponding narrowing pick and elevated thereby will pass through the stitch cams to form stitches therewith.

It will be observed in Figures 8, 9 and 11 that the right-hand and left-hand widening pick control guide cams or cam plates 290, 290- are'formed integral with respective guide blocks 295, 295' suitably secured to. the respective widening pick pivot shaftsupporting blocks 277, 277'. It will also be noted that the widening pick control cams 290, 290' define the inner walls of respective grooves 296, 296' formed in the upper edges of the guide blocks 295, 295'. The outer walls of the respective grooves 296, 296' are disposed on a substantially lower level than the upper edges ofthe respective widening

pick control cams

290, 290. Widening pick selector cams or guide restrictor plates 297, 297' are mounted for longitudinal movement in the respective grooves296y 296' and it will be noted that the upper edges of

selectorcams

297, 29 7 (Figures and 7, respectively) are disposed on substantially the same, level as the flat upper edges of the respective widening pick guide cam plates 2 90, 290. t y

The upper edges, of the selector cams or plates 297, 297' have respective notches 300, 300' in thecentral portions thereof which are of substantially the same configuration as and are adapted to, at times, register with the1respective notches 294, 294' in the upper edges of the, respective guide plates 290, 290'. The outer ends of the selector cams or plates 297, 297' have respective inclined cam surfaces 301, 301 thereon which are adapted to, at times, register with the inclined inner walls of the notches 293, 293' in the respective widening

pick cam plates

290, 290.

It will be noted that with partial movement of the selector cam 297, for example, from left to right in Figure 7 to the intermediate position shown in Figure ,13 the cam surface 301' registers with the inclined surface of the notch 293' and, with partial movement of the selector cam 297 from right to left in Figure 10, the cam surface 301 registers with the inclined surface of the notch 293. With the selector cams or plates 297, 297' occupying the latter positions, it is apparent that the inner ends of the first right-hand and left-hand widening picks 163, 165 will remain in lowered or inoperative position throughout oscillatory movement thereof as imparted thereto by the respective activating

arms

270, 270 in one direction and as is imparted to the outer or second right-hand and left-hand widening picks 16 4, 166 by the butts of any needles directed thereto with movement of the needle cylinder in the corresponding directions.

When the widening pick selector cams or plates 297, 297' occupy the positions shown in Figures 10 and .7, respectively, it is apparent that, with oscillation of the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, in either direction about their respective vertical axes, all of the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, will remain inactive. As matter of fact, immediately following the movement of either or both of the selector cams 297, 297' to the positions shown in Figures 10 and 7, respectively, as imparted thereto by the activating

arms

270, 270, the operating ends of both of the widening picks in each set will remain in an inward position relative to the longitudinal center responding movements ofthe needle cylinder, it is ap parent that the selector cams or plates 297, 297' are thenmoved inwardly to where the notches. 300, 300. register with the respective notches, 2:914, 294' to thereby open, both

thernotches

293, 294 qna zos', 294 in the respective-cam plates 290-, 2901 as shown .in Figure 14. Now,-

the position of the selector plates 297,297 is individually pattern controlled so, thefselector cam 297, for example, may occupy fully operative po s ition; with its notch 300, in; register with the notch 294 in the cam plate 290 and the selector earn 297 may still occupy the position shown inFigure7i i I i In other words, each of the selector cams or

plates N

297, 297 may be caused tooccupy any one of the three positions heretofore described and shown in Figures 7, 13 and 14 independently of the other of said selector plates according to a predetermined pattern. It will be observed in Figures 10 and 7 that the selector plates or cams 297, 297' are normally urged outwardly toward fully operative position, to, render the respective sets of widening P 3 164 and 165, impe a ve by mea respective tension springs 303, 3035 whose outer ends, with respect to the longitudinal center of themachine, are suitably anchored, as at 304, 304', to the respective guide blocks 295, 29 5 and whose innerv ends are suitably anchored to the selector plates 297, 297'.

In this instance, the inner end of the tension spring 303 is anchoredv to the outer end of a pivotshaft 305 (Figure 10) and the inner end of the tension spring 303' I is anchored to an abutment, pin or projection 305' (Figures 7, l3 and 14) projecting forwardly fromthe selector cam 297. The pivot pin or shaft 305 has one end of V a link 306 pivotally connected thereto and extending inwardly therefrom, toward the center of the machine, and whose inner end'is' pivotally connected to the, substantially vertical arm of a bell crank 3071 The bell crank 307 is oscillatably mounted, as at 310, on a bracket 311 suitably secured to a fi xed part of the machine, such as the cam block 287. I

The other, substantially horizontal, leg of the bell crank 307 has the upper end of a link' 312 pivotally connected thereto whose lower end is pivotally connected to the front end of one of the follower levers 177 (Figure 2) heretofore described. The latter follower lever 177 is urged upwardly against the periphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum or against the stepped surfaces of corresponding circularly spa ced cams 314, fixed to the periphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum 175, by means of the tension spring303 (Figure 10).

Referring to Figures 7, l3 and 14 it will be observed that the spring 303 urges the pin or abntrnent 305' against the upper portion ofa c ontrollever 307 oscillatably mounted, as at 310', on a fixed part of the machine, such as the base block 277'. The front end of a link 312' is pivotally connected to the lower end of thelever 307'. Link 312" curves rearwardly' (Figures 2 and6) and loosely penetrates the lower end oflthe substantially vertical arm of a bell crank 3 15 and has an abutment or collar 316 fixed on its rear end which is normally urged against said arm of the bell crank :315 by the spring 303 and an additional tension spring, 317. 9

One end of the tension spring 317 (Figure 2) is connected to the circular bed'plate 116 and its other end is connected to a collar 320 adjustably secured on the link 312. The springs 303, 317 also normally urge the substantially horizontal leg of the bell crank 315 against the upper surface of an off-set substantially horizontal portion 321 of a thrust rod 322 (FiguresZ and 6) guided 17 in an upper thrust rod guide 327, in which many of the other thrust rods, not described in the present application but clearly shown and described in said last-named co-pending application, are guided for vertical movement. The guide 327 is suitably supported by the circular bed plate 116.

The thrust rod 322 extends downwardly and is guided adjacent its lower end in a conventional lower thrust rod guide 329 (Figure 2) and its lower end either bears against the periphery of the main pattern drum 210 or it is engaged and elevated by the stepped surfaces of circularly spaced cams 330 (Figure 2) suitably secured to the periphery of the main cam drum 210.

It is thus seen that, when the cam follower arm 177 to which the link 312 is connected and the lower end of the thrust rod 322 are engaged by the lower auxiliary pattern drum 175 and the main pattern drum 210, respectively, which may be termed as the lowermost cam surfaces, the widening pick selector cams 297, 297' occupy the positions shown in Figures and 7, respectively, so the inner ends of all the widening picks remain below operating level and remain inoperative. When the cam follower arm 177 connected to link 312 and the thrust rod 322 are engaged by the intermediate cam surfaces on any one of the respective cams 314 and 330, it is apparent that the respective selector cams 297, 297' are moved inwardly, toward the longitudinal center of the machine, to intermediate positions to open the

outer notches

293, 293 so the inner ends of the corresponding outer widening picks or second widening picks 164, 166 will be elevated to operative position'each time they swing inwardly toward the center of the machine, as such movement is imparted thereto by outward movement of the correspondingrwidening pick activating arms 270, 270'.

On the other hand, the inner or first right-hand and left-hand widening picks 163, 165 will remain on an inoperating level each time they are moved inwardly toward the center of the machine in the manner described. Thus, -as the butts of needles are directed downwardly by the widening

pick feed cams

154, 155 with respective counterclockwise and clockwise movements of the needle cylinder in Figure 6, it is apparent that the leading tw'o needles will be engaged by the respective outer widening picks 164, 166 and lowered thereby. Of course, when only two needles are lowered bythe widening picks with movement of the'needle cylinderin one'direction or the other or both, the corresponding narrowing pick or picks 150, 151 may then be restricted by the corresponding restrictor bars 2167so they will only pick up one needle and move the same to inoperative position or the narrowing picks 150, 151 may both be moved to inoperative position, in the manner previously described so that they do not pick up either of the needles lowered by the widening

picks

164, 166.

It is apparent that, upon the follower arm 177, to which link 312 is connected, and the-thrust rod 322 being engaged by the high surfaces of any one of the corresponding cams 314 or 330, the corresponding selector cams or

plates

297, 297 will be moved inwardly to fully inoperative position as shown in Figure 14 to; thereby render both of the widening picks operative in the corresponding set. It is apparent that the stepped cams 314, '330 on the respective pattern drums 175, 210 and the surfaces thereon may be arranged in any desired order so the positions of the widening pick selector cams 297, 297' are independently controlled and the stepped cams 314 and 330 may also be divided between the lower and upper levels thereof to form separate low and high cams.

It is thus seen that the cams for controlling the capacity of the narrowing picks, the cams 229 for controlling operation of the narrowing picks and the cams 314, 330 for controlling the wideningpicksmay .be arranged so that one or two additional needles may pass through the stitch cams during a widening' operation with movement of the needle cylinder in one direction regardless of the 18 number of additional needles which pass through the stitch cams with intervening movements of the needle cylinder in the other direction.

Narrowing and widening variations The conditions of the narrowing picks'150,'151 and the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, for eifecti'ng different forms of widening and narrowing operations are itemized as follows:

I. This condition of the narrowing and widening picks is used when it is desired to knit a pattern area in which each succeeding course is shortened by one needle at one end thereof and is referred to as a narrowing operation.- In this instance, both of the right-hand widening picks 163, 164 and both of the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 are inactive and the narrowing pick restrictors 216 are both in their innermost or operative positions so that the narrowing picks 150, 151 each has a capacity for raising one needle to inoperative position during respective clockwise and counterclockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110. In order to move both the righthand and left-hand sets of widening picks to inactive posi tion, the widening

pick selector cams

297, 297 will be moved to the positions shown in Figures 10 and 7, re spectively. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder 110, the leading needle of the then active or lowered group of needles engages the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and is raised upwardly thereby to move said needle to inoperative position above the top center stitch cam 146 and to thus decrease the number of needles passing through the stitch cam by one with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder. Upon the intervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, the leading needle of the group of lowered of operative needles engages the left-hand narrowing pick 150 and is raised upwardly thereby above the top center stitch cam 146 to move said needle over the stitch cams and decrease the number of needles passing through the stitch cams by one needle with each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

II. This condition of the narrowing and widening picks is used when it is desired to knit a pattern area in which the length of each succeeding course is decreased by two stitches at one end thereof in a narrowing operation to form a symmetrically narrowed patch. In this instance, both of the right-hand widening picks 163, 164 and both of the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 are inactive and the narrowing pick restrictors 216 are both inoperative or in withdrawn position so that both of the narrowing picks 150, 151 have a capacity for raising two needles to inoperative position during respective clockwise and counterclockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110.

Both the right-hand and left-hand sets of widening picks are maintained on the inoperative level by the selector cams 297, 297' occupying the positions shown in Figures 10 and 7. 7

-,Thus,- with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder the leading two needles of the then active or lowered group of needles-engages the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and is raised upwardly thereby to raise the latter two needles to inoperative position above the top center stitch cam 146 and to decrease the number of needles passing through the stitch cam by two with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder. With intervening clockwise movementsof the needle cylinder 110 the leading two needles ofthe group of lowered or active needles engages the left-hand narrow,- ing pick and are raised upwardly thereby so they pass above the stitch cams and decrease the number of needles passing through the stitch cams by two needles with each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder. III. This condition of the narrowing and widening picks is .used when it is desired to knit a patternarea or patch in which each succeeding course is lengthened by one needle atoneend thereof to form a symmetrically 19 a v widenedpatch and is referred to as a widening operation. In"thisinstance,' the right-hand widening pick 164 and the left-hand widening pick 166 are active or in needle receiving position and the narrowing pick restrictors 216 are both in their innermost or operative position so that each ot the narrowing picks .150, 151 has a capacity for m'isingone needle to inoperative position during each corresponding movement of the needle cylinder 110. In order to condition the right-hand and left-hand widening picks 164,166 so they may be moved to active level by the pick activator arms 270, 270', the selector cams 297, 297' will both bemoved to the position in which selector cam 297 isshown in Figure 13.

Thus, with each'counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder 110 the leading needles of the then inactiveor raised group of needles will be engaged by the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 and lowered so the leadingtwo of'saidgroup of needles may engage the right-hand widening pick 164 to be lowered further thereby'so they may pass through the stitch cams. However,

leading needle of the then lowered needles engages the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and is raised upwardly thereby to pass above the top center stitch cam 146. The combined action of the widening pick 164'1owering two needles to operative position and the right-hand narrowing pick 151 raising one needle to inoperative position-results in the number of needles passing through the stitch cam with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder being increased by one.

*Upon'interventingclockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110,'-the leading needles of-the then: inoperative orraised needles are'loweredby 'the left-hand widening pickfeed-eam 155, the leading two of which are further lowered'by the left-hand widening pick 166. The leading needle of the lowered or operative needles is then engagedibythe left hand narrowing pick 150 and raised to'inoperative position to pass above-the top centerstitch cam21'46. Thus, with theleft-hand widening pick 16 6 lowering 'two'additional needles-to operative position and the lett-hand narrowing pick 150 raisingone needlelout of: operation, the number-of needlespassing through the stitch cams-is decreased byonewith each clockwise movementof'the needle cylinder. a

'i ncreasedby "two with .each movement of the needle cylinder in each; direction by positioning the widening pick selector'cams or

plates

297, 297 intheir innermost or fully inoperative positions, such .as that occupied by the widening pick-selector cam 297' in Figure 14. Ac-

cordingly,.the narrowing picks 150, 151 would then reby the righ*-hand widening picks 163; 164, whereupon IV. This condition of the narrowing and widening picks is'used whenit is desiredto knit apattern area or patch in which each succeeding course is lengthened by two stitches atone end thereof to form asymmetrically widened patch ,and" which is referred to as a.widening operation. This condition" may beset up in two .ways. I

.The right-hand and left-hand widening picks plate 297. isshown in Figure 13. The narrowing picks j 150, 151.are.moved to inoperative position by raising the left-hand narrowing pick .150 with the arm .223 (Figures 6 and 15) to prevent, alternatemovement and raising of the narrowing picks 150, 151. p

Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of V the needle cylinder 110, the leading two needles of the group of'needles lowered by the pick feed cam 154 will be further lowered by the right-hand widening pick 164 to increase the number of needles passing through the stitch cams by two with each counterclockwise movementof the needle cylinder. 'Uponintervening clockwisetmovemerits of the needle cylinder 110, the leading two needles, of theflgrouploweredby the pickieedcam 1'55 3.1131111? thereflowered by.the1left-hand widening pick 166 to .increasethenumber of needles passing throughjthe stitch cams -by twowith each clockwise movement'o f the needle cylinder 110.

Alternatively, the number of needles in action may be the leading two of the latter four needles engage and are raised above the stitch camsbythe right-hand narrowing pick 151 while the'two remaining of the aforesaid four needles pass through the stitch cams to thereby increase the numbertof needles in action by two with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder 110.

Uponintervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, the leading four needles of the group lowered by the widening pick feed'cam 155 are further lowered by the left-hand widening picks 1 65, 166, whereuponthe leading two of the. last-named four needles engage, and are elevated topass above the stitch cams, by the left hand narrowing pick'150. Of course, the remaining two of. said last-named four needles pass through the stitch wins to thereby increase the number of needles in action by two .with each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder in Figure 6.

V. This condition of-the narrowing and widening picks is .used when it is desired to knit a pattern area or patch in which the length of'successive courses is not affected, but wherein each succeeding course is stepped over one stitch to formv a diagonal pattern area or patch, wherein the numberof active needles is increased by one with each clockwise movement of .the needle cylinder and the numbercf needleswin. action isdecreased by one needle with. each. counterclockwise movement of, the needle cylinder. In this instance, the. right-hand widening picks 163,.164andthe left-hand widening pick 165 are rendered inactiveand only..the.left .handwidening Pick 166. is rendered active. .Also, .thenar'rowing pick restrictors 216 bothoccupyoperative .orinnermost positions so thateach .ofthe. narrowing picks. 150, 151 has a capacity for raising a .singlefneedle .:to.inoperative position during corresponding movements of .the needle cylinder 110. :.In orderto render. both ofithe right-hand widening picks 163, 164 inactive the selector cam or plate 297 occupies the fully operative position as shown in Figure .10. ,In order to render the outer left-hand widening pick 166 active-and to render the inner left-hand widening pick 165. inactive,;the selector cam or plate 297" occupies the intermediate position shown infFigure 13. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder 110.the leadingneedle of the active or lowered group.

.of needles engages the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and is raised thereby topass abovethe top center stitch cam 146 and to thereby-decrease the-number of needles passing through'the stitch cams-byone with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

Upon each intervening clockwise movement of the needlecylinder- 110, the leading two needles of the group of needles lowered by the widening pick feed cam are furtherlowered-by the left-hand widening pick 166 to operative position .and theleading needle of the then lowered group of needles will be engaged by the left-hand narrowing pick'150'and raised thereby to pass above the top centers-stitch 1cam- 146 to :thus increase the number of active needles passing through the stitch cams'by one needlewith each clockwisemovementof the needle cylinder. g g

i V1 Ihiscondition of the narrowing and widening picks is-thereverse ofcondition V and is used when it is' desired to knit a pattern area in which thenuinber of needles in action from course tocourseremainsconstant, but wherer in each successive cours'e is'stepped 'over one needle to 21 fori'n-a diagonal, patch which extends at an angle someyvhat opposed with respectto anarea knit according to the arrangement in conditionV. In thisinstance, the right-hand widening pick 164 is active, the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 and the right-hand widening pick 163 are inactive and the narrowing pick restrictors 216 are both in their innermost or operative positions so that each of the narrowing picks 150, 151 has a capacity for raising one needle to inoperative position. In order to render the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 inactive, the selector cam 297' occupies the position shown in Figure 7. In order to render the widening pick 163 inactive and to render widening pick 164 active the selector cam 297 occupies the'intermediate position, such as that occupied by the selector cam 297 in Figure 13. g i Thus, with each counterclockwise'rnovement. of the needle cylinder 110. the leading two needles of the group of needles lowered by the widening pick feed cam 154 are further lowered to operative position by widening pick 164 and the narrowing pick 151 engages the leading needle of the then loweredneedles and is raised thereby to cause said last-named leading needle to pass above the top center stitch earn 146 to increase the number of active needles passing through the stitch cams by one with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder. Upon intervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, the leading needle of the group of lowered or active needles engages the left-hand narrowing pick 150 and is raised thereby to pass above the top center stitch cam '146 to thus decrease the number of needles in action by one needle with each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder. I 7 VII. This condition of the narrowingand widening picks is used when it is desired to knit a-pattern area in which each alternate course is lengthened by one stitch at one end and intervening courses are lengthened by two stitches at the other end to thus form a widened patch whose diverging borders extend at different angles relative to a given Wale. In this instance, both of the righthand widening picks 163, 164 and the outer left-hand widening pick 166 are rendered active the narrowing pick restrictor 216 on the left-hand narrowing pick 150 occupies its innermost or operative position so the narrowing pick 150 has a capacity for raising one needle to inoperative position during each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder, and the narrowing pick restrictor 216 on the right-hand narrowing pick 151 occupies its outermost or inoperative position so the right-hand narrowing'pick 151 has a capacity forjraising the two needles to inactive position during each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

inoperative position, such as that in which the selector plate 297 is shown in Figure 14. In order to render the left-hand widening pick 166 active while rendering pick 165 inactive, the selector plate 297. occupies the position shown in Figure 13. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder 110 the leading four needles of the group of needles lowered by the widening pick feed cam 154 are further-lowered by the right-hand widening picks 16 3, 164 and the leading:- two needles of the then lowered group of needles are raised by the right-hand narrowing pick 151 to pass above the top center stitch cam 146 to thus increase the number of active needles by two with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

Upon intervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, the leading two needles of the group of needles lowered by the left-hand widening pick feed cam 155 will be further lowered by the left-hand widening pick 166 and the leading needle of the then lowered group of needles will engage the, left-hand narrowing pick 150 and be raised upwardly thereby to pass above the top center stitch earn 146 and increase thenurnber of active needles by one needle with each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

VIII. This condition or the narrowing and widening picks is the reverse of condition VII. :In this instance, only the right-hand widening pick -164'is rendered inactive, the left-handv widening picks 165, 166 and the right-hand widening pick 163 are rendered active, the narrowing pick restrictor 216 on the left-hand narrowing pick-150 occupies its outermost or inoperative position, so the narrowing pick 150 has a capacity for raising two needles to inoperative position, and the pick restrictor 216 on the right-hand narrowing pick 151 occupies its innermost or operative position so the narrowing pick 151 has a capacityfor raising one needle to inoperative position. I 1

In order to render the right-hand widening pick '164 active and the right-hand widening pick 163 inactive, the selector plate 297 occupies intermediate position (see selector plate 297. in Figure 13) and in order to render both of the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 active the selector cam or plate 297 occupies the fully inoperative position shown in Figure 14. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement'of the needle cylinder 110 the leading two needles of the groupof needles lowered by the widening pick feed cam 154 are further lowered to operative position by the right-hand Widening pick 164 and the leading needle of the then lowered or operative needles will be engaged and raised upwardly by the righthand narrowing pick 151 to pass above the top' center stitch 'cam 146 to increase the number of active needles by one with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder. a

Upon intervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, the-leading four needles of the group of needles lowered by the left-handwidening pick feed cam 155 engage the. left-hand widening picks 165, 166 and are further lowered to operative position. The then leading two needles subsequently engage the left-hand narrowing pick'150 and are raised upwardly thereby to pass above the top center stitch cam 146 thereby increasing the number of active needles by two with each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

IX. This condition of the narrowing-and widening picks is used when it is desired to knit a pattern area in which 'each succeeding course remains the same length, but wherein each succeeding course is stepped over two stitches in one direction relative to the end stitches of the preceding course to form a diagonal patch or pattern area of the same width extending in angular relationship to a given wale. In this instance, both of the right-hand. widening

picks

163, 164 are rendered active and both of the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 are rendered inactive and both of the narrowing pick restrictors 216 occupy their outermost or inoperative positions so the narrowing picks 150, 151 each has a capacity for raising two needles to inoperative position during knitting of alternate courses. p

In order to render both of the right-hand widening picks active, the selector plate 297 occupies the position in which plate 297' is shown in Figure 14. In order .to render both of the left-hand widening picks 165,:166 inactive, the selector plate 297 occupies the position shown in Figure 7. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of' the needle cylinder 110 the leading four needles of the'group of needles lowered by the right-hand widening pick feed earn 154 are further lowered by the right-hand widening picks 163, 164 and the leading two of the latter four needles engage the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and are raised thereby to pass above the top center stitch cam 146 thereby increasing the number of active needles by two with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder. j