GB456145A - Improvements in or relating to knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

456,145. Knitting-machines. MILLER, M. C., Manville, Rhode Island, U.S.A. May 3, 1935, No. 13285. Convention date, May 18, 1934. [Class 74 (ii)] Mechanism is provided in a flat full-fashioning knitting-machine of the cotton or similar type for setting up the initial course of a piece of fabric and thereafter forming a tubular welt. There is an independent welt-turning unit for each section of the machine. The units are capable of being operated independently or together. A new set of stocking blanks is begun with the previously knitted legs still on the take-up rollers and the arrangement is such that they can be removed, the welt wires positioned and the welt-take up straps attached at a convenient time thereafter without stopping the machine. Pattern controlled means are employed for insuring the operation of the loose course mechanism during the setting-up process. An initial course is first measured against the needle stems by alternate sinkers, and the needle wale portions of this course are removed by a series of hooks 283 engaging alternate needles. These hooks are supported vertically in hanging frames 196, pivoted directly above the needles and movable with the take-up. End plates 284 engaging fixed abutments serve to register the hooks with the needles. Each hook is provided at the lower end with two hook-shaped cheeks 307, the pointed ends on the rear sides of which engage and deflect such sinkers or knocking-over bits as may be out of line. Cam surfaces 308 between the cheeks 307 guide the needles as they rise. The cheeks, being springy and slightly bent inwards, snap past the needle stems when the hooks are brought into register with the needles (Fig. 17). The hooks then rise to engage the sunk yarn. The needles also begin to move down and the dividing sinkers to move forward while the jack sinkers move back. Fig. 50 shows in plan the lay-out of the yarn ; it is held at this stage solely by the sinkers and welt-hooks against the stems of alternate needles. The needles advance towards the hooks, while continuing to move downwards. In this advance bights of yarn presented by pairs of adjacent sinkers are pressed against the stems of alternate needles while the intermediate needles continue to move forward. As the needles move down these bights pass under the beards of the needles b the sinkers being withdrawn somewhat, to allow all the needles to come in line again. After the needles are fully lowered the hooks can pass to the back of the needle line prior to forming the next course, which is made on all the needles. The first course remains on the hooks until the welt is completed. After a certain length of fabric has been knitted a welt wire is inserted by action of the pattern-mechanism on the take-up release assembly, thereby oscillating a rod 446, Fig. 4, and pulling slides 440 so that welt rod levers 432 are moved. Welt wires resting on the top of these levers then fall down inclined guideways 430 in two stages and come to rest gently on the fabric. When the welt is completed, the hooks are brought back against the edge of the presser. The needles then move towards and finally enter the hooks between the cheeks 307 to receive the loops of the first course. This alternate needle welt juncture has anti-run characteristics. Each welt hook supporting frame 196 pivots on a shaft 194, and is supported by arms 192 mounted on a shaft 190. Counterweights 204 connected to each frame by tapes, passing round pulleys 198, 202, tend to draw the welt hooks &c., to the front of the machine. The position of the shaft 194 and of the frames &c. carried thereby is determined by cams acting on the shafts 190 through spring-urged levers. These cams are brought into action by shogging the shaft 132 on which they are mounted. When welting is not being done the frames are locked in inoperative position, pins 264 thereon engaging with recesses 262 formed in the ends of levers 260. These levers are pivoted to levers 254 depending from the shaft 190 and carry extensions running on circular discs concentrically mounted on the shaft 132. A bar 338, Fig. 13, pivoted at 342 to a U-shaped lever 340 has a movement, limited by pins 344 in clearance holes, for levelling the sinkers. Secured to the hub of the lever 340 is a spring- urged arm 350 which maintains the sinker bar 338 in engagement with the top sinker plate 328. A tension spring 356 tends to move the lever 348 about its pivot to advance the lever 340 and jack bar into engagement with the jack sinkers. U.S.A. Specification 1,417,289 is referred to.