US2180708A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2l, 1939. H. E. HousEMAN 2,180,708

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug.V 30, 1938.- A 4 Sheets-Sheet l Nov.21,1939. -H.E.HOUSEMAN y 2,180,708

KNITTING MACHINE Nov. 21,I 1939. E. HoUsr-:MANr v 2,180,708

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. so, 1958 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES KNITTING MACHINE Harold E. Houseman, Laconia, N. ll., aslignor to Scott Williams, Inc., Laconia, N. H., a oorporation of lllassacliusetts Application August 30,

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a knitting machine, and particularly to striping devices for such m'achine.

In the production of striping in knitted fabric by thechanging of yarns, it is common to have the striping changes take place in a cyclical fashion. On the other hand, certain yarn changes do not take place cyclically, for example, the yarn changes for the formation of the heel and toe and other structural portions-of a stocking. It is one object of the present invention` to provide a knitting machine in which a selector means, one of which is designed to control the of a stocking, and the other of which is designed to control cyclical striping changes with a resultant simplicity of the set-up of the pattern means and the possibility of using the primary pattern means for the formation of stockings containing different arrangements of stripes. The invention is also applicable to an arrangement. in which two pattern means may control striping to provide a striping 'arrangement which is, in part, cyclical and in part non-cyclical.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for insuring that the overlap of striping yarns occurs in the proper portion of a stocking during both rotary and reclprocatory V knitting. Usually, in the transition from rotary lto reciprocatory knitting a timing change occurs so that without special precautions the introductions of yarns would occur on different groups of needles during the two kinds of knit- 35 ting. Specifically, in accordance with the present invention the controlling means for the yarn changes has its timing shifted with respect to the driving means to secure overlap in the desired fashion. 40 Further objects of the invention particularly relate to details of construction whereby the gen'- `eral objects are satisfactorily attained, and these will be better understood from a consideration of the following description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

'Figure' 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section showing certain of the elements concerned with the yarn changing in a conventional type of knitv ting machine; QFlgure`2 is a fragmentary'elevation showing the-'major portions of the yarn change controllsjjineens; guref3 is a vertical section looking at the same-fromthe side'opposite that illustrated in Fisure2:

Iligiir'e 4, is a front elevation of the same partly in section'andv showing various details; Figures'f and 6 are vertical sections showing the arrangement for shifting the timing of a crank` pin to control the formations of proper major series of yarn changes in the formationv 193s', semi No. 227,452 (ci. ess-13s) overlaps during both rotary and reciprocatory knitting; and

Figure 7 is a sectional plan view of the driving mechanism for the needle cylinders and for the yarn changing controlling means illustratlng particularly the necessity for-the change in timing of the yarn change control means in passing 'from rotary to reciprocatory knitting.

The machine to which the invention is shown as applied is of the type illustrated in Bentley et al. Patent 1,838,651, to which patent reference may be made for details of construction which are not illustrated herein. Referring first to Figure 1, in which there are shown various elements of the type of the machine shown in the patent, and from which the relationship of the novel parts involved in the present invention to the conventional parts of the machine may be understood, the upper and lower cylinders of the machine are indicated at 2 and 4, which cylinders are provided in the usual fashiony with double ended needles which may be transferred from one cylinder to the other for the production of ribbed and plain fabric in y the formation of a stocking.. Various yarns are fe`d to these needles by a series of yarn fingers, of which only Aone is illustrated at 6. These yarn dngers have imparted to them their individual motions by the conventional means, in,

cluding individual levers 8 pivoted at I0 and provided with follower portions I2 adjustable as -indicated at I4. The followers I2 are acted upon by cams I6 driven by individual ratchets I8 having alternate high and low teeth and adapted to be advanced by means of pulling pawls 20, which are provided with extensions 22 designed to selectively engage stepped portions 'of a slide 24 arranged to be selectively 'positioned laterally of the machine. 'I'he various pawls 2l) are pivoted to a frame 26, which is continuously oscillated during the operation of the machine through the medium of a link 28 connected to an adjustable crank described in detail hereafter. A strong spring It serves to urge thepawl carrying frame 26 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure '1.

The various parts so far described are quite conventional and illustrated fully in said Bentley et al. patent. From the mechanical standpoint, as applied to this machine, the present invention is concerned with two matters, first the selective positioning of the slide 24 laterally of the machine to provide selective actuation of the ratchets I8 and accordingly of the yarn fingers, andl secondly the angular shift of the crank driving the link 28 to insure the changing of yarn at proper times. The rst phase of the inventin will be first considered with particularly reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.

The slide 24, which is conventionally mounted in the machine for endwise movements. has such endwise movements imparted to it by means of a lever 32 pivoted on a vertical pivot and provided with a rearwardly extending arm indicated 5 at 33, to which there is connected a link 35 actuated by means of a lever 31, which rides lugs of various heights upon the main pattern chain '39 mounted upon a sprocket journalled on the main control shaft 4| of the machine. The main pattern chain has. as usual, a number of links equal to half the number of courses of the stocking and is therefore advanced a half link for each rotation of ther cylinders. The lever 32 is adapted to engage an adjustable screw 34 carried by the slide 24, which is urged in a direction away from the observer as viewed inl Figure 2 by a, spring 36. The various elements just mentioned are similar to those illustrated in the Bentley et al. patent.

go In accordance with the present invention, an additional control is provided for the lever 32. The lever is provided with a downwardly extending pin 38 adapted to be engaged by a cam 40 carried by the upper end of a lever 42 pivoted on a stud 44 carried by the frame of the machine. The lever 42 has a forwardly extending arm 46 which is urged downwardly by a spring 48 to bring an adjustable stop screw 50 into contact with an eccentric portion 52 carried by a screw 54 and functioning as an adjustable stop.

A lever 56 is mounted on the stud 44 alongside the lever 42 and is pulled downwardly by means of a spring 58. The lever 56 is provided with an upper extension 60 in which-is threaded a screw 62 adapted to engage a block 64 carried by the upper end of a lever 66 pivoted at 68 to the lever 42 and urged in a counterclockwise direction. by a spring 10 to a position limited by the engagement of a stop pin 1| carried by the lever 66 with the side of the lever 42. The lever 66 is provided with a lateral extension 12 arranged to` be engaged as,\for example, under the conditions illustrated in Figure 4 by the head of a screw 14 carried by a lever ||8 hereafter described.

The lever 56 is provided with a Icam following extension 16 which is designed to ride on lugs 18 of various heights provided on a pattern chain 80 carried by a sprocket 82, which is journalled upon a stud 83 carried by the frame. 'I'he 5o sprocket 82 is provided with a hub portion 84 to which is secured a ratchet 86. In order to pre-l vent overrun of the chain, a brake 88 engages the hub 84, the lbrake being in the form of a member faced with friction material such as leather and pivoted to a lever 80 mounted on a stud 32 fixed to the frame and adapted to be adjusted by means of a screw84 abutting a stud on the frame in such fashion as to secure the properfrictional drag upon the hub. The springs 30 48 and 58 heretofore described may be conveniently anchored toI the lever 80.

The advanceof the ratchet 86 is'eftected byv means of a pawl 86 spring urged into engagement with the ratchet and pivotally mounted 35 upon a lever 98 journalled upon the stud 83 and urged in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring |00 as viewed in Figure 3 to bring a following roller |02 carried by it into contact with an actuating cam |04, carried by the shaft |06,

which also carriesa gear |08 by means of 4which it is driven from the cylinder driving mechanism of the machine so as to make one rotation to each rotation of the needle cylinders.

A pawl guard ||0 is pivoted upon the stud 83 and carries a pawl ||2 spring urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 86. The purpose of this pawl is to secure advance of the ratchet yafter timing up of the pattern chain. The pawl guard l0 is adapted to be oscillated through the medium of a link |14, which-is piv- 5 oted to a lateral extension ||6 of a main control lever' ||8, which is pivoted upon a stud |20 carried by the machine frame and provided with a portion |22 arranged to be engaged by an adjustable screw |24 carried by a lever |26 having 10 a follower portion adapted to be acted upon by a series of cams |28, |30, and |34 carried by the main cam'drum |36 journalled on the shaft 4| and arranged to be advanced at irregular intervals under the control of the main chain 38 in 15 the usual' manner. At its right hand end as viewed in Figure 2, the main control lever ||8 is provided with a lateral 'extension indicated at |38 adapted to cooperate with a pin |40 `carried by the pattern chain for the purpose .here- 20 after described.

The second phase of the invention, which is concerned with the angular shifting of the crank pin which actuates the link 28, will be best understood from a preliminary consideration of 25 `the type of driving mechanism for the needle cylinders which is provided in the machine lllustrated in the abovementioned patent. This mechanism is illustrated in vdiagrammatic form in Figure 7. 'I'he cylinders are connected to a 30 bevel gear indicated at |42, which is driven by a bevel gear |44 secured to a shaft |46 having suitable bearings in the frame. At the right hand end of this shaft as viewed in Figure '7 are three pulleys, las, Isn and |52. The pulley las 1s a 35 loose pulley, |50 the sloW speed .pulley and |52 the fast speed pulley. Secured to the fast speed pulley |52 is a pinion |54 which meshes With a pinion |56 secured to a counter-shaft |58 having suitable bearings in the frame. The slow 4o speed pulley is secured through the medium of a sleeve surrounding the shaft 46 to a pinion |60 which meshes with a substantially larger pinion |62 secured to the counter-shaft |58. Also secured to the countershaft is a gear |64 45 which meshes with a gear |66 carrying the clutch element |68 and rotating freely upon the shaft |46 being held in suitable manner from endwise movement thereon. Arranged to cooperate with the clutch element |88 is a moving clutch ele- 5o ment |10 splined to the shaft |46 as indicated' at |12.

`A gear |14 xed to the counter-shaft |58 meslles with a gear |16 with which meshes the pinion |08 on the shaft |06 vpreviously described. 55

' The gear |16 carries a crank pin |18 to which is connected a link |80 the other end of which embraces a crank pin carried by a quadrant |82 which is pivoted to the frame and meshes with a pinion |84 journalled onthe shaft |46 and carry- 60 ing a clutch elementl |86 which is also adapted to be engaged by the clutch element |12. l The clutch element 10 may be moved alternatively into engagement with either of the elements |68 and |86 under the control of a clutch shifting 65 device actuated from the main cam drum of the machine. v Y Y The parts so far described are old in this type of machine. During normal rotary knitting, the driving belt engages the fast speed pulley |52 70 and the clutch |10 is in its right hand position as illustrated in Figure` '1. Under such conditions, the drive of the rshaft |46, and hence the needle cylinders, is through pinions |54 and |56, pinions |64 and |66, and clutch elements |68 and 75 vpinion .I 08 'controlling the oscillation of the frame 26 and the advance ofthe pattern chain '80. Au tomatic changes from -high to low speed are effected by means rof` a shipper arrangement under control of the pattern devices of thev machine.

During rotation of the needle cylinders, the link |80 o scillates the quadrant |82 and hence produces oscillations of the pinion |80. When oscillation of the needle cylinder is to take place", the

tion of tips as controlled by the side/of .the

clutch member |10 is moved into. the left .hand position and the shaft 45 then oscillates with the pinion |80. It will be noted that rotation of the pinion |08 nevertheless continues. In this type of machine reciprocation` always takes place with drive through the slow speed pulley.

As will be brought out more fully hereafter in connection with the description of the operation, the change from rotation to reciprocation necessitates a shift of the crank pin drivingthe link 28 in order .to provide proper yarn changes.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5- and 6, the shaft |06 has secured to its rightvhand enda member |90 which is provided withan outwardly extending earl |92 and axially extending pins ,|94 and .I 96. vRotatably'mounted on the end of the shaft there is a collar|08 which is provided with an extension 200 carrying the crank pin 202 .to which the link 28 is connected. The extension 200 has afreedom of movement between the limiting pins |94 and |96. 'Mounted on a pivot pin 206 in the sleeve l|98 diametrically opposite the crank pin 202 there is a pawl 20B which is adapted to engage opposite sides of the projection |02 as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.l The pawl 204 is urged inwardly by means of a spring 208 and is provided with a cam-engaging tail 2|0.

In Figure l, there are illustrated controlling devices for the pawly 204. The controlling devices comprise a lbellcrank 2|4 pivoted at 2|6 to the frame and provided with a forked end carryingcams 2|8 'and 220- adapted to selectively engage the tail 2|0 of the pawl. .A spring 222 urges the bell crank in a clockwise direction to bringits upwardly extending .arm into engagementfwith cams on a cam drum 224 ,whiclrrotates on the shaft .4| along with the cam drum |36.V The cam surfaces 226 to 240, inclusive, will be described hereafter. r f

The operation of the machine will be rst describedfwith reference to rwhat occurs during rotary knitting, for example, of the leg and instep of a stocking. The main chain 390i the machine isA provided with some links adapted to act upon the followerlever 31 for control ofthe major yarn changes such as those involved inthe formation of the heel and toe and for the produchereafter described. Additionally,

be provided with lugs of varying heights adapted to act on the follower 31 to producestriping in addition to thc cyclical striping auxiliary chain 80.

- l,The .lugs just mentioned are carriedby. one

main chain 39, while theotlier side this;v chain may of thechain carries lugs 'adapted to control lthe ensayos the present case the yarn changes, except those striping yarn changes controlled by the chain V60,

are produced by means of. the lugs on `the chain y v39. The chain 80 is advanced one link for every course andfbyi reason of the different height lugs which control the position of the selector 24 striping is effected in a fashionwhich will be obviousv from consideration of the mechanism of Figure 1 and the disclosure of said Bentley patent.

. The advantage of the use of ay chain 80, which goes through a number of cycles for each complete Vcycle of the main chain 39, .will be obvious. In general the chain 39 will be set up in such fashion as not to control any striping. This is the case because usually striping is effected in cyclical fashion. chain 39 will contain only those lugs which control advance of the pattern drums and which control the yarn changes for the productionof heels and toes and for tipping or other special events. It will be obvious, therefore, that when a chain 39 is made rup it may be used for the productionv Under such conditions thev links on the lchain 39 would then be plain ones.

On the other. hand, if the chain 39 were used for the striping control, it would be necessary to use one hundred and five `striper. links carefully arranged with proper height ylugs and necessarily changed if a change inthe striping design was to be made. In the case ofthe present machine, on the `other hand, if the design waschanged so as .to havetwelve stripes in a sequence, it would only be necessary to replace the ten' link chain by a twelve link chain having a proper sequence of links.V The chain 39 would remain the same.

The mechanism which has been described effects the vshifting of the yarn changingr `mechanism, i. e., the selector 24 and its associated yelemerits,` from one chain to the other. During the time of formation of the leg, the follower y|26 will be located on the portion of the pattern drum preceding the cam |28, which corresponds'to the formation of the heel. Under lsuch conditions, the lever ||8 is in its clockwise position `as viewed in Figure 2 and the block 64 is in alignment with thescrew62 so that the movements imparted to the lever 56 'by the .various height lugs on .the pattern chain 80 will'effect the location of the selector 24'in various positionsl to control tlie striping. j At such time, plain links will be riding beneath the leverv 31 so that the sole control ofthe selecf tor 2 4 is bythe chain 80.v

` 'when there non ofthe heel is totana place,

the vcani |28,v actsmupon'the lever |26, depressing 'it as indicated in Figurez. This raises" 'the right hand end of lever I I 8 to the position illustrated in Figure 2, in which, through the link I I4, it causesratchet and the, 'chain 80, so that when knitting t of the instep is resumed the pattern will run continuously from the leg into the instep at the front of the stocking. At the saine time, the rise of the lever I|8 cause the block 64 to be moved to the position indicated in Figure 4, in which it will not be engaged by the screw` 62. Accordingly, even though the follower 'I6 may be upon a lug on the chain 80 the lug will not control the position of the selector 24 since the cam 40 will be retracted from the pin 38. At this time, therefore, the selector 24 may come under the control of one or more lugs onV the chain 39 to eiect suitable yarn changes in the heel. At this time a timing change takes place, but for simplicity of explanation the description of the patterning will be continued without reference to this timing change, which is described hereafter.

After the completion of the formation of the heel, the cam |28 releases the follower |26, whereupon the guard I I0 clears the pawl 96, permitting it to advance the ratchet 86. At the same time, the block 64 is freed to move into the path of the screw 62, so that pattern control by the chain 80 is again resumed.

When the toe is reached, the cam '|30 causes a depression of the lever |26, but to a less extent than that effected by the` cam |28. Again,

vthe right hand end of the lever |I8 is raised, Abut this time its rise isnot suflicient to cause the pawl guard I I0 to remove the pawl 96 from cooperation with the ratchet 86. The rise, however, is such as to bring the inturned cam edge |38 of the lever |I8 into the path of the pin |40 so that the lever II8 may be further raised by the pin |40 when that pin comes around to engagement with it, which engagement corresponds to the initial position of the chain 60. 'rIhus timing up of the pattern chain is eiected, the pin |40 when it engages the cam |38 causing an added rise ofthe lever I I8 which effects movement of the guard IIO into position to prevent cooperation of the pawl 96 with the ratchet. Before the pin |40 engages the cam |30, however, the lever II8 -will have risen to such position as to move v the block 64 out of the path of the screw 62. Ac-

cordingly, even though the lever 56 is caused to move by the lugs on the chain 80, the pattern control is not effected by the chain 60, but rather by the chain 38. Thus yarn changes may bel v made in the toe of the stocking under the control of'the latter chain.

lIn the beginning of the next stocking on a machine of the double cylinder type herein described, there is rst formed a ribbed top which is generally plain. A number of additional movements of the drum |36 accordingly take place, but it is not necessary that theA toe cam should continue to control the lever |26 because the lever II8 will now be held in its upper position by the pin |40, and consequently the chain 80 willremain stationary until patterning is to be resumedl by it in the leg.

To cause a resumption of patterning inthe beginning of the leg knitting, there is provided an extra high cam |24, which engages the lever |26 raising the end of the lever II8 to an extra high l position in which it causes the pawl |I2 (Fig- 'ure `3) to advance the ratchet 86 about the distance of half a link. This takes the pin from beneath the cam |88 so 'that when the starter cam |34 frees the lever |26 the control lever II8 is free to fall, permitting the pawl 96 to act upon the ratchet 86 to advance the chain 80.

If during the knitting of the leg or instep it is desired to provide an interruption in the cyclical control by the chain 60 to introduce, for example,` special stripes, it is only necessary to cause' a cam oi' the height of |28 to engage the lever |26, with the result that the control of the patterning mayl revert to the chain 39, while the chain 80 remains stationary to resume patterning as soon as the control cam on the drum |36 releases the lever |26. Thus both cyclical and noncyclical pattern changes may be interrelated to produce elaborate eiects.

It will be noted that the effect of the provision of the removable block 64 is to permit the operation of the lugs on the chain 80 upon the reading lever 56 without controlling the position -of the selector 24. Thus during heel and toe knitting, or'at other times, the pattern control may be shifted to the main chain 39. Furthermore, timing of the chain 80 may take place without interfering with independent control of the selector 24.

The crankshifting devices illustrated in Figures l, 5 and 6 are provided to alter the yarn change timing in order to compensate for the change in needle cylinder timing with respect to the driving means when it changes from the rotary driving gearing to the reciprocatory driving gearing. If it were possible to operate the yarn changer from the cylinder gear, then yarn changes would always be onr the same group of needles; however, since the cylinder gear sometimes rotates-and sometimes oscillates with the cylinders, this cannot be satisfactorily accomplished. In this type of machine, as hereto- `fore constructed,A the crank driving the yarn changer has been set to produce the yarn change .the timing which formerly existed between the yarn changing mechanism and the needle cylinder is so altered that the lap of yarns takes place near the end of the short butt needles,

i. e., at the side of the stocking. It is often desirable to put a colored tip in the heel or the toe or both. In such cases, after about half the gore needles have been picked out of action, the yarns are changed. The new yarn then remains in action while the rest of the narrowing-operation takes place and until the pocket. has been widened to that width where the color was previously altered, whereupon the yarns are again changed. As the yarn change lap must necessarily take place on active needles, it must occur somewhere close to the center of the short butt group. However, because of the'shift in timing, it has not been possible in the past to embody in the one stocking both striping in the leg and instep and tipping in the heel and toe. If a stocking having a plain leg but a tipped heel and toe was to be made, the yarn change crank was permanently set so that if yarn changes had been made in the leg the lapsv would occur about 50 ahead of the center, i. e., at the side of the leg. This would not be particularly objectionable if only two or three yarn changes were made in the leg, but it would be quite unsatisfactory to make a considerably striped stocking having the laps that far off center. By so advancing the crank the laps occur in the center of the short butt series during heel and toe knitting, and tipping is thus made possible, however, at the expense of no striping.

In accordance with the present invention the crank which effects the striping changes may be located in either of two positions, which are about 50 apart. The leg yarn changes are made with the crank inthe back position, i. e., in the position ilustrated in Figure 6. In such case the projection 200 is engaged and driven by the pin |96 and the pawl 204 lies to the rear of the lug |92. Just prior to the clutch changelto reciprocatory knitting for the heel or toe, the crank is moved to the advanced position'of 'Figure 5, where it remains until just before the machine comes out of the heel or toe, when it slips back to the position of Figure 6. By such control the laps in the changes off the heel or toe occur in the center of the short butt group of needles, and as a result every yarn change lap throughout the stocking is made on substantially the same group of needles representing the back of the stocking.

The shifts of the crank are accomplished by the controlling cams 2| 8 and 220 in Figure l, with the cooperation of the strong spring 30, which tends to move the bracket 26 upwardly. It will be noted that the ratchet devices I8 offer no resistance to this upward movement of the bracket 26, since this is the idle direction of movement of theV pawls 20.

In going on to the heel the cam 228 acts upon the bell crank 2|4 to cause the cam 2|8 to move downwardly. The cam 2|8 engages the tail of the pawl 204 as the crank 202 is moved beyond its lower dead center position. When the pawl 204v is released from the lug |92 and as the crank 202 passes lower dead center, the spring 30 will advance the crank more rapidly than the shaft |06. Accordingly, the cranky shifts from the position of Figure 6 to the position of Figure 5, with respect to the shaft |06. As soon as the pawl`204 clears the cam 2|8, it snaps in front of the lug 292, thereby preventing rearward movement of the crank. Immediately after this shift takes place, the cam drum 224 moves presenting a low cam 230 to the lever 2|4, moving both the cams 2|8 and 220 to positions clear of tail 2|0 of the pawl 204. Thus the timing of operation of 'the bracket 26 is shifted forwardly to secure the proper laps in yarn changes in the heel, for example, for tipping as well as the yarn change in going into the heel.

Just before the knitting comes out of the heel a low region 232 is presented to the bell crank 2|4 and the cam 220 is then moved upwardly to engage the tail 2|0 of the pawl 204. In this ca se engagement takes place just as the crank pin 202 passes its upper dead center position,Il

and at v'this time the spring 30 is acting in opposition to movement of the crank. Accordingly,

the crank is retarded with respect to the shaft |06 and moves backwardly with respect thereto to the position illustrated in Figure 6. After clearing the cam 220 the pawl engages behind the lug |92 locking the crank in its new position.

and 238 in going into the toe and just before completing the toe the low portion 240 and the cam 226 cause a shift of the crank back to its retarded position. The cam 226, therefore,l holds the bell crank in its neutral'position until the change to the heel is again to take place.

As a result of the crank shifts just described, the proper laps are caused to take place at the rear of the stocking throughout its entire formation and thus striping throughout the leg and instep, and tipping in the lheel and toe may be effected in the same stocking.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:` A

1. A knitting machine comprising va circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding ya plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn changing means including a selector which is normally inactive, said selector being adapted to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, 'a cyclically movable pattern device, means for operating said selector from said pattern device, and control means adapted to cause the patterndevice as it moves either to variously position the selector or to allow it to remain in its normally inactive position.

2. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a 'plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn changing means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned to ldetermine yarn changes, a pattern device, a follower for the pattern device, means providing an interruptible connection between said follower and said selector, and means for interrupting said connectionto prevent control of the selectorby `the follower while the latter is actuated by the pattern device. V l

3. A knitting ma'chine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn changing means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, a pattern chain containing lugs of various heights, a follower -for the pattern chain continuously under the control thereof,` and means 'for determining whether or not said follower shall position said selector in accordance with the heights of lugs on the chain controlling the follower.

4. A knitting machine comprising a circular seriesof needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn changing means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, a cyclically operating pattern device, a

follower for the pattern device continuousy under the control thereof, connections between said follower and selector whereby the former controls the latter, means yfor locating the pat, tern device in an initial position after a period of control of yarn changes thereby,`and means for interrupting the connections between the follower and selector after such. period of control of yarn changesv and while the pattern device is being located in initial position.

5. A- knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns-to said needles; and yarn changing means includinga selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, a cyclically operating pattern device,

`means for intermittently advancing said pattern device, a follower'for the pattern device continuously under the control thereof, connections 6 aiaopos' between'said follower and selector whereby the former controls the latter, means for interrupting the intermittent advance of the,pattern device, and means for interrupting the connections between said follower and selector whenever said advance of the pattern device is interrupted.

6. A knitting machine comprising 'a circular series of needles; .means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn 10 changing means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, a primary cyclically operating pattern device, a secondary cyclically operating pattern device normally adapted to operate through a plurality of cycles for each cycle of the primary pattern device, means for effecting independent control of said selector by said pattern devices, and means for alternatively either stopping the advance of said secondary pattern device during control of the selector by the primary pattern device, or for providing for continued advance of said secondary pattern device during control of the selector by the primary pattern device. l

' 7. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles, means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn changing means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, a primary cyclicallyoperating pattern 3o device, a secondary cyclically operating pattern device normally adapted to operate through a plurality of cycles for each cycle of the primary pattern device, means for effecting independent control of said selector by said pattern devices,

and means for stopping the advance of said secondary pattern device during the control of the selector by the primary pattern device. 8. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a o plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn changing means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, a primary cyclicaliy operating pattern device, a secondary cyclically operating pattern device normally adapted to operate through a plurality of cycles for each cycle of the primary pattern device, means for effecting independent control of said selector by said pattern devices, and means for providing for continued advance of said secondary pattern device during control of the selector by the primary pattern device.

9. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn chang- 55 ing means; means for producing relative rotal tion between the needles and yarn feeding means; means for producing relative reciprocation between the needles and yarn feeding means; driving means for both the last named 60 means, the arrangement being such that location of predetermined needles in yarn receiving relationship with the yarn feeding means' occurs at different positions of the driving means` during rotation and reciprocation; and means 65 through which said yarn changing means is actuated to effect yarn changes on substantially the same group of needles during both rotation and reciprocation.

l0. A knitting machine comprising a circular 70 series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means; means for producing relative rotation between the needles and yarn feeding means;

means for producing relative reciprocation be- 75 tween the needles and yarn feeding means; driving means for both the last named means, the arrangement being such that location 'of predetermined needles in yarn receiving relationship with the yarn feeding means occurs at different positions of the driving means during rotation and reciprocation; and means through which said yarn changing means is actuated to effect yarn changes on substantially the same group of nee,- dles during both rotation and reciprocation; the last means including devices for changing the 10 timing of the actuation of the yarn changing means with respect to the driving means.

11. A knitting machine comprising a'circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn chang- 15 ing means; means for producing relative rotation between the needles and yarn feeding means; means for producing, relative reciprocation between the needles and yarn feeding means; and a'single train of mechanism for timing the ac- 20 tuation yof the yarn changing means to effect yarn changes on substantially the same group of needles during both rotation and reciprocation.

12. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a 25 plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means; driving means; means for moving the needles with respect to the feeding means in such fashion that location of predetermined needlesin yarn receiving relationship with the yarn 30 feeding means occurs at different positions of the .driving means; and means for altering the time of operation of the yarn changing means to eifect yarn changes on substantially the same group of needles during said different timings of the nee- 35 dles with respect to the feeding means, said last y named means comprising a shiftable crank driven by said driving means, and means for adjusting the angular position of the crank.

y 13. A knitting machine comprising a circular 40 series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means; driving means, means for moving the needles with respect to the feeding means in such fashion that location of predetermined needles in yarn receiving relationship with the yarn feeding means occurs at different positions of the driving means; and means for altering the time of operation of the yarn changing means to effect yarn changes on substantially the same group of needles during said different timings of the needles with respect to the feeding means, said last named means including a shiftable crank driven by said driving means, a member driven by said crank, a spring acting upon said member whereby at each revolution of the machine said spring tends during part of each revolution to advance said crank, and during another part of each revolution to retard said crank, a pawl for retaining the crank in' either an advanced or retarded po- 60 sition, and means for tripping the pawl selectively at either of two predetermined times so that the spring may locate the crank .in either its advanced or retarded position.

, 14. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means; driving means; means for moving the needles with respect to the feeding means in' such fashion that location of predetermined needles in yarn receiving relationship with the yarn feeding means occurs at different positions of the driving means; and means for altering the time of operation of the yarn changing means to effeet yarn changes on substantially the same i plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means; driving means; means for moving the needles with respect to the feeding means in such fashion thatlocation of predetermined needles in yarn receiving relationship with lthe yarn feeding means occurs at different positions of the driving means; and means for altering the time of operation of the yarn changing means to effect yarn changes .on substantially the same group of needles during said different timings of the needles with respect to the feeding means, said last named means including a shiftable crank driven by said driving means, a member driven by said crank, a spring acting upon said member whereby at each revolution of the machine said spring tends during part of each revolution to retard said crank, and a pawl for retaining the crank in its retarded position after it is moved to such position by said spring.

16. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means; ing a shiftable crank, a spring acting upon said crank whereby at each revolution of the vcrank said spring tends during part of each revolution to advance saidcrank, and during another part of each revolution to retard said crank, a pawl for retaining the crank in either an advanced or retarded position, and means for tripping the pawl selectively at either of two prede-,.- termined times so that the mayV locate.; the crank in either its advanced v onre't'arded tion.

series o." needles; means for selectivelyfeeding a plurality ef yarns to said needles; yarn changing means; and driving means therefor including a shiftable crank, aspring acting upon said crank whereby at each revolution of the crank said spring tends during part of each revolution to advance said crank, and during another part of each revolution to retard said crank, and means,

for controlling the action of said springvupon said crank.

18. A knitting machine comprising a circular series 'of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; and yarn changing means including a cyclically operating pattern device having a long cycle, a cyclically operating pattern device having a .short cycle,v means through which each of said pattern devices may control the .eding means to effect selective feeding of tne same group of yarns to produce a knit product having different striping sequences therein, andl means rendering the lshort cycle pattern device ineffective during striping control by the long cycle pattern device.

19. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means including two patternY devices and a and driving means therefor includ-` 1'1. A knitting machiney comprising-'a circularl selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes by the actlgn ofeither of said pattern means; means for cyclically moving at least one of said pattern devices through a. plurality of cycles during the knitting of a stocking and means for timing said pattern device so moving through a plurality of cycles to bring it to a predetermined initial position during the knitting of a. portion of a stocking involving no patterning under its control.

2Q. A knitting machine comprising a circular series '0f needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changingvmeans including a pair of pattern chains and means through which each of said pattern chains may control the feeding means to effect selective feeding of the saure group of yarns to produce a knit rstocking having different striping sequences therein; means for cyclically moving at least one of said pattern chains through a plurality of cycles during the knitting of a stocking; and

means for timing said pattern chain so moving through a plurality of cycles to bring it to a predetermined initial position during the knitting V of a portion of a stocking involving no patterning under its control.

21, A knitting machine comprising a circular' series of needles; means for selectively feeding a plurality of yarns to said needles; yarn changing means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned to determine yarn changes, a primary pattern means and a secondary pattern means, said two pattern means being arranged to effect independently the same type of operations of said selector; means for cyclically moving said secondary pattern means through a plurality of cycles during the knitting ofl a stocking; and means for timing said secondary pattern means to bring it to a predetermined initial position during the'knitting of a portion of a stocking involving no patterning under its control.

22. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; means for selectively feeding aplu'ralityof yarns to said needles; yarn changing. means including a selector arranged to be variously positioned'to determine yarn changes,

a primary cyclically operating pattern device, a

v secondary cyclically operating pattern device norveach pattern device; and means for timing said secondary pattern device to bring it to a predetermined initial position during theknitting of a portion of the stocking involving no patterning under its control.

23. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles; meansfor selectively feeding a plurality o f yarns to said needles ;l yarn changing means including primary and secondary pattern chains and means through which each of said pattern chains may control the feeding means tov effect selective feeding of thel same group of yarns to produce a knit stocking having different striping sequences therein; means for eilecting advance of the primary pattern chain throughout the formation of a stocking independently of the secondary pattern chain; and

means through which the primary pattern chain controls movements of the secondary pattern chain.

HAROLD E. HOUBEMAN.

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