US2334058A - Warp knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY R. BASSIST WAR? KNITTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28

mm. md. Wh zmmka Nov. 9, 1943.

NOV. 9, 1943.7 Rl BAssls'T WAR? KNITTING MACHINE 3 Sheecs-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28, 1942 NEEDLE CAM SHAFT izq-.5.

CAM SHAFT PATTERN WHEEL.

BAR

GUIDE INPUT FROM REVERSIBLE MOTO DIFFERENUM 76 a n u 2 S, a R S s o a E m m ,WM o T www w m RYW B nr GR m NE NM |B RE NM 78 DM .mw Q2 f E m www P AMR HSD U C o O a I 7, .\`D 3 aL 2 P 0%@ 5m AC H c Nov. 9, 1943. R. BAsslsT v WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m N m Y ELUPTICAL GEARS CHANGE SPEED CONTROL FROM CAM SHAFT SOLENOlD l5 WI@ ATToRNE Patented Nov. 9, 1943 WARP KNITTING MACHINE Rudolph Bassist, New York, N. Y., assigner of forty-live per cent to Rudolph Bassist, .Long Island City, N. Y., ten per cent to Harold H. Stern, twenty-two and one-half per cent to Edith Abrams, and twenty-two and one-half per cent to Edith April, all of New York, N. Y.

Application-November 28, 1942, Serial No. 467,188

18 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to knitting machines and has particular reference to socalled warp knitting machines.

While certain phases'of my invention are not necessarily restricted in their applicability to any particular kind of "warp knitting machine, the general object of the'i'invention is to provide certain improvements high-speed knitting machines of the so-called Tricot" type. These machines are of relatively high gauge, employing approximately 28 to 34 'needles perl inch, and operating at rates of speed up to about 600 courses or stitches per minute.

In a warp knitting machine, the yarn is initially wound on one or more warp beams and is directed in parallel rows to a bank of needles which operate in al predetermined intermittent manner to interengage the threads to produce a knitted fabric of the jersey type. The yarn is directed to the needles by one or more guide bars through which the individual strands are threaded and by means of which the threads are looped around the needles or otherwise subjected to their operation, in a predetermined manner and sequence depending upon the particular pattern or style of knitted fabric which is to be pro: duced.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will preface this description by outlining, in a general waythe mode of operation and cooperation of the main parts of a warp knitting machine.

A main vdriving shaft (hereinafter referred to as a cam shaft) is associated with means for intermittently moving the needles through the knitting cycle. Generally speaking, thismovement is an up-and-down movement. Thread is suitably looped around the needles while they are in their upward positions, and when the needles move downwardly they perform a knitting operation, with the aid of a presser bar, a "sinker," and other suitable auxiliary parts which are well known per se. Each guide bar is provided with a corresponding number of needles'through which the strands ,coming from the warp beam are threaded. Actuated by the cam shaft is a means for imparting a predetermined intermittent movement to the guide-bar, one component of movement being .in a substantially forwardand-back direction, thel other component' of movement being longitudinal. These movements of the guide-bar are so timedand controlled, relative to the needle operation, that the strands are suitably looped around or otherwise subjected to the action of the needles in accordance with a. predetermined pattern.

vFor example, assuming that only one warp beam is employed, the guide-bar may be moved so as to loop a strand around one needle during one course, around an adjacent needle during the next course, then around the first-mentioned needle again during the third course, and so on. Or,depending upon the fabric desired,y the guidebar may loop a strand around one needle for one course, then shift longitudinally and loop the strand around a needle at a distance from the flrst for the second course, then shift again either in the same or reverse direction to loop the strand around a third' selected needle for the third course, and so on. A large number of different optional cycles are possible, depending upon the results desired in the finished product.

The machine may employ either one, two or three warp beams, possibly more. The simplest type of fabric is produced by the employment of only a single warp beam. A diierent type of fabric would result from thel employment of two Warp beams, it being understood that there is usually a separate guide-bar for each warp beam. Where a filler thread, or more accurately, an unknitted warpthread, is to be associated with the fabric for the purpose of forming loops or other ornamental eects, it is customary to employ one or two Warp beams to produce the socalled ground fabric, and to employ a separate warp beam for the additional warp thread. In such case, the guide-bar through which the latter strands are threaded will have its movements so controlled that these strands are brought into proper relationship to the needles, and to the strands of the ground fabric, in a predetermined manner.

, needles themselves and by the guide-bar which controls the disposition of the yarn with respect to the needles. provided with some sort of brake or equivalent clutch mechanism operated by thepull of the yarn, whereby the warp beam is released for rotation whenever the knitting cycle calls for The Warp beam is generallyv latter disadvantage often causes material imi pairment of the commercial value of the fabric, and it manifests itself most frequently in the high-speed machines to which my invention has primary reference, and in cases Where the yarn is of the relatively slippery character of rayon or the like.

In my co-pending patent application Ser. No. 405,631 (now Patent No, 2,303,903), I disclosed a means whereby these disadvantages, and others. are successfully overcome, one of the characterizing features of the improved machine residing in the fact that the warp beam is continuously rotated in yarn-feeding direction in a, predetermined timed relationship with respect to the knitting cycle, but independent of any pulling action upon or by the yarn itself.

My present invention is directed toward a further improvement and refinement of this general type of structure and mode of operation. A warp knitting machine incorporating the vstructural innovations of the present invention is capable of operating smoothly and elciently, and at high speeds, for long periods of time without any of the disadvantages or limitations hereinbefore referred to, and is capable of producing avwide variety of different knitted fabrics, many of which have not heretofore been capable of manufacture at all by means of a warp knitting machine.

My present invention is predicated upon a thorough understanding of the basic reasons for the dilculties heretofore encountered and upon a fuller appreciation of the inherent potentialities of warp knitting machines, even those of the high-speed type, provided that the supply of yarn to the guide-bars and the needles is properly and adequately synchronized with the knitting cycle, and is capable of practical and sulllciently varied adjustment to meet the varied requirements imposed upon the knitting procedure by different patterns and types of fabrics.

Generally speaking, my invention contemplates l the production of a high-speed warp knitting machine in which guide-bar movements of widely varying character may be provided for in accordance with predetermined selected patterns, and in which a continuously rotating warp beam may have such additional components of movement imposed upon it that the thread feed is 'always accurately synchronized with, and adequately capable of meeting the moment-to-moment requirements of, the needles and the guide-bars.

The basic elements of a knitting machine constructed in accordance with the present invention consist, therefore, of a cam shaft, needles, a warp beam, a movable guide-bar controlling the disposition with respect tothe needles of yarn dlrected to it from the warp beam, a means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving the needles through the knitting cycle, an alterable means also driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving the guide bar in accordance with i bers.

a predetermined selected pattern, and a transmission from the cam shaft to the warp beam for continuously rotating the latter in yam-feeding direction independently of any pull by either needles o1' guide-bar upon the yarn itself.

One of the `features of my present invention lies in the provision of a means for imposing upon the continuously rotating warp beam an adf ditional fluctuating component of movement which corresponds to the fluctuating demands for yarn of the guide-bar and thus sets the tempo, as it were, of the yarn feed. This result is preferably accomplished by the employment, in the warp beam transmission, of a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member. Such a mechanism is exemplified by a pair of meshing noncircular gears.

The warp beam transmission includes a speed reducer. In accordance with my invention the mechanism referred to in the preceding paragraph is operatively interposed between the cam shaft and the speed reducer. I contemplate, however, that a similar mechanismkmay be additionally interposed between the speed reducer and the warp beam, if desired, to further enhance the possible variations in the warp beam control.

My invention further provides for the operative interposition, in the warp beam transmission, of an adjustable change-speed device of the character described and illustrated in my aforementioned pending patent application, this device being of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members and which is adjustable during continuous operation thereof so as to vary the relative speeds'of rotation of said mem- While this adjustment may obviously be performed by manual operation, if desired, the

present invention provides for a preferred auto-v matic adjustment of said device in accordance with a predetermined selected pattern, this automatic adjustment being under the control of an alterable means driven by or in timed relation to the cam shaft. Y

The present invention also provides a means which is responsive to the diminishing diameter of the warp beam as yarn isV fed therefrom for automatically adjusting the change-speed device, independently of any other adjustments thereof, to compensate for such diminishing diameter. A means for accomplishing this general objective was disclosed in my aforementioned pending patent application, but the present invention provlilclltes an improved means for achieving this res f I attain the foregoing general objects and advantages, and I provide for the embodiment of the foregoing features, and others, in a practical machine, in the manner illustratively exemplified y in the accompanying drawings inl which: g

Figure 1 is a, diagrammatic front elevational view of a warp knitting machine employing cer-` tain of the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverseV view showmg one manner of controlling certain movements of the guide-bar;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing y Figure is a view showing an illustrative change-speed device 01' the character indicated at the left end of Figure l:

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the change-speed device may be automatically adjusted;

Figure 7 is a plan view of one form of pattern chain that may be employed for automatically adjusting the change-speed device;

Figure 8 is an elevational view of Figure '1, showing diagrammatically the electric circuits controlling the automatic adjustment;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the automatic diameter control, showing diagrammatically the electric circuit involved and the means controlled by the electric circuit;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of a slack take-up;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view similar to the left portion of Figure 1, illustrating a modiiication; and

Figure 12 is an end view of a pair of noncircular gears.

Mounted within the confines of a suitable framework is a main driving shaft or cam shaft 2|. This shaft extends in a longitudinal direction with respect to the machine as a whole, and it is driven by a motor or by any other suitable motive power (not shown) in well-known fashion. It carries such cams and other driving elements as may be required to transmit predetermined driving impetus to the various elements of the machine. At 22 I have indicated a warp beam which may be mounted in any suitable manner for rotation about an axis longitudinally arranged with respect to the machine. In the conventional machine, this warp beam (together with one or more additional warp beams) is mounted upon the framework 20, usually in the upper region of the machine. In accordance with my present invention however, it is possible to mount this Warp beam in an independent support or framework (not shown) at the rear of the machine. This is of great importance since much larger warp beams may be employed, and since the tremendous weight of the beams is thus removed from any possibility of impairing the smooth high-speed operation of the knitting machine with a minimum of vibration.

In accordance with my invention, this warp beam is continuously rotated by means of a transmission actuated by the cam shaft 2| and indicated at the left of Figure 1. This transmission includes a change-speed device 23, and

a speed reducer, 24. Between the cam shaft 2| and the change-speed device 23 there is operatively interposed a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member. I have illustratively shown such a mechanism in the form of a pair of meshing non-circular gears 25 and 26.

The motive power of the cam shaft is thus transmitted through the gears 25--26 to the driving shaft 21 of the change-speed device. The driven shaft 28 of this device, rotating at the same or at a predetermined different speed with respect to the shaft 21, transmits its rotation to the gears or other mechanism within the speed reducer 24, and the driven shaft 29 leading from the speed-reducer is connected by any suitable transmission to the warp beam 22. I have illustratively indicated a sprocket 30 Mounted in the machine in well-known manner is a needle bar 34. Projecting upwardly from it are the needles 35 by means of which the knitting operation is performed. This needle bar is intermittently operated by thecam shaft 2| to move the needles through the desired knitting cycle which is well-known per se. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for accomplishing this purpose, and in Figure 3 I have Illustratively shown a transmission which consists of the cam 36, the rocker 31 (pivoted at 38), and the-link 39, which is suitably connected to the needle bar 34. The mechanism is of such a character that the continuous rotation of the cam shaft 2| imparts predetermined up-and-down movements to the needle bar 34.

Mounted in proximity to the needles is a guidebar 42 which carries a plurality of downwardlyprojecting teeth or equivalent elements 43 which are adapted to move in a forward-and-back direction, within the spaces between the needles 35. This component-of movement of the guidebar is under the control of the cam shaft 2| by means of any suitable well-known mechanism such as that which is indicated in Figure 2. In this figure I have illustratively shown a cam 44, a rocker 45 (pivoted at 46), and a link 41 which transmits a rocking movement to a link 48 mounted on the rock-shaft 49. The link 48 is suitably connected to the hanger elements 50. and the guide-bar 42 is provided with brackets 5| which are suitably supported within the hanger elements 50 so that the rocking movements of the latter will transmit corresponding forward-and-back movements to the guide-bar proper.

The articulation between the brackets 5| and the hangers 50 is of such a character (well-known per se) that the guide-bar 42 can also be subjected to longitudinal shifting movements. These movements are alsounder the control of the cam shaft 2|, through the intermediary of suitable drive mechanism such as a worm 52 (see Figure 1) and the worm wheel 53. Mounted on the shaft 54 of the worm wheel 53 is a pattern wheel 55 which is thus slowly and 'continuously rotated. The periphery of the pattern wheel 55 is provided with a predetermined series of raised and depressed portions 56 (see Figure 4) and the end of the guide-bar is provided with a follower 51 which is constantly pressed against the periphery of the pattern wheel in a yieldable manner, by means of the spring 58 or the like. Accordingly, certain longitudinal movements are imparted to the guide-bar in a predetermined sequence and of predetermined magnitudes as the follower 51 is pushed to the left or right under the actions of the pattern wheel 55 and the spring 58.

The projections and depressions 56 may be integral portions of the pattern wheel 55 or, as is preferable, they may be providedl for by means of suitable elements separably mounted on the pattern Wheel in predetermined spaced relationships. A pattern Wheel of this general character is well-known per se, although the present invention makes it possible to provide a far greater number of variations in the peripheral contour controlling the longitudinal movements of the guide-bar.

It will also be understood that the pattern wheel 66 is merely illustrative of a general type of pattern-controlling mechanism and that a continuously moving chain, or equivalent instrumentality may be driven by the cam shaft in a similar manner, and may control the longitudinal movements of the guide-bar by means of equivalent projections, depressions, or other suitably contoured elements.

The yarn from the warp beam is directed in suitable fashion to the guide-bar, each strand being threaded through one of the teeth of the guide-bar. 'I'he movements of the guide-bar, both forward-and-back and longitudinal, control the disposition of this yarn with respect to the needles, looping it successively around predetermined needles, or otherwise bringing it into the range of operation of the needles, or into association with strands emanating from other warp beams, all in accordance with a predetermined plan or pattern which manifests itself in the operative contour of the pattern wheel 65. Simultaneously, the needles, operating in timed relationship with the guide-bar, perform the actual knitting operation, a knitted fabric being thus produced, course by course, and being wound up on a suitable roller (not shown) at the forward portion of the machine.

It is obvious that this mode of operation imposes varying requirements upon the thread feed. Thus, whenever the guide-bar is moving to loop the strands around the needles, or otherwise to bring the strands into the range of the knitting operation, yarn must be made available; and during those interim periods during which the needles are knitting or otherwise incorporating the yarn into the fabric, the demand for thread feed is momentarily diminished. Similarly, whenever the guide-bar is moving longitudinally through relatively large distances (skipping for example, from one needle to another selected needle some distance away), the demand for yarn is correspondingly greater than during other longitudinal movements of the guide-bar which are of lesser magnitude. In accordance with my present invention, it is possible to conform the yarn feed with considerable accuracy to these varying requirements, notwithstanding the fact that the warp beam is continuously rotated quite independently of any clutch or brake mechanism depending for its operation upon any pulling eifect of the yarn itself.

One of the improvements contributing to this desirable result is the mechanism exemplified by the meshing non-circular gears 25 and 26 (see Figure 12) By properly designing and selecting these gears, a predetermined rotation of the cam shaft 2| at uniform angular velocity can be caused to impose upon the driven member 26 an angular velocity of predetermined fluctuating character. These fluctuations are synchronized with the needle and guide-bar operations, and thus set the tempo, as it were, of the yarn feed. A component of movement is thus imposed upon the warp beam which is in conformity with the fluctuating demands of the needles and the guide-bar.

Another controllable and important factor in this transmission is the change-speed device 23. This device may be of any well-known character, and I have illustratively shown a typical "Reeves drive device in Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 5, a belt 59 is in driving relationship between two conical pulleys 60 and 6I,

the pulley 60 being mounted on the driving shaft 75 21, the pulley 6| being mounted on the driven shaft 28, and the effective diameter of these pulleys being relatively adjustable. It will be observed that the pulley 60 consists of two sections 62 and 63 splined to the shaft 21, while the pulley 6l consists of similar sections 64 and 66 splined to the shaft 28. By separating the sections 62 and 63 and by bringing about a corresponding mutual approach of the sections 64 and 66, the speed of the driven shaft 28 can be correspondingly reduced; and by bringing the sections 62 and 63 together and causing a corresponding separation of the sections 64 and 65, the speed of the driven shaft 28 can be correspondingly increased. This adjustment is eected by means of levers 66 and 61 pivoted respectively at their centers 68 and 68, the opposite ends of the lever 66 being pivotally connected to the pulley sections 62 and 64, while the opposite ends of the lever 61 are pivotally connected to the pulley sections 63 and 65. A control shaft 18 provided with oppositely-directed worm portions 1l and 12 causes relative separation or approach of elements 13 and 14 which engage the ends of levers 66 and 61 respectively. Thus, any rotation of the worm shaft 10 in one direction or the other will bring about a corresponding relative adjustment of the pulleys 68 and 6| thereby altering the speed relationship between the shafts 21 and 28 in any contemplated manner.

Obviously, if desired, the control shaft 10 may be manipulated by hand during a continuous operation of the machine. My present invention provides an improved means, however, whereby the change-speed control may be automatically regulated in accordance with a predetermined plan. My invention also provides a simultaneous means whereby the change-speed control is automatically adjusted to compensate for the diminishing diameter of the warp beam as thread is withdrawn therefrom. 'I'hese automatic controls are-illustrated in Figures 6-9.

In Figure 6, the reference numeral 15 is applied to a diagrammatic representation of any suitable differential mechanism such as that which is commonly employed, for example, in association with the rear axle of an automobile. Since the internal parts of the motive portion of such a differential mechanism are well-known, I have deemed it sufficient merely to indicate two input driving shafts 16 and 11 and a single output shaft 18. Using the automobile analogy, the shafts 16 and 11 correspond to those which commonly extend respectively to the rear wheels of the automobile, while the shaft 18 corresponds to the transmission shaft extending to the engine. However, whereas the automobile differential imposes the input power upon the shaft 18 and derives the output in equal or varying degrees at the shafts 16 and 11, the present differential mechanismis employed in a reverse fashion. I have illustratively shown a pair of beveled gears 19 connecting the output shaft 18 to the control shaft 16 of the change-speed device 23. Applied to the input shaft 16 is the motive power of a reversible electric motor, and applied to the input shaft 11 is the motive power of a special mechanism presently to be described.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, I have illustrated two pairs of chains 88 and 8| mounted on suitable sprockets 82 and continuously moved in one direction by a rotative force applied to the shaft 83 by means of any suitable driving mechanism 84 leading from the cam shaft 2 l. The driving mechanism 84 is intended to be merely diais pushed downwardly, it acts upon a lever 88 piv' oted at 89 andl carrying an electric contact 90 which is thus brought into operative engagement with a xed contact 9|. When the rod 86 is no longer pressed downwardly by one of the plates 85, a spring 92 may serve to withdraw the contact 90 from the contact 9| and restore the pusher rod 86 to its normal position. Similarly, whenever the rod 81 is pushed downwardly by one of the plates 85 on the other pair of chains, it moves' a lever 93, pivoted'at 84, so as to bring an electric contact 95 into operative engagement with the iixed contact 96. When the rod 81 slips oi the plate 85, a spring 91 may serve to separate the contacts 95 and 96 and restore the rod 81 to its normal position.

The fixed contacts9| and 96 are connected to suitable windings of the reversible motor 98 whose shaft is connected with the shaft"16 of the diierential 15 hereinbefore. referred to. The movable contacts 90 and 95 are connected to one side 99 of a suitable supply of current, the other side of this supply lbeing electrically connected to the motor 98.

The plates 85 on the chain pairs 80 and 8| are so positioned, prior to the commencement of operation of the knitting machine, that at predetermined times the rod 86 will be pushed and thereby cause rotation of the motor 98 in one direction, While at other times, the rod 81 will' be pushed and will cause rotation of the motor 98 in the opposite direction. During certain periods of time neither of the rods 86 or 81 will be pushed, and during those periods the circuit to the motor 98- will be broken and no rotation at all will be imposed upon the shaft 16. Whenever the motor 98 rotates in one` direction or the other, it transmits a corresponding rotation to the control shaft of the change-speed device 23, thereby automatically changing the speed relationships of the shafts 21 and 28. Accordingly, the positioning of the plates 85 between the pair of chains 80 and between the pair of chains 8| may be caused to control, automatically, a predetermined series o adjustments of the change-speed device. These adjustments are caused to be eiected in accordance with the predetermined pattern Which the knitting operation is to follow.

It will be understood that the chains of Figures 7 and 8 are merely illustrative of a general type I oi' pattern-controlling mechanism and that a 'I'he other automatic control of the changespeed device is shown most clearly in Figure 9,

A lever |0| is pivoted at |02 and is provided at one end with a feeler |03 which rests against the peripheral surface of the yarn on the warp beam 22, a constant contact being retained by means of a spring |04. The other end of the lever |0| is provided with an electric contact |05 which moves over a specially-designed fixed contact member |06.y This member is provided with a series of suitably spaced insulating or non-conductive portions |01 so that as the contact |05 moves along, it alternately establishes and breaks an electric contact between the lever |0| and the contact |06. The lever |0| and the contact member |06 are arranged in an electric circuit |08 which includes a suitably responsive instrumentality such as the solenoid ||0.

Whenever the solenoid I I0 is energized it-moves arod (to the left, as viewed in Figure 9). This rod is articulated at ||2 to a lever I3 which is pivoted at ||4 and which carries a pawl ||5 at its opposite end. This pawl is in engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel ||6 mounted von the'shaft 11 of the diierential mechanism, or mounted in some other fashion so that rotation of the ratchet wheel ||6 will `bring about corresponding rotative movements of the shaft 11. A spring ||1 normally retains the pawl ||5 in a retracted position.

As the yarn is fed from the warp beam 22, the diameter of the warp beam gradually diminishes. Accordingly, in the absence of a diameter control device', the amount of thread fed from the warp beam during each rotation of the latter would gradually diminish. To compensate for this, the change-speed device 23 is automatically adjusted in a step-by-step manner to speed up the rotation of the warp beam by a suitable amount as .the diameter of the warp beam diminishes. Thus,

as the lever |0| moves gradually in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 9), the contact |05moves upwardly along the element |06. Whenever the contact |05 encounters a conductive portion of the element |06, the circuit through the solenoid ||0 is completed and the pawl |I5 is actuated to impart a slight rotative movement to the ratchet wheel H6, hence to the shaft 11, and thus to the control shaft 10 of the change-speed device 23. At intermittent times, the contact |05 encounters a non-conductive portion, and the circuit of the solenoid ||0 is thus broken, allowing the spring I1 to retract the pawl ||5 and to hold it in readiness for the next operative movement. v

It is preferable that the widths of the conductive portions of the element |06 be of gradually diminishing size, since the compensatory movements of the ratchet wheel ||6 must be slightly accelerated as the diameter of the warp beam diminishes. This is due to the fact that vthe deficiency in thread feed is not directly proportional to the diminishing radius of the warp' beam.

There is thus imposed upon the control shaft 10 of the change-speed device 23 a series of automatic adjustments, certain of which are brought about by the instrumentalities of Figures 7 and 8, acting upon the input shaft 16 of the diierential 15, others of which are brought about by the instrumentalities shown in Figure 9, acting upon the other input shaft 11 of the differential 15.

These adjustments of the change-speed device. coupled with the tempo set by the non-circular gears (or equivalent mechanism) cause a continuous movement of the warp beam 22 in yarn-feeding direction which is a composite or resultant of various component movements, and the, ultimate result is that the yarn is continuously directed toward the Vguide-bar in successive increments which are synchronized with the requirements of'a predetermined pattern.

Any suitable series of rollers or shafts may be employed for supporting or guiding the yarn during its travel from the warp beam to the guide bar. Preferably. but not necessarily, during this courseof travel of the yarn, it is directed through a sensitive slack take-up of the character shown in Figure 10. A series of rollers ||8 and IIS are mounted in staggered relationships within suitable framework members |20. Springs |2| constantly urge the rollers I|8 in one direction, while springs |22 impose a similar force upon the rollers H8. These springs are relatively delicate and the movements of the rollers IIB and I|9 are of relatively small magnitude. This take-up is provided merely for the purpose of ironing out minute irregularities in thread feed, and is not to be confused with any of the devices heretofore employed by means of which the pull of the needles or guide-bar upon the yarn is translated into a control of warp beam rotation. The slack take-up of Figure 10 has' no effect on the movements of the Warp beam.

'Where a looped fabric is being produced, L e., where one of the guide-bars is feeding yarn in certain excess quantities to -the action of the needles or of the strands entering into a ground fabric, a spring-controlled slack take-up of the character shown in Figure 10 cannot be used.

In Figure 11 I have diagrammatically illustrated a possible modiiication of the transmission shown at 'the left end of Figure 1, whereby a second set of non-circular gears |23 and |24 (or equivalent mechanism) is interposed in the transmission between the speed reducer 24 and the warp beam 22. Whatever the movements of the driving gear |23 may be, a movement is transmitted to the driven gear |24 which is of relatively fluctuating character. These fluctuations, however, are relatively gradual and do not affect the moment-to-moment movements of the warp beam. The mechanism |23|24 imposes an additional uctuating component of movement upon the warp beam, winch, by proper design and selection of the gears |23 and |24, may be caused to bring about corresponding additional variations in the nature of the fabric that is being knitted.

In general, it will be understood that the details herein described and illustrated may Ibe modified by those skilled'in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a warp knitting machine, a cam shaft, needles, a movable guide-bar arranged in proximity to the needles, a warp beam, means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said guide-bar, said guide-bar controlling the disposition of said yarn with `respect to the needles, means driven 'by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said needles through the knitting cycle, alterable means driven by the cam shaft ass-acte for intermittently moving said guide-bar in timed relation to the needle movements and in accordance with a predetermined selected pattern, and a transmission from the cam shaft to the warp beam for continuously rotating said warp beam in yam-feeding direction and for imposing upon it a fluctuating component of movement which corresponds to the fluctuating demands for yarn of said intermittently-moving guide-bar.

2. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 1, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member. i

3. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set'forth in claim 1, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, said mechanism comprising a pair of meshing non-circular gears.

4. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim l, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, said transmission also including a speed-reducer, said mechanism being arranged in said transmission between the cam shaft and said speed-reducer and having its cycle of operation synchronized with the needle movements.

5. In a warp knitting machine, the combina-v tion set forth in claim 1, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, said transmission alsoA including an adjustable change-speed device comprising rotating driving and driven members, and means for adjusting said device during continuous operation thereof so as to vary the relative speeds of rotation of said members.

6. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 1, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, said transmission also including an adjustable change-speed device comprising rotating driving and driven members and alterable means driven by the cam shaft in accordance with said predetermined selected pattern for automatically adjusting said device during continuous operation thereof so as to vary the relative speeds of rotation of said members.

7. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 1, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, said transmission also including an adjustable change-speed device comprising rotating driving and driven, members.

means for adjusting said device during continuous operation thereof so as to vary the relative speeds of rotation of said members, and.

vmeans responsiveV to the diminishing diameter of said warp beam as yarn is fed therefrom for automatically adjusting said device, independently of any other adjustments thereof, to compensate for said diminishing diameter.

8. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 1, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving anddriven members wherein a uctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, said transmission also including a speed-reducer and an adjustable change-speed device, and means for adjusting said device during continuous operation thereof, said mechanism being arranged in said transmission between the cam shaft and said changespeed device, said speed-reducer being arranged in said transmission between the change-speed device and the warp beam.

9. In a warp knitting machine, a cam shaft, needles, a movable guide-bar arranged in proximity to the needles, a warp beam, means for directing yarn from said warp beam to sa1d guide-bar, said guide-bar controlling the disposition of said yarn with respect to the needles,

means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said needles through the knitting cycle, means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said guide-bar in timed relation to the needle movements, and a transmission actuated by said cam shaft for continuously rotating said warp beam in yarn-feeding direction, said transmission including a mechanism of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fluctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, whereby a corresponding iiuctuating component of movement is imposed upon the continuous rotation of said warp beam.

10. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 9, said mechanism comprising a pair of meshing non-circular gears.

11. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 9, said transmission also including a speed-reducer, said mechanism being arranged in said transmission between said speed-reducer and the warp beam whereby the iiuctuating component of movement of the warp beam is a gradual one relative to the needle movements.

12. In a warp knitting machine, a cam shaft, needles, a movable guide-bar arranged in proximity to the needles, a warp beam, means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said guidebar, said guide-bar controlling the disposition of said yarn with respect to the needles, means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said needles through the knitting cycle, alterable means driven bythe cam shaft for intermittently moving said guide-bar in timed relation to the needle movements and in accordance with a predetermined selected pattern, and a transmission from the cam shaft to the warp beam for continuously rotating said warp beam in yarn-feeding direction, said transmission including a speedreducer and also two mechanisms each of whicl; is of the character which comprises rotating driving and driven members wherein a fiuctuating angular velocity is imparted to the driven member relative to that of the driving member, one of said mechanisms being arranged in said transmission between the cam shaft and said speedreducer and having its cycle of operation synchronized with the needle movements, thereby imposing upon the warp beam a relatively rapid fluctuating component of movement which corresponds to the fluctuating demands for yarn of said intermittently-moving guide-bar, the other vo1' said mechanisms being arranged in said transmission between said speed-reducer and the warp beam, thereby imposing upon the latter an additional relatively gradual uctuating component of movement.

13. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 12, at least one of said mechanisms comprising a pair of meshing noncircular gears.

14. In a Warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 12, said transmission including also an adjustable change-speed device comprising rotating driving and driven members, and means for adjusting said device during continuous operation thereof so as to vary the relative speeds of rotation of said members.

15. In a warp knitting machine, a cam shaft, needles, a movable guide-bar arranged in proximity to the needles, a warp beam, means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said guidebar, said guide-bar controlling the disposition of said yarn with respect to the needles, means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said needles through the knitting cycle, means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said guide-bar in timed relation to the needle movements, a transmission actuated by said cam shaft for continuously rotating said warp beam in yarn-feeding direction, said transmission including an adjustable change-speed device, and an alterable means driven by the cam shaft for automatically adjusting said device, during continuous operation thereof, in accordance with a predetermined selected pattern.

16. In a warp knitting machine, a cam shaft, needles, a movable guide-bar arranged in proximity to the needles, a warp beam, means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said guidebar, said guide-bar controlling the disposition of said yarn with respect to the needles, means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said needles through the knitting cycle, means driven by the cam shaft for intermittently moving said guide-bar in timed relation to the needle movements, a transmission actuated by said cam shaft for continuously rotating said warp beam in yarn-feeding direction, said transmission including an adjustable change-speed device, an alterable means driven by the `earn shaft for automatically adjusting said device, during continuous operation thereof, in accordance with a predetermined selected pattern, and means responsive to the diminishing diameter of the warp beam as yarn is fed therefrom for automatically adjusting said device, independently of any other adjustments thereof, to compensate for said diminishing diameter.

17. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 15, said change-speed device being of the character wherein the relative speeds of rotation of a driving and a driven member are governed by the rotation of an adjusting member, a reversible motor operatively connected with said adjusting member, and electric means actuated by saidalterable means for controlling the direction and magnitude of rotation of said motor.

18. In a warp knitting machine, the combination set forth in claim 16, said change-speed device being of the character wherein the relative speeds of rotation of a driving and a driven member are governed by the rotation of an adjusting member, a differential whose output is operatively connected with said adjusting member, a. mechanism operatively connected with one input of the diierential and actuated by the means which is responsive to diminishing warp-beam diameter,

a reversible motor operatively connected with another input of the diierential. and electric means actuated by said alterable means for controlling the direction and magnitude of rotation 5 of said motor.

RUDOLPH BASSIST.

Images