US529509A - Automatic circular-knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet l.

W. E, STEWART. AUTOMATIC CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.'

(No Model.) f'Sheets-Sheet 2. W. H. STEWART.` AUTOMATIC CIRCULAR KNITTINGMAGHINE.

No. 529,509. PatentedNo-v. 20, 1894.

(No Model.)

W. E. STEWART.

. '2'l Sheets-Sheet 3.

AUTOMATIG CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 20, 1894.

reg e (No Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 4. W. H. STEWART. AUTOMATIC CIRCULAR KNITTINC MACHINE.

No. 529,509. Patented Nov. 20, 1894.

, [il] A I MN "e MMM @Home/111,8-

(No Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 5. W. H. STEWART. AUTCMATIC CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 20, 1894.

7 T R A W E T S E W AUTOMATIC GIRGULAR KNITTING MACHINE. No. 529,509.

Patented Nov. 20, 1894.

'mi Noam PETERS co.. Puommmo.. wAsn (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

W. H. STEWART. AUTOMATIC CIRCULAR KNITTINC MACHINE.

N0.`529,509. Patented Nov. 20, 1894.

MTNA-5555:

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UNTTED STATES PATENT @Tricia IVALTER I-I. STEWART, FRANKLIN, NEV HAMPSHIRE.

AUTOMATIC CIRCULAR=KNITTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 529,5C 9, dated November 20, 1 894. Application filed April 25, 1894. Serial No. 508,968. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER H. STEWART, of Franklin, in the county of Merrimac and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Circular-Knitting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to the class or kind of circular knitting machines which are adapted to knit seamless round-heel-and-toe stockings, and in which the several operations and changes are automatically accomplished.

It is the object of the invention to provide such improvements in machines of the kind mentioned as will materially simplify and reduce the cost of their construction, and render them entirely certain and rapid in their operation.

The invention consists of the improvements hereinafter fully described and pointed out at the end of the specification proper.

Reference is to be had to the annexed drawings, and to the letters, signs and figures of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification.

Of the drawings, Figure lis a top plan view of my improved knitting machine. Fig. 2 is a side View of the same, parts being representedas broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the needle cylinder and its immediate adjuncts. Figs. 3 and 3b are detail views hereinafter referred to. Fig. et is a sectionalv detail View of the needle and cam cylinders and connections showing a different position of some of the parts from that in which they are shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a central sectional View of the erating in conjunction with the driving shaft and its supports. Fig. 6 comprises side and end views of the clutch roll. Fig. 7 comprises top plan, side, and bottom plan views of the means for moving the needle throwing out ring. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the head and portions of its adj uncts, the needles, webholders and Web-holder operator means being removed. Fig. 9 is a detail view of a part ot' the means for operating the needle shifter slides. Figs. lO, l1, and l2 are detail views hereinafter more particularly referred to. Fig. 13 is a detail view of a portion of the mechanism employed in changing from circular to heel and toe work. Fig. let is a side parts opview of the yarn supplying device. Fig. l5

shows a view of the yarn-carrier looking to- Wa rd the yarn-delivery portion thereof. Fig. 16 is a detail view of the yarn guide plates. Figs. 17 and 18 comprise front and side views respectively, of the ratchet and cam Wheels and the co-operating parts. Figs. 19 and 20 are detail views hereinafter more particularly referred to. Fig. 2l is a view of the pin, 02, cam, n3, and spring 03. Fig. 22 is afront and edge View of the collar, o. Fig. 23 is a detail of the block, d4. Fig. 24 is a detail view showing the block (t3), in different positions.

` The saine letters, signs and figures designate the same parts or features, as the case may be, wherever they occur.

In the drawings-a designates the bed of the machine, which, together with other parts of the machine is supported by columns, b, restingupon a base, c, which base may in turn be supported by legs, d, (a fragment only of which is shown in Fig. 2.)

e designates the needle cylinder, and, f, the rotary cam ring or cylinder provided on its periphery with bevel teeth, g, Which are engaged by the teeth of the bevel gear, h, on the driving shaft, 7,'. On the outer end of the driving shaft are the pulleys, j 7c both loose thereon.

Z designates a gear wheel j, so as to turn therewith.

m is a gear Wheel arranged to turn loosely on the shaft, t', and maintained in place there on between the hub, n, of bevel gear, h, and a collar, 0, fast on the driving shaft, the latter turning in the bearings@ q, at its ends.

r designates a collar keyed or otherwise secured to the driving shaft at the inner side of the gear Wheel, Z to keep the wheel, j, from moving toward the wheel, m.

s designates a clutch roll arranged so as to move longitudinally on the driving shaft between the collars, 0 r, and gear Wheels, lm., but locked with the collar, o, by means of the projection, if, extending over the reduced part, tt, of the said collar so as to turn with the driving Shaft. See Figs. 5 and 6. The collar, 0, is fastened upon the shaft by means of the set-screw, y.

The gear Wheels, Z in, are provided with holes, Q), into which the spring-pressed pins,

secured to pulley,

w, extending from the ends of the clutch roll,

IOO

s, are adapted to extend,the construction and arrangement being such that when the clutch roll, S, is moved toward the gear, Z, the pin, w, in the adjacent end ot' the said roll will extend into the hole, fu, of the said gear, the pin in the opposite end being disengaged from the gear, m, all as is clearly shown in Fig. 5; and when the clutch roll is moved in the opposite direction, it will be disengaged from the gear, Z, and the other pin engaged with the gear, m. I

designates a gear wheel supported on a suitable stud orjournal and arranged so as to be engaged and driven by the gear wheel, Z. The gear, is provided on its inner face with a wrist pin, fy, upon which is pivoted one end of a crank arm, z, the other end of the said crank arm being pivotally connected with the rear end of rack bar, ct', mounted in suitable bearings and arranged so as to engage and operate the gear Wheel, m, on thedriving Shaft, i. v y v l Y g Without further description it will be seen that if the driving shaft should be rotated 'continuously in one direction by a belt on the pulley, j, and the clutch roll shouldY be moved into engagement with the wheel, Z, and

disengaged from the wheel, m, as is shown'in Fig. 5, the cam ring would be revolved so as to enable the machine to knit circular Work, as, for instance, the leg and foot portion of a stocking; but if the clutch roll should `be moved so as to disengage it from the gear wheel, Z, and become engaged with the gear, m, the cam ring,f, would, through the medium of gear, :nwith the reciprocating rack bar, a', be reciprocated, as is necessary when heel and toe'WOrk is to be performed on the machine. The change in the movement of the cam ring is accomplished automatically, and this part of the invention will next be explained.

b is a rock shaft, supported in asuitable bearing, and provided on its inner end with a forked extension, c', having screws, d', the inner ends of which extend into blocks placed in a groove, e', of the clutch roll, s. The outer end of the shaft, b,is provided with a downwardly extended lever or projection, f', notched or grooved to receive the periphery of the disk, `g', xed upon a shaft, h', arranged to rotate in suitable bearin gs, as is best shown in Fig. 1. The disk, g', is provided at a suitable point or points with a cam part, t", which operates in thegroove in the lower end of the 1ever,f, to move the latter to one side and back again and so rock bearings and ship or shog the clutch roll, so as to effect a rotation or reciprocation of the cam ring, as may be necessary or desirable.

Thewheel, g,remains stationary during the leg and foot portions of the stocking, the lever, f', at such times resting inthe cam portion, 'Z'. See Figs. 1, 2, and 17. This cam portion is of sufficient length to allow for the necessary motion of the machine in changing from one operation to another. During the leg portion of the stocking the lever, f', rests in said the shaft, b', in its cam portion, and during the heel and toe portion of the stocking the lever, f", is upon the straight portion of the heel, g', and the clutch has been shifted, the clutch being shifted as the lever f', is thrown into and out of the cam portion, t", of the wheel, g.

j', (Fig. 13,) designates a cam fixed upon the hub, n, of gear wheel, h; and, Zt', designates a lever pivoted to the frame at its rear end and held up against the cam,j, by a spring, Z.

y Pivoted upon the forward end of the lever, Za', is a .pawl, Im', held into engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel, n', fast onshaft, Zt', by means of a spring, o. A spring, n2, bears upon the periphery of the wheel, n', to steady the action of said wheel and check its movement beyond the point where itis moved by the action of the `pawl, m. As the driving shaft, t', is rotated the lever, lo', will be oscillated by means of the cam, j, and spring, Z', and consequently the ratchet wheel, n', will be rotated to the extent of one tooth at each movement of the said lever, lo', until the pawl, 1n', reaches a point, indicated at p', where one tooth of the said ratchet wheel is mutilated or cut away, when the said pawlwill cease to operate the said ratchet wheel until the latter is vmoved by other means to the extent at. least of one tooth.

By the construction and arrangement described in other parts of the specification, the wheel, n', remains stationary during the leg portion of the stocking or straight knitting, and only operates during the knitting of the heel and toe portion of the stocking.

q' designates a' ratchet wheel arranged to turn loosely on the shaft, Zt', and engaged by a spring-pressed pawl, r', on the lower end of a lever, s', the upper end of which lever is adapted to be engaged by a block or projection, t', arranged on the lower face of the outer end of the rack bar, 01,', as shown in Fig. 12, or extending from the side of the outer end of the said/rack bar, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The lever, s', would have its upper end arranged opposite the bar, ot', in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and under the endof said bar in the construction shown in Fig. 12. y

u designates a spro ket wheel connected with the ratchet Wheel, q', so as to revolve therewith, over which sprocket wheel there is arranged a chain or belt, o. (see Fig. 17,) having laterally projecting pins, w', arranged so as to engage the radially projecting pins, on the periphery of a disk, y', connected with the ratchet wheel, n', so as that when the disk, y', is moved' it may move the said ratchet wheel, fn. With this construction and arrangment of parts it will be seen that the ratchet wheel, q', will. be moved intermittently by the pawl, r', but that the shaft, h', will be rotatedlonly when the pawl, m', is permitted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel` n', soy that when the pawl,'m', reaches a point,p, on the ratchet wheel, n', the latter will not be moved until a IIO projecting pin, w', on the chain or belt, n', engages a radially projecting pin, x', on the periphery of the disk, y', so as to move the said disk and the ratchet wheel, n', to enable the pawl, m', to catch a tooth on the lastmentioned ratchet wheel.

The construction and arrangement of parts last hereinbefore described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, is devised for the purpose of economizing diameter or extent of the ratchet wheel, n', which moves the disk, g', and controls the movement of the clutch roll and consequently the rotary and reciprocating movements of the cam ring f.

As hashereinbefore been indicated the cam ring is revolved to produce circular knitting in the knitting of half hose or stockings, and reciprocated to produce heel and toe work, and in the knitting of the latter work, substantially one half of the needles are first rendered inoperative, and then the remaining operative needles are gradually retiredfone by one vholding` the stitches formed thereon, tov narrow, and then, one by one, brought into operation to widen and form a round or bulge toe or heel, and this part of the invention will next be described.

.ej designates a ring providedwith a flange, a2, the said ring being supported on the bed, a, and the said fiange, a2, affording a support for the cam ring, f, and other parts of the machine, as will presently appear. In the present instance the web is held down so as to prevent its rising by the upward movement of the needles by means of web holders, b2, which also help to draw the stitch and which are supported in radial grooves in a bed, c2, suitably fastened to the needle cylinder, and are reciprocated by cams, (Z2, on the under face of the ring, e2. The needles, f2, are reciprocated in the grooves of the needle cylinder, e, by means of the cams, g2. These contrivances may be of common or suitable form and arrangement, and need not be further described. The grooves in the needle cylinder, in which needles which are thrown into and out of action, reciprocate, are constructed so that by moving the lower end or tail of the needle inward, the heel, h2, of the needle may be moved out of the path of the cams, g2. (See Fig. 4:.) Any construction of the grooves in the needlecylinder which will permit of this function will answer the purposes of my invention.

i2 y2, designate needle shifters, so called, which are adapted to be reciprocated in grooves formed in the upper face of iiange, a2, the Shifters, t2, being provided at theirinner ends with notches or sockets in which the tails of the needles employed in widening and narrowing are adapted to move, and the shifters,j2, in like manner engaging at their inner ends thetails of the needles thrown out of action before beginning the knitting of heel and toe work.

k2 designates a ring arranged in a groove, Z2, formed in the upper face of the tlange,ct2,

and fitting between a central rear heel, n2, of the shifters,j2. The groove, Z2, is sufficiently wide to permit the ring, 7a2, to be moved from side to side to an extent sufficient to move the needle Shifters so as to disengage the needles connected therewith from and bring them into engagement with the needle-actuating cams. Plus, o2, o4 extend up from opposite sides of the ring, k2, through slots, p2, formed in the flange of the cam ring,f. Ring, k2, is revolved with the cam ring,f, by means of the pins, 02, o, in the slots, p2. The pin, o2, co-operates with the cams, n3, to slide the ring, 702, while the pin, 04, at the opposite side of the said ring from the pin, o2, operates the yarn attachment. Shown in detail in Figs. 14 to 16. Both pins are essential to make the ring travel steady. Attention is especially called to the location of these pins, the pin, 04, being at the opposite side of the ring from the pin, o2. This pin, ofi, is adjacent to the knitting cams and yarn device, so that by this simple mechanism, when the ring is shifted the yarn can be changed or thickened.

The ring (k2) is automatically slid to the left or to the right as the machine is represented in Fig. 8, in order to render operative or inoperative the instep needles which are controlled by the needle Shifters between the points 2 2 during round-audround work or back-and-forth work respectively. At the beginning of round-and-round work the pin (o4) and its side of the ring (7a2) is moved to the left in Fig. 8, or to the right in Fig. 14; that is, away from the center of the cylinder and retained in such position by one of the raised points on the cam (n2). See Fig. 7. The outward movement of the pin (04) operates the yarn changer to keep the thickening yarn (m4) away from the needles so that it will not knit, asis shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14. The ring (k2) being slid outward in the vicinity of the knitting cams (g2), (the knitting cams (g2), the yarn thickening device, and the pin (04) being substantially in the same radial line,) as the knitting cams (g2) and the ring (7.92) rotate together the ring (k2) pulls by means of the Shifters the instep needles outward so that the heels (h2) of these needles are in the path of said knitting cams. In Fig. 3 the cam cylinder and ring k2 are shown as turned half Way round from the position in Fig. 8. At the beginning of back-andforth work, the cam (n3) is shifted so that the ring (k2) can be slid toward the right in Fig. 8 by means of the spring (o3) forcing the pin (o2) into one of the depressions in the cam (n3). This operation moves the pin (04) and its portion of the ring inward. The inward moveheel, m2, and

ment of the pin (o4) permits the arm ot' the yarn changingdevice to assume the full line position shown in Fig. 14 to permit the extra yarn to be knitted, the ring (k2) in the vicinity of the knitting cams (g2) being also forced inward and retained in this position by the spring (03). See Fig. 2l. During back- IOO IIO

and-forth work,as the knitting cams (g2) and the ring revolve together, the ring (k2) forces the needle Shifters of the instep needles inward, and hence the heels (h2) of Said needles will be forced inward out of the path of the knitting cams (g2).

I do not confine myself to the -form'of needle Shifters Shown, nor to the 'precise -form of means illustrated for actuating the same, since it is obvious that thesey things may be greatly varied within the limits of mechanical skill Without departing from the nature or spirit of my invention. For example, the Shifters may be made in the form Shown in Fig. 3, and both 0f the Shifters, i2, and j?, may be made with a single heel instead of forming the Shifters, jz, with double heels, and instead of operatingthe shiftersj2 by a ring between two heels as hereinbefore described, the ring, 7a2, may have 'a groove formed in its lower side i-nto which the heels of the shifters,`j2,

,and consequently out of may extend, as Shownin Fig. 3*. )Vhen the `shiftersare thus operated, they may have but a single heel. Again the slides, q2. may be made solid, and have what is called an oft'- set formed thereon and work Shifters provided withdouble heels instead of having a vgroove formed in the slides, `and engaging la single heel ot the Shifters.

q2 designates slides arranged inthe grooves, r2, formed in the upper surface of the Hange, ft2, 'and at substantially opposite sides of the machine. The Said slides are provided with tails, sagai'nst which the butts, t2, of the Shifters, i2, rest when the needles controlled by Ithe said shifters are in action. The `yslides are :also provided with the inclined and concentric slot, u2, so constructed and arranged as that 'when the Slides are moved in the direction of lthe arrow marked thereon, the heels of the shifters, 2, will move down the inclined "part into the concentric part of the groove, u2,'an`d move the said shifters inward,'and the needles controlled thereby also inward out of the path of the needle operating cams,

action.

'v2 Vdesignates segmental slides provided with notches on their-edges 'andarranged in a'groove, 102, formed in the lower face of the liange, a2. The said segmental Slides e2 are yplaced below the slides, qfand are connected therewith by screwsz, extending up through Slots, y2. (See dotted lines Fig. 8.)

The shiftersyif, engage and 'control the needles between' the points, L2 3 (Fig. 8).

"e2 (Fig. ll) designates a cam disk. or `flange connected with the ratchet wheel, n', and provided with two cams orswells, d3; and, b3, designates one arm of an langular lever f-ulcrumed at c3, the free end of the said arm, b3, resting upon the disk or ange. z2, and in the path of travel of the cams, a3. Theother'arm, d'of the said angular lever extends up al- 'most vertically and is pivoted at its lupper end to a spring-pressed rod e3, the free end of which "is beveled and arranged so that ritinay bethrust under a pin, f3, arranged in a bearing, g3, and raise the said pin. The free en'd of the lever, b3, rests between these cams, a3, while Ythe shaft, h', is stationary; that is', 'during Vthe leg portion of the stocking. The tirst one of these cams operates to throw the lever, h3, through the medium of the lever, cl3, to 'shift the'ring, k2, at the beginning of the recip'rocator'y'motionof the machine, while the other cam, a3, moves vthe said parts'to turn the cam, n3, Sotha't the pin, 02, is engaged by one of the vraised portions on said cam, n3, to turn the cam (n3) at the beginning of back-and-forth Work so that the spring ('03), see Fig. 2l, `can force the pin (o2) into one of the depressions in said 'cam (n3), while the other cam (a3) moves the said parts to turn the 'cam (n3) so that one of its raised points shall strikethe pin (o2) and force the ring (k2) against 'the tension of the spring (03) into position for round-'and-roun'd work.

The pin, f3, extends upward, and l'when raised is in 'position to strike (when 't'he'ca'm ring is revolved) the outer end ofa lever, h3, pivoted upon a stud, t3, on ycam ring'g'; and move the saidf lever to one side agai'nst'the stress of the spring, jwhich, 'af-ter the pin f 3, has passed, return's'the said llever to its normal position against the stop lpin, 153. Upon lthe stud, is, be-neath'the lever, h3, is pivoted a ratchet wheehls, provided on -its periphery vwith'eight teeth Whichare engaged by a'pawl, m3, pivoted up'on the under side of the lever, h3, th-econstr'nction and arrangement being Such as that when the said lever is moved to one side by the pin, f3, the ratchet Wheelwill be moved to the 'extent of one tooth.

n3 designates a cam connectedto the `ratchet `wheel, Z3, and provided yupon its periphery with four raisedwpoints or surfaces and'four depressed points, 'as is clearly shown inthe bottom plan detail, Fig. 7. The pin (o2) vextends u'p through the slot (p2) `of -t'he'cam'ri'ng in substantially the Same radial yline as that i-n which'the cam (n3) is located, and in operative proximity to Said cam, and the 'position of the parts issuch that the raised part oflsaid cam is adapted to engage thelsaid pinand move it and the ring (7a2) at this-point inward or to the left in Fi-g.'8,'and when the cam (n3) vis again moved through the-medium of ratchetwheel (Z3), pawl (ma) and lever (h3), the saidpin will be moved outward or to theright in Fig. 8,by a spring (03), Fig. 2 l,into one of the idepressed parts ofthe cam (n3) and thering (k2) will consequently be moved to the right, Fig. 8. ln this way the needles 'controlled by the shifters, 3'2, willbe thrown out of, and brought into action, as has been described, as is necessary in the work of knitting heels and toes 'for Stockings. v

Upon the Side of the `ratchet wheel,fn, are larranged the cams,p3, one'of Whic'his adapted to raise and the other to lower the free end of a lever, Q3, resting thereon.

A. rod, r3, (see Fig. 18,) extendsfupfromv the -free end of lever,iq3, beneath and incontact with a lever, vsi, which latter lever is held the inclined portion t2:2

down upon the rod, r3,bya spring Z. To the lever, s3, there is connected a block, t3, the outer end of which is beveled and adapted when the block is raised to engage a pin, us, projecting laterally from the pivoted block, v3, on the end of rack b ar, a', and raise the latter. The spring, i holds the lever, S3, down against the rod, r3, and presses the arm, g3, down against the action of the cams, p3. The other end of the spring is attached to the lever, k', and serves to raise the latter after it has been depressed by the cam,j. See Fig. 18.

w3 is a bar arranged to have a limited sliding motion on suitable bearings as (w10), see Fig. 1, on the bed of the machine, and over the bar (a), and is connected to said bearings by a screw (w12) extending through the slot (w11) in the bar (w3) and into said bearings so that when the block (v3) is raised and the rack bar is reciprocated, the said block will strike one end ot' the bar, w3, and move it longitudinallyin the directionof the arrow marked on the bar in Fig. 8, and the block, @tion the other end ot' the rack bar, a', will strike the other end of the bar, w3, and move it back in a direction opposite that indicated by the arrow, and in this way reciprocate the last mentioned barintermittently. The bar w3 is pivoted to one end of a lever ygpivoted at g1/10 the opposite end of which lever is pivoted at a bar '53, pivoted at `its ends to angular levers a4 pivoted at am. In the present instance the angular levers are shown as composed of two parts, though this form is a convenience and not a necessity.

The inner free ends of the angular levers a4 are each provided with a double pawl b4 having inclined faces on its outer side against which one side or the other of a spring pressed angular cam c4 is adapted to bear to hold one part or the other of the double pawl in contact with the adjacent segmental slide o? with the teeth or notches formed in the outer edge of which the pawls are adapted to engage. It will now be seen that if the slides q2 and 'U2 should be in the position in which they are represented in Fig. S, and the member of each double pawl on the left side of Fig. 8 should be engaged with the segmantal slides o2, and the angular levers a4 should be oscillated through the medium of bars z3, w3 and lever ya, the slides q2 would be moved intermittently in the direction of the arrows marked thereon, that is, to the left and the heels of the shifters 2 would be engaged by ot' the slot and carried into the concentric portion of said slot, throwing the needles controlled by the said shifters out of action, and if the member of each double pawl on the lright side of Fig. 8 should be engaged with the segmental slides r2, an opposite movement of the slides q2 would be eected that is to the right bringing the needles controlled bythe Shifters 2 back into operation.

The gradual retirement of the needles controlled by the Shifters 'iand the bringing of the said needles in like manner into operation, after the needles controlled by the shifters ,i2 have been thrown out ot' action, is necessary in the production of heel and toe work, as will be understood by those skilled in the art without further description, and is accomplished by my improvements in the manner explained. v

I have provided means for automatically shitting the double pawls at each end ot the segmental slides v2, the said means consisting of a block d'1 having projections 94j extending the one over one ot' the double pawls and the other one over the other ofthe said pawls, the said block being secured to the pawls. The prong c4 is cut away on its upper face, and the prong]E4 is similarly cutaway on its under face, so that the two prongs extend in different planes. g4 h4 are dogs secured to the ends of the segmental slides, the former extending in a plane coincident with the plane ot' prongf4 and the latter in the same plane with the prong e, so that as the slides zo? are moved in the direction ot` the arrow, the dog h4 will engage the prong e4, shift the position ofthe double pawl, and reverse the movement of the slides, until the dog g4 engages the prong]04 when the pawls will be moved back to their first position and the slides will be 0perated as before.

It will be understood that the various parts are so positioned and timed as to effect the various movements and changes in proper order and time.

My invention also comprehends the introduction of an additional or thickening thread at the heels ani toes ot' stockings, and this is accomplished by moving a yarn carrier carrying the thickening thread into and out of action with the needles at the proper time, and this mechanism is particularly shown in Figs. 14, 15, and 16.

t4 designates the yarn guide provided with the eye j* from which the yarns are directly delivered to the hookspf the needles. 71:4 is the regular knitting yarn which passes down through the hole Z4 in the guide t4 and Cut through the eyejJr to the needles.

Z44 in Fig. 15 is a hole in the arm, n4, for the additional yarn, mi. The regular yarn, 7a4, passes through the slot in the arm, n4.

m4 is the thickening yarn which passes down through the hole Z4* in the end of the carrier n4, and when the latter is in the full line position (Fig. 14) out through the eyej4 to the needles.

The carrier n4 is constructed as an angular lever pivoted at its angular point, as at 044, upon the upper end ot' a bracket p4 secured on thehorizontal part of the cam-ring,f. The end of the outer arm ot the carrier n4 is pressed by means of a spring p5 against the upper end of an angular lever Q5 fulcrumed at r4 on a bracket S4. The pin (04) of the ring (102) is arranged to be brought to bear against the lower arm (154) of lever (Q4) when IOO said ring is Ishogged or moved Fig.I 8, to throw the needles controlledby the said ring and yits connecting shifters into action; that is, during round-and-round work, and so move the lever (Q5) and the yarn carrier (n4) to the dotted line position in Fig.14, pressing the extra or thickening yarn in toward the center of the cylinder and out of action, and when the ring (k2) is moved back by means of the spring (03) to its position for back-and-forth work, the yarn-carrier l (n4) will be actuated by the Spring bearing thereon to carry its yarn into position to be knit, as shown in fulllines, the regular yarn, of course, continuingin action in back-and-forth as well asin round-and-round work. 1 t o o In respect to the wheels, n and g, mounted upon the shaft, h and the cams onsaid wheels, it is to be observed that this shaftis stationary during the straight knitting, and only rotates during the heel and toe work. During the straight knitting, the lever, f', is in the cam-portion, t', on the wheel, g', the leveralim, '193, is between the cam-swells, as, and the lever, g3, is between the cams, p3, on said Wheel, n. As shown in the drawings, there is a considerable space between the members of each set of cams; that is to say, between the cams, 193193, and between the cams, as a3, and that the camportion,{, has a similar distance between the two inclines of said cam. During straight knitting the ends of these three several levers lie between their respective cams. At the beginning of the heel and toe work, the shaft, h. rotates by mechanism already described, the wheels, g and n', also rotate, the rst cam in each one of the three sets strikes its respective lever and raises 'it in the case of qs and p3, and in the case of f', shifts it. The wheels, n and g', continue their rotation, the peripheries of said Wheels bearing against their respective levers until valmost an entire revolution of said wheels has been made, whenthe other cams, 3 and a3 and the second portion of the cam, fi', operate the levers; in the case of t" to shift the clutch; in the case of b3 to shift the ring; in the case of g3 to lower the levers. l A sufficient space is provided between the members of each of these several sets of cams to allow for the movement of the machinery in changing from rotary to reciprocatory mo-l ticn, and vice versa. y

Y Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, though without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it maybe made, or all of the modes of its use, it is declared that what is claimed is- 1 1. Aknitting machine embracing in its construction a needle cylinder provided with deepened grooves, needles provided with extended tails in said grooves,a grooved needleshifter bed, needle Shifters arranged to slide inthe grooves of the said bed and engaging thetails of certain of the needles to move the latter intheir grooves, and the slides engagtothe left in ing the needle shifters to actnate the same, notched segmental plates connected to said slides, the bar w3, levers a4 having double pawls engaging said plates, and connections between the said bar and levers, whereby the needles may be gradually retired and brought into operation to narrow and widen, asset forth.

'2. A knitting machine embracing in its con-- struction a needle cylinder, provided with deepened grooves, needles provided with extended tails in the said grooves, a grooved bed, a2, needle shifters,j2, engaging the tails of certain of the needles and a ring, 7a2, adapted to be moved horizontally engaging the said shifters, whereby a predetermined number of needles may be rendered inoperative in the knitting of heel and toe work, asset forth.v

3. A knitting machine embracingin its construction a needle cylinder provided with deepened grooves, needles provided with extended tails in the said grooves, a grooved bed, a2, needle shifters, i2, engaging the tails of certain of the needles to move the latter in their grooves and the slides, q2, 'engaging` the needle shifters to actuate the same, combined with the needle shifters, j2, engaging certain other of the needles, and a movable ring, 7a2, engaging the said needle shifters,j2, and means for actuating the said ring and said slides, g2, whereby a portion of the needles may be rendered inoperative, and the remain ing needles gradually retired and brughtinto operationtov narrow and widen, as set forth.

4. A knitting machine comprising in itsconstruction a needle cylinder provided with deepened needle grooves, the needles therein, the ring or cylinder, a', provided with the slotted and groov'ed flange bed, a2, the needle shifters, i2, in the grooves of the flange bed engaging the needles, the slotted slides,rq2, on the upper face of the flange bed to engage the needle Shifters, the segmental slides, 02, on the under face of the flange bed, pins,oc2, extending through slots of the flange bed connectingy the slides, q2, and v2, and means to actuate the slides, c?, as set forth.

5,. The needle cylinder and needles, and cam ring, combined with the needle Shifters, jz, and the ring, [02, engaging the said shifters, said ring being adapted to be moved laterally so as to be eccentric or concentric with the needle cylinder, as set forth.

6. The needle cylinder and needles, the cam ring, and needle shifters,j with the heels, m2 n2, combined with the laterally movable ring, 7a2, arranged between the said heels, whereby by the movement ofthe said ring, the,needle shifters may be moved, as set forth. v

7. The needle cylinder and needles, and the needle shifters,j2, combined with the ring, 7a2, engaging the said shifters, the flanged cam ring or bed provided with a slot pin, o2, connected with the said ring and extending through the said slot, lever, h3, the ratchet wheel, Z3, a pawl connected with lever, h3, to

2, provided actuate the' ratchet wheel, a cam, n3, connected with the ratchet wheel and adapted to act on-the pin, o2, to move itin one direction, a spring to move it in the opposite direction, and means to actuate the lever, as set forth.

8. The needle cylinder and needles, the cam ring, and the slotted flanged bed, a2, combined with the needle Shifters, t2, the slides, Q2, provided with the slots, n2, to engage the heels of the Shifters, the notched segmentall slides, v2, means extending through the slots of the anged bed connecting' the slides, and means for actuating the slides, o?, as set forth.

9. A knitting machine adapted for knitting heel-and-toe work comprising in its construction a needle cylinder and needles and cam ring, slotted slides (q2) for rendering the narrowing needles operative and inoperative, a rack bar, c', and connections with the cam ring for reciprocating the latter,and connections between the rack bar and slotted slides (q2) for rendering the narrowing needles operative and inoperative, whereby the said slotted slides (q2) may be actuated and controlled by the rack barin exact time with the reciprocating movements of the cam ring, as set forth.

10. Means for introducing a thickening yarn consisting of the combination, with the cam ring, of the open-eye yarn guide, a pivoted yarn carrier, spring, p5, the shifting ring, k2, and pin,'o4, operatively connected with the pivoted yarn carrier as set forth.

11. Means for introducing a thickening yarn consisting of the combination, with the cam ring, of the open-eye yarn guide, a pivoted yarn carrier constructed as an anglelever, the spring (p5), a lever for operating upon one arm of the said angle-lever, the shifting ring, k2, and pin, o4, for acting upon the last-mentioned lever as set forth.

12. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitting needles, knitting cams and complemental stitch-forming mechanism, a laterally sliding ring, connections between the instep needles and said ring, and automatic means connected therewith for sliding said ring to throw the instep needles into and out of operation as set forth.

13. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitting needles, knitting cams and complemental stitch-forming mechanism, a yarn device, a laterally sliding ring, connections between the instep needles and said ring and between the yarn device and said ring, and automatic means connected therewith for sliding said ring to throw the instep needles into and out of operation and to operate said yarn device as set forth.

14. In an automatic circular knitting ma=I chine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitting needles,knitting cams,and complemental stitch-forming mechanism, a yarn device, a

Sliding ring, connections between the instep needles and said ring automatic means connected with one side of said ring for sliding the latter, and means connected with the op 7c posite side of said ring arranged to operate the yarn device upon the sliding of said ring as set forth.

15. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knittingneedles, knitting cams and complemental stitch-forming mechanism, a yarn device, a sliding ring to control said yarn device and the instep needles, connections between the instep needles and said ring and between the yarn device and said ring, slotted slides to control the narrowing needles, a reciprocating bar Ct', devices between said bar and ring for actuating andcontrolling said slides and ring as set forth.

16. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitvtingneedles, knittingcams` andcomplemental stitch-forming mechanism, a yarn device, a sliding ring to control said yarn device' and the instep needles, connections between the instep needles and said ring and between the yarn device and said ring, slotted slides to control the narrowing needles, meansincludinga clutch mechanism and the bar tt for changing the motion of the machine from rotary to reciprocatory and vice versa, and devices between said bar and slides and ring and clutch in virtue of which said barcontrols and times said slides and ring and clutch.

17. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination,a needle cylinder, knitting needles, knitting cams,and complemental stitchforming mechanism, a yarn device, a horizontally sliding ring arranged to throw the instep needles into and out of operation and to operate the yarn device, connections between the instep needles and said ring and between the yarn device and said ring oscillatory slides for throwing the narrowing needles into and out of operation, a main driving shaft, means including a clutch mechanism and the bar ot for changing the motion of the machine from rotary to reciprocatory and vice versa and devices between said bar and ring and between said barand clutch in virtue of which said ring is shifted before the motionfof the knitting cams is changed from rotory to reciprocatory and vice versa.

18. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitting needles, knittingcams, and complemental stitch-forming mechanism, a horizontallysliding ring arranged to throw the instep needles into and out of operation, connections between the instep needles and said ring, oscillatory slides for throwing the narrowing needles into and out of operation, means including a clutch mechanism and the bar a for changing the motion of the machine from rotary to reciprocatory, and vice versa, and devices between said bar and ring,and between said bar and clutch, and between said bar and slides in virtue of which said ring is shifted ICO IIO

IZO

before th-e motion of the knitting cams is changed from rotary to recipro'cat'ory and vice versa, and b'efore'said slides are put into operation.

1'9. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitting needles, knitting cams and compl'emental stitch-forming mechanism, an automatically operated laterally movable ring arranged to throw the instep needles into and out of operation, and connections between the instep needles and said ring as set forth.

20. In an automatic circular knitting inachine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitting needles, knitting cams and complemental stitch -form'ing mechanism, needle Shifters, an automatically operated laterally movable ring, and suitable connections ,between said Shifters and said ring as set forth.

2l. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, knitting needles, knitting cams and complemental stitch-forming mechanism, needle Shifters connected to the instep and narrowing needles, an automaticaily operated laterally movable ring and oscillatory slides arranged to engage the Shifters upon the instep'and narrowing and widening needles, respectively,a main driving shaft, a reciprocatory bar and devices between said shaft and bar and between said bar and ring and between said bar and slides, in virtue of which said ring and slides are actuated and controlled from said bar.

22. In an automatic circular knitting machine, in combination, an'open-eye'yarnguide, a pivoted yarn-carrier, Va laterally movable ring and automatic means for moving said ring, and connections between said ring and carrier as set forth.

23. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main driving shaft (i), a pulley loose on said shaft, a gear (l) also loose on said shaft and connected with the pulley, a gear (m) loose on the shaft, a collar (o) fast on said shaft adjacent to the gear (m), a clutch roll s between the gear (l) and collar (o), a rack-bar (al) engaging the gear (m), and gearing intermediate of the gear (l) and the rack-bar, substantially asand for the purpose described as set forth.

24. In a `knitting machi-ne,`i-n combination, a main driving shaft, a sliding clutch part on said shaft, a rock-shaft (b') having means arranged to engage said clutch part, the camwheel (9"), the gears (l) and (m),the rack bar (d), and actu-ating devices between said bar and gear l and between said bar and cam wheel.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name Vto this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 31st day of March, A. D. 189i.

WALTER H. STEWART.

Witnesses:

F. N. PARSONS, MARGARET A. DEvINnY.

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