US500121A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

BQJ. FRANCK. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 500,121. Patented June 27; 1893.

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KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 500,121. Patented June 27,1893.

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KNITTING MAGHINB.

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No. 500,121. Patented June 27, 1893.

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E. J. FRANCK.4 KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 500,121. Patented June 27,1893.

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EMIL .I. FRANCK, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

KNITTING-MACHINE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 500,121, dated .Tune 27, 1893.

Application filed .Iuly 23.1892.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, EMIL JOHN FRANCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Phila- Y delphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful'lmprovements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to knitting machines and more particularly to so called circular knitting machines of the type commonly employed in the manufacture of hosiery, underwear and other similar articles.

It iswell known that the respective meshes or stitches of a knitted web are formed or fabricated upon a knitting machine by the reciprocation of a series of needles in the direction of their lengths. Hitherto a successive movement of the needles has been attained by the employment of needle, swing, stitch and other cams. channel through which the bits or hu bs of the needles were caused to travel either by the movement of the support that carried the needles or by the movement of the support that carried the cams. In either case the friction between the needle bits or hubs and the channel of the cams tended to cause the needles to be shifted sidewise. Such sidewise movement of the needles was prevented and the needles were constrained to move in the direction of their length bythe presence of rods or bars that constituted the side walls of the needle grooves. Howeverin practice this sidewise thrust of the needles due to the friction that existed between the cams and the needle bits, produced considerable strain and pressure both upon the shanks of the needles and upon the bars or rods forming the grooves in which the needles worked. This strain and pressure caused the shanks of the needles and thc bars or rods to be rapidly worn, abraded and otherwise injured. Such injuries rendered the needle cylinder useless in a very short time by causing the needles to work out of alignment, thus producing or fabricating a more or less defective fabric or web. In practice comparatively large or wide bars or rods were employed in order to withstand the sidewise thrust or strain of the needles due to the acti-on of the cams upon the These cams formed a curvedV Serial No. 441.059. (No model.)

needle bits or hubs. Howeveigthe employment of such bars or rods necessitated the spacing of the needles atconsiderable distances apart, so that the meshes or stitches of the finished fabric were coarse'or large.

The principal objects of rny invention are first, to obviate the above mentioned defects and disadvantages and to provide a knitting machine in which the needles are not subjected to a sidewise thrust or strain and consequen tly may be spaced nearer together than was heretofore possible; second, to provide simple, efficient and durable means for automatically throwing certain of the needles out of and into operation at predetermined intervals in order to effect the narrowing, widening or other shaping of the tube, web or fabric; and third, to construct and arrange the parts ot' the machine for operation in suoli manner that the heels of hosiery fabricated thereon are comparatively wide and full.

` In a circular knitting machine embodying features ot' my invention the required rise and fail of the needles is attained by the axial reciprocation of the respective sections that comprisea sectional needle cylinder. In connection with the sectiona'ineedle cylinder use may be made of automatic mechanism for throwing one of the sections of the needle cyl-- needles to or from the continuously operated I section or sections of the needle cylinder in order to effect the requisite widening, narrowing or other, shaping of the web or fabric.

My invention comprises a knitting machine provided with needles and a sectional needle' cylinder for operating said needles.

My invention further comprisesa knitting' machine `provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for operating said needles, f

and devices for throwing one of the sections of the needle cylinder out of action.

My invention further comprises a knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle-cylinder for operating said needles, devices for detachably connecting the needles and cylinder and mechanism for automatically actuating, reversing and releasing said members to effect the widening and narrowing of the fabric or web; and my invention IOO further comprises the improvements in knitting machines hereinafter described and claimed.

The nature, scope and characteristic features of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying draw# ings forming part'hereof; and in which- Figure 1, is a side elevation of a knitting machine embodyingr features ot' my invention. Fig. 2, is an elevation of the right hand end of the machine illustrated yinFig. l, showing the gear wheel in dotted lines in order to expose certain other of the working parts' to View. Fig. 3, is an elevation of the left hand end of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4, is a top or plan view of the sinker-head, sinker-bars, thread-carrier, needles and their accessories. .Fig. 5, is asimilar View partly in section showing the sinker-head removed in' order to illustrate the needle cylinder, strippers and their accessories.- Fig. 6 is'a diagrammatic view showing the needles de-` tachably connected with the sectional needle cylinder and divided. into two sets, whereof one has long and the other short bits or hubs.- Fig. 7, is a vertical sectional view of the front portion of the needle cylinder stripper mechanism and sinker-head drawn to an enlarged scale and taken on theline7-7, of Figs/t and 5. Fig. 8,is a View of a sector of the sinker-head, showing means for adjustingthe throw ofthe sinker-cam. Fig. 9, is a vertical sectional view of the right hand portion of the needle cylinder, and sinker-head taken on the line 9-.9, of Figs. 4 and 5, and showing an instepy needle and a section of the ring for operating a stripper. Fig. 10, is a vertical sectiontaken on the line 10-10, of Fig. 6 and showing an elevation of one of the detachable needles having short bits; and Fig. 1l, is a perspective View illustrating diagrammatically the manner in which 'the stitches are completed and thrown olf.

In the drawings the standards aandct, tierods a2 and bed-plate a3, constitute the mainframe of the machine. The bed-plate a3, is provided with a circular depending langeyor rim a4, that snpportsa second circular ange or rim a5, disposed concentrically in respect to the flange or rim a4, through the interventionrof a slotted ring or annulus as. The needle cylinder is divided axially into sections;

inthe present instance, into two sections b and b,that are adapted to work upward and downward between the rims or lianges a4 and a5. In practicethe needle cylinder is divided by means of a wide saw or other cuttingtool, and thespaces thus formed between `the sec-A tions b and b', are filled up with feathers b2 and b3, dove-tailed or otherwise secured tothe inner rim or flange 0.5.' These feathers b2 and b, not only serve as guides for the sections b and b', but also constitute the sidewalls of certain of the needle-{.fl'ooves` that would otherwise be unduly cutaway during the-operation of dividing the needle cylinder.

c, is a circular sinker-bed or frame carried above the bed-plate a3 by means of curved posts c', and provided with radial slots c2, in which the sinkenbars c3 work.

c, is asinker-gear mounted upon the sinkerbed or frame c, and revolubly connected therewith by means of a ring c5, engaging the unf' der side of the sinker-framecand detachably connected with the sinker-gear c4, by means of screws c, The sinker-gear c4, carries a thread carrier c7, and is provided upon its under side with a cam groove a8, that engages projections o9, on the sinker-bars c3, and thus causes the sinker-bars to be reciprocated in the direction of their length.

The needles may be provided with latches or spring beards and are carried by the respective sections ofthe needle-cylinder. The needles that-are always in operation are preferably clamped to place, whereas the fashioning needles, i. e. theA needles that are some 'times thrown ont of action, are detachably connectedwith the sectional needle cylinder. Moreover, all the needlesare guided by means of slots a7, cut Orotherwise formed in the Haring or trumpet-shaped upper portion of the rim a5, and co-operate with the rim c1, of the sinker-frame that serves as a presser-ring in closing and opening the needles; In the present instance the needles d, Fig. 9, are provided .with-hubs d', that are-inserted into apertures drilled or otherwiseformed in an off-set'portion b3, of the needle cylinder.

d2 is a curvedsegmental plate or ring secured to `the needle-cylinder by means of screws d8, and provided with a corrugated leather covered faced, adapted to engage the needles d, and Vclamp the same to place.

The needles d, are always in operation and when worn out or otherwise injured may be removed and replaced by new needles by the simple operation of removing the curved plate or ring d2.

e, Fig. 7, are'the fashioning needles, that is, the needles whichare sometimes thrown out of action. Thesefashioning needles e are pro'- vided with bits or 'hubs e', and with curved extremities ewhich constituea spring catch for detachably engagingta curved segmental ring or plate d5, secured to `the needle-cylinder. The needles e,aretmounted in needle grooves e3, cut or `otherwise formed in 'the needle-cylinder and adapted for Atheir reception.

However,if preferred, theneedles of themachine may be detachably connected with `the needle-cylinder as showninFigs. 6 and l0.

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In such case the bits or hubs e4, Figs. 6 and 10, of the heel and instep needles f and f, are shorter than the bits or hubs of the fashioningneedlesf12 and f3, (thelatterbeingomitted in Fig. 6,) and the ring d5, extends around the-respective sections of the needle cylinder into position for engaging all the needles.

g and g are strippers adapted to be shifted into range ot' the bits or hubs e', of the fashioning needles in order to detach the same from the needle cylinder, and out of range of the bits or hubs e,in order to permit the fashioning needles to rise and fall with the ncedle-cylinder.

h and h', are carriages provided with peripheral racks h2 and h3, and afforded a range of travel in ways h4, cut or otherwise formed in the top surface of the bed-plate 0.3.

h5, are screws inserted into the under side of the carriages h and h', and having their shanks adapted to work in curved slots h6, cut or otherwise formed in the bed-plate a3, in order to prevent accidental displacement of the carriagesin an upward direction.

71.7, are dish-shaped spring washers interposed between the heads of the screws h5, and the under side of the bed-plate 0,3, in order to prevent accidental movement of the carriages h and h.

ILS, is a buffer projectingupward from the bed-plate c3, into position for limiting the range of travel of the carriages. rlhe upper faces of the carriages h and h', are provided with curved Ways h, in which lips g2, projecting from the under side of the strippers g and g', are adapted to work.

The strippers g and g', are provided with slots g3, adapted for the reception of spiral springs s, having one of their respective eX- tremities connected with the strippers g and g', by means of screws g4, and having the other of their extremities connected with the carriages h and h', by means of screws hw. These springs s, are retained to place by cover plates g5, and afford means for permitting the carriages h and h', to advance for a short distance, while the strippers g and g', remain at rest. This is important because it sometimes happens that the strippers collide with the side portion of a fashioning needle bit or hub by reason of the improper'timing of the operations of the machine. In such case the spring s, yields and the stripper remains at rest while the carriage is advanced, so that the fashioning needle bit or hub is not broken, bent or otherwise injured. Subsequently the needle bit is removed out of range o f the stripper by the further operation of the machine, whereupon the spring s, causes the stripper to be again shifted in `position for passing over and holding down the bits or hubs of the succeeding fashioning needles.

In fabricating a circular web or tube, the sections b and b', of the needle-cylinder, are alternately lifted anddepressed, and the thread carrier c7, and sinker-cam c", are revolved continuouslyin one direction through the intervention of suitable mechanism, a preferred form of which will be hereinafter described. These movements are timed in such manner that as the thread carrier approaches the outside needle of the section b, the same is elevated into position for permitting the yarn or lthread to be laid under the spring beard of said needle, as shown at B. The sinker-bar corresponding to said needle is drawn outward from the center of the needle cylinder during the insertion of the thread or yarn beneath the spring beard thereof, as shown at B', and is subsequently thrust forward toward the center of the cylinder, as shown at B and B2, and thus engages the yarn orthread and pushes the same inward past the needle to form the stitch, it being understood that the sinker bar holds the thread or yarn in such position while the thread is being laid onto the rest of the needles that are carried by the section b. As the thread carrier approaches the center needles of the section b, as shown'at B', the latter is constantly being elevated, the thread is being inserted beneath the spring beards of the needles, and

the sinker bars appertaining to the needles are projected forward toward the center of the needle cylinder one after another and as soon as the thread has been laid onto the needles t'o which they appertain. After the thread carrier passes the center of the section b, and while it is approaching the opposite extremity thereof, the section b, is being depressed as shown at B3. During the depression of the section b, the thread is laid onto the remaining needles thereof and is pushed inward toward the center of the cylinder and held in such position, by means of the sinker IOO bars, as shown at B2, which for this purpose,

are successively operated in the manner hereinabove described. The thread calrier and sinker bars then lay the thread or yarn onto the needles of the section Z9', in precisely the manner above described with reference to the section b. While the thread or yarn is being iro laid onto the needles of the section b, the section b', is depressed with the result that the spring beards of the needles carried thereby are closed by contacting with the periphery of the rim cw, of the sinker-bed c, as shown at B3, in precisely the same manner as they would be closed by a presser ring, so that the thread is drawn by means of the closed beards over the lingers as, and through the loops of the previously formed course of stitches of the web as shown at B4, and these loops escape over the closed spring beards as at B5. The repitition of the above described operations results in the production of a knitted tube, which is held downv by means of fingers as, and which is fed away from the machine through the interior of the needle cylinder. The size of the stitches or meshes of this web may be increased or diminished by adjusting the throw of the sinker-bars c3. This result is attained by making the operative portion c, of the sinker-cam c3, adjustable radiallyin respect to the center of the sinker-gear c4. For this purpose the portion cl2, of the gear that carries the operative part c, of the sinker-cam e8, is made separate and is afforded a range of movement in a slot cl3, cut` is maintained in proper position in respect ative portion c11 thereof, are slightly expanded to the operative portion cl2, of the sinker-cam. The portions of the sinker-cam cs, that are contiguous to the open extremities of the operas at o16, in order to avoid the presentation of sharp corners and insure the free passage of the projections of the sinker-bars c3, through the groove of the sinker-cam.

In knitting av flat web, one section b,of the needle-cylinder is permitted to rise and fall and the other section Z), is thrown out of action. The sinker-gear c4, is then caused to oscillate first in one direction and then in the other, in order to cause the thread-carrier c7,

to present the thread backward and forward to the needles of the section b', and also to cause the sinker-bars c3, to properly press the thread under the springbeards of the same. The fiat web may be narrowed by shifting the strippers g and g, toward the left in Fig. 5, into position for passing above the hubs or bits e', of the needles e, as shown in Fig. 7, so that when the section b', rises such needles are prevented from rising with it, and are consequently held out of action. The strippers g and g', may be gradually shifted toward the left with an vintermittent 1notion,in which case the web is graduallynarrowed. The web may be widened out again to its full for normal width by shifting the strippers g and g', toward the right in Fig. 5, thus releasing the bits or hubs e', of the needles and permitting the curved portions e2 thereof, to engage the ring d5, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7, whereby the needles are permitted to rise and fall with the section b.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is especially arranged for the production of hosiery and is provided with seventy-two needles,\whereof thirty comprise the instep neef dlesf, twelve the heel needles f', and fifteen each of the sets f2 and f3, of fashioning needles, so that forty-two needles are available for fabricating the heel portions of the hos iery, whereby the formation of full and wideheel portions is insured.

The sections b and b,of the needle cylinder, the sinker-gear c, and carriages h and h', may be automatically operated and controlledin substantially the manner above pointed out by means of various types of mechanism. However, a description will now be given of onetype of mechanism that has been found practically efficient for such purposes.

"i and t', are positively driven pulleys,

whereofone t', is of larger diameter than the other fi', in order to impart two different rates of speed to the machine. The pulley t', serves to drive the machine at a comparatively yhigh rate of speed during the formation of a tubular web, and the pulley t', serves to drive the machine at a comparatively slow rate of speed during the operations of widening and narrowing a fiat web.

j, is the main driving shaft of the machine and is revolublysupported in beariiigs 7",car ried by the standards a. and a. This shaft j, is provided with one tight pulley j?, and with two loose pulleysjs and j.

t2, is a belt appertainin g to the pulley t', and adapted to-normally ride on the loose pulley js. This belt t2, may be shifted onto the tight pulleyjz, and in such case serves to drive the main shaft j, at a comparatively high rate of speed. It may be remarked that the pulley z', is provided with a flange 113, that serves to prevent the belt from running otf the same when it is in engagement with the tight pulley j2.

it, is a belt appertaining to the pulley 1f', and adapted to normally ride on the loose pulley f4. This belt 4, may be 'shifted onto.

the tight pulley jz, and in such case servesto IOO drive the main shaft j, at a comparatively low rate of speed.

k, is a counter-shaft revolublysufpported in bearings 7c', carried by the standarda, `and by a bracket k2, depending from the rirn or flange a4, of the bed-plate a3. This countershaft 7a, carries a gear-wheel 7c3, that meshes with and drives the sinker-gear c4. It has been stated that when both the sections b and b', of the needle-cylinder are in operation, the sinker-gear c4, makes complete revolutions and that when onlythe section b', is in operation the sinker-gear c4, is reeiprocated backward and forward. These resultsiare accomplished by means of the following parts:

Z, is an eccentric keyed or otherwise secured to the main shaftj.

Z,is a socket pivotallyattached to a lug Z2, that is connected with the section b', and

adapted to work in' a suitable slot cutvor otherwise formed in the ring a6.

Z3, is an eccentric socket Z4.

Z5is a link having its respective extremities provided with threads of opposite pitch adapted to engage corresponding threads in the sockets Z and Z4,lso, that the section b', of the cylinder may be `adjusted upward or downward by the simple operation of turning the link Z5, in one direction or the other asr may be required.

Z, is a jam-nutfor lockingthe link Z5, to

lplace in its socket:

`strap provided with al ITO The eccentric 7, serves to continuously litt and depressthe section b', of the needle-cylinder, which is advantageous because some of the needles of the section b', are in operation during the formation of a tube and also of a shaped flat web.

m, is a sleeve revolubly mounted upon the main shaft j, and provided with a sprocketwheel m', and an eccentric m2. The eccentric m2, actuates the section b, of the needlecylinder through the instrumentality of an adj ustable link and its accessories which are exactly similar to the link and accessories of the eccentric 7, and which are consequently designated by the same reference letters.

7a4, is a sprocket wheel revolubly mounted on the counter-shaft 7c.

m5, is a sprocket-chain engaging the sprocket-wheels 7a4 and m.

n and n', are friction-clutches respectively splined to the shafts 7' and 7c and adapted to engage the sleeve m, and sprocket-wheel 7a4,

in order to cause the rotary motion of the shaftj, to impart a reciprocating movement to the section b, of the needlc-cylinder and a rotary motion to the counter-shaft 7c. The rotation of the counter-shaft 7o, causes the gear 7c3, to drive the sinker-gear c4, and with it the thread-carrier ci, around the needles of the machine, with the result that a knitted tube is produced in the manner hereinabove indicated. l

0, is a sleeve revolubly mounted upon the shaftj, and provided with an eccentric o and a tappet-arm 02.

705, is a pinion revolubly mounted upon the shaft 7a, and provided with circular side plates or fianges 76".

o3, is an arm connected at one extremity thereof by means of a strap o4, with the eccentric 0, and provided at the other extremity with a slot o5, for the reception of the pinion 765.

06, is a rack cut or otherwise formed upon one of the interior walls of the slot 05, and

, adapted to mesh with the pinion 7c5.

07, are lips adapted to ride on the circular side plates or anges 7a, in order to guide the upper end of the arm 03, and to insure the proper clearance between the teeth of the rack 05, and of the pinion 705.

p, is a ring aiorded a range of reciprocating motion in suitable ways p', cut or otherwise formed upon the upper surface of the bed-plate a3.

p2, are screws connected with the bed-plate a5, and workingin slots pinthe ring p,in order to prevent the same from being accidentally lifted upward.

p4 and p5, are pawls pi votally connected with the under side of the ring p, and adapted to work in slots p5, cut or otherwise formed for their reception in the bed-plate a3. 'lhe pawls J4 and 95, are rovided res ectivel with two 1 P D y teeth p7 and p8, adapted to mesh with the teeth of the peripheral racks of the carriages 7L and 7i', so that when the ring p, is reciprocated backward andforward,theteeth p7 may serve to shift the carriages 7L and 71,', toward the left in Fig. 5, and the teeth p8, may serve to shift the carriages 7L and 7L', toward the right in said figure.

q, is a tappet-rod centrally pivoted to the right hand standard a', and having one eX- tremity thereof bifurcated and provided with rollers disposed in range of the tappet-arm vo2,

and having the other extremity thereof l0- c`ated between pins p9, projecting radially from the periph ery of the ring p.

Vhen the clutches n and n are shifted into engagement with the sleeve 0, and pinion 755, the sleeve m, and sprocket Wheel 7a4, are thrown out of action, and the rotary motion of the shaft j, causes the rock-shaft 7c, to be oscillated first in one direction and then in the other through the intervention of the arm o3, and its accessories, and also causes the ring` p, to be oscillated backward and forward through the intervention of the tappet-rod q. It is to be understood that the section b, of the needle-cylinder is thrown out of action by the release of the sleeve m. Under these circumstances the section b', of the needlecylinder, is impelled upward and downward; I

the sin ker-gear c4, and thread-carrier c7, are oscillated backward and forward, and the ring p, and pawlsp1 and p5, are also oscillated backward and -forward, and these movements of the above mentioned parts are adapted to effect the production of a dat knitted web. This web may be narrowed by turning the pawls p4 and p5, into position for permitting the teeth p7, to drive the carriages 7L and 7L', toward the left in Fig. 5, whereby the strippers g and g', are caused to engage the bits or hubs of the groups f2 and f3, of the fashioning needles and thus throw the latter out of action. These fashioning needles may be IOO again thrown into action in order to permit of the widening-of the web by shifting the pawls p4 and p5, into position for permitting the teeth p8, to drive the carriages 7L and h', and strippers g and g', in a reverse direction, t'. e. toward the right in Fi'g. 5. The position of the pawls p4 and p5, is controlled by means of arms r and fr', carried by a frame-work r2, afforded a range of sliding movement in suitable bearings r3, carried by the under surface and edges of the bed-plate a5. The position of the clutches n and n', frame-work r2, and belts '2 and t4, and consequently the speed of the machine and character of the resultant product are automatically controlled through the instrumentality of suitable mechanism,v

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of their extremities adapted respectively to simultaneously shiftthe clutches n and n in theA same direction.

t2, is a belt shipper carried by the other end of the rod t, and adapted to bring the belts 2 and 114 successively into engagement with the tight-pulleyj2. When the rod t, is shifted toward the right in Fig. l, the belt i2drives the shaft j, at a comparatively high rate of speed, `and the shaft j, operates the sectionsb and b', of the needle-cylinder, and the sinker-gear c4,

" in such manner that a tube is rapidly knit'.

When the rod t, is shifted toward theleft, the belt t4, drives the shaftj, at a comparatively low rate of speed and the shaft j, operates the section b', of the needle cylinder, reciprocates the sinker-gear c4 and its accessories, and causes the strippers g and g', to throw fashioning needles into or out of operation, with the result that a Hat web is fabricated and shaped. It may be remarked that the belts i? and t, are both brought onto the loose pulleys before either of them can be brought into engagement with-the tight pulleys jg, whereby undue shocks and jars that might arise from a sudden reversal of the direction of motion of the countershaft k, and parts connected therewith, are avoided;

iv, is a pattern-chain feed-wheel revolubly mounted upon a stud u,car ried by the lefthand standard a, in Fig. 1.

n2, is a dish-shaped spring washer for preventing retrograde mot-ion of the patternchain wheel v. A

v3, is a spring controlled pawl actuated by an eccentric n4, keyed to the shaft j, and adapted to rotate the pattern-chain feedwheel with a positive continuous motion.

tu, is a ratchet-wheel revolubly'mounted p upon the stud c.

w', is a spring controlled pawl adapted to mesh with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel w, and to work in peripheral Vrecesses uiz'therein,

so that the ratchet-wheel w, is driven forward by the pawl w', until the latter falls' into one'v of the recesses @02, whereupon the ratchet- Wheel comes to rest.

fr, is a pattern-chain carried by a suitable drum connected with the feed-wheel n, and provided with sidewise projecting pins fr', adapted t9 contact with suitable projections w3, on the inner face of the ratchet-wheel w, in order to rotate the latter and thus bring the pawl w', out of the recesses into engagement 4with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, so

. that the ratchet-wheel w, is advanced for a certain distance, then permitted to come t rest, and then advanced again.

w, are wedge-shaped pieces projecting from the respective faces of the ratchet-wheel w, into range of pins r4, depending from the frame-work r2. These Wedge-shaped pieces 104, by contacting with one or the other of the the pins r4, serve to shift the frame-Work r2, and with it the forks r and 7", in one direction or the other, thus causing the pawls p4 tality of a cam-lever Le', pivotally connected.

with a bracket e', carried by the standard a, of the machine and connected with the rod t, by a slotted connection t3.

Inaslnuch as substantially all of the working parts are located between the standards a and a. it follows that the machine presents an exceedingly neat and compact appearance.

For `the sake of a further explanation of my invention, a description will now be given of the mode of operation of the hereinabove described machine in the production of hosiery, but it must be borne in mind that a machine embodying features ot' the invention may be advantageously employed in the production of vother articles.

The leg or tubular portion of the stocking is produced by the alternate elevation and depression of the sections b and b', of the needle cylinder in connectionwith the revolution of the sinker-gear and its accessories. During this operation the machine 'is driven at a comparatively high rate of speed by means of the belt t2, and its complemental pulleys. Itis to be understood that the ratchet-wheel w, and ring p, are, at .rest and that the pattern chain'feed wheel v, is in motion. Upon the completion of the leg portion of the stocking, the pattern-chain w, advances the ratchet. wheel w, intogear with the pawl w', whereby the ratchet-wheel w, is continuously advanced. This motion of the ratchet-wheel w, and cam y, causes the rod t, to be shifted toward the left in Fig. 1, with the-following results'z.-The belt i2, is shifted onto the loose pulley ja, and the belt i, is shifted onto the tight-pulley j2, the sprocket-chain m8, and section b, of the needle-cylinder are thrown out of action, and the ring p, and sinker-gear c",

are oscillated backward and forward. Under IOO IIO

`these circumstances a flatweb destined to constitute the heel portion lof the stocking is formed. During `the formation of the heel portion of the stockinggone of the wedgeshaped pieces wt, on the outer face of the ratchet-wheel w, collides with its corresponding pin r4, arid thus serves to shift theframework r2, toward the left in Figs. 1 and 5, whereby the teeth p7, are brought into position for driving the carriages h and h', andstrippers g and g, alternately toward theleft in Fig. 5,

whereby a fashioning needle appertaining tol the groupf2, is thrown out of action, then a fashioning needle appertaining to the group f3, and so on, first throwing out a fashioning needle on one side and then on the other at the formationof each course of` stitches, until only the heel needles f', remain in action. The continued revolution` of the ratchetwheel w, causes a wedge-shaped piece w, on the inside" f ace thereof toshift the frame-work fr?, toward the right in Fig. 5, whereby the pawls p4 and p5, are brought'into position for permitting the teeth p8, to drive the carriages h and h', and strippers g and g', toward the right in Fig. 5, thus causing the fashioning needles to be released singly and successively, irst on one side and then on the other at each course or row of stitches, until the web is brought out to its full width. The rod t, is then shifted toward the left in Fig. l, and the pawl w', works in another one of the peripheral recesses of the wheel w, so that the tubular foot portion of the stocking is formed in substantially the same manner as the leg portion thereof. The toe portion of the stocking is then formed on the needles of lthe section b', of the needle-cylinder, which for this purpose is permitted to operate byitself, the section b, of the needle-cylinder being thrown out of action by the revolution of the wheel tu, and in substantially the manner hereinabove set forth in connection with the production of the heel portion. The stocking may then be removed and finished for use in any pre'- ferred manner.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the'art to which my invention relates that modifications may be made in details of construction and arrangelnent without departing from the spirit thereof. Hence my invention is not limited to the exact construction and arrangement of parts hereinabove set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; but

Having thus described the nature and 0bjects of myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

1. In a knitting machine, needles, and a sectional needle cylinder for operating said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for operating said needles, and means for reciprocatingthe sections of said cylinder,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for operating said needles, and positively driven eccentrics and link-work interposed between said eccentrics and the sections of the cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4t. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for operating said needles, a positively driven shaft, and means interposed between the shaft and sections of the cylinderl for reciprocating the latter, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. Ina knitting machine, needles, two concentric rims forming ways, a sectional needle cylinder workin g in said ways, and means for actuating the sections of the needle cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a knitting machine, needles, two concentric rims forming ways, feathers projecting from one of said'rims, a sectional needle cylinder Vworking in said ways and between said feathers, and means for actuating the sections of the needle cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a knitting machine, an exterior rim,

.an interior rim provided with guide slots, a

sectional needle cylinder intermediate of said rims, means for reciprocating the sections of the needle cylinder, and needles carried by said sections and working` in the guide slots of the interior rim, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

S. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a sectional ring for engaging said needles, and means for reciprocating the complemental sections of the cylinder and ring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. A

S). In a knitting machine,a sectional needle cylinderand its com plemental actuating mechanism, needles carried by the respective sections of the cylinder, sinkers', and a cam provided with an adjustable section for increasing or diminishing the throw of the sinkers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

lO. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental actuating mechanism, needles carried by the respective sections of the cylinder, sinkers, and means for actuating the sinkers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental actuating mechanism, spring-beard needles carried by the respective sections of said cylinder, a sinker bed'provided with a lip adapted to serve as a presser ring for said needles, sinkers-and means for actuating said sinkers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental actuating mechanism, spring-heard needles carried by the respective sections of said cylinder and a bed provided with a lip adapted to serve as a presser ring for said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles provided with spring catches for engaging the needle cylinder, and means for actuating the sections o f t-he nee dle cylinder, substantially as and. for the purposes set forth. Y 14. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for alternately reciprocating the sections of said cylinder, a set of needles carried by each of the sections of the needle cylinder, and a thread carrier adapted to co-operate with each set of needles, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

15. A knitting machine comprising a sectional needle cylinder, means for lifting and depressing the sections of said cylinder, needles, a thread-carrier, sinkers, and means for actuating said sinkers and thread-carrier, sub- 'stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

16. A knitting machine comprising concentric rims, a sectional needle cylinder intermediate of said rims, means for lifting and de- IOO IIO

pressing the sections of said cylinder, springbeard needles, a thread -carrier, a presser, sinkcrs, and means-for actuating said sinkers and thread-carrier, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for actuating the sections of said cylinder, a sectional lring carried by the needle cylinder, and needles respectively provided with bits and curved extremities for engaging said ring, substantially' as and for the purposes set forth.

1S. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles detachably applied to the sections of said cylinder, and means for lifting and depressing said seetions,substan tially as and for the purposes set forth.

19. In a knitting machine, needles provided with bitsor hubs, a sectional needle cylinder provided with apertures for the reception of needle bits or hubs, a ring for clamping the needles to place, and means for lifting and depressing said sections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

20. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder provided with apertures for the reception of needle bits or hubs, a ring provided with a corrugated leather covered face for clamping said needles, andmeans for lifting and depressing said sections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

21. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carried by the respective sections of said cylinder, mechanism for actuating the sections of the cylinder, and means for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of said sections out of action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

22. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carried by the respective sections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, devices for rotating and reciprocating said thread carrier, mechanism for actuating the sections of the cylinder,and means for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections out of .action and for reversingthe direction of motion of the thread-carrier, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

23. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carried by the respective sections of said cylinder, mechanism foractuating the sections of the cylinder, means for throwing oneof said sectionsout of action, a revoluble sinker-head provided with sinkers and a thread-carrier, and means for rotating and oscillating said sinkenhead, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

24. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively driven shaft link-lnotions interposed between said shaft and the respective sections of the cylinder, and means for throwing the link-motion appertaining to one of said sections out of action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. f

.25. In a knitting machine, a sectional needlecylinder,needles,a positivelydriven shaft,

an eccentric keyed to said shaft andadapted to operate one section of said cylinder, an eocentric loose on said shaft and adapted to operate the other section of said cylinder, and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said loose eccentric and shaft, substant iall y as and for the purposes set forth.

2U. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a main shaft, link motions interposed between the shaft and the respective sections of the cylinder, means for throwing one of the link-motions out of action, high and low speed power appliances, and a shipper for controlling the power appliances and actuating the means for throwing Athe last-mentioned link-motion out of action, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

27. In a knitting machine,a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a main shaft, link-motions interposed between said shaft and the respective sections of the cylinder, means for throwing the link-motion appertainingto one 'of said sections out of action, and power appliances for driving said shaft at high and low rates of speed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

28. In a knitting machine, a sectional necdle cylinder, needles, a main shaft, link-work interposed between the sections of the cylinder and main shaft, one tight and two loose pulleys on said shaft, high and low speed belts and their colnplemental driving pulleys,

and a shipper for shifting said belts `and throwing the link-work appertaining to one IOO of the sections of the needle cylinder out of i action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

29. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a main-shaft, link-work interposed between the sections of the cylinder and main-shaft, one tight and two` loose pulleys on said shaft, high and low speed belts and their complemental driving pulleys,

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a shipper for shifting said belts and throw-V l IZO 3l. In aknitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles,a positivelydriven shaft, eccentrics on said shaft, links interposed between the eccentrics and the sections of the needle cylinder, ,and a4 clutch for throwing `one of said eccentrics outof action, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth. A,

32. InI a knitting machine, a sectionalincedle cylinder, needles, a positively'drivenshaft, actuating mechanism interposed between said shaft and the respective sections of the needle cylinder, a clutch for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections of the cylinder out of gear, a shipper for shifting said clutch, a cam-wheel for actuating said shipper, and mechanism interposed between said shaft and cam-wheel for intermittently rotating the latter, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

33.' In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively driven shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between said shaft :and `the respective sections lof the needle cylinder, a shipper for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections of the cylinder out of gear, a cam-wheel for actuating said shipper, and mechanism interposed between said shaft and cam-wheel for intermittently rotating the latter, substantially as and` for the purposes set forth.

34. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, needles, a positivelydriven shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between said shaft and the respective sections of the needle-cylinder, a clutchfor throwing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections of the cylinder out of gear,'a vshipper for shifting said clutch, a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam for operating said shipper, a pawl driven by said shaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of said ratchet-wheel and to work in peripheral recesses therein and a pattern-chain and its complemental feed mechanism for intermittently shifting the ratchet-wheel to bring said pawl into engagement with the teeth thereof, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

35. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, needles, a positively driven main shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between the sections of the cylinder and said main-shaft, a shipper for throwing the actuating mechanism appertaining to one of the sections out of gear, a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam for operating said shipper, a pawl actuated bythe main shaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of said ratchet-wheel and to work in peripheral recesses, and a patternchain and its complemental feed mechanism for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel to cause the engagement of said pawl with the teeth thereof, substantiallyy as and forthe purposes set forth.

36. In a knitting machine, a-sectional needle cylinder and its complemental operating mechanism, needles tending to engage the needle cylinder, and means for preventing the engagement of certain of'said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth;

37. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism for operating the sections of said cylinder, devices for throwing one of said sections out of operation, needles tending to engage the needle cylinder, and means for preventing the engagement of certain of said needles, substantially as and for the purposes .set forth. n

38. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder,- mechanismfor continuousl-yoperating one of the sections of said cylinder and for intermittently operating theother section thereof, fashioning needles det-achably connected with the continuously operated section, needles applied to the other section, and means for engaging and releasing the fashioning needles toI throw the same into and out of action, substantially as and for the purposesv set forth.

39. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously operating a certain section of said cylinder, fashioning needles-tending to engage portions of 'the continuously operated section, needles intermediate ofthe fashioning needles, and meansfor restraining and releasing the fashioning needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4L). In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism foroperatingth'e sections of said cylinder, needles tending to engage said sections, and a stripper for engaging the bits or hubs of certain of said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

41. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism for operating the sections of said cylinder, two sets -of needles normally carried by said sections and provided respectively with long and short bits or hubs, and a stripper for engaging the long bits or hubs, substantially as and for the-purposes set forth.

42. In a knitting machine,a sectional needle cylinder, means for operating the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles having` spring-catches forvengaging the needle-cylinder, and a stripper for engaging and re.- leasing the fashioning needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. Y

43. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder,means for continuously operating one of the sections of 4said, needle cylinder, a thread-carrier and mechanism for reciprocating the thread-.carrier in respect to the needles of the continuously operated section, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

44. In a knitting machine, needles,a sec-- TOO IIO

tional needle cylinder, means for continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft, miter gearing interposed between the counter-shaft and th read-carrier, and means for reciprocating saidcounter-shaft, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

45. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft, miter gearing interposed between the counter shaft and threadcarrier, a positively driven shaft, sprocket gearing interposed between said shafts, an arm provided with a rack and oscillated by the positively driven shaft, a pinion on the counter-shaft engaging said arm, and means for throwing the sprocket-gearing and arm out of and into action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.,

46. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder,

a sinker-head and its accessories, a counter-l` shaft, gearing interposed between the counter-shaft and sinker head, a positively driven shaft, an arm oscillated by the positively driven shaft and provided with a rack and cheeks, and a pinion on the counter-shaft provided with flanges and engaging said arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

47. In aknitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously operating one of the 'sections of the cylinder, a sinker-head and its complemental sinkers, a thread-carrier applied to the sinker-head, and mechanism for reciprocating the sinkerhead in respect to the needles of the continuously operated section, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

48. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, means for continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, needles, a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft andA its complemental gearing for actuatingthe th read-carrier, a positively driven main-shaft, two sets of connections interposed between the positively driven main-shaft and countershaft and respectively adapted to rotate and oscillate the counter-shaft,-clutches 'for controlling said sets of connections, a shipper and link-work for operating said clutches, aratchet-wheel provided with a cam for ,actuating theshipper, and means connected with the main-shaft -for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth. I

49. In a knitting machine, needles, means .for operating said needles, a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft and its complemental gearing for actuat-ing the thread-carrier, a positively driven main-shaft, two sets of connections interposed between the positively driven and counter shafts and respectively'adapted to rotate and to oscillate the counter-shaft, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, a ship-` per and link-work for operating said clutches,

" a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam forfactu:

ating the link-work, and means connected with the main-shaft for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, substantially as and vfor the purposes set forth..

50. In aknitting machine, needles, means for operating said needles, a thread-carrier@` positively driven shaft, two sets of connections'actuated by said shaft and adapted` re spectively to rotate and oscillate said threadcarrier, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, link work for operatingl the clutches, a ratchet-wheel provided witha cam for, actuating said link-work, a pawl actuatedk bysaid shaft and adapted to engagethe teeth of saidratchet-wheel and to work in recesses `between said teeth, a pattern-chain for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, and continuous feed mechanism for said patternchain, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

51. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, means for continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, nee

dles, a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft and its complemental gears for actuating the threadcarrier, a positively driven main shaft, two sets of connections interposed between the positively drivenand counter shafts and respectivelyv adapted to rotate and oscillate the counter-shaft, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, link-work forA operating said clutches, a ratchet-wheel provided with` late said thread-carrier, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, link-work for operating said clutches, a ratchet-wh eel for actuating said ;link-work, a pawl actuated by said shaft and adapted to engage the teeth'of said ratchet-wheel andto work in recesses between said teeth, a pattern chain for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, and continuous feed mechanism for said patternchainsub stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

53; In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, a sin ker-head provided with a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft and com- ICO IKO

plemental gearing'for actuating the sinkerhead, a driving shaft, eccentrics and links interposed between the driving shaft and the sections of the needle cylinder, sprocket and rack gearing interposed between the driving and countershafts, clutches for throwing the sprocketand rack gearing and one of the eccentrics .out of and into action, link-work for shifting said clutches, a ratchet-wheel for operat-ing said link-work, and mechanism oper` ated by the driving shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate 'the t ratchet-wheel, ,sub-

stantially as and'for the purposes set forth. 54. In a knitting machine, needles, aseotional needle cylinder, a sinker-head provided with athread-carrier, acounter-shaft and complemental gearing forA actuating the sinkerhead, a driving-shaft, eccentrics and links interposed between the driving shaft and the sections of the needle cylinder, sprocket and rack gearing interposed between the driving and counter shafts, clutches for throwing the sprocket and rack gearing and one of the ec-V centrics ontof and into action, link work for' shifting said clutches, a ratchet-wheel for operating said link-work, a pawl actuated by the main-shaft and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and to work in pecylinder, fashioning needles detachably con- V nected withl the continuously operated sec tion, segmental strippers adapted to engage said fashioning needles, and pawl-and-ratchet connections actuated by the main-shaft and adapted to shift said strippers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

56. In a knitting machine, "a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with 'the continuously operated section, strippers adapted to engage said fashioning needles, and means actuated from the main shaft and adapted to shift said strip-` pers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 1

57. `In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers, carriages, resilient connections between the carriages and strippers, and

means for shifting the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

58. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder,'means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, carriages, strippers provided with slots, springs in said slots and connected with the strippers and carriages, and means for shifting the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ing the sections of said cylinder, a thread carrier, a sinker head and its accessories, a rim disposed within the needle cylinder and provided at the top with notches for guiding the needles and with web holding fingers intermediate of the notches, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

60; In a knitting machine, a bed-plate, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, carriages afforded a range of travel in ways on the bed-plate,svcrews working in slots in the bed-plate and provided with spring washers for preventing retrograde movement Yof the carriages, strippersv connected with the carriages, and means'for actuating the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6l. In a knitting machine, a bed-plate, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of vsaid cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, carriages afforded a range of travel on the bed-plate, means for preventing retrograde movement of the carriages, strippers, resilient connections interposed between the strippers and carriages, and means for actuating the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

62. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers, racks for shifting said strippers, a frame provided with pawls having teeth for driving the racks backward and for- Award, means for vibrating said frame, and

devices for shifting said pawls to cause the respective teeth thereof to come into action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

63. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, carriages, racks for shifting said carriages,strippers,yieldingconnections betweenthe strippers and carriages, pawls for driving the racks backward and forward, and devices for reversing the positions of the pawls, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

64. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously' elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers, racks, pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive said strippers backward and forward, a frame for controlling said pawls, and means for intermittently actuating said frame, substantially as and for 59. A knitting machine provided with a sec-4 tional needle cylinder, means for reciprocatthe purposes set forth.

65. In a knitting machine, a sectional Aneedle cylinder, means for continuously elevating andv depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section,

strippers, racks, pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive said strippers backward and forward, bars for controlling said pawls, a ratchet-wheel provided with projections for reversing the positions of said pawls, and means for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

66. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for actuating the sections of said cylinder, needles detachably connected with' 'said sections, strippers, having racks,

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pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive said strippers backward and forward, a frame for controlling said pawls, a ratchet-wheel needles, a ring, pawl-and-rat-chet connections interposed between the ring and strippers, a positivelydriven shaft provided with a tappet-arm and a tappet-rod in range of said arm and connected with said ring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

68. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for elevating and depressing the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles, strippers for engaging the fashionin g needles, a ring, pawl-.and-ratchet connections interposed between the ring and strippers,

a positively driven shaft, connections interposed between the shaft and ring foi-actuating the latter, and mechanism for intermittently disconnecting the shaft and ring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

69. In a knitting machine, a positively driven shaft, two sets of powerappliances for driving said shaft at diderent rates of speed, a counter-shaft, connections between the positively driven shaft and counter-shaft for rotating and for oscillating thelatter, asectional needle cylinder provided with detachable needles, strippers, mechanism interposed between the positively driven shaft and sections of the cylinder, a sinker-head operated by the counter-shaft, paWl-and-ratchet connections operated by the positively driven shaft and adapted' to actuate the strippers, and an intermittently reciprocated ratchet-Wheel and itsconiplemental camsand connections for controlling said power appliances, sinkerhead, strippers and needle cylinder," substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

70. In a knitting machine, a shaft, two sets of power appliances respectivelyV adapted to drive said shaft at high andlow speeds, a sectional needle cylinderprovided with detachable fashioning needles, a sinker-head and its accessories, strippers for-engaging said mittently actuating the shipper, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7l. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder provided with detachable fashioning needles, a sinker-head and its accesseries, strippers for engaging said fashioning needles, a high speed power appliance and dles, a sectional needle cylinder for operating saidneedles, a stripper for engaging certain of the needles and automatic mechanism for throwing one section of the cylinder out of action and for controlling` the position of the strippers to effect the widening and narrowing of the fabric or web, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

73. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional cylinder for operating said needles, a sinker-head, strippers for engaging certain of the needles and automatic vmechanism for controlling said cylinder,

throwing one of the sections of said cylinder of movement of the sinker-head and controlling the positions of the strippers to eect the' widening and narrowing of thefabric or web, substantially as and` for the purposes set forth. f

74. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder fo'i' operating said needles, a sin-ker-head, strippers for ent gaging certain ot" the needles, high and low speed power appliances, and mechanism for automatically bringing the low speed' power appliance into action to actuate one section of Athe cylinder 'andi .for reciprocating the intoand out of action, reversingthe direction s'inker-head and controlli-ng the position of t the strippers, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

75. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder,a sinker-head, a counter-shaft and connections for operating the sinker-head, a main.` shaft provided with a fast( eccentric and its complemental link for cont tinuously operating oneof the sectionsof the .needle cylinder, strippers" for engaging certain of said needles, a itappet bar for'operating said strippers, asleeve loose on the main shaft and providedwith aneccentric and its complementallink for actuating the'otherof the sections of the needle cylinder, and with a sprocket wheel, a second sleeve looseon the l main shaftv and `provided with a tappet arm andan eccentric, an arm provided with-a rack and l operated by the last mentioned eccentric,

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