US214308A - Improvement in knitting-machines - Google Patents

Description

14 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April 15, 1879.

IN VEJV' TOR J olinl Zlson/ By Iris .Afturneys, RMW* N.FETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

'14 Sheets-Sheet a. J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April 15,1879.

By 701's .dttornell' mm M w N. PETERS. FHOTO-LITHUGRAPHER, WASHINGYQN. D C

14 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April 15, 1879.

.fa/in, Jr' iw a By 121's Attorney-s. O XW 1 NVPETERS. FHOTO-LITNDGHAPMER. WASMINGWN D C 14 Sheets-Sheet 5.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented la -15,1879,

7.; N .4 N A g R k @W k E A km i H MAN INVENTOR- nfofin Weiromf 14 Sheets-Sheet 6. J. NELSON.

Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. 4 Patented April 15, 1879.. i Y2 i QR.

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"PETERS. PHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

14 Sheets-Sheet 7.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April15, 1879.

//////////////////1 l/ll W] T .MFSSES W By his Attorneys, jfi QM WW* My v alin' Ji islson/ 14 Sheets-Sheet 8.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April 15, I879.

U .7 'JVESSE S %}3/Q I By A is Attorneys. (3 %%2% @AWAMWA W MPErERs. PHOTO-LITNOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D C.

14 Sheets-Sheet 10.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April 15, 1879.

\\\\i J5 y Y 1 ill 1* 27 d um m Y WITNESSES I JV VEJV TOR .fahn J 'ekaw. By I? is Attorney Z W @3$\.L A LW% 9% MPEIES, FHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D C 14 Sheets-Sheet 11.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April 15, I879.

L-HIIILIL llllIlHll Jkn/ Wes-38012 .tlttorneys.

N.FETEHS FHOTO-LITHOGHAPHER, WASHINGTONv D C.

14 Sheets-She t 12.-

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 2I4,308 Patented Apr-H15, I879.

ERS ER 14 Sheets-Sheet 13.

J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April I5, 1879.-

M um .fiigu'uum QMMMM 14 Sheets-Sheet 14.

' J. NELSON. Knitting-Machine.

No. 214,308. Patented April 15,1879.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JOHN NELSON, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN KNITTING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 214,308, dated April 15, 1879 application filed December 13, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN NELsoN, of Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to knitting-machines of that class known as straight-row knittin g-machines.

lts objects are so to organize said mechanism as to render it capable of automatically and completely knitting an entire sock of a uniform or parti-colored yarn, of the same or difierent sizes of yarn, and of increasedthiekness wherever required.

The subject-matter claimed will hereinafter specifically be designated.

The accompanying drawings represent all my improvements as embodied in one machine in the best way now known to me. It is obvious, however, that some of said improvements may be made and used without the others, and in machines varying in their organization from the one herein described. .It is also obvious that the details of construction of some of the parts may be varied in various well known ways without departing from the principle of the invention herein claimed.

Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of so much of my improved machine as is necessary to illustrate the subject-matter herein claimed; Fig. 2, a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a view, in

. elevation, of what I call the left end of the machine; and Fig. 4, a similar view of the right end.

That end of the machine on the right of a person facing the machine, as in Fig. 2, I call the right end of the machine; the other the left end.

F g. 5 represents a section on the line 1 l of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 represents a plan or top view of the central portion of the machine, partly in section, on the line 2 2 of Fig. 5, and on an enlarged scale, showing the relation of the front and back needles, one set being pushed up and the other set being pushed down. Fig. 7 is a similar view of some of the back needles and their needle jacks and 1evers, with the covering-plates removed and partly in section, on the line 3 3 of Fig. 10. Fig. 8 is a side view of the yarn-carrier, seen from the front; Fig. 9, a bottom-plan view thereof. Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 7 through the center of one of the back-needle grooves, showing the relative position of the parts when the needle is pushed up and in working order. Fig. 11 is a similar section, with the needlesupports lowered to admit of the removal of the needles. Fig. 12 is a similar section, showing the needle-jack locked in its advanced position to hold the needle when not working. Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse section through the needle-cam slides on the line 5 5 of Figs. 14 and 18. Fig. 14 is a bottom-plan view of a portion of the rear cam-slide or needle-actuator, showing the cam in its working position when knitting circular work; Fig. 15, a vertical cross-section thereof on the line 6 6 of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a vertical longitudinal section through the needle-cam slide on the line 7 7 of Fig. 14, showing the spring-cam in its ordinary working position. Fig. 17 is a similar section, showing the spring-cam as raised or in position for working the needles by the movement of the slide each way when the front needles are not working. Fig. 18 is abottomplan view of the front cam-slide or needleactuator in its working position. Fig. 19 is a back view of the back channel-plate; Fig. 20, a bottom-plan view of the same. Fig. 21 is a vertical transverse section therethrongh on the line 8 8 of Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a front view of the front channel-plate. Fig. 23 is a bottom-plan view of the same; Fig. 24, a vertical transverse section therethrough on the line 9 9 of Fig. 23. Fig. 25 is a plan or top view of the top guideoain or channel-plate for actuating the yarncarrier and presser-hook-actuating cams. Fig. 26 is a vertical longitudinal section therethrough on the line 10 10 of Fig. 25; Fig. 27, a vertical transverse section therethrough on the line 11 11 of Fig. 25. Fig. 28 represents a view, partly in section, on the line 12 12 of Fig. 29, of the central presser-hooks of the back needles; Fig. 29, a vertical transverse section therethrongh on the line 13 13 of Fig. 28. Fig. 30 is a bottom-plan view of one of the hook-cams, both being alike in contour. Fig. 31 is a view, in perspective, of one of the swinging beds or hinged needle-supports detached. Fig. 32 is a front view, showing the details of the tension arms or levers which regulate the tightnessof the stitches. Fig. 33is avertical transverse section therethrough on the line 14 14 of Fig. 32. Fig. 84 is afront view of the pattern-drum-actuating mechanism, partly in section. on the line 15 15 of Fig. 36. Fig. 35 is a vertical transverse section through the same on the line 16 16 of Fig. 34. Fig. 36 is a plan view of the same, partly in section, on the line 17 17 of Fig. 34. Fig. 37 is a view from the inner side of the mechanism which controls the intermittent movement of the pattern-cylinder, showing it detached from the main frame. Fig. 38 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same on the line 18 18, Figs. 37 and 40. Fig. 39 is a view from the outer side of the same, with the screw removed in order to show the parts which lie under it more clearly. Fig. 40 is a horizontal section therethrough on the line 19 19 of Fig. 38. Fig. 41 is a plan view of one of the reversingrings, that are located on each end of the screw; Fig. 42, a side view of the same. Fig. 43 is a side view of the periphery of the pattern-drum laid out on a fiat surface. Fig. 44 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same on the line 20 20 of Fig. 43, showing the groove or cam which actuates or governs the back tension. Fig. 45 is a similar section on the line 21 21 of Fig. 43, showing the groove or cam which controls the action of one of the back-needle jacks. Fig. 46 is a similar section on the line 22 22 of Fig. 43, showing the groove or cam which actuates or controls the front tension-levers. Fig. 47 is a view of the left edge of the rim of the pattern-drum, showing the cam or groove which governs the movement of the back set of needles, causing them to knit either once or twice, as required, at each reciprocation of the sliding needle-cams; and Fig. 48 is a view of the right edge of the pattern-drum, showing the lug or wiper which is instrumental in stopping the yarn-carrier at the proper time in order to throw off the completed stocking.

The mechanism is mounted upon a suitable frame, consistingof a rigid base or main frame, A, carrying two side plates. A A which rest upon ledges on the outer sides of the main frame, and are held securely thereto by screws. A shaft, B, driven from any suitable prime mover, is mounted in a bracket-bearing, b, projecting from the side plate A and carries a crank-wheel, B the wrist-pin b of which is connected, by a pitinan, B to an elbow-lever, B rocking in-a vertical plane on a pivot, [1 The long arm of this lever is pin-jointed to a link, B*, which is pivoted to a yoke or saddle, O, which rides upon and is securely fastened to the needle-cam slides I) and E, connecting them together and imparting to them a positive movement, thereby causing them to reciprocate in parallel planes on their respective needle-beds on opposite sides of a vertical longitudinal slot or opening, F, through which the knit fabric descends.

Each set of needles is arranged parallel with this slot and works over it in an inclined path,

each needle moving independently of the others in its respective slot in the needle-bed, being protruded and retracted successively by means of a stud, K,projecting from its jack K, acted upon by a cam on the under side of a camslide.

In working the heel or toe of a sock by this machine, it is necessary to throw one set of needles out of operation, by preference the front set, or the one farthest from the patterncam G. This I do by so constructing that part B of the cam-slide E which pushes up the needles that it shall usually lie out of contact with the shank of the needle-jacks, and making it in the form of a spring, or otherwise giving it a yielding motion which will bring it within range of the shank on the jack when required. I do this automatically by means of an oscillating wedge, e, pivoted underneath the cam-plate E, and intermediate between it and the movable cam E (See Fig. 18.) \Vhen the wedge is between the spring-cam and the cam-plate, the inclined edge of the former is pushed down until it almost touches the needle-bed, and when in this position it comes in contact with the jackshanks, which move up the inclined edge as the cam-plate advances. On the return movement of the cam-slide the jack-shanks come in contact with the inclined edge of the pivoted plate E and are moved back to their former position.

When it is desired to stop the needles, or throw them out of action, the wedge is moved from between the cam-plate and the springcam, when the latter rises and lies close up against the bottom of the cam-plate, passing above the tops of the shanks of the jacks without touching them.

The wedge e consists of one leg of a V-shaped lever or bell-crank, the other leg, 6, oscillating in a recess in the cam-plate, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 18, carrying at its outer extremity-a stud or pin, 6 which projects up through and vibrates in a slot, 0 in the camplate E. That part of the pin 0" which projects through the plate traverses one or the other of two grooves in the under side of the channel-plate H, Figs. 22, 23, and 24. While the wedge is over the spring-cam E, and the latter pressed down in such position as to act on the needle-jacks, the pin 6 traverses the outer groove, h, and the gate or shifter H re mains in the position shown in Fig. 23 by full lines; but when it is desired to stop the action of the needles the gate is shifted to the position shown by the dotted lines, which closes the groove h and shifts the pin into the groove h, which action causes the wedge to move from over the spring-cam E, allowing it to spring up and ride over the shanks of the jacks. This change should only take place when the cam slide has reached the limit of its stroke to the left and the pin has passed beyond the gate and lies in the wide groove h at the left end of the channel-plate.

The gate or shifter forms one leg of a bell- 1A4".14 41- A A e 41441. 1 1 1 crank or L-shaped lever, which oscillates on a pivot, lbs. The other leg, H lies in a recess above the top of the grooves to permit the pin 0 to pass freely under it, and extends through and vibrates in a slot, H of the channel-plate. The outer end, which projects a short distance beyond the front side of the channel-plate, is perforated, and has the upper end of the lever I projecting through it. This lever is pivoted at 1 (see Figs. 2 and 3,) and has at its extreme lower end an inwardly-projecting stud, 1 which runs in the groove G of the patterndrum G. The peculiar shape of this groove is v best shown in Fig. 43.

So long as the machine is knitting circular work the stud I traverses the straight part G of the groove; but while the toe or heel of a sock is being formed, and itis desired that the front set of needles shall remain inoperative, the stud will be shifted and run in one or the other of the parts 9 of the groove, thereby shifting the lever I, which, through the medium of the gate H causes the stud e to change its path from the channel It to the channel h, thereby moving the wedge e from over the spring-cam E, allowing it to spring up and pass over the shanks of the needle-jacks, as before described.

In order to knit tighter or looser, I shorten or lengthen the retracting movement of the needles, to accomplish which object that part E of the cam-slide E which retracts the front needles is pivoted at one end on the cam-plate at e, to admit of the necessary lateral play or oscillation, which movement is effected by means of a laterally moving bar, F lying on the needle-bed,and provided with a longitudinal groove, f, on its under side, and in which a corresponding ledge or flange on the movable bar E traverses. (See Figs. 3, 4, 5, 18, 32, and 33.) This laterally-moving shifter-bar F is mounted upon oscillating arms J J, pivoted beneath and passing through slots in the needle-bed, and connected by the rock-shaft J so as to form a rigid frame, thus compelling both ends of the bar to move correspondently. (See Figs. 32 and 33.)

A set-screw, J passing through the arm J of the tension-frame, bears against one leg of a bell-crank lever, J mounted loosely on the rock shaft J between the arm-J and the inside of the side plate A The other end of this lever extends inward and upward nearly to the vertical center of the periphery of the pattern-drum G, and carries at its end a steel shoe or lug, J which rides upon the periphcry of the pattern-drum, and is held firmly thereto by the tension of the spring J which connects the front and back'tension frames, drawing them toward each other, and acting against the pattern-cam G.

Any adjustment of the tension of the stitches formed by the front row of needles may be obtained by means of the set-screw J which, when screwed against the opposing arm of the lever J forces the tensioirframe, the bar F and the needle-retracting cam E away from the center of the machine, thereby increasing the length of stroke of needles, and causing a looser stitch to be made.

It is necessary during the knitting of the toe or heel of a stocking that the tension mechanism of the front needles should cease to operate entirely, in order to accomplish which depressions G G are formed in the face of the pattern-drum G, (see Figs. 43 and 46,) in the path of the shoe J and into which the shoeis pressed by the spring, thereby permitting of the whole tension mechanism being drawn toward the center of the machine, and preventin g any possibility of the needles being moved by the retracting-cam E The shoe J 5 might, if preferred, be provided with friction-rollers. This mode of construction permits of the lateral adjustment of the retracting-cam E with a single screw 5 but it is obvious that this construction might be varied in various ways, and still operate with good effect.

- Insteadofmakingtheneedle-bedA ,asusual, with grooves, in which the needle-bars slide, out through and through, I construct the bottom portion thereof in the usual manner-that is, with grooves cut through and through-and superimpose upon it a steel plate, a, slotted transversely, so as to form a grating, in the slots of which the shanks K -of the needle slides or jacks K traverse. This grating thus acts as a means of holding the needle slides or jacks down in their grooves, guiding them accurately, forming a positive stop to limit their extreme range of movement, and, by its superior durability, preventing the wear and inaccurate working or the breakage of parts, and has in practice been found of great utilit k hook, K opening downward on the front end of the needle slide or jacl ,interlocks with acorrvsponding hook, it, on the back end of the needle k, (see Fig. 5,) so that in their ordinary working position the parts are securely interlocked; but the needle can readily be detached by bearing down upon its back end. To do this with more facility a slot, a, is formed on the under side of the needle-bed A extending from its upper edge, or that nearest the center of the machine, to a point directly beneath the hook it of the needle when the needle is in its most advanced petition, which slot is ordinarily closed by the web L on the swinging bed or pivoted support L. The same operation can be effected in like manner with respect to the front set of needles. WVhen it is desired to remove a needle these swinging supports can be lowered a sufficient distance to permit the needle-hook k to fall below and entirely clear of the hook K of its jack when the needle is in its advanced position. The needle can then be withdrawn.

Fig. 31 shows a view, in perspective, of one of my improved needle-supports, which is, by preference, made of steel, and is provided at its forward end with a groove, L in which the front end of the needle works. It is pivoted at its outer end, beneath the needlebed, on a pivot, (1 while it is supported and held up in position at its im e.- end by a rocking eccentric-shaft, 1.. When in working position, as shown in Fig. 5, the top of the web L lies in the same plane with the bottom of the needle-groove in the bed-plates, forming a continuation of said bottom; but when it is desired to move one or more needles the eccentricshaft L is rotated until its flat surface is presented to the bottom of the support L, which will fall by its own gravity, leavingthe needle unsupported, so that if it be advanced to its limit of motion its rear end can be depressed and detached from the hook on the needlejack. The position assumed by the parts when the needle is to be taken out is very clearly shown in Fig. 11. This figure represents one of the back needles; but the operation of detaching the needles from the jacks is precisely similar in both sets.

I have found this device of great utility in practice, as by this mode of construction I am enabled to shorten or diminish the width of the ordinary cast-iron needle-bed and substitute for it a series of independent supports of hardened steel at a point where the wear is greatest, and where any wear or breakage can readily be compensated. Moreover, this construction obviates the ditiiculties attendant upon the tempering of the steelplate intersected by transverse slots, which, in practice, has been found hard to overcome.

The cam-slide I), which operates the back set of needles, or that nearest the pattern-cylinder, differs somewhat in construction from that which operates the other set, though its general outline is similar.

This difference in construction arises from the fact that in the organization of my machine it is only necessary for the front set of needles to knit one stitch for each reciprocation of the canrslide It at any time, while during a portion of the operation they are entirely unemployed.

In the back set or pattern side the needles, while knitting circular work, make but one stitch for each reciprocation of the cam-slide D; but while the toe or heel is being formed, and the front set of needles is thrown out of action, it is necessary that they should make two stitches for each reciprocation of the catnslide. All the needles of this set are never thrown altogether out of action, as in th front set, and the mechanism through which the action of each individual needle is controlled is of an entirely different character to that of the front set, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the back cam-slide, I), there are two advancingcams, l) and l)-',and a double-inclined retracting-cam, I). The cam l) consists of a steel spring or plate, and is moved at proper intervals away from the plate I) by a wedge, D, in precisely the same manner that the springcam E is moved by the wedge e, as before described.

\Yhen the back needles are knitting one stitch for each reciprocation of the earns, the wedge I) is in the position shown in Figs. 14, 15, and 16, and the cam lies close up to the bottom of the cam-plate D, riding over the shanks of the needle-jacks which are moved up by the inclined edge of the fixed cam D and retracted on the return stroke of the camslide by the edge 01 of the retracting-cam B.

When the toe or heel is being formed, and it is desired that the needles should make two stitches for each reciprocation of the cam-slide, the wedge D is moved between the spring-cam and the plate D, and the former is pressed down to the position shown in Fig. 17. This change only occurs when the cam-slide is at the extreme limit of its stroke, and when the shanks of the needle-jacks are lying along the longitudinal edge 01 of the fixed cam D, with the needles in their most advanced position.

0n the return stroke of the cam-slide the needles are retracted by the inclined edge 01 of the retracting-cam I), but are again immediately advanced by the edge of the springcam I). On the next advance stroke of the cam-slide the needles are first retracted by the edge (1 of the cam D", and then advanced by the edge of the cam D thus making a stitch at each stroke or movement of the camslide, or two stitches for each reciprocation.

The mechanism employed in depressing the spring cam D is very similar to that used for the cam E. The leg D of the wedge-lever vibrates on a pivot, and carries at its extremity a pin, D, which extends through and moves in a slot in the plate. This pin traverses one or the other of the grooves m m in the channel-plate M, (Figs. 19, 20, 21,) and is shifted from one groove to the other by the gate M, pivoted at m. This gate is connected to an emlwise-moving rod, M, by a stud which projects from its upper surface and works in a slightly-elongated hole in the rod. At the outer extremity of the rod is a hole, at, into which one end of the lever M projects. This lever is pivoted at m (see Fig. 3) between the inner side of the frame-plate A and the left end of the pattern-drum G, and carries at its lower end a stud, m which projects into and traverses the cam-groove G in the end of the pattern-drum. (See Figs. 3 and 47.)

Vv'hile the needles are knitting circular work, or one stitch for each reciprocation of the camslide, the stud m traverses the straight part G of the groove in the pattern-drum, (see Fig. 47,) the rod M is drawn out, and the gate M is in the position shown in Figs. 20, 21 in full lines, causing the stud D to reciprocate in the channel m, with the wedge D in the position shown in Figs. 14 and 16; but when the proper time arrives to change the needles from single to double action, the stud m is drawn into one of the parts 9 of the groove, which moves the lever M and pushes in the bar M causing the gate to shift to the position shown by dotted lines. At the instant this change takes place the pin D is standing in the enlarged part m of the groove outside of the gate, which in shifting closes the channel m and switches the pin into the channel m thereby forcing the wedge between the cam D and the plate D, as shown by Fig. 17.

The triangular block or double retractingcam D (which serves the same purpose as the pivoted cam E lies on top of the needle-bed, and between it and the plate D, being moved by the latter through the stud d*, which projects up into the recess d in the bottom of the plate.

In order to change the tension of the stitches knit by the back needles, I move the retracting-cam D toward or away from the center of the machine, which is accomplished by a somewhat similar method to that employed in regulating the tension of the front needles.

The recess (2 into which the stud d projects, is elongated to permit the cam to be moved transversely without efiecting its reciprocal motion. All upwardly-projecting ledge or flange, d", on the long side of the cam D fits into and traverses a corresponding groove, f, on the under side ofa laterally-movin g bar, F which is constructed precisely like the bar F. This connection allows a free reciprocating movement of the cam D connects it to the bar F so that they will move laterally together, and also serves to keep the cam from twisting or getting out of its true position.

The bar F is mounted upon two arms, N N, which oscillate through apertures in the needlebed A, and are connected by a rock-shaft, N which works in suitable bearings in the side plates A and A thus forming a tension-frame like that for the front setof needles. (See Figs. 32 and 33.) An arm, N extending outward and downward from the rock-shaft, carries at its end a steel shoe, n, which rides upon the periphery of the pattern-drum, and is held thereto by the action of the spring J which connects the front and back tension-frames.

A boss, N, on the end of the arm has a recess in its under side. in which the shoe or. is carried with sufficient endwise movement to allow of any desired adjustment of the tension by a thumb-screw, n, which passes through the top of the boss and bears on the upper end of the shoe. The cam formed in the face of the pattern-drum, in the path traversed by the shoe n, is best shown in Figs. 43 and 4.4.

At the moment the completed stocking is to be cast off and a new one commenced it is desired that the tension mechanism should cease to operate entirely, and to this end the shoe drops into the deep recess 9 of the groove G from which, however, it rises at the next movement of the pattern-drum, and rides up the long incline of the groove G The gradual enlargement of the foot of the stocking from toe to heel is accomplished by knitting tight or small stitches at the toe, and gradually loosening or enlarging them as the heel is approached.

While the shoe or. is upon the lower part of the cam G the stroke of the needle is short,

and a close fabric is knit by them; but as the shoe rides up the cam the retracting-stroke of the needles is gradually lengthened, thereby producing larger or looser stitches, and a consequent increase in the size of the fabric.

While knitting certain parts of the sock, more particularly the toe and heel, it is necessary, in order to form the gored seams required to produce the proper shape of these parts, that one or more of the back needles should be thrown out of action while the others con tinue working, which end I attain as follows:

Certain portions of the needle slides or jacks on the flanks of the set next to the patterncylinder reciprocate in slots or guideways in rocking levers O, mounted on a shaft 0 parallel with and back of the needle-bed A, which is slotted through and through, except the cone-shaped section a, which is the only continuous part of the needle-bed, and is all that holds its various sections together. The ends 0 0 of the lever play vertically through a portion of these slots, by and in which they are guided and supported. (See Figs. 5, 7, 10,11, and 12.) Projections 0 0 on the ends of the levers 0 bear on the patterncylinder and con-. trol their movements.

I have employed a lever having a singlelug bearing on the pattern-cylinder with a spring to hold it down to its work, but found that this construction did not admit of such rapid work as I desired, although it would do good work at a certain speed. I have, therefore, devised a mode of operating the rocking levers positively, which permits the machine to run at any speed required. To this end I form a projection on each lever, on each side of its fulcrum, which projections 0 0 bear upon the pattern-cylinder, and thus hold the lever positively to its work. To do this it is essential that the two projections should lie in different vertical planes parallel with the face of the lever. While one projection rides upon the periphery of the pattern-cylinder, the opposite projection may run in grooves G therein, there beingno time when both projections run loosely in the grooves of the cylinder. (See Figs. 5, 7, 10, 11, and 12.) The bottom part, 0 of the slot or guideway in the lever, in which the needle slide or jack moves, has a notch or recess, 0 formed in it about midwayof its length, and near the point 0 of the upper member of the lever, which member forms the top wall of the slot.

By this mode of construction the lever can only oscillate when the needle is at the upper end of its stroke, and when so operated it bears positively upon the needle slide or jack K, and depresses its back end into the notch above described, thus positively locking the needle in this position until again thrown into operation by the pattern-cam. (See Fig. 12.) When in this position it will be noticed that the stud K on the top of the needle-jack, upon which the cams on the needle-slides 1) act, is depressed below the surface of the grating a, so as to be entirely out of reach of the cams,

and is thus automatically thrown out of connection with them. By this means the breakage of the needle by the yarncarrier striking them is prevented, as well as the accidental dropping back of the needle.

Thus it will be seen that by my invention the needle is uniformly supported while working throughout its entire length, and is not lifted when the rear end of the jack is depressed; while to remove theneedle the swinging bed or supports L is lowered and out of the way, as described, for the front set of necdles, and shown in Fig. 11, so that the needle can be depressed at its back end, releasing it from its connection with the hook on the jack, and allowing it to be withdrawn, thus combining the advantages of a continuous hearing, when working, with means for readily removing or replacing the needles.

Another feature of the organization of my machine is that those needles on the rear or pattern -cylinder side of the machine which are thrown out of operation in narrowing the fabric remain locked at the extreme limit of their upward movement, instead of being retracted out of the way, as is the case in the front set.

It has been proposed to fill the eyelet-holes, usually formed in narrowing, the fabric when reversing the knitting in the central portion of jt, by partially protruding the outside needles, next to the last one being knit, and throwing a loop of yarn around it on the reverse motion. 1 have found, in practice, this plan to be attended by the disadvantage of a tendency to break the needle, and of not leaving the fabric smooth; but I have obviated this objection by causing the last needle in knitting to advance the full length of its stroke, and remain locked in that position, with aloop of yarn around it, until the next course, when it retracts and goes on knitting like the others.

The oscillating'levers, which carry the needle slides or jacks, as above described, are steadily supported and guided by means of a comb-frame, 0, between the teeth of which the studs at work on the pattern vibrate. (See Figs. 1 and 5.)

The pattern cam or cylinder G revolves on a shaft mounted in suitable bearings in the frame A, and has a stepby-step movement imparted to it in the following manner: A lever, P, vibrating on a stud, I), which projects from the bracket 1), is operated by two cams or eccentrics, b b, on the annular hub of the crankdisk B. One end of this lever projects through and vibrates in a slot in the side of the main frame, and has suspended from its end a loosely-pivoted pawl, P, which engages with the teeth of the ratchet U on the patterndrum, and as the lever vibrates gives the drum its intermittent motion.

A spring, P, on the side of thelever presses against the front of the pawl and serves to keep it into engagement with the ratchet. It has been found, when doing rapid work, that the momentum imparted to the drum by the pawl P will sometimes carry it further forward than one step, which is very objectionable; and in order to obviate this difiiculty I provide a stop-pawl, p, pivoted at p, and working through a slot in the actuating-pawl I". (See Figs. 34 and 35.) The shape and relative positions of the two pawls are such that when the actuating-pawl rises, the bottom ofthe slot, as shown by dotted lines, strikes against the bottom of the pawl 11 and lifts its upper end out of engagement with the ratchet, holding it out until part of the downward stroke is accomplished, when it is allowed to fall back on the drum; and in order to secure its engagement with the ratchet, the end of the pawl P strikes a toe, p, on the lower end of the stoppawl, forcing it down and the upper end of the pawl into the teeth of the ratchet.

By this arrangement it is impossible for the drum to move a greater distance than one tooth for each reciprocation of the actuatingpawl. The upper end of the lever P is divided into two branches, the upper one, P riding above the actuating'cam b, while the lower branch, P, lies against the under side of the retracting-cam b. The two cams are so shaped that both forks of the lever are always pressed against them, any wear being compensated for by moving the steel block 19 which is held down by set-screws, thus imparting to the lover a positive motion.

During some portions of the work it is desirable to stop this step-by-step motion of the pattern-cylinder, as in plain knitting. Bystopping the movement of the pattern-cylinder I am enabled very materially to diminish the size of the pattern-cylinder required in case the cylinder should rotate continuously. To attain this end I mount a peculiarly-constructed right-and'left screw, q, (shown in Figs. 34, 37, 38, and 40.) upon a frame, R, and impart an intermittently rotating movement to it by means of a toothed wheel, q, upon its upper end, actuated by a cam, B on the inner face of the crank-wheel B, which cam acts upon the teeth once during each revolution of the driving-shaft B.

A plate, Q, pivoted vertically upon the inner side of the frame R, carries-at its upper end an arm, Q, which projects through an opening in the main frame, and stands between the pattern-cylinder and its actuating-pawl P, holding thelatter out of contact with the ratchet when it is desired that the drum should remain stationary. (See Figs. 34 to 42.)

A block or traveler, S, reciprocates in a slot, R, of the frame, and rocks upon its projecting pins 8 s, which traverse grooves 1' r in the frame in each side of the slot. At the ends of this traveler are lugs S S, which alternately traverse between the threads of the right and left screws, being cut at proper angles to fit therein, and through which the traveler acquires its reciprocating movement, the lug S being engaged with the left-hand screw while the traveler is on its upward move, (see Fig. 38,) but is thrown out of contact therewith by the inclined plane or cam T on the collarT at the

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