US439585A - William h - Google Patents

Description

(No Model) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- I. W. H. APPLETON. WORK TRANSFERRING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MAUHINES. No; 439,585.

Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet 2'; W. ll APPLETON.

WORK TRANSFERRING MECHANISM FOR KNIIITING MACHINES. No. 439,585. Patented Oct. 28, 1890,

(NoModeL) 3 SheetsSheet 3. W. H. APPLETON. WORK TRANSFERRING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

No. 439,585. Patented Oct. 28,1890.

v U 'WMAN Us v iv v UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

WILLIAM H. APPLETON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ALVAH IV. SULLOl/VAY, OF FRANKLIN FALLS, NEWV HAMPSHIRE.

WORK-TRANSFERRING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,585, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed March 31, 1890. Serial No. 345,942. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it-known that I, WILLIAMH. APPLETON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Work-Transferring Mechanism for Knitting-Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

In an application for Letters Patent of the United States filed by me on or about the 18th day of March, 1890, Serial No. 344,320, I have shown and described a work-transferring mechanism for knitting-machines, in which the transferring-points are brought in succession into proper relation to the appropriate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops thereto in that order by imparting to the disk or body in Whiohsuch transferringpoints are mounted a wabbling movement back and forth across its plane while held from rotation.

My present invention, while relating to work-transferring mechanisms for knittingmachines generally, has reference more particularly to that form of transferring device illustrated and described in the. application aforesaid, upon which it is designed as an improvement, and has for its object to provide more efficient means for transferring the loops of the fabric from the transferring points to the needles than has heretofore been employed, as well as devices for preventing the rotation of the disk or body earrying the transferring-points during the transferring operation.

To these ends my invention consists, first, in a series of transferring-bits, which are supported in the disk orbody carrying thctransferring-points and longitudinally reciprocated therein by means of appropriate mechanism, whereby when the transferring-points are brought into proper relation to their appropriate needles the transfer of the loops from the former to the latter is automatically effected; second, in a bracket or stand secured to the housings or other convenient part of the machine and cooperating with an arm or lug secured tothe disk or body in which the transferring-points are carried to prevent its rotation during the transferring operation, and, third, in various other constructions and combinations of parts, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of the bed-plate, camcylinder, and needles of a circular-knitting machine with my invention applied in connection therewith, some of the parts being shown in section and others broken away for convenience of illustration; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same, looking from the left in Fig. 1, the bracket or stand and its co-operating stud and stand for preventing the rotation of the disk or body being omitted; Fig. 3, a section taken in the plane 00 a: of Fig. 1, looking downward, a portion of the disk or body being broken away; Fig. 4, a side elevation of one of the transferring-bits and transferring-points detached; Fig. 5, a section of the same taken in the plane y y of Fig. 4, looking downward; Fig. 6, a sectional elevation of a portion of the disk or body of a slightly-modified construction having parts of my invention applied in connection therewith; and Figs. 7 and 8, sectional and side elevations, respectively, of the same parts, showing a still further modification thereof.

In all the figures like letters are employed to designate corresponding parts.

A indicates a frame or support having formed therein at the appropriate point a suitable bearing B, in which is supported a shaft 0, provided on its upper end with a winch c, by means of which it maybe rotated, and on its lower end with a crank or eccentric D, the axis of which is inclined at an angle to the axis of the shaft, all as shown. Mounted on this crank or eccentric, so as to permit of such crank or eccentric being rotated therein, is a disk or body E, which is equipped with a series of transferring-points c, projecting downward and outward from its,

'I of a circular-knitting machine are or may be the same as the corresponding parts shown and described in the application aforesaid, to which reference may be had, and require no further description herein.

Fitted to slide longitudinally in suitable guideways formed near the edge of the disk or body E in proper relation to the transferring-points c is a series of stems d, to the 5 lower end of which is secured a series of transferring-bits L, through or by means of which the loops carried by such points are transferred to the needlesF of the knitting-machine. These bits may be construct-ed in va- [0 rious ways. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, t, 5, and 6, they are formed so as to partially encircle at one of their ends the transferring-points in connection with which they are to respectively cooperate, and a separate bit is employ'ed with each point, while in Figs. 7 and 8 they are illustrated as made in the form of a narrow strip or blade, the under edge of which may be serrated, if desired; but it is obvious that any other equivalent forms may be sub stituted in lieu thereof, if preferred. In their normal position or at all times when the transfer of the loops is not being effected, these bits will rest in a suitable groove 1), formed in the under side of the disk or body E and be held in that position by springs d, co-opcrating with the stems (Z to effect that result. These springs, like the bits L, may also be of various constructions. In Figs. 1 and 2 they are shown as of spiral form, while in Figs. 6 0 and 7 they are illustrated as constructed with a coil in their middle and the two ends of the wires out of which they are respectively formed extended outwardlytherefrom on divergent lines, forming a V-shaped structure 5 with a coil at its apex; but it is obvious that other forms of springs may be employed in place thereof, it only being essential that the same shall possess the necessaryyieldingand resilient qualities to adaptthem for the puro pose required.

hen the spiral form of spring is adopted, it will preferably be disposed around the stem d with its upper end bearing against a lug (Z thereon and its lower end resting upon 5 the upper side of the disk or body E, as shown; but when the V-shaped spring is employed it will be found desirable to arrange it wholly within the circle formed by the series of stems with its lower end or limb secured to the upper side of said disk or body and its upper end or limb engaging the lugs (Z on the stem (1. As the parts are thus constructed and arranged, the transfer of the loops from the transferririg-points to the needle when the former are brought into the proper relation with respect to the latter will be effected by simply depressing the stems (Z and with them their attached transferring-bits L, when the loops will be forced by the latter from the t 'ansferring-points to the needles, after which the stems and bits will be returned to their original position by the action of the springs and be ready for the next operation, and so on. To accomplish this depression of the stems and bits, various means may be employed. I prefer, however, to make use of a cam M, and so mount it as to permit of its be ing successively carried into contact with the several stems (Z as the transfcrring-points, in connection with which their attached transferring-bits respectively co-operate, are successively broughtinto their lowest position by the wabbling of the disk or body E in which they are secured. The means made use of for effecting this mounting and carrying of the cam in my preferred form of construction consists of an arm N, which extends outwardly from the shaft (J in such relation to the crank or eccentricD asto support said cam on the side of the shaft which is diametrically opposite that toward which the lower end of the crank or eccentric inclines. The effect of this arrangement will be to bring the cam directly over those stems of the series which are supported in the portion of the disk or body E that is for the time being depressed to its lowest position and maintain it in that relation at all times during the operation of the mechanism. The cam being thus mounted, its movement to bring itself successively over the several stems of the series will be accomplished by simply rotating the shaft C through the instruinentality of the crank or winch a secured to its upper end, when the cam will be revolved around over the stems (l in proper relation to the depressed portion of the disk or bodyE, which depressed portion will also, as it were, be moved around in unison therewith as such disk or body is wabbled back and forth across its plane by the action of the crank or eccentric D therein. \Vhen the depression of the stems (Z is to be occasioned-as, for instance, when the transfer of the loops from the transferring-points to the needles is to be effected-the cam M will occupy the position shown by full lines in Fig. 2; but when the loops are to be picked upon the transferring-p0ints and at all other times except that above mentioned it will rest in the position illustrated by broken lines therein. To provide for these adjustments, the cam M, instead of being fixedly secured to the arm N, is fitted to slide vertically in a suitable guideway f, formed in the outer end thereof, and will be locked in its adjusted positions by means of a spring-actuated bolt 9, engaging with suitable orifices '6 formed in it, the movement of the cam from one of its positions to the other being facilitated by a handle or catch-piece h, secured to and projecting from its front, as shown.

With the parts above described I sometimes find it convenient to employ means for preventing the rotation of the disk or body E- during the time that the crank or eccentric D is being rotated. The means which I consider the best suited to this purpose consists of a stand or bracket 0, which is secured to the bed-plate I or other appropriate part of the machine and is provided with a vertical slot 0, in which is titted to slide a stud P, fixedly secured to the disk or body E, through the intermediary of a stand 17. In the form of construction preferred the arrangement of this stud with respect to the disk or body E and parts carried thereby will be such as to bring its axis into coincidence with the plane passing across the lower ends of the transferring-points e, whereby while serving to restrain the disk or body from rotation and permitting of the necessary wabbling movement being imparted thereto it will also insure the proper relationship of the transferring-points to the needles as the former are successively depressed and caused to overlap the latter during the operation of the transferring mechanlsm.

The stand or bracket may be made either rigid throughout its entire extent or provided with a hinge 0, as shown. I find it desirable, however, to employ this last-mentioned construction in practice, as provision is thereby made for swinging it back into a horizontal position away from the parts in connection with which it co-operat-es when not required, a spring 0 being made use of for holding it in either a vertical or horizontal position, as

- the same may be adjusted.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown a construction in which the stems (l, fitted to slide in suitable guideways formed through the disk or body E, are wholly unsupported at their upper ends, while in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 I have illustrated a modification thereof, in which they are supported and guided throughout their entire length the disk or body in this last-mentioned construction being provided with a flange e projecting upward from its upper face, up the inner side of which the guideways are extended, and the band 6 which forms the bottom of the same on the outside, being made of the proper width to overlap both the edge of such disk or body and the flange carried thereby.

As thus constructed and arranged the operation of my invention is as follows: The loops having been picked upon the transferring-points and the transferring mechanism their appropriate needles.

applied to the knitting-machine, with the stud P engaging with the slot 0 in the bracket 0, and the eainM adjusted to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the shaft will be rotated by revolving the crank or winch upon its upper end, and the cam thereby carried around over and in contact with the stems supporting the transferring-bits. The result of these operations will be to cause the disk or body to wabble back and forth across its plane and successively bring the transferringpoints carried by it into proper relation to At the same time that this relationship between the transfer ring-points and the needles is being established, the transferring bits, through their supporting-stems, will also be depressed, and thus, through the cooperation of the several parts mentioned, the transfer of the loops from their carrying-points to the neeedles will be automatically effected.

It will thus be seen that by the construction and arrangement of parts above pointed out I produce a transferring mechanism for knitting machines which While extremely simple and cheap in construction is yet practically automatic in its operation.

In the foregoing I have described the best means contemplated by me for carrying my invention into practice; butI wish it distinctly understood that I do not limit myself strictly thereto, as it is obvious that the same may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof.

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

1. The combination, with a series of needles, a series of transferring-points, and devices for bringing the latter successively into relation to their appropriate needles and causing them to overlap the same, of a series of transferring-bits for co-operating with such transferring-points, and devices whereby these transferring-bits may be depressed and elevated, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a circular series of needles, a series of transferring-points, and devices for bringing them successively into proper relation to their appropriate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops from the former to the latter, of a series of transferring-bits and devices whereby they may be 7 depressed to force the loops from the transferring-points upon theneedles, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a circular series of needles, a disk or body provided with a series of transferring-points, and devices for supporting the same and successively bringing such points into relation to their appropriate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops therefrom to said needles, of a series of transferring-bits and devices whereby they may be depressed to successively force the loops from the transferring-points upon the needles, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the needles of a circular-knitting machine, a disk or body provided with a series of transferring-points, and devices for supporting the same and successively bringing the transferring-points into relation to their appropriate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops from the former to the latter, of a series of transferring-bits, a series of stems upon which these transferringbits are mounted, fitted to suitable guideways in the disk or body, and devices whereby the stems and bits may be depressed in the proper order to force the loops from the transferringpoints upon the needles, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the needles of a circular-knitting machine, a disk or body provided with a series of transferring-points, and devices for supporting the same and for i1nparting to such disk or body a wabbling movement across its plane to successively bring the transferring-points into relation to their appropriate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops from the fornf'er to the latter, of a series of transferring-bits, a series of stems upon which the bits are mounted, and devices whereby such stems and bits may be both dopressed and elevated, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the needles of acircular-knitting machine, a disk or bridyprovided with a series of transferring-points, and devices for supporting the same and imparting to such disk or body a wabbling movement across its plane to successively bring the transferringpoints into relation to their appropriate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops from the former to the latter, of devices for preventing the rotation of said disk or body, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the needles of a circular-knitting machine, a disk orbody provided with a series of transferring'points, and devices for supporting the same and imparting to such disk or body a wabbling movement across its plane to successively bring the transferring-points into relation to their appro n'iate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops from the former to the latter, of a bracket provided with a vertical slot and a stud co-operating therewith to prevent the rotation of said disk or body, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the needles of a circular-knitting machine, a disk or body provided with a series of transferring-points, and devices for supporting the same and imparting to such disk or body a wabbling movement across its plane to successively bring the transferring-points into relation to their appropriate needles to permit of the transfer of the loops from the former to the latter, of a bracket provided with a vertical slot, a sup port to which such bracket is hinged, and a stud secured to the disk or body, engaging said slot, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the disk or body carrying a series of transferring-points, a shaft provided with a crank or eccentric, upon which the disk or body is arranged having its axis inclined at an angle to the axis of the shaft, a support in which such shaft is mounted, a series of transferring-bits, and a series of stems upon which the transferringbits are carried, fitted to slide in suitable guideways formed in the disk or body, of a cam for depressing such stems and bits, and means whereby the cam is supported and operated from the shaft and the latter rotated, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with a disk or body carrying a series of transferring-points, a shaft provided with a crank or eccentric, upon which the disk or body is arranged having its axis inclined at an angle to the axis of the shaft, a support in which such shaft is mounted, a series of traiisfcrring-bits, and a series of stems upon which the transferringbits are carried, tilted to slide in suitable guideways formed in the disk or body, of a cam for depressing these stems, a series of springs for elevating the same after theirdepression, and an arm in which the cam is carried, secured to and projected from the shaft, substantially as described.

11. The combination, with the disk or body carrying a series of transferring-points, a shaft provided with a crank or eccentric, upon which the disk or body is mounted having its axis inclined at an angle to the axis of the shaft, a support in which the shaft is journaled, a series of transferri ng-bits, a series of stems upon which the transferring-bitsare carried, a cam for depressing the stems and bits, and a series of springs for elevating them, of an arm in which such cam is adj ustably mounted, projecting from the side of said shaft in proper relation to the crank upon which the disk or body is arranged to maintain the cam at all times over that portion of said disk or body which is depressed to the greatest extent, and devices whereby the shaft may be rotated, substantially as described.

12.- The combination, with the disk or body carrying a series of transferririg-points, a shaft provided with a crank or eccentric, upon which the disk or body is mounted having its axis inclined at an angle to the axis of the shaft, a support in which the shaft is journaled, and devices whereby said shaft may be rotated, of devices for restraining the disk or body from rotation, substantially as described.

The combination, with a disk or body carrying a series of transterling-points, a shaft provided with a crank or eccentric, upon which the disk or body is mounted having its axis inclined at an angle to the axis of the shaft, a support in which the shaft is journaled, and devices whereby said shaft may be rotated, of a bracket provided with a vertical slot, a support upon which the bracket is secured, and a stud secured to the disk or body andco-operating with said slot, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of March, 1800.

WILLIAM H. APPLETON.

Witnesses:

Gnonon 1. ArPLEToN, HENRY CARTER.

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