US2229580A - Elastic top stocking - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 21, 1941. H MCADAMS 2,229,580

ELASTIC TOP STOCKING Original Filed 00 3. 20, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet l D D D U U U U D INVENTCR ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1941. H. McADAMS 2,229,580

ELASTIC TOP STOCKING Original Filed Oct. 20, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 RS R INVENTOR Hap r'1 M AdEJTLS Jan. 21, 1941. -MGADAMS I 2,229,580

' ELASTIC TOP STOCKING Original Filed Oct. 20, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HEPPH M AdamE.

Jan. 21, 1941. H. M ADAMS ELASTIC TOP STOCKING Original Filed Oct. 20, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 r Hee/ EE WMv Nn INVENTOR HEPPH M Adam-n5 BY v g/ H. McADAMs ELASTIC TOP swocxme' v INVENTOR '1 I] a arm M Adam-L5 BY 5 I I 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 20, 1936 Jan. 21,1941.

Jan. 21,- 1941. H. MOADAMS 2,229,580

' ELASTIC TOP swocxme Original Filed Oct. 20, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 HaFPH M Adam-n5 ATTORNEY INVENTOR Jan. 21, 1941.

H. M' ADAMS ELASTIC TOP STOCKING Original Filed Oct. 20, 1936 8 Sheets-Shet 7 INVENTOR HBPIH M Ad ams Jan. 21, 1941. H, McADAMS 2,229,580

EL A TTTTTTTTTTTTT NG Harr' M Ad ams Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELASTICTOP STOCKING Harry McAdams, Reading, Pa., assignor to The Nolde and Horst Company, Reading, Pa., a corporation 4 Claims.

The present application is a division out of my co-pending application Serial No. 106,650, filed October 20, 1936.

The present invention relates to an improved elastic top stocking, such as adapted to be worn by men, having an elastic top which is rather loosely knitted relative to the leg of the stocking and having elastic means therein which will grip the leg of the wearer and hold the stocking in place without discomfort and without stopping the blood circulation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a machine upon which the improved stocking may be knitted.

Figure 2 is a developed view of the needle, jack, and cam set-up for the machine.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the improved stocking showing diagrammatically the manner in which the elastic top of the stocking is knitted.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the elastic yarn is incorporated in the top portion of the stocking with the inelastic yarn.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the cylinder and latch ring assembly showing the mainand auxiliary feeds, etc.

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrammatic developed views of the cam lug pattern set-up upon the pattern drums of the machine.

Figure 8 is an enlarged outer view of a portio oi the improved fabric which may be knitted upon the machine using the set-up shown in Figure 2; the view showing the relative stitch arrangement in the top and leg of the stocking and at the juncture of the elastic top and leg.

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 8, but showing the inside of the fabric.

Figure 10 is a developed view showing another needle, jack and cam set-up for the knitting of an elastic topped stocking which is differently knitted at the juncture of the elastic top and leg of the stocking.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing the stitch arrangement of the improved fabric as knitted with the needle set-up shown in Figure 10 and wherein at the juncture of the elastic top and leg portions of the stocking certain tuck stitches are provided for the purpose of producing a neat and effective connecting section between the elastic top and leg portion.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of a modified form of fabric.

Figure 13 is an inside view of the fabric shown in Figure 12.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred and modified forms of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the-knitting machine which comprises the subject matter of my co-pending application Serial No. 106,650, filed October 20, 1936, and which includes a supporting frame B having a cylinder C rotatablysupported thereon. The machine is generally of the type set forth in my earlier co-pending application Serial No. 730,666, filed June 14, 1934, and as set forth in that application is adaptable to be used for the knitting of color within color patterning in the leg or other portion of the stocking. To that end the machine includes a latch ring 0 having a main feed arrangement B for the feed of different yarns to the needles, and an auxiliary feed arrangement D thereon. A set of needles E are provided upon the machine having a set of control jacks F associated therewith. Wrap patterning means G is provided for the feeding of different fancy wrap yarns to the needles in a selected color within color'arrangement, as has been more specifically described and set forth in my above identified co-pending application.

The machine may or may not be used with the wrap patterning arrangement, sincethe primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved elastic topped stocking.

The machine furthermore includes a cam actu- T ating pattern drum H and a yarn feed finger controlling pattern drum J.

The stockings K are knitted in continuous stringwork, and each has an improved elastic top. The machine due to the manner of knitting the top is capable of knitting the stockings efficiently and economically in stringwork.

The top of the stocking has incorporated elastic and inelastic yarns, and is so knitted that it will efiiciently adhere to and conform to the leg of the wearer for the purpose of holding the stocking against slipping down upon the leg. To that end the inelastic yarn stitches in the top of the stocking are relatively loose, inasmuch as thestitches are interknitted upon a less number of needles of the cylinder of the machine than the number of needles utilized in knitting the leg portion of the stocking. The number of needles used in knitting the top of the stocking may be ferred not to place the elastic yarn in every course of the inelastic yarn in the top of the stocking, but only in alternate courses, or, if desired, in any desired spacing. An additional factor is the interknitting of the elastic yarn together with the inelastic yarn in each stitch in each of the courses wherein the elastic yarn is knitted in the top of the stocking.

The cam actuation of the jacks and needles.

may best be described in sequence. Starting with the knitting of the loopers round at the end of the stocking toe, the same is knitted at the regular feed with the heel and toe yarn 20, shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, on every needle of the machine. The loopers round extends for any desired number of courses and at the end, the main body or leg yarn 2| is also fed to all of the needles of the knitting machine in addition to the heel and toe yarn 29, in order to prevent a run-back into the loopers round, because on the nextmove of the machine the needles which are inactive during knitting of the top of the next stocking are buried.

The needle actuating cam 23 is thrown into action by a leverage mechanism 24 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, which in turn is controlled off of the pattern drum H, in accordance with the cam set-up shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, as will be subsequently mentioned. This cam 23 elevates all of the cylinder needles in order to shed the stitches thereof below the 40 latches of the needles, preparatory to burying the cylinder needles which are inactive during knitting of the rib top- In the present machine only every third needle is utilized in knitting the top or the stocking.

Cam 25, which is operated ofi a leverage mechanism 26, is thereafter used to lower all of the cylinder needles which have been elevated by the cam 23, to their'normal position, with the stitches still hung on the needles but externally on the closed latches of the needles. At the same time cam 21 which is operated oil of a leverage mechanism 28, shown in Figure 1, is thrown into position for elevating certain jacks 30 which are disposed below every third nee le of the machine, and which jacks have upper long butts and short lower butts. The cam 21 operates on the upper long butts and elevates said jacks 30 for throwing the needles which are active during knitting of the elastic topupwardly into position for tak- 0 ing yarn. In this position I knit for four courses with the'body yarn 2|, as above described, in order to crowd the stitches at the end of the loopers round preparatory to dropping the needles which are, inactive during knitting of the elastic top. This yarn 2| of course knits on all of the needles of the machine notwithstanding that the cam 21. has elevated every third needle, and these four courses comprise the selvage.

In the. next course the auxiliary feed yarn 35 is thrown into-action by its finger shown in Figure 2 ofthe drawings, and at the same time the auxiliary knitting. cam block 36 is also thrown into position for actuating, the needles of the machine at the auxiliary feed. This auxiliary block is operated by leverage mechanism 31, shown in needle of the cylinder machine.

Figure 1 of the drawings, controlled oif of drum H. The binding yarn (body yarn) 2| is now thrown out of action thru its leverage mechanism controlled from drum J, and the heel and toe yarn 20 remains in action. Channel cam fill is then thrown into position to act on the needles to beb-uried (inactive during knitting of the top of the stocking); this cam 49 being actuated oil of the leverage mechanism 4| shown in Figure l of the drawings. It should be remembered that the cam 21 was previously thrown into action to elevate every third needle, so that the cam il is now in position to act in burying the other two needles of each group of three needles. The selvage of the stocking is now knitted for approximately thirty-six courses on every third This is ordinarily waste, except for the part which is sewed inside of the top of the stocking (as shown at 46 in Figure 3 of the drawings) to form the welt. Of course the welt may be formed otherwise than in this manner.

In the next move of the pattern drum the elastic yarn 51] is thrown into position for feeding onto every third needle of the machine, and together with the inelastic heel and toe yarn 2i) knits on said every third needle in alternate courses. Both feeds of the machine are active; the yarns 20 and 50 feeding at the main feed, and the inelastic yarns 35 feeding at the auxiliary feed. The yarns 2i] and 2| are ordinary inelastic yarns, while the yarn so is elastic commercial Lastex. Cams 2?, 23, 25, and 40 are of course retracted as the first course of the elastic top of the stocking is knitted. This top continues through any desired number of courses, preferably two hundred and forty, and of course it can readily be understood from the set-up above described that the elastic yarn is knitted in every stitch in alternate courses of the top of the stocking, but of course the top of the stocking is only knitted upon every third needle of the cylinder. The auxiliary feed yarn 35 and the feed yarn 20 at the main feed are heavier than the leg yarn 2|. The looseness of stitches is due to knitting on every third needle of the machine. The fact that the yarns are heavier than the leg yarn and that the elastic yarn is only knitted in alternate courses, but on every stitch in each course in which it is knitted, gives the top of the stocking not only a very efficient lateral and longitudinal elasticity, but gives it a mock rib effect.

The manner of adding the other needles to take the yarns, and the change of yarns, at the juncture of the top of the stocking and the leg may be variously accomplished. In the set-up shown, the cam 55 after knitting the top of the stocking, but while still utilizing the yarns 2|), 35 and 50 is thrown into action by the mechanism 56 shown in Figure 1, operating off of the pattern drum H, for the purpose of elevating the other jacks 3|, which have long butts at their lower ends. These jacks 3| are below one of the normally inactive needles during top stocking knitting, and their elevation by the cam 55 throws the needles thereabove into position for also taking the same yarns at the main and auxiliary feeds as every third needle of the machine does during knitting of the major portion of the top of the stocking. The machine may then make any desired number of revolutions. Preferably one, two, or three revolutions are sufficient, and of course both feeds are active and the elastic yarn 50 is also fed to the needles thus elevated.

It should be remembered that one needle in every three is still buried. This needle is elevated by the cam 60, which is thrown into action off of leverage mechanism 6| shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, operating oil of pattern drum H, and now all of the needles of the machine are in position for taking the yarns at the main and auxiliary feeds. One or more courses may thus be knitted utilizing both feeds of the machine, with the yarns 20, 35 and 50 active. Preferably only one course is thus knitted and then the auxiliary cam block 36 is thrown out of action; the heel and toe yarn 20 is thrown out of action and also the auxiliary feed yarn 35 and the elastic yarn B. The body yarn 2|, which is preferably of silk, is thrown into action. This all preferably takes place during one course of knitting and now we knit the leg of the stocking on every needle of the machine.

At the heel and toe of the stocking a cam is provided to raise the long butt cylinder needles above the stitch cam arrangement at the main feed, in order that they may idle. This is of course conventional in that the heel and toe are both knitted upon the short butt needles. The leg or body yarn 2| is of course retracted and the heel and toe yarn 20 used at these locations.

At completion of knitting the heel and toe the cam 25 is thrown into action by the means above described to lower the long butt cylinder needles preparatory to full circular knitting. At the end of the reciprocatory toe knitting the loopers round is again knitted in the manner above described and the cycle is completed. In this manner the stockings are continuously knitted in stringwork.

In Figure 3 of the drawings the heavy horizontal lines designate the courses in which the elastic yarn is knitted, and the lighter horizontal lines 76 designate those courses which are formed solely by the inelastic auxiliary yarn 35.

In Figure 4 is more clearly designated in full lines the knitting of the courses out of the elastic yarn 50; the dotted lines represent the stitches formed by the inelastic auxiliary yam 35. The yarn of course is knitted into the same stitches as the elastic yarn 50, but this heel and toe yarn 28 is not shown in Figure 4. In this figure is also shown at 11 the manner of floating the elastic yarn from course to course wherein the same is knitted.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings therein is designated solely respectively the outside and inside of the improved seamless fabric knitted in the manner above described. The numerals designate the various yarns 20, 2|, 35 and 50. The knitting proceeds in the direction indicated by the arrow and it is thus seen that every alternate course designated at 80 has both the inelastic yarn 20 and the elastic yarn 50 knitted together in every stitch thereof; the elastic yarn being under suificient tension to prevent undue spreading of the stitches lengthwise and crosswise. The alternate courses 8| are knitted (in the top) out of the inelastic yarn 35 at the auxiliary feed. The stitches formed in the course designated at 82 are formed on two out of every three needles of the knitting machine, that is, after the cam 55 has gone into action to elevate the jacks 3| and the needles thereabove as above described. This course 82 is formed of both the yarns 20 and 50. The next course 83 is produced on two out of every three needles of the machine, with every third needle buried, the same as the preceding course, but the elastic yarn does not appear in this course, inasmuch as it is knitted out of the auxiliary yarn 35. The next course designated at 84 is knitted the same as the course 82. Thereafter all of the needles of the machine are thrown into action and the next four or five courses are knitted on every needle of the machine out of the heavier inelastic yarns 20 or 35, or out of both of said yarns. These yarns are of course heavier than the silk leg yarn 2|, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9 the silk leg yarn 2| is thereafter knitted on every needle of the machine, and is continued throughout the leg of the stocking, with the exception of the heel and toe, as above outlined.

Figures 12 and .13 show by way of modification an improved fabric which is knitted with the top drawn a little tighter than the top of the stocking above described, inasmuch as the top of the stocking is knitted on every other needle (instead of every third needle). Thus the fabric shown in Figures 12 and 13 has the courses 90 formed of an inelastic yarn 29 and an elastic yarn 5% at the main feed of the machine, and the alternate courses 9| are formed of merely an elastic yarn35 at the auxiliary feed of the machine. At the juncture of the top of the stocking with the leg portion 93 every needle of the machine is brought into play nd takes the yarns as shown in Figures 12 and 13, although some variation at this juncture point may be made if desired. Preferably in order to draw the stitches tightly and prevent large openings at the juncture of the top of the stocking and the legthe elastic yarn is continued throughout the first course knitting on every needle when going into the leg.

As will be noted from Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings various cams, yarn fingers and yarn guide and control members are shown in dotted lines. These may be used upon the present machine when the latter has a set-up for the knitting of patterned wrap yarns. They need not be specifically described herein, but have the same characteristics as specifically set forth in my application Serial No. 730,666, filed June 14, 1934.

In Figure 10 is shown a developed needle and jack cam set-up for the knitting of fabric having elastic incorporated as above described, but in which set-up the cam arrangement is relatively simpler and capable of producing tuck stitches at the juncture of the leg with the top of the stocking, so as to obviate large openings occurring at this section, as shown in Figure 11 of the drawings.

In connection with the set-up shown in Figure 10, when knitting the elastic top of the stocking shown in the lower portion of Figure 11, every third needle is utilized and takes the body yarn.

I90 at the auxiliary feed, and at the main feed the alternate courses are knitted out of the heel and toe yarn HH and the elastic yarn I02, in the same manner as above described for the fabrics illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. The knitting of the top proceeds in substantially the same manner as above described for the needle set-up shown in Figure 2, so far as the top is concerned.

When we reach the course designated at I85 in Figure 11 of the drawings, at the auxiliary yarn feed, the yarn M9 is not only fed to every third needle utilized during knitting of the previously knitted courses in the top, but the adjacent needle, normally idle during knitting of the top, is elevated. These two needles, that is,

.. the regular everytithird needle .I lllon'which knittingzislefiectedx for producing the major portion of the top'of the stock and the needle I08 to be elevated for forming the tuck stitches, are elevated as shown in the right hand portion of Figure 10 for taking the yarn I06.

This elevation of the needles I08 is accomplished by means of a cam E09 acting. on the special jacks H0. The cam I I I, also at this location, acts on the special jacks I I2 to elevate the needles I01. It is only on the needles I08 that the tuck stitch is knitted at the auxiliary feed. During the same revolution ofthe cylinder that the needles I08 are elevated to take the auxiliary yarn for knitting the tuck stitches, the cam II3, shown in Figure 10, elevates the needles I! fortaking the heel and toe yarn I0! and the elastic yarn I02, and it is noted that the needles I08 are not elevated at this reg- .ular 'feed. Thus at the auxiliaryieed, asshown in Figure 11, the regular stitches I20 are produced, and a tuck stitch I2I is produced which is not'thrown oil at the next course knitted at the regular feed. However, during the succeeding revolution of the cylinder the needles I08 are again elevated at the auxiliarylfeed and the stitches hung thereon are then cast off to start another row of tuck stitches upon the needles I00. It will thus be noted, from Figure 11, that :at the juncture of the leg portion I30 of the stocking with the top of the stocking the stitches formed are quite closely packed together to present a neat section without openings. About four courses are knitted at this section; the tuck stitches of course extending through two tuck stitch courses, as shown in Figure 11. The elastic'yarn is withdrawn at the start of knitting upon all of the needles of the cylinder, butthe yarns H00 and NH are knitted on part of the needlesior approximately four courses, shown at I3I, and then the leg yarn I33 is dropped into action upon all of the needles.

The stitch cams at the auxiliary and main feeds need but little description, since their function will be apparent to one skilledin the art, from the above description and from the illustration in Figure 10. At the auxiliary feed the stitch cam block I40 has a cam edge MI in position to lower all of the needles which are at the normal level, that is, those needles not elevated by the cams I09 and III, and this cam I410 also has a cam edge I42 which lowers the needles elevated by the cams I09 and III.

At the regular feed a cam I45 normally lowers all needles at the normal level, except those elevated by the cam I I3. The rest of the stitch cam set-up is conventional.

It will be noted in Figures 2 and 10 that certainbutts on the needles and jacks are either :short or mediumlength. This is to enable the insertion of the actuating cams.

The yarns, including the elastic yarn, are fed under some tension to needles of the machine.

t is of course'understood that the stocking may be knitted otherwise than herein described, such as upon a machine by first knitting the leg portion and then the top portion, and that the machine maybe of the stationary cylinder type wherein the cam set-up rotates.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, the same shows the cam lay-out for the pattern drum H. The logs on the dot and dash line 200 actuate, through the leverage mechanism above described, the cam 40; the lugs on the dot and dash lines 20I actuate, through leverage mechanism, the

cam 21; the lugson the dot and dash lines 202 actuatecertain of thejack cams shown in dotzand dash lines in Figure 2 'of:the drawings; but which are not necessaryso far as the'present invention is concerned, since it primarily relates to the provision of an elastic garter top stocking. The lugs on-the lines 2&3,- through leverage mechanism, are used to actuate the cam 25. The lugs-on the line 2% aroused to actuate, through leverage mechanism 207, shown in Figure 1, the yarn guide wires or members as-has been described in my;

above identified co-pending application, but'which need not necessarily be used with the presentinvention. Lugs along the line 208. are usedtoaotuate certain feed fingers forming a part of my above identified co-pending application; the lugs along the line 269, through leverage. mechanism,

.arevused to actuate the cam '23; lugs alongthe line ZIO are used to actuate the auxiliaryknitting block 35; the lugs along the line ZII are used to actuatethe cam 60; the lugs along the line 2I2 are used to actuate the'cam 55; the lugs along the line 2I3 are usedto actuate the cam I0; the lugs along the line 2E4 are used to actuate the binder and cutter mechanism, as has been described in my above identified co-pendingapplication,and the lugs along the line M are used to actuate the auxiliary feed finger which feeds the yarn 35.

In Figure 7 is shown the pattern lug lay-out onthe drum J for actuating the feed fingers at the regular feed. The lugs along the line 2 I6 are used to actuate the feed finger for the silk leg yarn 2|; the lugs along the line 2!! are used to actuate the feed finger for the elastic yarn- 50; the'lugs along the line 2I8 are used to actuate the feed finger forthe heel and toe yarn 2o. The other lugs along the other lines may be used for actuating feed fingers for other yarns, if desired.

'From the foregoing description it is apparent that an improved elastic top 'stockinghas been provided; 'whereinlthe stockings are knitted in stringwork. The elastic top of the stocking is distinctly different from anything heretofore produced in that it has not only lateral but longitudinal elasticity sufficient to enable it to efiectively and comfortably grip'the leg of the wearer and retain the stocking in place without slipping. The top of the stockng has a mock rib effect which is primarily produced because of the incorporation of the loose stitches, although the stitchesare not loose enough to leave voids or openings, due to the manner in which the elastic yarn is incorporated. The incorporation of the elastic yarn by knitting it directly in each stitch in each alternate course wherein it is knitted produces the highly desirable result of longitudinal and lateral elasticity. The position of the yarns is such that they will not become displaced due to washing of the stocking. Furthermore no unsightly marks will be left upon the leg of the wearer nor will the blood circulation be retarded.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture a seamless stocking having a leg portion interknitted of inelastic yarn and of a predetermined number of wale lines, and a top portion formed of plain knitting with an inelastic yarn having a number of wale lines appreciably less than the number of wale lines in the leg of the'stocking and with the stitches wider and longer than the stitches of the leg portion, and interknitted elastic yarn in predetermined courses of the said top portion knitted in every stitch of each course wherein they appear and under tension sufficient to normally draw the Wale lines of the top portion together when not being worn in simulation of a mock rib top.

2. As an article of manufacture a stocking or half-hose having a plain loose knitted top of inelastic yarn and an integral leg portion of inelastic yarn having three or more times greater number of Wale lines than the number of wale lines in the top, and an elastic yarn incorporated in the top under tension to give longitudinal and lateral elasticity to the top portion of the stockmg.

3. As an article of manufacture a seamless knitted stocking having a leg portion of relatively inelastic yarn, a top portion of inelastic yarn integrally interknitted with the leg portion having at its juncture with the leg portion a greater number of wale lines than exist throughout the major length of the top portion and a less number of Wale lines than exist in the adjacent leg portion of the stocking, and an elastic yarn incorporated in the top portion to provide a garter top thereof.

4. As an article of manufacture a seamless knitted stocking having a .leg portion of relatively inelastic yarn, a top portion of inelastic yarn integrally interknitted with the leg portion and at its juncture with the leg portion having a greater number of Wale lines than exist throughout the length of the top portion and a less number of Wale lines than exist in the adjacent leg portion of the stocking, andan elastic yarn incorporated in the top portion toprovide a garter top thereof, certain of said stitches connecting the top portion with the leg portion being tuck stitches.

HARRY McADAMS.

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