US2250658A - Circular knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

Jul 29, 1941. c. SMITH EM; 2,250,658 CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l IHVENTUR-S EAL EB SMITH CHARLES 1? N0 BABE ATTIJRNEY CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTURS CAL EB SMITH 3/ CHARLES 1? Ma BABE ATTIJRN EY one continuous operation.

Patented July 29, 1941 CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Caleb Smith and Charles P. McGabe, Seneca. Falls, N. 31.; said McCabe assignor to said Smith Application December 31, 1938, Serial No. 248,685

19 Claims. (Cl. 66-13) This invention relates to improvements in knitting machines of the circular type adapted to knit articles of hosiery or the like containing both ribbed fabric and plain fabric portions.

The invention pertains more particularly to" that class of knitting machines adapted to knit long-legged or boot socks, the leg and foot including the heel and toe portions, thereon in one continuous operation and which embodies two sets of knitting needles, a vertical or cylindrical set and a horizontal or dial set. One of the sets of needles, usually the dial set, has each needle thereof of the type composed of two separate members, a body or hook member and a latch or cast-off member mounted in sliding engage ment with each other.

Insofar as applicants are aware, knitting machines of the above mentioned'class have not generally been used heretofore to knit boot socks V or the like having plain fabric, plain ribbed fabric' and half cardigan ribbed fabric portions in Socks comprising these different knitted portions have usually had the ribbed fabric or leg portion knit on one'maon another machine. This has necessitated the transfer of the first knitted portion from one machine to the second machine which is usually accomplished with the aid of a transfer ring.

When thus transferring a partially. knitted por-' tion, as the foot of a sock, from one machine to another, the foot portion extending above the heel often varies in width or length due to the quills of the transfer ring not always being engaged with the same course of stitches. This not only results in the finished socks havinglegs of different lengths but causes waste of yarn by the operator ravelling the portion of the previously knitted fabric which extends above the stitches engaged by the transfer quill,

It will be understood that various batches of yarn, although dyed substantially the same color,

"will vary somewhat in shade one'from the other. 'The first formed sock portions" are knitted in large quantities before finishing the second portions and if there is not enough yarn ofv a given batch remaining after the first f portions have been knitted to finish the second portion of the socks, it is necessary for the operator to delay finishing these partly knitted portions until such time as he is enabled to find a batch of yarn which corresponds in shade substantially to that v of the yarn of the first knitted'sock portions.

This 'hasresulted in'much' time and effort being consumed in estimating the correct number of J sock portions to be'knit-on-the first machine from a given batch of yarn in order toconsume the remainder of the batch of yarn when knitting the remaining portion of the socks on the second machine.

The main object of this invention is to provide almachine employing two-part needles of the above mentioned class for knitting socks comprising plain fabric and plain ribbed fabric 10" with a half cardigan ribbed fabric portion in with means whereby the sock may be formed addition to the other two portions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a V device for producing a half cardigan ribbed fabno on a knitting machine for knitting boot socks or the like which isadapted to be used either on a two-feed or a single feed machine.

A further object of the invention is tdprovide acircular knitting machine for knitting a plain fabric, aplain ribbed fabric and a half cardigan ribbed fabric in onecontinuous operation which v is simple, automatic and positive in operation Y form of the structure and relation of the parts circular knittingmachine embodying the various i 'structed. chine and the plain fabric or foot portion kniii 5 and which may be economically and durably con- Other. objects andadvantages pertaining .to the thereof will more fully appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Figure 1 is a detail vertical sectional-view,

partly in elevation, through the dial needles and the associated drive mechanism therefor of a features of this invention;

Figures-2' and3,are detailhorizontal sectional views taken substantially on lines 2 -2-and 3-3,

respectively, of Figure 1, illustrating an intermittent drive for a dial needle switch cam.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1,- illustrating on a reduced scale 1 more orless diagrammatically the manner of automatically moving the intermittent drive into and out-of operation.

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal sectional view Y taken on line 55, Figurei l a Figure 6-is -a detail horizontal sectional view taken on line 66,-Figure 1, illustrating the arm for operating-the needle switch cam and a double cam for operating said arm in elevation.

Figure "7 is a detail vertical sectional View taken substantially in the plane of the line 1-1, .Figurefi.

v Figure, 8 a horizontal sectional view taken substantially "on line 88, Figure 1, illustrating the dial cam carrier or housing and the needle cams associated therewith.

Figure 9 is a detail plan view illustrating the arm for actuating the needle switch cam of this invention directly connected with a drive therefor whereby my novel invention is adapted to be used more particularly with a two-feed knitting machine.

Figure 10 is a detail plan view illustrating more or less diagrammatically a modfiedform of my novel needle switch cam which may be used to produce a half cardigan ribbed fabric.

Figure 11 is a detail plan view similar to Figure 10 illustrating a still further .mo'dified form of my novel needle cam.

Figures 12 to 19, inclusivepare:enlargedvertical radial sectional views illustrating various positions of the respective needles jduring the operation thereof for producing a half cardigan ribbed fabric, said views being taken on Figure 8 as follows: Figure 12ton-line Figures l13.-a,l1d:16

on line B, Figures 14 and -17on.line .CjFigure online D,'Fig-ure-l8 on-line E an'd'Fi line F.

Figure is an elevation of a boot sockknit in .accordance with this invention.

The structure-shown in :the 1 drawings,- with' the exception of that illustrated in Figure 9, is adapted more particularly for .a sing-lefeed cirg-ure --19 on cularsknitting machine of a'well-knowntype 'for knitting articles of hosiery containing both ribbed fabric and plain fabric portions in .one

continuous operation such as that disclosed in Patent-No. 1,641,101, issued August 30, 1927, to

R. -W. Scott and which employs a dial setof needles constructed of twozparts substantially as disclosed in Patent No. .1,483,009,-issued to A. E. Page February 5, 1924, or Patent No. 1,583,233 issued November 24, 1925, toR. -W.Sc0tt.

In other words our improvement :for knitting machines pertains more particularly to a cir- .cularhosiery. knittingmachine employingacylinder set of needles of the-conventional swinging latch type and a dial set of needles of ;the twopart type, a loop drawing part .havinga hook provided .at one end and a latch or cast-off .part

provided witha pair of opposed return bent hooks mounted in sliding engagement with the first mentioned, part. Knitting machines of this type, as disclosed .in the patents above referred to, have heretofore been 'used .for continuously knitting hosiery comprising both plain fabric and plain ribbed fabric in one continuous operation. However, these knittingmachines have not .been

adapted to knit an article of vhosiery containing a half cardigan 'ribbedfabricportion'in addition to the plain "fabric and ,plain' ribbed "fabric portions. When it has heretofore been desired to knit an articleof hosiery of this latter type,

it has "been necessary to knit the foot portionof the article which is composedof plain fa'bric on one machine and the leg-portion ofthe article which comprises plain ribbed fabric and half cardigan ribbed fabric onanother'knitting'machine, as hereinbefore stated.

Applicants have,thereforeyprovided a simply constructed cam member which is associated with the usual cam elements of the dial set of needles for producing such relative movements of the hookand cast-off members of thetwopart dial needles, and means for automatic-ally operating said cam element that two loops will be formed on each operative dial needle in a single .feed knitting machine and then simultaneously .cast .off the loops during succeeding revo-' of any well-known conventional form such as that disclosed in the hereinbefore mentioned .Patent No. 1,641,101 and, inasmuch as this portion of the mechanism does not comprise any part :of the instant invention, it is believed unnecessaryto illustrated or specifically describe the cylinder needles or the mechanism for operating the same other than that which is shown in Figure 1 and illustrated more or less diagrammatically in Figures 12 to 19 inclusive, of the drawings.

In Figures'l ,to-8, inclusive, we haveillustrated a dial set of needles ofthe-two-partsliding type and ;means for operating the same to produce *alternatecourses-of plain stitches and half car- .digan or tuck stitches on a circular knitting machine ,of the single feed type. y

In the machineshown, theneedle carriers rotate and thecams are relatively fixed, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. In this structure the dial camhousing or carrier, as 12.5, ispositioned within a latch guard 26 mounted .upon the frame (not sh'own) of the machine. The latch'guard 26, as illustrated, is connected to a supporting bracket ,Z'Ihaving abearing 28 in which is rotatably mounted a vertically disposed -dial'spindle;29 arranged to be in concentric relation with a cylinder, indicated at 30, for supporting cylinder needles 3|.

1 The dial'spindle '29 extends a short distance above-the bearing 28 :and has secured theretoa gear 33 which is in meshing engagement with .a pinion -34 mounted'onone end of thestub' ishaft -35 journaled inra bearing 36 connected with the bracket 21. The other end of the stub shaft 35 has secured thereto a pinion '37 which'is-in meshing enegagement with a corresponding-gear --38 provided on the upper end ofa vertically disposed .drive shaft 39 which may be rotated in unison with the cylinder 30 by any suitable mechanism such as that indicated in the hereinbefore mentioned Patent No. 1,641,101.

A suitable gear housing 40 may, as indicated in Figure 1, be connected with the bracket '21 for enclosing the gears 33, '34, 31 and 38. The cam housing 25 rotatably receives the dial spindle :29 therethrough and is removably secured to the-bracket 21, as illustrated at 42, Figure 1, so

as to remain stationary during rotation of the spindle.

Fixedly mounted upon'the spindle 29 beneath ithe cam housing :25 is a dial 43 provided with radial grooves, as '44, for receiving the dial needles "45.: Thereare at least as many of the grooves 44in the dial 43 as there are occasionally idle needles 3| in the cylinder .30. During rib .knitting the idle cylinder needles-are withdrawn in'therusualzmanner due to the particular construction of 'aswitch cam (not shown) associated therewith .beneath thelevel of the dial needles 45. The .position of'the dial 43 upon the dial rspindle 29 is such that the dial needles 45 will be -in cooperative alignment with the occasionally tid'leicylinder needlesso that'when it is desired to transfer the stitches from/the dial needles to corresponding cylinder needles, this may be readily accomplished in any well-known manner after operating the switch cam for the cylinder needles to bring said cylinder needles into operation. I The dial needles 45 are operated by suitable cams on the relatively stationary cam housing 25 which is provided with a recess 41 extending inwardly from the lower side thereof adjacent the dial 43. The cam members for the dial needles comprise three transfer cam elements'48, 48 and 50 which actuate the dial needles when transferring the stitches carried thereby on to corresponding needles mounted in the cylinder 38. Cam elements and 52 are for operating the dial needles when producing a plain ribbed fabric. The transfer cam elements 48, 49 and 58 are usually mounted in the housing recess 41 so as to move from a lower operative position where they function to actuate the dial needles to an upper inoperative position out of operative engagement with the dial needles during the knitting operation. Likewise, the knitting cam elements 5| and 52 are movable from a lower operative position where they actuate the dial needles to effect knitting to an upper inoperative position out of operative engagement with the dial needles during the transfer operation'and during the knitting of plain fabric. The cam elements 48, 48, 50, 5| and 52 maybe movedfromtheir lower operative position to the upper inoperative position by any suitable means and, inasmuchas this means for moving the cam elements to and from the operative position is well'known to those skilled in the art and 'does not directly .eonstitute a portionof this invention, it islbelieved that it is unnecessary to further show or describe such a mechanism. i I

The cam element indicated at 53 is fixed relative to the housing and recess 4! and functions in the usual manner to maintain the dial needles in the inoperative position out of the path of movement of the cylinder needles during the knitting of plain fabric. Also, this cam 53 positions the parts of the dial needles, as 45' and 45", during each revolution of the dial 43 and needles carried thereby so that the butts of said needles will be maintained in their respective paths of movement through the housing recess 41 to properly engage corresponding transfer cam elements or knitting cam elements when either of said cam elements is moved from the inoperative to the operative position.

As shown in Figure 8, the knitting cam elements 5! and 52 are constructed in the conventional manner to actuate the dial needles during the stitching operation to produce a plain stitch, with the exception of cam element 52 which is provided with a recess 55 extendin inwardly from the outer vertical face thereof behind the cam element 5!. In the recess 55 is mounted a cam element 56 which, together with the means for actuating said element, comprises the novel structure of this invention.

The cam element 56 is secured to the lower end of a vertically disposed'spindle 51 which extends downwardly through the upper wall of the housing 25 into the recess 55 adjacent the advance side of said recess. The cam element 56 has the outer side 58 thereof conforming in contour substantially to thatof the normal contour of the corresponding sid portion of the cam element 52 so that when the cam element 58 is in its innermost position, as indicated by full lines in Figures. said side 58 will extend across the open 'side cf' recess 55 fo riguiding the butts, as 59, of

the dial needle cast-off parts 45' in the conventional manner for stitching as said buttstravel. forwardly through the cam track or groove 60? formed intermediate the cam element 52 and the .outerposition, as indicated by broken lines in Figure 8 during the production of a cardigan stitch. For this purpose, the spindle 51 is extended some distance above the housing 25, as

shown more particularly in Figures 1 and '7, and

has secured to the upper end thereof a crank arm 64 as by a screw mounted in a suitable aperture provided in split portions 64 formed on the arm 64 adjacent the spindle 51, as illustrated in Figure 6.

The crank arm 64, as shown in Figure 7, is

provided with a pendent sleeve 65 which receives the upper end portion of the spindle 51 therein and has coiled thereon aspring 51 which has one end connected with the; arm 64 and the other end with the housing 25 for yieldinglyurging said arm and the, spindle 51 in a direction to maintain the cam 56 ,in its innermost'position against the stop surface 55 of the recess 55.

The arm 64 extends inwardly from the spindle 51 toward the dial spindle 29, as indicated by 7 .full lines in Figure ,6 and has secured to the inner end thereof a roller 69, as illustrated in Figure '7. The roller 69 projects upwardly from the adjacent end of the arm 64 into the path of movement of a double faced cam Ill which is secured, as illustrated. to the lower end of a vertically disposed stub shaft H. The stub shaft 1| extends upwardly through an eccentric disk 12 rotatably mounted in a circular aperture l3'providedin a bracket M which is secured as illustrated more particularly'in Figure 2, by screws E5 or other suitablemeans to the bracket 21 adjacent the bearing member 28. The stub shaft TI is arranged in eccentric relation with the disk 12 and has the upper end'thereof extending a short distance above said disk and secured to a star wheel 16 comprising a portion of a Geneva movement for intermittently operating the cam 18.

The star wheel 16, as indicated more clearly in Figure 1, is positioned a short distance below the, lower face of'the gear 33 so as to be actuated by;

a drive pin 'I'lv secured to said gear 3 3 to extend downwardly therefrom at one side of the axis of rotation thereof. The gear 33 is provided with a circular pendent hub 18 which is adapted to be received in peripheral recesses 19 of the star wheel 16, as illustrated in Figure 2, formaintaining the star'wheel against rotation during the idle portion of the movement of drive pin' 11. The hub I8 is provided with an arcuate recess a 88 in the side. thereof adjacent the pin H which is; adapted to align with theportions of the star wheel'iii adjacent the radial slots 8| formed'insaid wheel and to receive s aid'portions,therein during the rotation ofthe star wheel produced 1 by the operation of the drive pin 11 thereon, as

will be readily understood, The star wheel 'lfi'" is provided with a pendent hub portion 83 of ,suflicient diameter to ex end over the upper face j by "those skilled in the art. ates a'veitically disposed rock lever 8'! which is:

-ofjthe'braoket 34 adjacent 'theret'o' for limiting the downward movement of 'the stub shaft Hand the-disk I2; e

"It'will now be understood that when the star -wheel 1621s in the position illustrated in Figure 2, in position to be'actuated by the drive pin TI, the cam I9 will be alternately "moved from the inoperative position, indicated by full lines in Figure "6, out 'of engagement with the roller 69 to the operative position, 'indicated'by broken dines in said figure, into operative engagement with the roller whereby the arm 64 is rocked about the axis of the spindle 51. Rocking of spindle 51 produces movement of the "cam 55 from theinner or inoperative position, indicated by full linesin Figure 8, to the outer or operative position thereof indicated by'broken lines in said latter figure. This "actuation of the star wheel 'fiii produceol by the drive pin 11 will occur upon each revolution o'f the drive pin and'gear 33, so that during one revolution of the gear 33 andthe spindle 2'9 'and'dial43 connected with said gear, the cam 56 will b'emaintained in its innermost position by the action of the spring SIga'n'd duringthe succeeding revolution of said gear, spindle and dial, the cam 56 will be moved to and main- -'tained in its"outermost position against -the action or the-spring 6:1 by the engagement of the eam 'I-U'With-fihe roller 69.

Ittherefore follows that, upon the third revolution o'f the gear 33 and members associated therewith, the star "wheel '16 will be actuated to move the cam 10 outof'holding'engagement with th'e arm fifl and'permitthe cam 56 to be returned "to and maintained inits innermost position by the action "ofthe spring BI. This periodic moveinen tof the c'a'm"56 to ancrfrom the inn'er'positwns thereof isfor the purpose of actuating the dial needles in conjunction with the cylinder nee- 'dies to produce 'ahalf cardigan ribbed fabric in 'the in'anner wliichwill "hereinafter 'be more fully explained.

' When it is desired toutiliz'ethe dial'needles '45 in the conventional manner in conjunction with the cylinder needles '3 I to produce a plain ribbed faib'r icpitis' necessary to render the drive mechanism for the cam HI ineffective so'that the cam element 56 will be maintained in its innermost -p'o'sition, as by'the action ofthe spring 61 during "succeeding revolutions of the dial 43 and the 1? needles carried thereby.

' The means'for accomplishing this result com- 'prises a cam '85 secu'redin any well-known manner to the usual pattern drum 86 indicateddia- "g'r'a'm'matically in Figure l-and which is driven by any suitable mechanism (not shown) in prefdetermin'e'd "relationto the rotation of the cylinden-3'9 and dial '43, as will be readily understood The cam 85 actupivetally'mounted upona suitable pin or shaft 88 secured to the frame of the machine, the lower end of the lever 87, as indicated in Figure 4, may be provided'with a laterally disposed portion'89 adapted to form a cam'follower for engagement with the cam '85. 'I'he "lever 81 is normally rock'ed about {its pivot '88 for maintaining the cam follower '89 in operative relation with the :'ca'm85 by a tension spring 90 secured at one end *to'the lever above the pivot 88 and its other end to-a relatively stationaryportion of the machine astheiframe thereof. I

' The' upper end of the lever 81 is pivotally con- 'nected *to a thrust collar 92 slidably mounted upon a horizontally disposed thrust rod '93.

The

acemes-s collar '92 is mounted intermediate a pair of pressure springs 94 mounted upon thefirod '93 "be- 'tweena pair of collars '95 secured to said rod at opposite sides of the collar 92. The thrust rod 93 has one end thereof provided with a sleeve '96 which has a socket 9! formed therein. Socket 9-! receives one end of a drive pin 98 which extends through anelongated slot 99 formed in the bracket -14 and into threaded engagement with the-disk 1-2, as illustrated in Figure 5.

It will now be understood that when the rock leverB'Ihas moved to its rearwardposition by the cam 85, the disk I2 will be maintained in such a :position that the star wheel 16 will be in operative relation with the drive pin 11. On the other hand, when the rock lever 81 is released by the-cam -85, the disk I2 will be rotated with respect "to the bracket 14 to bring the star wheel IE-out of operative relation with the'drive pin 1-1 by Fforwa'rd movementof the thrust rod 93 produced-by the action of spring 90 upon the lever -8:T. in other words, the star Wheel '16 will be inoperative position, as indicated 'by'broken'lines in Figure 3.

' When" the star wheel I6 is thus moved from its innermost position to its outermost position, it 'will obviously'bemoved out'of engagement with the hub =18 and, in order 'that'the star wheel be :ma'intain'ed against accidental rotation when in its outermost inoperative position, we have provided 'the hub "83 of said star wheel with a'radially-disposed s'lot'Illowhich receives a lock plate :IIJI "secured to thebracket I4 atone side of the aperture I3, as:il1ustratedin Figures 2 and3. Furthermore, the arrangement of'the'slot I09 and'lock'pl'atelfll with'respect to each other and to the cam I0 is suchthafithe'star wheel Tican be moved to its outermost "inoperative position only whe'n'ithe'cam "I0 is out of holding engagement with arm 54 and thus prevent injury to parts of the device which'migh't otherwise occur if'cam"! 0 should be intheoperative position when moved by rotation of disk "I2 toward roller 69.

'This is due to the peripheral "surface of hub or '"disk'83 coming into '"contact'with lock plate IOI s'hould the lever"81'ibe released by cam 85 when "slot Hi0 :isout of alignment with the lock plate. This-engagement of the'dis'k and lock plate prevents action of spring "99'uponlever8'1 from rotatingdis'k 12 suflici'entlyto move the star wheel I6 out of op'era'itive relation with drive pin 11 until slot I00 and lockplateIIlI align with each -other and cam I0 is in the inoperative position drawingor'hook part and the sliding latch for cast-off part 45. Theloop drawing part '45" comprises a'shank I93 having a hook I04 at one end "facing upwardly and a groove I in its upperface which slidably receives the lower side portion of the'cast off part 45' therein[ "I-he cast-off part 45 comprises a shank I06 provided with a forwardly extending hook I01 at one end and -a rearwardly extending hook I98 spaced a short distance rearwardly from the hook I01. These hooks I01 and I98 are adapted 'to cooperatewith'the yarn loop received or drawn by the'hook I04 for maintaining said loops on the hook part 45" or'for casting said loops therefrom. The shank portion 106, in addition to having sliding engagement in the groove I05 in sired -to produce an article of hosiery such as the boot sock illustrated in Figure 20, the transfer cam elements 48, 49 and 50 mounted in the dial housing 25 will be moved to their inoperative position out of the path of travel of the dial needle butts 59 and 0, while the stitch cam elements and 52 will be moved to the operative position for engagement with said butts of the dial needles.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the stitch cams 5| and 52 of the dial needles will function in cooperative relation with the usual cams for the cylinder needles 3I for actuating both sets of needles to produce a plain ribbed fabric in the usual manner when the cam element 55 is in its innermost position in the recess 55-, as indicated by full lines in Figure 8.

- Assuming that the machine is adjusted for making the illustrated boot sock shown in Figure 20, the principal operations are first, to begin knitting by cooperation of the dial and cylinder needles for a set up course; second, to make fabric for the welt W while needles of one setremain idle; third, to knit the plain ribbed fabric R; fourth, to make the half cardigan ribbed fabric C; fifth, to makethe plain ribbed fabric R. at the-lower end of the half cardigan ribbed fabric C; sixth, to transfer the dial loops to the cylinder needles; and seventh, to complete the sock "by" knitting the lower portion -ofthe leg, the heel, foot and toe for the sock on the cylinder needles.

By referring now to Figures 8 and 12 to 19, inclusive, it will be understood that when knitting the upper plain ribbed-fabric R of the sock, starwheel I6 will be maintained in its outer position and the cam 55 will be maintainedby spring 45 butt 59 of the cast-off part 45 of each dial needle I5!v in its innermost position in recess 55; The

will travel through the outer cam track fiIl in the normal manner and .the path of movement of theouter end of eaohcast-oifmemberor, more specifically, each rearwardly extending hook 108 will be substantially that defined bythe dot-and- 1 dash line MM when the dial needles are passing from line A to line F.

Furthermore, the butt III! of the hook part .'.lof each dial needle will travel in the inner cam track I I2 formed at the inner sides of thecam elements 52, 53 and 48, while the outer end or hook I64 of each needle will travel substantially in the path defined by the full lineN-N during the period the butts I ID are passing fromthe line A to the line F. In other words, as the butts 59 and .I It approach the plane of theline A, both the hook and cast-off elements of the needle will be moved to their outermost positions,

as indicated in Figure 12. v

At'the same time, the "cam structure for the cylinder needles 3I will movethe cylinder needle adjacent the corresponding dial -needle 45 to its uppermost position for engaging the yarn Y. 'As' to 'form a cylinder loop and at'thesame time draw the yarn Y across the hook IM; of the dial needle. The cast-off element 45' of the dial needle will also be drawn inwardly so that as the dial needle approaches the line B, the elements 45' and45" thereofwill be in substantially the position illustrated in Figure 13. That is, the hook Iiit of the needle will be in substantially its outermost position with the yarn Y resting in said hook while the dial loop previously formed on the needle will be engaged by the rear hook I58 of the cast-off element 45.

As the dial needle advances from the line B to the line C, both the elements 45 and 45" of the needle will be moved inwardly so that the dial loop X will be maintained by the hook I88 in engagement with the peripheral surface II3 ofthe dial 33 adjacent the groove 44 for said needle, as shown in Figure 14. At the same time, the inward movement of the hook element 45 of the needle will draw the yarn inwardly to form a second dial loop X on saidneedle. Continued advancement of the dial needle with respect to the cam element 52 from the line C tothe line E, causes cast-off element 55' to remain stationary with respect to the dial for holding the loop against the peripheral surface N3 of the dial, while the hook element 45" of the needle will move inwardly to complete the formation of the dial loop.

Iff other words, the needle elements will be in substantially the position illustrated in Figure 18 when at line E, but instead of there being two loops engaged by the rear hook I08 of the castoff part, as illustrated, there will be but one loop engaged by said hook. As the needleadvances from the line E to the line F, the hook element 45" of the needle will remain substantially stationary radially' of the .dial while the cast-01f element E5 will be moved outwardly by the engagement of the butt 59 thereof with the high portionof the cam 52. The outward movement -of the cast-01f element 65 will carry the dial loop X supported by hook I68 beyond the hook I04 and cast the same from said latter hook, as illustrated in Figure 19, thereby completing the formation of the dial loop which it will be understood is formed in conjunction with an adjacent cylinder loop produced by the cylinder needle 3I adjacent said dial needle for forming a plain ribbed fabric of the sock.

It will be understood that during continued rotation of the dial needle 45 from the line F back to the line A, the elements 45 and 45" thereof 1 will be actuated in the conventional manner and as butts of the elements again engage the stitching cam elements 5i and 52 the needle elements will be actuated in the manner just described to produce a second dial loop in combinationwith a second cylinder loop produced by the corresponding cylinder needle 3I. At the end of the formation of the upper plain ribbed fabric R of the sock, the cam 56 will be moved from its inner position shown by full lines in Figure 8 to its outermost position shown by dotted lines in said figure by the engagement of cam with the rock lever-81, and rotation of cam Ill and arm 64 in the manner hereinbefore described. As each dial needle now moves from line A to line F the path of travel of the hook I84 will be as before substantially along line N"N, but the path of travel of hook I08 will be altered or sube stantially along line M-OP--M.

'It will now be obvious that the operation'of the dial needle from the line A to the line C will '1 be the same as above described for producing the plain ribbed fabric. That is, the hook element 45" will move inwardly from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure l4,

with a: s cohd 'dial 100p X p'artially folm d there O n While the cast-air element 45" of the needle will be moved to its innermostpdsition for main taimng the previously formed 'dial loop X in englagment with the rear hook 108; As the dial:

needleadvaiices irom' the line C; the hook el -meiit' 45 will continueits normalgradual inand cast-off elements thereof will be in the posi' tion illustrated iniFig u'relfi, whereby the loop X formerly carried by the hook lllilwill be deposited therefrom back onto the hook Hi4 of the d e eh h 45"- "It is now evident that the hook element 4. 5 1 will continue its inward movement as the needle moves frorn the line: Dto the line F to complete 'f i hehqh. q: he se t-: e tha 1 h there will be two dial loops carried hy the hook element during the movement of the needle ibi e e at v rt o o h athq movement. As the needle again approaches the line A, the hook element 4}? will again be moved utw rd in heh rme manner to n a e a n a se am i r gh b11130 oo .4. off

e di ee e y. he ownwa m e t the qrre p d hs. lin e need i As he dial needle now moves from the line A tothe e B! wh e er-91f lem n .5 w l e m v wardly to bring the hook lil B with the twodial loops carriedhy the hook element, as shown in Figur 16. Continued movement of the needle frorn the l'inejB to the line C causes the cast-off men .5. to on i e, t ardi h v meh a id,

bring the two loops into engagement with the ad;

jacent peripheralsurface Il3. of th e di al 4 3,wh ile the hook le ent willhegin its inwardvmovement to forrn an additional dial loop, as illus trated in i ure 17,. When the dial needle eadie ubstant a l he i e C, he en a ement.

of the drivepin Hwiththe star wheel '16, will produce rotation of said starwheel and. eifect movement of the cam 56 fromits outermost poi ho w t nhermoshposit on,

It will now be apparent that as the needle moves from the line C tothe line D, the castroff.

elementdfif willremajn in its innermost position and, at the same time, the hook element 45" will be movedto itsinnermost position to coinpletetheformationofthe new dial loopX carriedthereby, as illustrateddn Figure 18. Astlie needle moves fromthe line D to the line F,. the.

hook element. 4 5" will remain. in its innermost position while th cast-ofi element 45. will be. moved outwardly so as to cast the two-cylinder. loops X carried thereby from the hook element 45", as illustrated in Figure 19,

It now follows that the one dial loop. Will remain on the dial needle through the inoperative portion of its path fromthe line F baekpto. the line A th ehe. hook emen is. a n.

moved to the outermost positionto again engage the yarn Y During movement of the needle fromthe line Ato theline C; theelements thereof will movefrom the position shown in Figure12 to that shown in Eigure 1 t to partially form a new loop on the hook element and to move the previously formed .dial loop onto the hook 180i thitzast-foffielenieht 451.

6 wees line C the drive. pin 11 will again engage. the star wheel llifahd produce' mov m nt?" the cam 'lflfto. 'again movfthecam 56 to its ai bag-1 most. position. Moyement' of'theheedle I: In

daiise the quick outwardmovement of the east-f ofifelemeiit 15 softhatl' the'loop carried thereby. will bedeposited upon'theh'ook lfigfof-the e1 ment. 4.5, as illustratedt'in Figure 15 prior. to

1 aid ho'ok element it'eaohiiig innermost pei u. e

"These unusual and usual movements of the 2 ifdfif m iffi 5? ach 11. e l Q 135?. cast a, single dial loop carried thereby upon the 115i h ok element 4.5," durinone revolution ofthe,

need hhd h t q 's W 1 Qh r thereby 'from'ho'ok'element45f during the sec: ond revolution d'f'the dial needle toproduee a half cardigan ribbed. fabric ma y co ntinue until 0:. the; seeti'orf C of" the leg of sock has been cgdhipl 'eted' After this section C I A e o h 9? completed, the caniftlfi willhe moved out of en fi t i i h heme lever l e n tat on. o th 15a .1 m :9; ee uates 25 eh l e fii iq fiiiq iqve he. t r heel from its innerm l iiet'ei ye os t o ll st ated inv full lin 1 n,"Figur es 2;and;3' to its outermost mo -e e???- positloli, s. im-fil ed b ok ines. infhjigiirefif r q h f he qwer p ain ribbed hr q R: otthe.

qehf A t he. hire ain ihhesl. n tion. at h k eehesh a med. w l b un er;

$99 1 ha h hm. e ement 1-! and. 2' may be. Q; 9 i ivierdl upwardly nt he recess 41- fi. q lq e at v e ation i h. h ut sf t al; n edlesee Lh ayhemoved downwardly with eh ch o ahhrepess int -.ope .ativ.e relation .with,

5 t1le bllt of ..the dia l needles for efiectinghtranse fer of the dialloops carried by, the dialneedles onto corresponding cylinder needles prior. to. the.

upward movement oi cams 5, l and 51in the usual manner so that continued operation of the .knit- 59. tingmaehinemayproduce, the plainfabric of ,the.

' owenp Qljlligllfli the legof thesockv and .theioot. rtio s. here f:

As above described. the .tuck on. half cardigan. stitches are formed by .the.dial.;needles.due to. 55 variationsinthe normal operation.of.the.cast-.-off elements of theneedmsduring .everyother .revolu tionof r hedial.v It will be. evident, however,lthat.

the. sarneresultmay. be. obtained by either. vary:

thenprmaloperationof both the hookand. ee as fit ementsjot the. needles. during. every. other revolutionof the dial orhy. varyingthel'.

normal operation of .thehook. elementalone.

Fi ure 0,; we. have illustrated ,a. modified form of camv structurewhichis associatedlwith. oq elst t h n am lement 5.2. for. varyingsthel,

" normal operation of both the hook and, castrofi elements of the dial needles. during thev movemee .thQZQQLflQQ th Positio in i t l e t e osit on h oated. by. i e n. h Q. stru ure... l stra edm neFi ure. h c m. lermeet 52.. i ph ied ther n. a sw n am... 5.

T e outerv side faoel H5 andinner side face, LI 1;-

0i cam. H5 constructedso as to conforn in enerelf. Qii hn hhl eh al o. hat or. he... s e ew? pmeeh e. Po ition f e E am l. ou er n n er isi t a a e e eln r;

. 's ne msht hhe sta W e l: bri s he. ni t 2? 3 P th. pr msi he. dr ve. ih b heh he eh .6 i l be mai tai ed n. h ehe mq f Pdsithhhy. t e pr n .1. where- 99. hefili iheeqles i l uhetiohlm euusha ssfi r e i ih tiqh w ihthe, y inder n ed es- Also, the transfer cam elements,

the corresponding portion of the conventional cam 52. The cam H is mounted in a transversely disposed recess I I8 formed in the cam element 52 and has the rear end thereof secured to the lower end of the cam spindle 51 so as to swing with said spindle above the axis thereof from a normal innermost position with the outer and inner side surfaces H6 and Ill thereof in coincidental relation with the normal contour of the corresponding portion of the cam 52 toan outer position with the cam surface IIS thereof projecting into the normal cam track 60 while the inner cam surface III of the cam extends outwardly beyond the normal adjacent surface of the cam 52. The cam II5 may be operated in the same manner as the cam 56 by the action of the cam 10 upon the arm 64, as produced b cam 85 or spring 90 upon lever 81.

When the cam H5 is in its normal innermost position, it will be observed that the cast-off and hook elements 45' and 45" of the dial needles will move in a conventional manner for cooperating with the cylinder needles for producing a plain ribbed fabric. When the cam I I5 is moved to its outermost position, the operation of the dial needle elements will be altered from the normal operation thereof so that the outward movement of the cast-01f element 45', when passing from the position indicated by line C to that indicated by line E, will be less than when the cam 56 is moved to its outermost position by the cam T0. That is, the cast-ofi element will be moved outwardly from its innermost position only a distance sufficient to cast off the dial loops X carried by hook I08. At the same time, the hook element 45" will not be moved inwardly as far as when the cam H5 is in its normal position, so that the hook I04 of the needle element will be in position to receive thedial loops thereon as said loops are cast from the cast-off hook I08.

In the structure shown in Figure 11, the castoff elements 45' of the dial needles will move through substantially their normal path, as indicated by line 1VI-M, Figure 8, during the formation of the half cardigan stitch as well as during the formation of the plain rib stitch. The path of movement of the hook elements 45" of the dial needles will, however, be altered during alternate revolutions of the dial so that the dial loop carried by the cast-off hook I58 will be deposited upon the hook element 45".

The means for accomplishing this altered movement of the hook elements of the dial' needles consists in providing a cam I25 which is mounted in a recess I2I provided in the inner side of the cam element 52 in close relation to the rear end thereof. This cam I20 is mounted like cams 55 and H5 upon the lower end of the cam spindle 51 so as to be alternately moved from the outermost operative position with the inner cam face I22 thereof in substantially the plane of the normal corresponding face of the cam element 52.

When the cam I20 is moved to its innermost position, as indicated by full lines in Figure 11, the inner cam face I22 thereof extends inwardly beyond the corresponding cam face of the cam 52 and thereby permits the hook elements 45" to remain in sufficient outward positions to receive the loop cast off the cast-off hook.

I58 during the normal operation of the cast-off element. It therefore follows that inasmuch as the cam I20 is operated by the emotion of the drive pin 11 and star wheel I6 from the outer most operative position thereof to its innermost inoperative position during every other revolution of the dial, the dial-needles will function to,

produce a cardigan stitch during said every other revolution and to produce a plain rib stitch when the cam is moved to its outermost position during the intermediate revolution of the dial. a

As hereinbefore stated, the mechanism and operation of the dial needles thus far described are adapted more particularly for a single feed knitting machine. If it is desired to utilize a twofeed machine to form a half cardigan ribbed fabric, this may be readily accomplished by using cam 56 or cam I I5 or cam I20 in conjunction with the cam mechanism for one of the feeds, while the knitting cam mechanism for the other feed remains as conventionally constructed. When one of these cam elements is thus asso ciated with the knitting cams of one feed in a two-feed machine, the cam is moved to its opera tive position for effecting a tuck or cardigan stitch at the beginning of the knitting of the half cardigan ribbed fabric and will remain in said operative position until the knitting of the half cardigan ribbed fabric is completed.

Upon the completion of the half cardigan ribbed fabric, the cam element is moved to its inoperative position so that the dial needles may be actuated by the cams of both feeds in conjunction with the corresponding cylinder needles to produce a plain ribbed fabric. This movement of the cam may be readily accomplished by connecting the thrust rod 93 directly with the outer or free end of the rock arm 54, asindicated at I24,

Figure 9. When the thrust rod 93 is thus connected with the arm 64, said cam will be operated directly by the action of the cam or'spring upon the lever B! to and from the operative position thereof.

While there has been shown and particularly described the preferred embodiments of our invention, we do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown as various changes, both in the form andrelation of the parts thereof, may readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a single feed knitting machine having complementary sets of knitting needles arranged for knitting a plain ribbed fabric, the needles of one of said sets being each composed of a hook member and a cast-off member relatively movable with respect to each other, knitting cams for moving the parts of said needles respectively to draw single loops and to cast off said loops, in combination, drive mechanism for producing relative movement of the needle parts and said knitting cams, an additional cam adapted to be' moved into relation with said needle members to move them respectively to draw two loops successively and to cast off said two loops simultaneously for the purpose of knitting half cardigan wheel into and out of operative relation with the drive element.

3. In a knitting machine of the single feed type employing two sets of needles and operating meanslfor. producing relative. movements. of the needles ,for knitting a plain ribbed ;fabric ,,one,of" said; sets. having two-part: needl s. 01 311 84; .tolz carry an old loop from the secondpamandoyer a new 1 0; onsaid. seeondparh.ther peratine m ans n ludi g; a; cam.- m chanism. associated. wi h the worp rtln dles hav gacamelemento dap ed o: be; moved nto relation; with atlleast n oit e par so z he n edlesofisa don ;sento: alt-er the m vem nt .or I aidla ter; part; withlee. spect to he t er; ne dle. part to. naint in. the. di oop nezse ond. 5 1 231 with thel ew; 00p, and actuatin meansi termittently pen ated by.saidcp ratiname n f r l er at rzmow. inasaid cam elem nti ntaandt nt .Qfisaid;r la;. tion; w th'said one of theneedletpa tst,

In .a. kn tine aehine. fi he two-iced; yn mpl ng. wo etsmi need esea di operat n mean r: od nsm a ye. movem nts-oi: he edl s r knit ng tplain rib edfa i neoi-r aid: ts; hay n art nee es; n ar tor. arry n. l on ronl he ecenda artand over a; ew. 01 1 aidv econd inert other eratin neensmdu ine. ar mznieehanis w the t artneesilesmaw e 41 54 1 1: leme t &9 e ev z n o; la ion M h: at least ne i hea t ie ee lesof ai lc e e li n heme men o aidlatter;par w hv esDBCt othe othenneedle, part ;to maintain the old loo-p on the second part with the new loop, and actuating e ns, p r ed. y a p ti means for moving, the camelement ,into said-relationwith one of the needle parts, at the end of the knittin eof theplain ribbed fabric toproduce ahalfcardigan ribbedfabric and to move said cam element out, of said relation with said one. of the needle parts at the, end of theknitting of e'hali rdisan ribbed b c- 5. In a knitting machine having a $61 501? knitting; needles of thetworpart type, ahook part and; a castofi -partislidable with respect ;to said hook. part at the open side thereof, operating mechanism-including a, pair oicam tracks engageable with butts on-the needle parts respectively for actuatingsaid needleparts, in combination, a movable cam. element associatedwith one of said cam tracks to constitute a portion. thereof, said cam element being of suchv acharacterthat when in'one position; the needle parts of the. butts engaged bythe latter track are 011-. erated the usual manner to produce. a plain. stitch; and when in a,sec ond position the normal, operationof-said latterneedle partsis; altered to cause the, needle parts to produce a tuck stitch, and means for moving the cam element from. oneto-f. said positions to the other,

6.,'A,kni tting machine as defined inclaim, 5 wherein said latter means includes apair of drive members, one of said drivemembers being connectedwith the operatingmechanism to be actuated thereby, and means operatively connecting the other drive member with the. cam element and wit h the first mentioned drive membensaid drive members and connecting meansbeing so, constructed and arranged that they intermittent lyfunctionto periodically producesaid movement ofth'e cam, elements,

'7;;A knitting machine as defined in-claim 5 wherein said latter meansincludesa pairof drive members, one of. said drivemembers being connectedwiththe operating mechanisrnto be actuated thereby, and means operatively connecting the other drive member with the cam element,v said drive members andconnecting; means being so constructed. and arranged hat h yfin e tmitw tently-function to. periodically producesaid movementof; the cam. element, andtmeans. for pro-v ductin movement. of one of. said drive members with, respectvtothe other drive. member to bring 5;. said members into. and out .of cooperative. driving relation with ,each other,

n ;.k i.ttin ..maohinehaving a set 'ofknittively for actuating. said .needle. parts, in com-- bination, -a: .moyabl e camelementassociated with 3bQi}hj OI Sal d' camtracksto constitute a portion thereon saidpam, elementxbeing. of such a character, that ;.whenin .one. position the needle parts of each needle are operatediin. the usual man- V n er to produce. aplain stitch .and when in a sec- 0Il lzPQitionthenormal operation of both parts. of eaeh needle. is ,alteredsto cause saidneedle p rtsto. produce a tuckrstitch, andmeansformoving the. cam .element from one of said positions to the. other. 25.:

g driven members being. so constructed andarranged. that they. intermittently engage each other to periodically produce said movement ofth cam. element.

lO; In.aknitting machinehaving aset of' 5:;needlesof the two-part type, a-hookpart and a; casteofi'. part relatively. movablewith respect toeeach other, two. cam tracks for-moving theparts of-said needles respectively, drive mechanism;comprising separatesup-portsfor the cam- ;tracks and needle parts and-a shaft'connected with one of said supports for producing relative movement of said parts of each needle-with respectto. each other, amovable cam element'associatedwith at least one. of said camtracks to 5 constitute a. portion thereof, andmeans for 'mov- 1ng;said camelementto alter said relative movement;of.* the needletparts to produceeither a plain stitch or. attack.stitclrincludinganactuating; member connected with the cam-element,

shaft; to move therewith, an means adapted to be inter said second. actuatingmem action on the firslrmenti 5 ber for periodicallyprodu the cam element.

bar and having a-cam oned 1 actuating mem- .11; ,A .knitting-omachine asdefined-in claim 10- having means. for moving thesaidseparate operating means .into .and:out of cooperative re- 60, latiorr. with .the first and second mentioned acturespectively. to draw'loopsandto cast off loops-,

saidscam means including. a cam element adapt- .ed to be moved into relation with at least oneoi said: parts For the needles of said onecarrier--to move them .with respect' to-eachother todraw I two loops ..sucessivelyand to-castofi 1 said two :for the-purpose of knittingloops simultaneously 7 5; half cardigan. ribbed fabric.

on partslidable. with respect to said 9... A knitting. machine. as. definedin claim 8 wherein said latter means: includestwo pairs of coacting drive and driven .membersoperatively connected with. the. cam element and with the operating mechanism respectively; said drive andasecond actuating member connected withsaid d separate-operating mittentlyactuated bycingsaid movement of 13. In a knitting machine of the class described having complementary sets of knitting needles arranged in cooperative relation with each other, the needles of one of said sets being each composed of a hook part and a cast off part at the open side of the hook part relatively movable with respect to each other, cam means for actuating said needles to produce a plain stitch, said cam means including cam element-s associated with the hook and cast off parts of said latter set having movement with respect to each other so constructed and arranged that upon said relative movement of said cam elements the normal operation of at least one of said needle parts of said last mentioned set may be altered with respect to the other needle part of the same set so as to produce a cardigan stitch, and means for producing said relative movement of the cam members.

14. In a knitting machine of the class described having complementary sets of knitting needles arranged in cooperative relation with each other, the needles of one of said sets being each composed of a hook part and a cast off part mounted at the open side of the hook part relatively movable with respect to each other, cam means for actuating said needles to produce a plain stitch, said cam means including cam elements associated with the hook and cast off parts of said latter set having movement with respect to each other so constructed and arranged that upon said relative movement the normal operation of at least one of said needle parts of said set may be altered with respect to the other needle parts of the same set to produce a cardigan stitch, and means including an intermittent drive mechanism for producing said relative movement of the cam elements at the end of successive knitted courses to produce tuck stitches.

15. In a knitting machine of the class described having complementary sets of' knitting needles arranged in cooperative relation with each other, the needles of one of said sets being each composed of a hook part and a cast off part at the open side of the hook part relatively movable with respect to each other, in combination, cam means for actuating said hook and cast off members in predetermined order for producing a plain stitch, said cam means'including a movable cam element of such a character that the normal operation of said latter needle parts will be altered upon movement of the cam element from a first position to a second position, and actuating means for moving said cam element from one of said positions to the other at the end of con-- 7 needle parts, a movable cam element associated with at least one of the cam tracks to constitute a portion thereof, said cam element being of such a character that when in one position the needle parts are operated in the usual manner to produce a plain stitch and when in a second position the usual operation of the parts of each needle with respect to each other is altered to cause said needle parts to produce a tuck stitch, and means for moving the cam element from one of said positions to the other.

17. A knitting machine as defined in claim 16 wherein said latter means includes a pair of drive members, one of said drive members being connected with the operating mechanism to be actuated thereby, and means operatively connecting the other drive member with the cam element and with the first mentioned drive member, said drive members and connecting means being so constructed and arranged that they intermittently function to periodically produce said movement of the cam elements.

18. A knitting machine as defined in claim 16 V wherein said latter means include two pairs of coacting drive and driven members operatively connected with the cam element and with the operating mechanism respectively, said drive and driven members being so constructed and arranged that they intermittently engage each other to periodically produce said movement of the cam element.

19. A knitting machine as defined in claim 16 wherein said latter means include two-pairs of coacting drive and. driven members operatively-

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