US2014100A - Stitch regulating mechanism for knitting machines - Google Patents

Description

, G. BITZER Sept. 10, 1935.

STITCH REGULATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 {INVENTOR:

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STITCH REGULATI NG MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1934 l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR:

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STITCH REGULATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1954 Firs--15- -Z W 5.9 v

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I STITCH REGULATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1954 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Illllllll Sept. 10, 1935. G. BITZER 2,014,100

STITCH REGULATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Fil ed Aug. 16, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 FLLE-QEE- FLE- E.7

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' A TTORNE Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES STITCH REGULATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Gottlob Bitzer, West Reading,'Pa., assignor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 16, 1934, Serial No. 740,074

30 Claims.

This invention relates to stitch-regulating mechanism for fiat knitting machines such, for example, as those employed in the manufacture of full fashioned hosiery or in any instance where needles are bodily movable to and from a cooperating bank of successively operable sinkers for regulating the length of the stitches produced by the needles.

One object of the'invention is to provide -a novel stitch regulating mechanism that is flexible and universal in operation, and which permits an infinite variety of pattern effects to be obtained in any part of the stocking fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide an efficient mechanism for rocking the needles to various positions with respect to the projected position of the sinkers and to maintain such relationship between the needles and sinkers throughout the whole or any part or parts of any single sinker-traversing movement of the slur cock, for lengthening the stitches of a full course or any part or parts of a single course or series of successively knit courses, for producing, for example, a single loose course or plurality of immediately succeeding loose courses at the turning line of a double welt full fashioned stocking, or in forming a picot edge at the turning line of the welt, or in providing topping lines in the heel tabs of a. full fashioned leg blank, or for lengthening single stitches or groups of stitches in a single courseorsuccession of courses where a design is being formed by the introduction of an additional thread with the main thread, or lengthening predetermined stitches in the high splice heel to provide for the introduction with the normal main and splicing threads of a third thread adapted to provide additional reinforcement at localized points or areas in the heel of the stocking.

Another object of the invention is the provision of simple and efficient means for controlling the selection of the stitches to be lengthenedand the positioning of the lengthened stitches with re- :pect to the selvage edges of the fabric, whereby the outline of the area or areas which include the lengthened stitches will coincide with the marginal edges of design areas produced by the additional thread or threads above noted, wherein the marginal edges of the areas including the additicnal threads are governed by the thread carrier controlling mechanism of the machine or by a separate attachment applied to the machine.

More specifically, this feature of the invention involves the provision of a stitch-regulating chain or drum or a combination of the two composed of or equipped with readily detachable and interchangeable links, lugs, lobes, or other variable protuberances or surfaces of varying height or radii arranged and adapted to rock the normal stitch-regulating shaft of the machine to effect selective lengthening of the stitches. I

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of novel means whereby the lengthening of stitches may be produced symmetrically at the center of the stocking blank and/or at corresponding points at each side of thev longi- 10 tudinal center line of the blank, and in any desired position.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described which is relatively simple in construction, and which may be made as an at- 15 tachment readily applicable to straight knitting machines of conventional type, and which makes possible the production on such machines of a variety of products heretofore not producible thereon.

With these and other objects inview, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments'of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, myinvention resides in the novel elements 25 of construction, mechanisms and combination of parts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularly set forth in the claims.

-In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of suflicient of a 30 full fashioned hosiery knitting machine to illustrate the principles of the invention as applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a. sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 3- 3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken on th line H: g-

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken on the 40 line 5--5, Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 55. ig. 3;

7 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 'II, Fig. 3; 5 Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional e1e-. vation taken on the line. 8-8, Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the mechanism in'a different position;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line l0l0, Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the intermediate rocking mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I2-l2, Fig. 11;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are views similar to'Fig. 3, illustrating the operation of the mechanism by which the selector chain is intermittently actuated;

Fig. 16 diagrammatically illustrates the lower portion of a stocking leg blank showing the normal high splice heel reinforce with an additionally reinforced area included within the margins of each of the high splice heel areas and appended heel tabs;

Figs. 17a to 177 inclusive illustrate, in detail, those links of the selector chain by which the contours of the high splice heel and supplementary reinforcements, illustrated in Fig. 16, are governed;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the assembled chain including the links of Figs. 17a to 177' and the particular cam employed for intermittently advancing the selector chain;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 16, but showing design areas formed in the stocking blank intermediate the longitudinal marginal edges thereof;

Figs. 20a to 2011. inclusive illustrate, in detail, the links of the selector chain by which the contours of the reinforced areas in Fig. 19 are controlled;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of one of the selector chain links;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 18, showing the contour of the chain-operating cam peculiar to the formation of the reinforcements illustrated in Fig. 19;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Figs. 16 and 19 but illustrating a design in each side portion of the stocking blank with the high splice heel re.- inforcements formed in the regular manner by the normal mechanism of the machine provided for such purpose;

Figs. 24a. to 2411 inclusive illustrate, in detail, the links of the selector chain employed in the formation of the design shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a view similar to Figs. 18 to 22 showing the cam peculiar to the chain comprising the links illustrating Figs. 24a to 2471. inclusive;

Fig. 26 diagrammatically illustrates a full length stocking blank including a picot edge at the turning line of the welt, the juncture line of the double welt with the body of the stocking, and topping lines in the heel tabs, composed of lengthened stitches;

Fig. 27 is an enlarged stitch diagram showing the lengthened stitches of and adjacent a portion of the topping line in one of the heel tabs; and

Figs. 28, 29 and 30 illustrate the links in the selector chain by which such full course stitch lengthening is effected.

The figures disclose various parts of a Reading full fashioned knitting machine embodying the invention, in which for clearness, only the parts necessary to an understanding of the invention are illustrated; the other parts, and the operation thereof, being well known in the art as shown and described in the Reading" Full Fashioned Knitting Machine Catalogue, copyright 1929, and published by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine to which the mechanism of the present invention is applied for the purpose of illustration is illustrated as being of the type employed for producing full fashioned hosiery, which comprises a front beam a back beam 2, a center bed 3 and a front bed 4, extending parallel to each other longitudinally of the machine and rigidly secured to transverse end frames 5 and center frames 6, 6. Machines of this type include a plurality of parallel longitudinally slidable thread carrier bars 1 which respectively carry thread-controlling fingers 8 for laying individual threads between the sinkers 9 and needles ID of the machine.

The needles are rigidly mounted in a needle bar II which is pivotally mounted at |2 in relatively spaced arms l3. The arms |3 are secured to a longitudinally extending needle bar shaft M which is adapted to be rocked for raising and lowering the needles by the usual cam and lever mechanism from the main cam shaft l5 of the machine.

The position of the needles l0 relative to the throats or shoulders |6 of the sinkers, when the sinkers are in their most forwardly projected position, determines the length of the stitches and is controlled or governed by rocking the needles In about the pivots l2, toward the sinkers for lengthening the stitches and away from the sinkers for shortening the stitches.

The position of the needles relative to the foremost position of the sinker shoulders H5 is normally controlled by what is termed the stitchregulating shaft of the machine, which in the present instance is illustrated at 20 in Fig. 3.

In the present instance, the mechanical connections between the stitch-regulating shaft 20 and the needle bar II are of the usual construction, such for example as shown in the patent to C. F. Meyer, No. 1,694,888, dated December 11, 1928, said patent showing continuously rotating cam mechanism whereby the stitch-regulating shaft 20 is normally rocked toward the sinkers for lengthening the stitches in, and during, the formation of the high splice heel reinforce and heel tabs.

The sinkers 9 in the present instance are projected by the usual jacks I9 which are operated by a slur cock |8 arranged to make a complete sinker-traversing movement for each course of stitches produced. The slur cock is, as usual, operated by a bar I! which is connected to the Coulier motion of the machine in a usual manner.

In the present instance, selective rocking of the stitch-regulating shaft 20 is accomplished by the following mechanism:

Secured to the stitch-regulating shaft 20 (see Fig. 3) is a shaft-actuating or stitch-regulating lever 2|. The stitch-regulating lever 2| is provided with a laterally extending stud 22 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 23. The roller 23 is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the stud 22 into and out of the plane of a selector chain 25, by means of a control lever 24.

The selector chain 25 includes a. plurality of readily detachable interchangeable links 35 each having an outer variable cam surface or convex edge 26 shaped in accordance with the selections that the respective links are to make of single stitches or groups of stitches which are to be lengthened in successive individual courses respectively.

The inner surfaces 21 of the links are concave and uniform, each link having a pair of relatively spaced lugs or feet 28 arranged to rest on the peripheral surface 29 of a drum 3!] which is loosely mounted on the cam shaft |5 of the machine.

The drum 3!! is provided with side flanges 3|, 3| between which the links 35 are disposed and which are notched at 32 to receive laterally extending ends of the pintles 33 by which the links 2,014,100 35 of the chain 25 are pivotally connected to each other.

As illustrated in Fig. 21, each link 35 is provided with a tongue 36 of reduced width at one of its ends which projects into a slot formed by and between a pair of parallel ears 34, 34 projecting from the opposite end of the adjacent link, the ears and tongues of the interconnected links be.-

ing bored at 38, 38 respectively for the reception groups of stitches are to be lengthened and theof the pintles 3 The length of the chain 25 is determined by the number of courses in'which different single or order in which such variations occur.

The outer end of the chain 25 is carried by a drum 39a. The drum 30a is rotatably mounted on a stud 39 which is carried by a bearing or block 40 adjustably mountedon, and for longitudinal movement with respect to, a laterally projecting arm 4|, the inner end of which is secured in a bracket 42 which in turn is suitably fixed to the back beam 2 of the machine.

The drum 39 is adapted to-be intermittently rotated to bring the links 35 of the chain 25 successively into operating relation to the roller 23 of the stitch-regulating lever 2| and for this purpose the drum 39 is provided with a plurality of teeth, which in the present instance are formed of pins 43, 43, as "shown in Fig. 5, which project laterally from one side aged by a pawl 44.

of the drum, to be en- The pawl 44 is pivotally mounted at 45 on a lever 46 which is pivoted at 41" to the bracket 42.

Rotatably mounted on a stud 48 which extends transversely of the lever 46 is a cam roller 49, as clearly shown in Fig. 10, which is adapted to be engaged by a cam 50 secured to the main cam. shaft |5 of the machine.

Normally the drum 30 is held against rotation by a locking bolt 5| (see Fig. 6) which is slidably mounted in abearing 52 beam I. The outer end 53 is tapered for entrance shaped notches 54 formed in a locking disc 55 that is secured to the drum by thepins 43 which have integral nut-like heads 56.

The locking bolt 5| is normally held in looking engagement with the disc 55 by means of a spring 51, one end of which is secured to a pin 58 secured in, and projecting laterally from one side of, the bearing bracket 52, while the opposite end of the spring is secured to pin 59 which extends through, and is secured in, the locking bolt of the locking bolt 5| 5| and extends through slots 69, 66 formed. in the ond arm 65 of the bell-crank lever is provided with a laterally extending stud 66 which is disposed in an elongated slot 61 formed in one end of an operating link 68, the opposite end of said llnkbeing pivotally connected at 69 to.the pawl Normally, as the cam 58 revolves with thecam shaft IS the by the cam 59 and in-the opposite direction by a spring 10, one end of which is secured to the free end of the lever 46 while the opposite end is suitsecured. to the front into correspondingly lever 46 is rocked in one directionably secured to the front beam of the machine. Normally the pawl 44 assumes the inefi'ective position shown in Fig. 3, during the rocking of the lever 46 while normal regular courses of stitches are being produced. I

As usual in this type of machine, a pattern chain 1 is provided for controlling the narrowing of the blank and other functions of the machine, the pattern chain "H advancing one link for each course of stitches produced, or one link for each 10 complete revolution of the cam shaft l5.

In the present instance the pattern chain H is provided with a series of buttons 12 spaced along the chain in accordance with each single course or with the first course of a group of identical 15 courses which are to be composed wholly or in part of lengthened stitches under control of the mechanism forming the subject matter of the present invention. i

In the present instance, the buttons 12 are 20 adapted to engage a lug 13 formed on a lever I4 which is pivoted at 15 to the pattern chain bracket 16, said bracket being rigidly secured to the front beam The lever 14 is connected by a link 18 to one end of a lever 79. The lever I9 is pivoted 25 at to the pattern chain bracket 16.

The second end 8| of the lever 19 is operatively connected to one end of a rod 82 which extends substantially parallel to the front beam The opposite end of the link or rod 82 is operatively 30 connected at 83 to one end of a lever 84. The lever 84 is pivoted at 85 to the drum-locking bracket 52. 1 v

The second end 86 of the lever 84 is provided with the spring-pressed stop 81 shown in detail 5 in Fig. 7, the stop 81, being provided with a stem 88 slidably mounted in a bearing 89 formed in the one end 86 of the lever, a spring 96 being confined between the'head 8'! and the bearing 89 and a collar 9| being secured to the stem 88 at the op- 40 posite end of the bearing 89 for limiting the movement of the stop 81 with respect to the lever end 86.

At such timeas intermittent movement of the drum 39 is desired one of the buttons 12, by 45 engaging the lug 73 of the lever 14, swings the lever 84 about its pivot 85 to bring the stop 81 into the path of a finger 92, see Fig. 4, formed on the pawl 44, whereby, as the pawling lever 46 is swung outwardly by the cam 59, the finger 92 comes in 50 a contact with the stop-81 and swings the pawl 44 about its pivot 45 until a shoulder 93 on the pawl 44 rests against one of the pins 43 of the drum 3D.

Swinging of the pawl into engagement with one 55 of the pins 43 effects withdrawal of the locking bolt 5| from the occupied notch 54 of the locking disc 55. through the link 68, bell-crank 6563 and link 5|, such position of the elements being clearly illustrated in Fig. 13.

Further rotation of the cam 5|! permits the lever 46 to rock toward the cam shaft I5 under the influence of the spring 18, that is, from the position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. '14, which causes the pawl 44 to eifect a single step movement of the drum 30 about the axis of the cam shaft l5.

During such pawling movement of the lever 46, and due to the relation of thc pivotal connection 69 of the link 68 to the rotation of the lever 46 and the elongation of the slot 61 in the line 68, the locking plunger 5|, under the infiuenceof its spring 57, first engages and then slides on the peripheral surface of the looking disc 55, and, as the pawl 44 attains its max- 75 the lever 2I is moved,

regulating shaft shoulders I of the directionduring the remaining of the blank the link ,radially with respect to the metrically governed imum position, the tapered end 50 of the locking plunger'5l snaps into the then aligned notch 54 of ,the disc 55 and prevents further rotation of the drum 50.

when the spring pressed stop 01 is moved out of operative relation to the finger 92 of lever 44 by means of the pattern chain 'II, and the cam roller 49 of lever 46 rides over the high portion of cam 00 the lever 44 assumes the position as shown in Fig. 15. At this time the plunger 5I, through the action of link 6 I bell crank. 65 and 63 and the link 6 I will be only slightly withdrawn from the notch 04 of locking disc 55 so as to prevent rotation thereof. v

Such movement of the drum 30 brings one of the stitch-lengthening links 05 into operative relationto the roller 22 on the stitch-regulating lever 2|. The cam surfaces 26 of the links 35 do not function directly with the roller 20. Rocking of the lever 2I is effected by" an intermediate mechanism comprising a shoe I00 (see Figs. 8, 9, 11, i2 and 18). V

g The shoe I00 is provided with a foot IOI which is slidably mounted in a lever I02 for movement axis of the main cam shaft I5 upon which the lever I02 is loosely mounted. A spring I00, having one end attached to the foot Ill and the opposite end attached to the lever I02,- tends to movethe shoe I00 inwardly at all times- Rotatably mounted on a stud I04, which proiects laterally from the foot iIOI, is a roller I05 which is adapted to ride the cam surfaces 26 of the links. 05 of the selector chain 25, whereby the shoe I00 is moved outwardly and inwardly or vice versa as the lever I02 is rocked about the axis of the shaft I5. During such time the drum 30 with the chain 20 thereon is held in a relatively fixed position. k

The outer-peri' heral surface I00 of the shoe I00 is formed on an arc struck from the axis of the shaft I0, and the roller 23 on the stitch-regulating lever 2| bears against the arcuate surface I00 of the shoe I00, and as this surface is moved radially outwardly or inwardly, in accordance with the contour or variable heights of the cam surface 20 of the link 00 which has been positioned in operative relationship to the lever 2|,

and consequently. the stitchto throw the needles sinkers 0, for lengthening the stitches or for returning the needles to a position for the formation of regular stitches, as the case may be.

The rocking of the shoe I00 with respect to the roller 20 .is concurrent with the traversing of slur cock I0 and in order that the stitches will be symthe shoe I00 rocks in one first half of the traversing and in an opposite half of the travof said slur cock. consequently, in cases where the lengthening of thestitches is to be effected at, or immediately adjacent to the center of a course of stitches the cam surface 20 of the link in position will have a rise only at one end of the link. If the lengthened stitches are to be produced adjacent to the selvage edges imposition will have a rise at the opposite end of the link. If lengthened stitches are to be produced bot-bends of acoursethelinkin position willbe provided with a rise at each end, the length of the direction during the movementof the slur cock I0 ersing movement is pivotally connected to the lever is correspondingly moved l0 toward or away from the at the center and at each instance. Obviously,

- the locking 35 then in position a it drops onto and rise circumferentially of the drum 30' determining the number of stitches to be lengthened in where the lengthening of the stitches occurs intermediate the center line of the blank and the selvage edges of the blank the rise in the link will accordingly be positioned circumferentially of the drum. The height of the rise determines the extent of rocking of the needles and consequently the extent of the lengthening of the stitches. In cases where the stitches'are to be lengthened throughout a full course, the rise of the surface 26 of the link in position, and which corresponds to that particular. course, will extend from end to end of the link. In this manner the lengthening of individual stitches or groups of stitches in any place in any course and disposed symmetrically at each of the opposite sides of the center line of the blank may be effected.

The rocking of the shoe I00 is effected by the samemechanism which affects the intermittent rotation ofthe drum 30, the'first part of the movement of the lever 46 being adapted to provide the pawling movement while the remainder of the stroke of the lever 46 is adapted to provide 25. the rocking motion of the shoe I00 across the cam surface 26 of the link 35 which has just been moved into operative relation to the stitch-regulating lever 2|, the last part of the inward stroke of the lever 46 and the first part of the outward 30 stroke of said lever taking place concurrently with the first and second halves respectively of the full sinker-traversing movement of the slur cock I8. I

The shoe-carrying lever I02 is provided with an arm I01 to which is pivotally connected at I08 one end of a link I09, the opposite end of which 46 by bein mounted on the same stud 45 that provides the pivotal connection for the pawl 44 with the lever 46.

The peripheral surface of the cam 50 which effects the pawling or intermittent movement of the drum 30 and also the rocking motion of the shoe I00 is so cut that,- after the drum 30 has been rotated the necessary distance to permit bolt 5| to enter one of the notches 54 of the disc 55 to hold the drum in position, the lever 40 receives a slight backward movement sufflcient to release the pawl 44 from the tooth or pin 43 of the drum 30 by which such movement of the drum has been effected, after which renewed and continued forward movement of the lever 46, for rocking the shoe I00 past the link and the roller 23 on the stitchregulating lever 2I is eflfected.

As soon as the pawl 44 is released from the pin slides over a shoulder IIO,

formed on the locking bracket 52, throughout the remainder of the forward movementof the lever n 46 and during return movement of said lever to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8.

In producing ablank, such as that illustrated in Fig. 16, the body portion A of the blank, down to the line a, a, is knit in the usual normal manner. The link 35 then in operative relation to thestitchq regulating lever 2| is of such height throughout its entire length as not to effect the normal length of stitches of which the body portion A is composed, the length 'of said stitches being regulated 7 0, by the normal stitch-controlling mechanism of the machine.

During the last part of the knitting or the course of stitches immediately. preceding that represented by the line a, a the pattern chain It ders I5 of the sinkers 9 and being will advance to bring one of the buttons 12 thereon under the lug I3 of the lever 14, wherev plunger 5| is simultaneously withdrawn from the occupied notch 54 of the locking disc 55 of said drum. The roller 49 of the lever 46 will then ride on the high portion 501; of the cam with the spring 10 stretched to its maximum extent. As the cam 50 continues to rotate the roller 49 rides down the incline 50b of the cam and the spring 10 at the same time rocks the lever 46 toward the cam shaft l5, from the position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. 14, whereby movement of the drum to the extent of one step is effected and by the link shown, for example, in Fig. 17a. The locking plunger 5| at the same time is reseated in one of -the locking notches 54 of the disc 55.

Continued rotation of the cam 50 brings a rides down the incline 50d thereof and the spring 10 rocks thelever again towardethe shaft I5. In so doing the lever I02 is rocked to bring the leading point |00a of the shoe I00 into engagement with the roller 23 of the stitch-regulating lever 2| as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

The roller I05 of the shoe I 00 rides onto the high point 26a of the link 35 at substantially the same time as the point |00a of the shoe I 00 engages the roller 23 of the stitch-regulating lever 2|, whereby the stitch-regulating shaft 20 is rocked and the needles I0 are correspondingly rocked toward the sinkers.

The slur cock I8 then begins its travel across the sinkers, to sink the thread around the needles for the first course of stitches included in the high splice heel reinforce B.

During the travel of the slur cock across the sinkers and during the sinking of the yarn thereby, from the selvage A to the inner line B of the reinforce B, the lever I02 is being rocked and the roller I 05 of the shoe I00 is riding on the high part of the link, from the point 26a to the point 26b, whereupon the roller I00 rides onto the normal portion of the link 35, permitting the stitch-regulating shaft 20 to rock back to the corresponding to the center line 1:, a: of the blank, the needles I0 rocking outwardly from the shoulheld in such position during the travel of the slur cock across the sinkers to the center of the bank of needles.

During such movement of the slur cock I8 the lever I02 has continued to rock, in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, by reason of the roller 49 riding down the incline 50e of the cam 50 under the influence of the spring 10, until the roller reaches the low point 50f of said cam, the shoe I00 during such rocking of the lever 46 rocking around the shaft I 5, altho at this time not controlling the length of the stitches being produced, the limit of travel of the shoe being determined by the contour of cam 50 and ordinarily being such that the second end I 00b thereof is the plain link is replaced- 'for example that of 5 adjacent to the roller 23 of the stitch-regulating lever 2|.

During the travel of the slur cock I8 past the second half of the complement of sinkers,-corresponding to a movement from the center line w, a: of the blank to the" selvage A shoe I00 is rocked in an opposite direction by the roller ersing movement from the inner line B of the high splice heel B until the selvage A of the blank is attained.

It will here be the carrier bars I to the needles are noted that the movements of by which the threads being laid selvages A and A During the above noted single traversing mover ment of the slur cock l0 the pattern chain 1| has advanced one link, to remove the button I2 from under the lug of the lever I4 whereby the rod 82 is shifted in an opposite direction to re- 1 move the stop 81 from the path of the finger 92 of the pawl 44, consequently there will be no movement of the drum 30 during the next cycle of rotation of the shaft I5 and the link then in operative relation to the stitch-regulating lever for the knitting outwardly and inwardly as the roller I05 thereof is rocked across the cam surface 26 of the link in position, between the end point. 26a of said cam surface which corresponds to the selvage edges of the fabric and the end point 260 of the cam surface which corresponds to the center line 3:, :c of the blank.

During the knitting of the course preceding that denoted by the line b,

path of the finger 92 of the pawl 44, whereupon the drum 30 receives a one step movement in the manner above described which moves the link of Fig. 17a out of operative relation to the stitchregulating lever 2| and moves another link 35,

Fig. 17b, into operative relation to the stitch-regulating lever 2|. This link is similar to the link shown in Fig. 17a, with the exception that it includes a second elevation in dicated by numerals 26d and 26e, the cam surface 26 of the link between these points being of higher elevation relative to the axis of the cam shaft I5 than the cam surface between the points 2611 and 20b of the link shown in Fig. 17. This higher elevation effects a greater rocking of the needles I0 toward the shoulders I6 of the sinkers 9 to slightly increase the length of the stitches in the courses from the sel-vage edgesA and A of the blank to the inner lines or edges C and C of relatively thickened areas C and C respective ly, in which a third thread is incorporated in addition to the splicing threads knit into the areas B and B The operation throughout the knitting of the main body thread and the single I 6 courses between the lines D, b and c, c is the same as the operations during the knitting of the courses between the lines a, a and b, b with the exception that the drum 30 is moved, for ex- 5 ample after each fourth course, then after each third course, then atter each second course and finally after each course, bringing the links of Figs. 17c, 17d, l'Ze, 1'7], 17g, 1771,1711 and 171i successively into operative relation tov the stitchregulating lever 2 I, the difference in each of these links being that the points 261) and 26a are moved closer to the center point 260 in progressively increasing steps, whereby the inner lines B and C and B and C of the areas B and B C and C respectively are caused to extend at an angle or to be curved with respect to the center line of the fabric.

During the knitting of the courses between the lines 0, c and d, d the link shown in Fig. 1'1 remains inoperative relation to the stitch-regulatinglever2l.

- From the knitting of the course corresponding to the lined-d to the knitting of the ends of the heel tabs indicated by the line e, e the length of the stitches'in the heel tabsD, D is controlled by a link having a uniform height from end to end corresponding substantially to the high portion of the link shown in Fig. 17a. During the formaplain surface ofeven height from end to end, so as not to interfere with the normal stitch-regulating mechanism, is moved into operation relative to the stitch regulating lever 2|.

In producing the blankshown in Fig. 19 the link of Figs. 20a and 2011 having elevated portions 26! of different lengths at the end 260 of the links are employed in succession and duplicated in reverse order to produce the upper central design area E, then a plain non-elevated link so that the production of the portion A of the blank A may be controlled by the normal stitch regulating mechanism. Then the links of the kind shown in Figs. 20a to 20 are again employed to produce the upper part of the lower central-design area E after which links of the character shown in Figs. 20a to 20i, having variable elevated surfaces 26a intermediate their opposite ends in addition to the variable elevated surfaces 261 at their ends 26c, are provided to produce the lower part of the lower central design area E and the upper tapering parts E, E of the high splice heel areas, and the links 20h to 2011. are used to produce the lower parts E, E of the high spliced heel areas.

The links of Figs. 20a to 20ft are shown in cooperative relation to shoe I which is rocked by a cam i0 as shown in Fig. 22. In producingsuch areas e link may be cut to provide a dwell of the roller I05 on the cam surfaceof the link during the movement of the slur cock the sinkers corresponding in position to the plain portions of the blank between the side and central design areas and to provide a .quickened action of the shoe roller over the portions of the link-elevated surfaces corresponding to the central and side design areas, for more accurately controlling the lengths of the stitches in the more or less rapid changes from long to.

satire stitches and vice ver In producing theblank shown in Fig. 23 with design areas of variable widths between each of the side edges of the blank, such as clocks, etc., as indicated at a in said figure, links of the type shown in Figs. 24a. to 24h are provided in 7 forward and reverse order in the chain 20, each and means for moving link having only one elevated surface 26g between its ends, and the surfaces of the links being of 25 for operating the shoe I00 in relation to the links, Figs. 24a. to 2411..

In order to produce'full courses of lengthened stitches, as at the picot edge F, welt juncture G,

and topping lines H in the blank showlfin Figs. 26

and 27, the surfaces 26h, 26f and 261' of the links in Figs. 28, 29 and 30 respectively are employed.

These surfaces extend uniformly from end to end the surface of the links and vary in height only, 267 of the link in Fig. 30 being only slightly higher than the normal length stitch height indicated by the broken line y, y for producing looping lines such as the lines H, H in the heel tabs. The surface 26i of the link shown in Fig. 29, is but slightly higher than the surface 267, for forming the picot of the line Y-Y is provided, for the reason hereinbefore stated.

From the above, it will be clear that by producing links having "cam surfaces of various heights and various lengths and by placing these elevated cam surfaces at various places throughout the length of the links, or along the whole of the length of the link, stitches at any place in any course throughout the knitting of the stocking blank from end to end thereof may be selectively lengthened to any desired extent in conjunction with the normal operation of the machine.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed. L

I claim: 1. A device, for use with a fiat knitting machine equipped with a rockable stitch-regulating lever, comprlsingan intermittently rotatable element provided with variable. surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, and means movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever independently of the lever to rock said lever for regulating the-lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine.

2. A device, for use with a flat lmitting machine equipped with a rockable stitch regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, and oscillatory means movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever independently of the lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine.

3. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a rockablestitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element provided with variable cam links movable into stationary operative relation to said lever, the lever in accordance with the contour of one of the stationary links for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine.

chine equipped with a rockable stitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element and a stitch selector chain extending around said element and includinginterchangeable links respectively provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine.

5. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a rockable stitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, and oscillatory means pivoted coaxially with said intermittently rotatable element and H comprising an movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine.

6. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a main cam shaft and a rockable stitch-regulating lever adjacent therean intermittently rotatable eleto, comprising ment adapted to be loosely mounted on said cam shaft and provided with variable surface protu berances movable into operative relation to said lever, and oscillatory, means pivoted coaxially with said intermittently rotatable element and movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating'the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine. Y

7. A device, for use with a fiat knitting machine equipped with a main cam shaft and a rockable stitch-regulating lever adjacent thereto, intermittently rotatable element adapted to be loosely mounted on said cam shaft and provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, oscillatory means pivoted coaxially with said intermittently rotatable element and movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine,

and means adapted to be secured to said cam' shaft for effecting oscillation of said intermediate operable means.

8. A device, for use chine equipped with with a fiat knitting maa main cam shaft and a rockable stitch-regulating lever adjacent thereto, comprising an intermittently rotatable element adapted'to be loosely mounted on said cam shaft and provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, oscillatory means pivoted coaxially withsaid intermittently rotatable element and movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine, and means adapted to be secured to said cam shaft for intermittently rotating said element.

9. A device, for use with a fiat knitting machine equipped With a main cam shaft and a rockable stitch-regulating lever adjacent thereto, comprising an intermittently rotatable element adapted to be loosely mounted on said cam shaft and provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said oscillatory means pivoted coaxially with lever, said "intermittently rotatable element and mov protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine, means adapted to be actuated by said cam shaft for constantly oscillating said intermediately operable means, and means carried by the last respectively provided wit 10. A device, for use with a fiat knitting machine equipped with a rockable stitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rctatableelement, a stitch selector chain extending around said element and including interchangeable links variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, and oscillating means pivoted coaxially with said intermittently rotatable element and movable intermediate said protuberances' and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine.

11. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a stitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and including interchangeable links having cam surfaces of 20 respectively varying heights with respect to the axis of said element, and means operable between said cam surfaces and said lever for rocking said lever to vary the lengths of predetermined stitches in accordance with the variations in the height '25 of said cam surfaces respectively.

12. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a stitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and including interchangeable links having cam surfaces of respectively varying heights with respect to the axis of said element and varying lengths with respect to the circumference of said element, and means operable between said cam surfaces and said lever for rocking said lever to vary the lengths of predetermined stitches and groups thereof in accordance with the variations in the height and length of said cam surfaces respectively.

, 13. A device, for use with a flat knitting ma- 40 chine equipped with a stitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element provided with radial protuberances of varying height relative. to the axis of said element, an arm coaxially pivoted with respect to said ele- 45 ment, means for oscillating said arm about said axis, a shoe slidably mounted in said oscillatory arm for radial movement with respect to said axis and adapted to engage said lever, and means on said shoe adapted to ride on said protuberances duringoscillation of said arm for rocking said stitch-regulating lever in accordance with the varying height of said protuberances.

14. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a stitch-regulating lever, comprising an intermittently rotatable element provided with radial protuberances of varying height relative'to the axis of said element, an arm coaxially pivoted with respect to said element, means for oscillating said arm about said axis, a shoe slidably mounted in said oscillatory arm for radial movement with respect to said axis and provided with a circumferentially extended convexed surface adapted to engage said lever and being formed on an are having. its center substantially coincident with said axis, 'and means on said shoe adapted to ride on said protuberances during oscillation of said arm for rocking, said stitch-regulating lever in accordance with the varying height of said protuberances.

15. In a full-fashioned knittingmachine, the combination with a cam shaft and loop-forming means, of an intermittently rotatable element mounted on the cam shaft movable relative thereto, a locking and ratchet wheel construction rigidly connected to said element, a locking member and a pawl member cooperating with said locking and ratchet wheel constructionsrespectively, an oscillatory lever carrying said pawl member, fixed means carrying said 100 'ng member, and means operatively connecting said members for effecting application of the one, and release of the other, of said members.

16. In a full-fas oned' knitting machine, the combination with a camshaft and loop-forming means, of an intermittently rotatable element mounted on the cam shaft movable relative thereto, a locking and ratchet wheel construction rigidly connected to said element, a locking member and a pawl member for cooperation with said locking and ratchet wheel constructions respectively, an oscillating lever carrying said pawl member, fixed means carrying said locking member, means operatively connecting said members for effecting application of the one, and release of the other, of said members, and means for effecting said operations of said members during 'said lever, oscillatory means predetermined oscillations of said lever.

1'7. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the

I combination with a cam shaft and loop-forming means, of an intermittently rotatable element mounted on the cam shaft movable relative thereto, a locking disc and ratchet wheel construction rigidly connected to said element, a fixed'bearing adjacent tosaid element, a locking bolt slidably mounted in the fixed bearing and projecting into a recess in the disc, a lever for constant oscillation pivoted adjacent to said element, a pawl pivotally mounted on said lever, a release lever for the bolt pivoted to said fixed bearing, and a link connecting the pawl and said release lever for simultaneous actuation of said pawl and bolt.

18, A device, foruse with a flat knitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, and traversing means for projecting the sinkers between the needles successively from side to side of the needle bank; said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and comprising a series of links respectively provided with cam surfaces of varying heightrrelative to the axis of said element; an element for oscillation about, and movement radially with respect to, the axis of the first said element intermediate said links and said lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers in accordance with said link camsurfaces, and means for synchronizing the oscillations of said intermediate element with the sinkertraversing movements of said projecting means.

19. A device, for usewith a fiat knitting-mashaft and a" chine equipped with a main cam rockable stitch-regulating lever adjacent thereto, comprising an intermittently rotatable element adapted to be loosely mounted on said cam ,shaft and provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to pivoted coaxialLv with said intermittently rotatable element and movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine, means adapted to be actuated by said cam shaft for constantly oscillating said intermediatelyv operable means, normally ineffective means carried by the last said means for intermittently rotating said element, and selectively operable means for rendering said element rotating means effective.

20. A device, for use with a flat mp-- chine equipped with a, main cam shaft, a rockable stitch-regulating lever adjacent thereto and apattern chain, comprising an intermittently rotatable element adapted to be loosely mounted on said cam shaft and provided with variable sur- 5 face protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, oscillatory means pivoted coaxially with said intermittently rotatable element and movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine, means adapted to be actuated by said cam shaft for-constantly oscillating said intermediately operable means, means normally ineffectively carried by the last said means forinablestitch-regulating lever adjacent thereto and a pattern chain, comprising an intermittently rotatable element adapted to beloosely mounted on said cam shaftand provided with variable surface protuberances movable into operative relation to said lever, oscillatory means pivoted coaxially with said intermittently rotatable element and movable intermediate said protuberances and said lever to rock said lever for regulating the lengths of predetermined stitches produced by the machine, means adapted to be 'ac'tuated by said cam shaft for constantly oscillating said intermediately operable means, a stitch selector chain passing around said element and composed of interchangeable links respectively, means normally ineffectively carried by the last said means for intermittently rotating said element, and selectively operable means actuated by said pattern chain for rendering said element- 40 rotating means effective. I 22. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with a cam shaft and loop-forming means, of an intermittently rotatable element mounted on the cam shaft movable relative thereto, a locking disc and ratchet wheel construction rigidly connected to said element, a fixed bearing adjacent to-said element, a locking bolt slidably mounted in the fixed bearing and projecting into a recess in the disc, a constantly oscillating lever pivoted adjacent to said element, a pawl pivotally mounted on said lever, a release lever for the bolt pivoted to said fixed bearing, a link connecting the pawl and said release lever for simultaneous actuation of means for slidably supporting said pawl in an inoperative position during the oscillations of said lever, a finger on the pawl, and a stop movable into the path of said finger for raising said pawl from said support into operative relation to said ratchet construction and for releasing the boltv from the locking disc.

' 23. A device, for use with a fiat knitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, and traversing means for projecting the sinkers between the needles successively from side to side of the needle'bank; said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around saidelement and com- 7 prising a series of links respectively provided with cam surfaces of varying height relative to the axis of, said element, an element for oscillation about, and movement radially with respect to. the axis of the first said element intermediate said links 5 said pawl and bolt, 55

the second half .lever for ing a rocking lever common element, an

and said lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers in accordance with said link cam sur-. faces, the length of the cam surface of each link traversed by said intermediate oscillatory element being proportionate to substantially one-half the total traverse of the sinker-projecting means across the series of sinkers whereby oscillation of said element in one direction longitudinally of the links effects lengthening of predetermined stitches in one-half of a'course thereof and movement of said element in the opposite direction efiects lengthening of predetermined stitches in of the course symmetrically to the first half course. I

.24. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and comprising a series of links respectively provided with cam surfaces of varying height relative to the axis of said element, an element for oscillation about, and movement radially with respect to, the axis of the first said element intermediate said links and said tilting the needles relative to the sinkers in accordance with said link cam surfaces, oscil latory means for intermittently rotating said chain-supporting element to bring said links successively into" operative relation to said lever, and means for effecting oscillation of said elements in predetermined relation to each other.

25. A device, for use with a fiat knitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and comprising a series of links respectively provided with cam surfaces of varying height relativeto the axis of said element, an elementfor oscillation about, and movement radially with respect to, the axis of the first said element intermediate said links and said lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers in accordance with said link cam surfaces, oscillatory means for intermittently rotating said chain-supporting element to bring said links successively into operative relation to said lever, means for effecting oscillation of said elements in predetermined relation to each other includto both oscillating elements, and a cam for actuating saidrocking lever.

26. A device, for use with a fiatknitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and comprising a series of linksrespectively provided with cam surfaces of varying height relative to the axis of said element for oscillation about, and movement radially with respect to, the axis 01' the first said element intermediate said links and said lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers in accordance with said linlE cam surfaces. oscillatory means for intermittently rotating said chain-supporting element to bring said links successively into operative relation to said lever, means for eflecting oscillation of said elements in predetermined relation to each other including a rocking lever common to-both oscil- I lating elements, a cam for actuating said rocking lever in one direction, and a spring ,tor actuating said rocking lever in the opposite direction.

) tuate 27. A device, for use with a .flat knitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and comprising a series of links respectively provided with cam surfaces oi varying height relative to the axis of said element, an element for oscillation about, and movement radially with respect to, the axis of the first said element intermediate said links and said lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers in accordance with said link cam surfaces, a rotary cam coaxially aligned with said chaincarrying element, a lever actuated by said cam, a pawl pivotally connected to said cam actuated lever, a ratchet fixedly connected to said chaincarrying element for engagement by said pawl,

and means for selectively effecting engagement of the pawl with the ratchet for intermittently 20 rotating the chain-carrying element to position said chain links successively in operative relation to said stitch-regulating lever.

28. A device, for use with a fiat knitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank 25 of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending a'round said element and comprising a series of links respectively provided with cam surfaces of yarying height relative to the axis of said element, an element for oscillation about, and movement radially with respect to, the axis of the first said element intermediate said links and said lever for tilting the needles relative to the sink- 3 ers in accordance with said link cam surfaces,

a rotary cam coaxially aligned with said chaincarrying element, a lever actuated by said cam, means operatively connecting said oscillatory element to said cam-actuated lever, a pawl piv- 40 otally connected to said ,cam actuated lever, a ratchet fixedly connected to said chain-carrying element for engagement by said pawl, and means for selectively efiecting engagement of the pawl with the ratchet for intermittently rotating the 45 chain-carrying element to position said chain successively in operative relation to said stitch-regulating lever, said cam having a lever-- actuating surface adapted to rock the lever in a manner to effect pawling of said chain-carrying 64, element in advance of efiectiveoscillation of said intermediate elementbetween the link cam surface and the stitch-regulating lever.

29. A device, for use with a flat knitting machine equipped with a series of sinkers, a bank b of needles, a lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers, said device comprising an intermittently rotatable element, a chain extending around said element and comprising a series 01' links respectively provided with cam surfaces of varying height relative to the axisof said element, means for locking the chain-carrying element against rotation, an element for oscillation about, and movement radially :with respect to, the axis of the first said element intermediate said links and said lever for tilting the needles relative to the sinkers in accordance with 'said link cam surfaces, a rotary cam coaxially aligned with said chain-carrying element, a lever actuated by said cam, means operatively connecting said oscillatory element to said cam-actuated lever, a pawl pivotally connected to said cam-aclever, a ratchet fixedly connected to said chain-carrying element for engagement by said pawl, means operatively connected to said pawl 6) the ratchet and substantially simultaneously re-- leasing said locking means for intermittently rotatin'g the chain-carrying element to position said chain links successively in operative relation to said stitch-regulating lever, said cam having a lever-actuating surface adapted to rock the lever in a manner to eflect pawling of said chain-carrying element relocking of said chain-carrying element and releasing the pawl from the ratchet in advance of effective oscillation of said intermediate element between the link cam surface and the stitch-regulating lever.

30. A flat knitting machine equipped with stitch-regulating means comprising a movable element,. intermittently operable means having a plurality'of various surface contours for successive presentation to said element for cooperation therewith, and means movable intermediate a presented contour and said element, which intermediate meansmoves independently of, and 1 actuates, said element. v

V GOTILOB BIIZER.

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