Oct. 13, 1959
_
v. H. BUTLER
2,908,154
YARN HANDLING AND SEVERING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
'-~ ‘
KNITTING MACHINES AND METHOD
Filed March 14, 1958
s Sheets-Sheet 1
s4‘
'
I42
2
-
4
I44
-
n
I
.
//
-
53)
-
I36
I3
I40
is
u
74
72
I
I @
44
,
"
9Q
"'\\|
l
m
'
'
‘
r
so I
'
_
I 8
46
'
II
I
'
____:
‘
as
66
’i__
‘
.
36
/ $
||
\
@7
'\
06///// I/ I 5 ‘l
'
80687
'22
I24
| 6 I32 I
‘
50 l
'NVENTOR
VAUGHN H.BUTLER
'20
BY
ATTORNEY5
Oct. 13, 1/959
.
v, H, BUTLER
2,908,154
YARN HANDLING AND SE RING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
KNITTING MA HINES
METHOD
Filed March 14, 1958
32
8 Sheets-Sheet 2
I
I
I 74,
I
I
.
I
.'
66
I36
F1614.
FIG.5.
F1626‘. ’
45 "
H6’
VAUGHN H. BUTLER
BYW
ATTORNEYS
Oct. '13, 1959
'
’v. |-|.- BUTLER
I
2,908,154
YARN HANDLING AND SEVERING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
Filed March 14, ‘1958
KNITTING MACHINES AND METHOD
8 Sheets-Sheet 3
FIG. 2
INVENTOR
VAUGHN H.BUTLER
BY‘
{Mud ,
ATTORNEYS
Oct. 13, 1959‘ ‘
' v, H, BUTLER
2,908,154v
YARN HANDLING AND SEVERING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
‘
KNITTING MACHINES AND METHOD
Filed March 14,‘ 1958
8 Sheets-Sheet 4
208
I56
F168.
06'
,
-160
204
...1
I62
.
I
>
\
@
110/
'74,,
'68
'
:52
'l
78
//
‘
5/
®
I88
___
'50 ./
I82
I80
1%]
_
I
INVENTOR
VAUGHN H. BUTLER
ATTORNEY-5'
Oct. 13, 1959
v. H. BUTLER
I 2,903,154‘
YARN HANDLING AND SEVERING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
Filed March 14, 1958
Flam.
‘
KNITTING MACHINES AND METHOD '
,
-
'
8 Sheets-Sheet 5
F1019.
ales,1
_
_
INVENTOR'
VAUG HN H. BUT LER
’BY
ATTORNEYS
Oct. 13, 1959
'
v. H. BUTLER
2,908,154
YARN HANDLING AND SEVERING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
-_
Filed March‘ 14, 1958
KNITTING MACHINES AND METHOD
I
v
‘
‘
a Sheets-Sheet e
INVENTOR
VAUGHN H. BUTLER
ATTORNEYS
Oct. 13, 1959
v. H. BUTLER
2,908,154
YARN HANDLING AND SEVERING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
\
Filed March 14, 1958
KNI T'I'ING MACHINES AND METH OD
'
,
‘
8 Sheets-Sheet 7'
F16.13.
ATTORNEYS
_
Oct. 13, 1959
‘v. H. BUTLEYR
I
2,908,154
YARN HANDLING AND SE ERING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR
KNITTING MACHINES AND METHOD
Filed March‘ 14, 1958
a Sheets-Sheet a '
/
‘F1615.
24 '
42
36
INVENTOR
ATTORNEYS ‘
United States Patent O??ce
Z,%8,l54
Patented Oct. 13, 1959
2
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the mechanism
of Figure 1, viewed from the bottom thereof;
‘2,908,154
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of
Figure 1, substantially from the left hand side thereof;
Figure 4 is an elevational view, showing details of the
novel yarn clamp of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a portion of the dial cap,
illustrating the novel guide element provided below‘ the
yarn handling device;
YARN HANDLING AND SEVERING MECHANISM
FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES AND
METHOD
‘
Vaughn H. Bu?er, Harriman, Tenm, assignor to Burling
ton Industries, Inc, Greensboro, N.C., a corporation
of Delaware
’
10
Application March 14, 1958, Serial No. 721,452
7 Claims. (Cl. 66—140)
Figure dis a sectional View taken on the line 6—6
of Figure 5;
1
Figure 7 is an elevational view, partly broken away,
illustrating the air control means of the present invention;
Figure 8 is an elevational view of the air valve oper
This invention relates to circular knitting machines, 15 ating, latching and tripping mechanism of Figure 7, on
enlarged scale;
' ' >
and in particular to improved means and methods for
Figure 9 is a side elevational view, partly diagrammatic,
handling and severing yarns on the dial caps of multiple
feed knitting machines.
of the shear operating mechanism;
and these are commonly severed so as to be an inch or
knitting stations, which for convenience may be identi
Figure 10 is an elevational view of the mechanismof
In the knitting of tubular articles such as seamless
hosiery, frequent yarn changes are commonly effected 20 Figure 9, viewed from the left-hand side thereof; and ‘»
Figures 11 to 16 are plan views sequentially illustrating
in the course of the knitting cycle. In the case of hosiery,
for example, the welt and leg may be knitted of different _ the operation of the invention through a yarn change.
Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1, 2 and 3
yarns, and heavier yarns are frequently employed in the
illustrate a portion of a conventional multiple feed seam
heel and toe. At each yarn change, an inactive yarn is
dropped into the needles for knitting and an active yarn 25 less hosiery machine, such as a 400 needle model AMF
Scott & Williams two feed machine. 'As best shown in
is withdrawn from the knitting a few needles later. At
Figure 1, the latch ring 20 of the machine encloses two
least two yarn ends extend from the resulting yarn lap,
?ed as main knitting station 22 and auxiliary knitting
noticeable and unsightly, they must be removed, and this 30 station '24, the auxiliary station trailing the main knit
ting station by approximately 45° in the direction of
is usually done individually and manually during inspec
cylinder rotation, counterclockwise as viewed in Figure .1.
. tion. The yarn ends are clipped down to 1A” or 1%",
At the main knitting station are provided a plurality of
which is commercially satisfactory. The clipping opera
yarn ?ngers which ‘are individually retractable andfunc
tion is obviously time-consuming and expensive, and ex
poses the stockings to possibility of damage. In multiple 35 tion as interchangeable yarn feeds. The yarn ?ngers are
pivotally mounted in the usual manner, and actuated in
feed knitting, more than two yarn ends extend from each
two in length. Since yarn ends of such length are easily
conventional manner by thrust bars maintained in contact with the main pattern drum of the machine. While
six or more yarn ?ngers are customarily provided,‘ only
vision of novel means and methods for positioning yarns
over the dial caps of multiple feed machines for clipping, 40 two are illustrated. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, main
yarn lap, whereby the clipping problem is magni?ed.
A principal object of the present invention is the pro
knitting station yarn ?nger 26 is illustrated in active
and automatically severing the yarns close to the fabric
position, feeding yarn 28 to the needles 30, and yarn
during yarn ‘changes, with such reliability and control
?nger 32 is illustrated in inactive position, the inactive
as to eliminate subsequent inspection and clipping of
yarn 34 extending therefrom to the dial cap of therma
free ends. In accordance with the invention, a single
yarn handling device and a single shear are provided and 45 chine in usual manner.
At the auxiliary knitting station 24 are provided the
utilized to handle and clip yarns from at least two dis
yarn ?nger 36 in active position, feeding yarn 38 to the
tinct feed stations. The invention also contemplates the
needles 30, and the yarn ?nger 42 in inactive position,
close clipping of the ends of newly inserted and with—
with ‘inactive yarn 44 extending therefrom. > As will be
drawn yarns from a plurality of feed stations, preferably
50 understood, other active and inactive yarns may be pres
with a single shear stroke.
ent, but are unnecessary for an understanding of the pres
Another object of the invention is the provision of
ent invention. The needles 30 are independently mounted
improved suction means for tensioning and controlling
yarnson the dial cap of the machine, and means for
positive and precise control of the air ?ow. Particularly,
in the rotary cylinder of the machine (not shown), and
extending thereabove adjacent ‘the periphery of the dial
‘means are provided to terminate air flow in precisely 55 and the dial cap 46. The usual dial drive pinion 48 is
mounted on the upper end of dial drive shaft v50, whichv
timed relation with operation of the shear, and subsequent
serves to effect rotation of the dial and its transfer jacks
to the shearing operation. Delayed air ?ow termination
in synchronism with the cylinder. All of the foregoing
is accomplished by means distinct from the shear oper
elements are conventional.
,
.
ating means. A related object is the provision of means
for delayed shear operation, that is, for operation of the 60
shear after movement of the main pattern drum has
terminated and while the latter is at rest, and alternative
means for operating the shear in time with movement of
‘ Mounted on the dial cap, at a position near the pe
riphery thereof and trailing the auxiliary knitting station
24 by approximately 90°, is a yarn handlingdevice indie
cated generally as 6%. The yarn handling device is of
the type disclosed in my copending application, Serial No.
the main pattern drum. Further objects will be in part
65 650,212, ?led April 2, 1957, and functions inv similar
vevident and in part pointed out hereinafter.
manner, although in the present invention the yarn hanw
The invention and the novel features thereof may best
dling device handles yarns from both the main and the
be made clear from the following description and the
auxiliary knitting stations. As disclosed in detail in my
accompanying drawings, in which:
.
copending application referred to, the yarn handling‘ de
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment
of the invention in operative association with related 70 vice includes a block or housing 62, the block having a
horizontal bore extending therethrough, an 'air pressure
parts of a two feed knitting machine, with some parts
conduit 64 leading thereto, and an exhaust conduit 66
removed for the sake of clarity;
aeosnsa
3
4-
7
~
6
center on a stud 138 extending from the block 62. The
opposite end of lever 136 is ,engaged by rod 140 to an
operating lever 142, which in turn is pivotally mounted -
leading, therefrom. _ A small diameter tube 68 branches
off from the pressure conduit Y64 and terminates in a noz
zle 70, directed slightly downwardly against the under
lying dial cap and generallyinthedirectiomof cylinder
rotation. As shown in Figure l, the nozzle 70 is disposed.
at 144.
adjacent the periphery. of the dialrrcap 46,v and accordingly
shear 120, as illustrated and described, necessitates reloca
The disposition of the yarn handling device 60 and
tion 1 of ‘the: pine customarily I extending ' downwardly from» a
, near the encirclingneedles 30 of the machine.
the r overhangingbracket' arm 'of the machine to the~dial
The block 62 houses a piston 72, which extends above
the top of the block, below the pivotally mounted clamp
cap 46, to preclude rotation of the dial cap 'andithe ele
arm 74.‘ Fromthe free end of clamp'arm 74'extends‘ a
ments mounted thereon. ,In ‘accordance with the present
invention, thistpin (not shownlmay be relocated-on a
bracket extending from the overhangingjbracket. arm,
downwardly directed extension 76, best shown in Figure
3.
A branch passage 7 8v extends to the under surface 80' .
or the block 62, the under surface of the‘block being j downwardly into‘ the dial cap socket 146', shown in
Figure 1..
I .
a
v
spaced slightly from the dial cap 46. A guide post 82
The air controlmechanism of the, invention is illus-,
extends downwardly from the block to therdial cap, 15
trated in Figures 7' and 8.' As there'shown, a conven-'
adjacent the opening of’branch passage 78. As described
tional air valve 150 is mounted on a plate‘ 152 which in
in detail in my copending application referred to, pres
turn‘ is supported ‘by ‘a-Iframe mounted bar 154,- adja
sure air supplied‘ to the yarn handling device through
conduit 64 exhausts through conduit 66 and is e?ective
cent¢the main timingv drum 156 of the machine.’ “The
to induce air ?ow upwardly into branch passage 78, ‘in 20 air valve 150'is provided'with- aplunger;158, ‘whichis
internally biased to outward valve closedposition. ‘The
other words, to create a vacuum inandrbelow branch pas
valve is substantiallyT-shaped‘, and as Will be understood
sage 78'. The pressure air is effective also'to elevate the
piston 72 and to pivot theclamp arm 74 disposed there‘, ' l a vsource of air'pressure is-connected-torone side thereof‘
above, whereby the clamp 'arm extension 76' is elevated
and'thefpressure conduit 64§extends=from the, other side‘ ’
at all times‘ when pressure air‘ ‘is supplied tothe device; 25
thereofl‘to the yarn‘ handling-device 60.-
; . -
_
-
A lever:v arm 160is-pivotally mounted at 162 :on the
As‘will be'understood,1spring or other suitable means are
bar 154, oneend-of the'lever ammbeing maintained-in
provided to’bias the free end of clamp arm‘ 74‘ and its
extension 76 downwardly at all times. Some of the
~, contact with the timing 'drumvl56 by a spring "164>suit;
ably engaged to the other end of the lever arm.- The‘
pressure air also .passes through tube 68 and'its nozzle
30 lever armisi in; alignment with? the head 1660f valve
7 0, creating a jet of air at this-point.
plunger 158,,and may be foimedr into a cam=surface
- i In accordance with the present invention, a novel-yarn
168‘ adapted to‘ bear ‘against the.v valve plunger head.
clainp'90‘ismounted on~the dial cap on the leading side"
of‘ the ‘yarn handling device, immediately adjacent thereto;
Adjacent 'the'lever» arm-162, arhandf lever 170eis~pivotally imountediat- 162, the hand'lever-‘also being/aligned
The inner-end of the yarn'clamp, encloses a headed pin
92 extending‘from-the'dial cap, and is movable with re.- 35 with1 and "engaging. the valve'plunger'head 166,,and being
spect to said'pin, the upward movement thereof being
formedzin'tofan outwardly extending-tail172. ‘ A latch’ '
limitedyh'owever, by the head '94; Substantially centrally'
bracket 174' is ?xed to the sideof hand. lever 170, and,
thereof,,the'yarn clamp encloses a; vertical guide pin 96,
andasmall springi98‘ encircles the guide pin' 96 between:
‘ a suitably shaped latch 176extends~ laterally therefrom.
maximum distance'p'ermitted by-the head 94‘ of vpin 92.
and the overlying adapter 100 through which the pres
head ‘166, although‘ with insuf?cient pressure’ to depress?
Spring‘ 178- extends from the latch 176 to the valve
the yarn clamp and the dial cap‘, as shown in Figure 4:‘ 40 ‘mounting structure, whereby the latch and theassociated
hand lever are maintained'in contact, with valve plunger I
The spring 981 tends to elevate the yarn- clamp, to the:
sure conduit 64 enters the block62.
the valve'plunger '158 and openthe- valve.
,
A latch arm 180-is: pivotally mounted at 182 on the,
Outwardly of the
guide pin'i96 the .yarnlclamptextends below the bottom't'of' 45 valve mounting structure, and extends below-the latch
176; The latch arm 180 is formed'into; a’ latch engaging.
clamp arm< extension‘ 7 6, andith'erebeyond‘ the leadingiedge
thereofhisformed into- a forwardly curved portion1104.. ,
shoulder 184 and outwardly thereof into an upwardly
A substantially V-shaped yarn guide 110,. which may:
V o?set- riding surface 186, and. a;;spring 188- biases > the:
latch arm ‘180- upwardly at all times to maintain it in‘
be formed'of wire, extends from the base. of pin 92, ‘its '
,
.
outerlar-m 1.12 rising slightly fromthedial cap, along a‘. 50 contact with the latch 176i
Referring tov Figure 7, 190 is a rotary shaft of‘ the.
line slightly leading the auxiliary knitting station 24. A‘
machine which rotates 'at' one-fourth the speed -of the
yarn-guide‘post 1=14 extends-upwardly from the dial cap‘
adjacent yarn clamp 90,.the guide post being substantially‘
needle cylinder. The shaft 190 is'provided with a boss
1'92, and a‘ rocker arm 194 is pivotally mounted‘ there,
arm-.74, as shown. Below the block 62, an elongated 55 above‘ at 196. .Spring or other suitable meansfare pro;v
vided. to‘ maintain the. associated end of ‘rocker arm 194'
guide elem'erit116 extends above the surface of the dial
cap. As shown inVFiguresS and 6,. element 116 passes;
in contact with- the boss ‘192. A) rackingpawl 198 extends
in line with the auxiliary knitting station and the clamp‘
directly below therbranchi'passage 173 and isinclined with'. '
from‘ the other end of rocker arm 194:.into. contactwith' ,
respect to the normal yarnpath. Conveniently, the guide‘
the graduating cam of: the machine, which is notvshown
element may be a section of-gwire, suitably anchored. into 60 but which-is in alignmentwith the timing
.156.
the‘ dial cap as shown in Figure 6', and resting’ directly
Opposed1 cams 200 are‘provided on the periphery of boss.
thereon.
I
~
-
' Slightly-beyond the yarn handling device 60, and sub
stantially=opposite themain knitting station 22,. is dis?
192, ‘adapted "to-engage and rock arn1~1-94_ periodically.
The shaft ~1'90;=boss 1592, rocker-3am 7194-, vran-:ki'n'g pawli .
198, ‘and the‘cams 200 ‘are standard ‘elements of the
posed theyarn shear ‘indicated generally as 120. The
65 model AMF machine with-which the ‘instant invention
yarn ‘shear is peripherally mounted‘, and of the type' dis?‘
closed'in' my copending application referred to; In- the
exemplary embodiment,. due‘ to the skirted con?guration
is illustrated-._ In applying the invention tothislmachine,
of the'dial ‘structure, thex?xed shear'blade 122 is dis
the rocker arm 194 may‘ conveniently be extended, as at",
202, ‘and a 'rigi'd'rod 204provided ‘between the rocker
arm extension 202 and side'pad ‘2'06I mounted on the'latch
posed substantially in the slot 124, and‘ the movable‘shear' 70 arm ‘180. “In: this manner, means are-conveniently pro?
videdufor periodically depressingrtlie'latch arm; ‘and?’ it
128. The skirt‘130“ in theivi’cinity of theskirt‘slot'5124, a will beevident that; equivalent tripnieans mayibefpro
blade 126 operates in conjunction“ therewith, pivoting‘at'
vided-‘inassocia-tion with any‘, other moving part ofthe~
machine; *The timing"
provided with cams i208;
' one end orlever' 13‘6,‘which ispivo'tally'm'ounted nearit's‘ 75 in alignment with lever armwll60g-the cams“ being --'adaptedl
is appropriately bevelled, 'as ' at 132';
'Themovable shear blade'126“ is enga‘gedby'rod 13410‘
2,908,154
5
6
to displace the associated end of the lever arm away
from the drum in the usual manner.
I
nate in such relationship. . Elevation of the thrust rod
218, however, displaces its cam 228' into the path of
_
To utilize- a single shear to cut all yarns of the exem
the cams 226, so that a brief interval after elevation
plary two feed machine, it is necessary to provide for
of the thrust rod and termination of the timing drum
normal shear operation in time with movement of the
movement, one or the other of cams 226 will strike the
timing drum, and also to provide alternatively for delayed
operation of the shear, that is for shear operation while
the drum is stationary. In the model AMF machine,
thrust rod cam 228, and displace the thrust rod 218
rearwardly, to the dotted line position 218’ shown in
Figure 9. This rearward movement of the thrust rod
makeup is accomplished with a series of intermittent and
218 is permitted by slot 226 and resisted by spring 222,
brief auxiliary drum movements, which are long enough 10 which is effective on subsequent movement of the tim
to permit dropping yarns in or taking yarns out at both
stations, but not long enough to permit the yarns to
ing drum to restore the thrust rod to normal position.
As will be understood, rearward displacement of the
thrust rod 218 is eifective to drop its bottom end off
the cam 230 therebelow, whereby the thrust rod drops
reach the position of yarn shear 120. It is accordingly
necessary to provide delayed action shearing during the
makeup.
Alternative means for shear operation are 15 into contact with the drum (although at position rear
ward of normal) and permits the shear to close. In
this manner, a brief interval of time between termina
illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.
As shown in Figure 9, the operating lever 142 which
is engaged to the movable shear blade 126 through rod
tion of the timing drum movement and shear closing is
140 is engaged and actuated in normal manner by a
provided.
thrust rod 210, which is maintained in contact with the 20
Function and operation of the invention will now be
described in detail, in connection with an ordinary yarn
timing drum 156 and elevated periodically by drum ’
cams 212. The thrust rod 210 passes througha guiding
change during two feed knitting. Normal operation of
passage in the guide bar 214, and a spring extending from
the machine is illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the yarn
the guide bar to the thrust rod, urges it downwardly into
?ngers 26 and 36 are active, feeding yarns 28 and 38
contact with the timing drtun. As will be understood, 25 directly to the needles at their respective knitting sta
periodic movement of the timing drum in clockwise
tions. From the retracted ?nger 32 at main knitting
direction, as viewed in Figure 9, brings successive cams
station 22, the inactive yarn 34 extends under yarn
212 under the thrust rod 210 and elevates the thrust rod
to the top of a cam, the elevated position of the thrust
' guide 110, around yarn guide post 114, under yarn
clamp 96, alongside guide post 82 and upwardly into
rod being indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9. The 30 branch passage 78 of the yarn handling device. From
upward movement of the thrust rod rocks the operating
retracted yarn ?nger 42 at the auxiliary knitting station
lever 142 in clockwise direction, moving the rod 140
24, inactive yarn44 extends under yarn clamp 90, along
downwardly and thereby opening the shear. As further
side guide post 82, and upwardly into the branch pas
movement of the timing drum vcarries the cam 212 out
sage ’78. As will be understood, the ends of inactive
from under the thrust rod 210, the thrust rod returns 35 yarns 34 and 44 and all other inactive yarns extend
to normal position riding the drum, permitting the shear
to close. As disclosed in my copending application
referred to, the trailing end of the shear operating cam
212 may be stepped or sloped, to permit closing of the
through the yarn handling device block 62 and into the
exhaust conduit 66.
During normal operation of the device as described,
the lever arm 168 of the air control mechanism is‘ rid
shear over a space of time corresponding to the passage 40
ing a cam 208 of the timing drum 156, and latch 176
of several needles, for a purpose presently evident.
associated with the hand lever 170 is riding the surface
186 of the latch arm 180. The plunger 158 of valve
150 is extended, whereby the valve is closed and air is
verse pad 216, whereby the operating lever is adapted
cut off from the yarn handling device 68. It will be
to be engagedby a thrust rod 218,‘ as well as by the
understood that periodic depression of rod 284 by the
45
thrust rod 210. In the drawings, the thrust rods 210
movement of rocker arm 194 (Figure 7) merely de
and 218 are relatively widely spaced for the purpose
presses the latch arm 180, the latch arm being returned
of clarity of illustration, but it will be understood that
to the position illustrated in Figure 8 after each depres
in practice the thrust rods may be closely adjacent, and
sion by its spring 188. The yarn shear 120 during nor
in place of the pad ‘216, two adjoining operating levers 50 mal operation is closed, both thrust rods 216 and 218
may be tied together to function as one, under the im
ridingv the surface of drum 156, the end of operating
petus of either associated thrust rod.
lever 142 engaged to the shear being in elevated position.
The thrust rod 218 is utilized to effect shear closing
When the machine comes to a yarn change, initially
after short auxiliary drum movements have terminated,
the yarn ?nger 32 is dropped to active position at the
as during makeup. As shown .in Figure 10, the guide 55 main knitting station 22, whereby the formerly inactive
bar 214, behind thrust rod 218, is cut away or slotted
yarn 34 is taken by the needles, the ?rst needle to knit
at 220, to permit rearward movement of the thrust bar,
this yarn being indicated in Figure 11 as 30'. Sub
As illustrated in Figure 10, the end of operating lever
142 over the thrust rods may be provided with a trans
and an additional spring 222 extends from thrust rod
218 forwardly to the guide bar 214, to urge thrust rod 218 ‘
stantially simultaneously, the drum movement effecting
having opposed convex cams 226 thereon, and a cam
ment of the lever arm 160 causes its cam surface 168
the yarn change carries the engaged cam 28% out from
forwardly and maintain it when permitted in normal 60 under the lever arm 160 of the air control mechanism,
position. A collar 224 is provided on the rotary shaft
permitting spring 164 to force the opposite end of the
190 in alignment with the thrust rod 218, the collar
lever arm 168 against the timing drum 156. This move
228 is provided on the forward edge of thrust rod 218
to depress the head 166 of the valve plunger 158, open
in the vicinity of collar ‘224. The cams 226 and 228 65 ing valve 150, whereupon pressure air ?ows through
are of such size and disposition that when the thrust
conduit 64 to yarn handling device. As described in
rod 218 is in normal position, directly behind the solid
my copending application referred to, access of pressure
line position of thrust rod 216 illustrated in Figure 9,
air to the yarn handling device 60 induces suction and
the collar 224 and its cams 226 rotate without striking
air ?ow upwardly into the branch passage 78,‘and a
the thrust rod cam 228. Shear operating cams 230' are 70 high velocity air ?ow outwardly through exhaust con
provided on the timing drum in alignment with the
duit 66. Theresultant suction and air ?ow engages
thrustrod 218, and it will be understood that a brief
movement of the timing drum is adequate to elevate the
the endstof the inactive yarns, particularly yarns 34 and
44, and tensions these yarns, assuring positive yarn laps;
thrust rod 218 onto a cam 230 and into shear opening
Simultaneously,“the pressure air. elevates piston 72 and
position. The timing drum movementmay then, termi 7.5 the;-assoc1ated.clamptarm
,74,>w_hereby the clamp'arm
eggosgrsas
the‘knitting by'retraction of1its’yarn-=?nger.36.. A'srin‘athe
extension! 7_6‘ rises} from 1' the clamp790, releasing .the'yarns
extending'therebelow. ‘The small: spring 98 below the.
y-a'r'n'icla'mpj90, ‘willbe understood, ‘cooperates to‘ ele
case of the main knitting-station,rthezmachineris adjusted?
preferably so ‘that‘fthe .yarn '38: withdrawnrffi'omz‘the
approximately. .‘10 to? ‘15: needles lafter ' insertion
vate'ithe‘ yfarn clamp a shortrdistance' from the dial‘ cap‘
of' the yamf44z' ~Als£illustrated in'iFigure ‘14-;Ythe- yarn
38'has1been‘withdrawn from the 'knittingtwo‘needles Ebe-J
surface; ‘ The‘ access of pressure- airltoithe yarn=handling
device "also: causes-"a jet‘ of air“. to issue‘ from nozzle '‘ 70
of the ‘tube-68, this air, flow‘ having no function at‘ this
stage'ofthe operation.
a
i
'
hind;the:last;needle:to knit the yarnZ8, previouslywithe
drawn;zat thefnraint knitting, station; ‘' 'At' the stage of
a
Eigu.re1..li4,=.ithe-iyarnv ends
and 44-: have: been carried
When valve 1505 is opened byfth‘e lever arm160, the
hand ‘lever. l70=follows the valve “plunger head 166,. by 10 by the :?rst: needles: to knit these "yarns - beyondI the aux?
iliary knittingstationj-the yarni-handlingdevice maintainej
action-of spring’178, displacing the associated latch 176
ing- tension anditakingeup-theslack therein; :The; yarn.
totheright asxviewedine'Figure-8, beyond‘the shoulder.
28: withdrawn at the.‘ main; knitting station has by: this
timeipassed : undenthe'outer arms. 112‘ ofv the» yarn; guide:
184 ofrlatch- armf180; When; this occurs, spring 188
elevates the latch arrn'~1'80-'to latchingposition, retaining
th'e'qhand lever 11702in. valve opening-position. Periodic 15
1110.
'
“
,'
.
1
.
Figure 15 illustrates the I relationship‘ of- "the. ‘yarns’:
whenzthe needle 30? has-reached‘ a. position substantially
depression of rodt204 will lower the‘ latch arm 180‘ out
' ofziengagement with‘ latch“: 176, :but so long as the valve
opposite-the~ yarn handling devicer60; At thisi-timethe‘.
150 ismaintained open abyv lever arm;.160,' the hand lever
yarn'..2,8 ‘ withdrawnt'fromthe knitting at the ‘main akn'itting
170 will'remain in place against the valve plunger'head
166', in inward‘ position, and willv be re-engaged by" the 20 station‘; is engageddngthez V. of. yarn :guide' 110, wrapped
shoulderz'l84; of'ithevlatch'armr 180 upon its‘ return to
elevated. position.
'
'
‘
Simultaneously, or brie?y thereafter, a drum cam 212
slightlyv around: the 5 guide. post 114; ,and ‘ has passed under
’ the outer; endrofqitheiyarnrclamp'?l. The yarnc-38twithev
drawn‘. from'fthe rknitting. ' at: the auxiliary knitting :station
ZAwhaspassed-under; theouter end of yarn clamp 90:
passes under and elevates the thrust’rod'210 (Figure 9),
rocking the operatinglever-14Z1to open yarn shear 120‘; 25 The curved outer‘portion- 104- of‘ they .yarn clamp insures
thatzthe yarns drawn therepast by the needlesrgo? under
As seen in Figures l, 2 and 3, downward movement
‘ the-yam .clarnp. ' The ends extending from. the newly,
of the-associated end of operating lever 142 depresses rod
inserted; yarns’ 34‘ land: 4-4E are. disposed substantially.
150 to rotate lever'136, and the other end of lever 136
radially .of'thebranchfpassage 78’ of the‘ yarn='handling
‘acts throughrod 134'to elevate the movableshear blade
126-about its pivot’128. vThe shear remains open through 30 de'vice,.andzall slack in: the: freeyarn ends haslbeen' taken
up in'v'the. branchrpassage?S and‘the'exhaust conduitw66;
out the remainder of the yarn‘ change, closing as one of
whereby e?'ective .tensionismaintained'.on these yarns;
the ?nal movements thereof.
It: willtbe‘ noted". that‘v the s'yarn» guide 110 and guide post
Momentarily after the yarn 34 is'dropped into the
needles at the main knitting station 22, the previously
114 tend tozseparatezyarns.extendingrfrornv retracted yam
withdrawn 10 or 15 needles after the‘ hitherto inactive
tion; . 'rInj actual operation; inactive. yarns from the: re;
knitting station-from yarns extending
active yarn 2.8 is withdrawn therefrom, byretraction of its 35 ?ngers;ofthe-main
from; retractedEyarnv ?ngers of thevauxiliary knittingsta-z
yarn ?nger Z6‘. Desirably, the previously active yarnis
yarn‘ is;inserted,'providing ayarn lap of about one-half
inch.v - Some adjustment ofthe yarn ?nger operating'cams
of the'machine‘may be required toachieve short yarn 40
lapsof. this order, the'machine normally providing long
erjyarnlaps in 'order- to ‘avoid misses. In operation of
the present invention, no yarn laps are missed,‘ even
thoughthe laps areless- than one-half inch. Figure 12
illustrates the relationship of the elements immediately
after yarn '28 has been withdrawn from‘ knittingjby re
traction of ?nger 2V6. Itwill- be noted that the newly in
serted yarn 34 has been carried a shortildistance around
spective knitting : stations are thereby. ~maintainedl1 in ‘sepi;
arated bundles,.passing under the yarn clamp-'90 side? by
side;
a
.
Figure. 16- illustrates the relationship 10f the yarns and
other elements when" the‘ needle 30' has reached a posi
tionv close. to the. pivotal axis of’ theiyarn shear 120. In
movin'gzfrom the position‘ of: Figure. 15‘. to the positiorrof
the position of: Figure 16,: the yarn ends 34 and44aarev
withdrawn-from the-branchrpassage 78, against the-ten:
sioningresistance of air» movement. ‘The yarn 28' newly
with ‘drawn at the. main knitting 'station- extends under: ,
arm 110, around :guide .post 114-, under yarn clamp; 90,,
the needlercircler by'needle 30", and the yarn end has
been partially withdrawn from under the yarn guide 110. 50 alongside the guidepost‘8'2 below. the block 62,.and then’
below the branch passage. 78 to the last needle to take
The resultant slack in the end of yarn 34 is taken up
this yarn. The yarn;38~ newly withdrawn at the auxiliary
by the yarn handling device6‘0, which takes up the yarn
end as permitted.
knitting tstationzextends underr'the yarn clamp 90, along
'
When needle 30', the ?rst needle to take the yarn 34
side‘the guide post. 82,.and below branch passage 78 to‘
newly inserted‘.v at the main knitting station, reaches the 55 the last needle to take; this yarn. As described in myv
copending application previously referred to, the suction
auxiliary knitting" station 24, the inactive yarn 44' is
e?ect. below branchpassage 78 of the yarn handling de
dropped into theknitting by itsyarn ?nger 42, the ma:
chine being adjusted to drop this yarn in, at or close
to the needle 30'. Figure 13 illustrates ‘the relationship
viceis- effective to engage and lift the yarns 28 'and138=
yarn 44 inserted into the ‘needlesfor knitting. As shown,
the yarn- 44 has been dropped into the knitting two
needles behind needle 30’. It will be notedithat at this
point’ theend'of'yarn 34 has been. carried by needle 30‘ 65
slightly from the surface of the dial cap. It has been
tound'that the newly withdrawn yarns, due to the" in
?uence of'lubricant or- other factor, maytend'to adhere‘
to the surface of'the dial cap and resist the tensioning
exten'dingthereunder, to tension-these yarns. Thistfunce
of the yarns and yarn ?ngers immediately after yarn 60 tionis enhanced by'the' guide element 116 disposed'below
branch passage '78,- which serves to raise these yarns
?nger. 42 has been-dropped to active position, and the
completely out fromunder yarn guide ‘110, and through
thisfmovement the yarn endis tensioned and‘ slack there".
in taken up by’ yarn handling device, as previously de-.
scribed. It will be further noted that the trailing end ‘of
e?ect of the air ?ow below the branch passage.
The
novel guide~element~1>16 prevents this, separating these‘
yarns from the dial cap'as they are drawn under the _
yarn tensioning device to insure that the yarns are suitably
the‘ 'yarn28- newly withdrawn‘ at the. main knitting ‘sta 70 engaged andltensioned.
VTheair ‘blast issuing fromnozzle 70‘ is effective at
tion, extending ‘from the needles to :the now-retracted yarn
this'tir'ne to belly out the 'yarns where they extendin~
?nger. 26, .isin position :to be .guided below > the yarn guide
110.".
’
V
"
'
'
'
Shortly after :the" yarn .544 .1 is - dropped into- the knitting
ah?l?g amdliary station, the yarn-13831 withdrawn- from‘ 76
wardly from the needles. This air‘b'last sweeps across the‘
peripheral iportion of- the dial cap-in the vicinity o‘fthe
shear;v in‘ thes'directionvof'needlef rotation,‘ engagingthe
2,908,154
9.,
sufficiently to insure .that they extend substantially’
16
radially inwardly from'the needles. The blast effect of
shearing operation is completed and that all yarns are “
engaged, cleared, and tensioned before the air flow is
the nozzle is balanced by the restraining suction effect '
cut off.
of the yarn handling mechanism on the 'yarns, with‘ the '
net result that the yarns assume the relative positions‘
illustrated in- Figure 16. It will be understood that if
The closing of valve 150, of course, terminates the
?ow of air through nozzle 70, and permits the piston 72
thev yarns extended in straight lines from the engaged
by its spring to bring its extension 76 into ?rm contact
with yarn clamp 90, whereby all yarns extending there-‘
under are mechanically and positively clamped. The
I
to retract, whereby the clamp arm 74 may be rotated
needlesto the branch passage 78, they would be disposed
across the shear blades at acute angles. Under these
circumstances, even though the shear is disposed closely 10 clamp pressure persists until the next yarn change, _
when pressure air is again admitted to the yarn handling
adjacent the needle circle, on severing the yarns the
cut ‘ends extending from the fabric would be'consider
device.
ably greater in length than the radial distance from the
shear to the needles, due to the inclination of the yarns. ‘
The effect of the air blast on the ‘yarns, then, is to posi
tion them‘ for shearing 'in such manner‘ that the cut ends
remaining on the fabric are of absolute minimum length.
Shearoperation is .timed to take place at about the
time when the yarns‘ are in the position of Figure 16.
‘15
'
The hand lever 170 is useful for manual opening of
the valve 150, to permit air flow. An attendant may at
any time, in threading or adjusting the machine or the
like, lift the hand lever tail 172 to open the valve.
The foregoing completes the description of an ordi~~
nary yarn change during two feed knitting. As previous
ly indicated, makeup on the illustrative machine is'e?ect
Desi‘rably, closing of the shear is initiated slightly before 20 {ed by drum movements of very short duration. I-n start
point, the cam 212 passes out from under the thrust rod ‘
ing a stocking, for example, yarns may be dropped in at
both knitting stations, but the drum movement tenni
210 (Figure 9) permitting the operating lever 142 to
nates before these yarns reach‘ the position of shear 120.
the needle 30' reaches the position of Figure 16_.' ; At ‘this ‘
For this and similar operations in makeup or otherwise,
Since the last needle to, take the auxiliary knitting sta 25 the shear may be actuated by the thrust rod 218. As pre
rotate counterclockwise as viewed, and to close the shear.
viously described, a brief movement of the timing drum 1
suffices to move a cam 230 under and to elevate the
tion yarn 38 may trail the needle 30’ by an inch or more,
the difficulty of cutting all four yams with a single shear
thrust rod 2187=and open the shear. Shortly thereafter,
the thrust rod is rearwardly displaced and knocked on‘
stroke will be apparent. The size of the shear blades
have, of course, a practical limit,‘ andthe yarn 38 may
not be positioned for shearing when the yarn 34 reaches
the last ‘possible position for shearing. For this reason,
it is desirable to close the shear gradually over a'dis-_
crete time interval. This may be conveniently"a'ccom-"
plished by suitably sloping the trailing ‘end of the shear
so
the cam by the action of ‘shaft. 190, permitting the shear '
to close. The time interval thus provided is su?icient
to permit the yarns to reach the position of the shear,
although the timing drumi movement has terminated pre
viously. Either alternative method of operating the yarn
operating cam 212, or providing a stepped con?guration 35 shear may be employed at any stage in the knitting cycle,
as they operate independently of each other.
therein. ‘This results in relatively gradual closing of
the'shear, whereby the movable shear blade 126 pivots‘
It -will be thus seen that there has been provided by this '
invention apparatus and methods in which the various
objects hereinbefore set forth, together with many prac7
corresponding to the passage of several needles. ‘Shear
closing may in this manner be timed to-initiate shearing 40 tical advantages, are successfully achieved. .As various
possible embodiments may be made of the several features
immediately prior to the point illustrated in Figure 16,
of the above invention, all without departing from the
and to complete the shear stroke a few needles after the
scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter here-.
momentary position illustrated in Figure 16, thereby in
inbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying draw
suring that all four yarns are sheared in a single stroke,
leaving cut ends on the fabric ofv less than one-hallfhinch 45 ings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limit
ing sense.
'
' i
to closed position over an appreciable period of time
inlength.
_
,
v
V
_
.t
f
What is claimed is:
p >
V
‘if After shearing, the severed ends from yarns 34‘_,and
44'.are_ picked up through branch passage 78 and ex
hausted through exhaust conduit 66 of the yarn handling
1. In a circular knitting machine, a rotary cylinder
with independent needles, a dial cap mounted adjacent the
the now retracted yarn ?ngers 26 ‘and 36,,are engagedin
able yarn feeds angularly spaced from said ?rst yarn feed
device, to a screen receptacle or the like. The cut ends 50‘ top of said cylinder, a ?rst group of individually retract-j
able yarn feeds, a second group of individually retract‘
of the newly withdrawn yarns 28 and 38, extending from
group in‘ the direction‘ of cylinder rotation, a timing drum "
the branch passage 78 and sucked up therethrough into
controlling the movement of said yarn feeds, a shear dis
the yarn handling device and its exhaust conduit 66,
to the former position of yarns 34 and 44.
55 posed peripherally of said dial cap at a point angularly
spaced from said second yarn feed group in the direc
Finally, at the end of the drum movement effecting
tion of cylinder rotation, means actuated by said drum
for opening said shear, means for closing said shear when
160 of the air control mechanism (Figures 7 and 8) and
said drum is stationary, a yarn handling device mounted
displaces the lever arm to the position shown in Figure 8.
The valve 150 is prevented from closing immediately, 60 above said dial cap between said second yann feed group
and said shear, an air line leading to said yarn handling
its plunger 158 being held in by the ,hand lever 170,
device, a valve in said air line, means actuated by said
the associated latch 176 being engaged against the shoul
drum for opening said valve, and means for closing said
der 184 of latch arm 180. That is, upon retraction of
valve when said drum is stationary.
the lever arm 160 therefrom, the valve is momentarily
latched in open position by hand lever 170 and latch 65
2. A circular knitting machine as de?ned in claim 1,
the yarn change, a cam 208 passes under the lever arm
arm 180.
Brie?y thereafter, the rocker arm 194 is displaced by
wherein said yarn handling device includes a housing, a
horizontal bore extending through said housing, said air
one or the other of cams 200, displacing the rod 204 and
line communicating with one end of said bore, an exhaust
the engaged latch arm 180 downwardly. The latch 176
conduit communicating with the other end of said bore,
is in this manner tripped, and the valve 150 is permitted 70 and a branch passage extending downwardly from an
to close, its plunger 158 and its head 166 moving out
intermediate section of said bore and opening above said
wardly and returning the hand lever 170 to the position
dial cap.
illustrated in Figure 8. In this manner, air ?ow to the
3. In a circular knitting machine, a dial cap and a
yarn handling device may be maintained slightly beyond
yarn handling device mounted above said dial cap, said
the duration of the drum movement, insuring that the 75 yarn handling device including a housing, a horizontal
252084-54’.
11
bore extending through raid-housing,‘agpressure, conduit
cofmmunicating , with; one‘ end 3 of i ,said: boré, 9M1 exhaust
conduit communicating with the other end of said ‘bore,
aebrancmpassage; extending downwardly from-van inter
mediate section _ of: said bore,v and ‘ opening gabove_»said,dialt
'12
-
second yarn feedgroupjn the directionof cylind‘i?rota-M
tion, , the method comprising the - steps; of; applying;
sion to inactive yarn- ends extendingfrom both‘
''
,fe ,
groups oversaiddial cap by suctionapplied ,to a common”
point- trailing}; said second. yarn feedfgr'oup and ‘leading '
cap,;-a~;yarn clamp mounted on said~dial>- cap adjacent
saidhousing, a~clarnp arm‘q-pivotally _, mounted on said-1
‘ saidyarn Eseveringmeans in the’ direction ,ofjcylinderro
diall capyad'apted; to‘ elevatersaid; yarn clamp a limited
distance when said clamp arm is elevated, at verticaLbore,
'said withdrawn yarns are carried by the. lastneedleto,
kniteach yarn: around- said cylinder» and over said,dial,,
tion, inserting inactive yarns- from each ,of saidyarnfeed;
housing; for; - vertical, movement, .yresilient-v means urging _-‘ 7 groups while so tensionedinto the needles for knitting},
withdrawing‘ yarns from active knitting by retraction, of;
said: ‘clamp’: arm: downwardly .into 1 contact-- with ‘said ‘yarn; >
clamp, resilient meansbetweemsaid yarn clamp-and'said 10 avyarn'l teed ofjeach. ofvsaid yarnfeed groups,jwherebv'.
cap, applying tension tosaid; withdrawnyar'nsrby. suction,“
applied at- said commonpoint, severing allot, said ‘yarns,
said; piston Willelevate said iclarnp arm, and a-passageim 15. close. to the fabricwhile so’tensioned, removinglthesev-i»
ered newly inserted yarn endsby-means of saidlsuction, .
saidrhousingr providing communication between said:pres-.
and engaging 'the severed,v withdrawn ends; bymeansio?
sure conduit and the bottom of said vertical bore.
inrsaidivhousing, a-piston in said vertical‘bore, saidiv piston 7
engagingsaid- clamp, arm'whereby- upward movement oft-
.4;-_I11,-the operation‘ of a. circular knitting machine, -
havinga rotary cylinder withindependent needle/s, ,a dial
cap,;:mounted adjacent the. top v‘of, said ‘cylinder, va ?rst
group of; individually retractableyarn 4feeds,,and_.a sec,
ondrgrloup of individually retractable yarn feeds ,angu- .
larly, spaced from said-?rstgroupin the direction-off cylin- .7
der rotation, the method-comprising thesteps ofpapplyi-ng;
said
suction.
'
i
.-
f
a
i
7,." In the operationv ofv a circular. knitting machine,
havingarotary cylinder with independentineedles, a}
cap mounted adjacent the top. of said cylinderian
group ,ofzaindividually retractable yarn ‘feeds,v a, second‘;
group‘ of individually retractable yarn feeds, spaced-‘from:
said?rst groupiinrth'e direction of cylinder. rotation, and,
tension toyarns extending from both’ yarn- feed groups 2.5. a__ shear disposed-peripherally of said. dialv capat. a,point;.
angularly spacedfrom said second-yarn feed group in theI
over 'Sal-da dial cap by suction‘appliedlat a-common point‘,
andrinserting said yarns into the needlestor knittingwhile,
so tensioned;
' 5. In-~the operation; of a, circularknitting “machine,
having a rotary cylinder with"v independent needles, a dialv
cap. mounted adjacent thetop of; said’ cylinder,,,a‘;;?rst~
group of individually retractable yarn-feeds,‘ andr. 1583073
ondvgroup of individually retractable yarn, feeds angu:
lar-ly spaced from; said ?rst group in the .direction of’cylinl.
deli-rotation, the method comprising the steps of removing 3.5
yarns from active knitting by retraction of a~yarnfeed1
of, each of'said yarn feed ‘groups, whereby saidiwith
drawnyarns are carried by the last needle to-knit each
yarn around said cylinder and over said dial cap, apply-
directionrof cylinder rotation, the methodcornprising; the,
steps of applying tension to inactive yarn .ends'extending,
from both yarnfeed groups over said dialcap atapointI; '
trailing said. second- yarn, feed. group and. leadingfs'aid,
shear in the, direction of. cylinder rotation, insertingqinér.
active-‘yarns from eachof said‘. yarn-feed groups ,while;
so tensioned, into the needles for knitting, withdrawingf_
yarns‘.from_ active knitting by retraction. of- a yarnfeed.
ofe'ach of said yarn feed groups, whereby saidwithdrawn
yarns are carried. by theglast'needle to knit; each, yarn‘
around said cylinder and over said dial cap, applying}
tension to said withdrawn yarns, andshearingyall'iof said._
yarn ends sequentially by a single stroke of said shear..'_
ing-tension to said withdrawn yarns by suction ‘applied’
References Cited in the ?le of thistpatentr, V
ata common pointv trailing said second yarn- feed group;
severing said withdrawn yarns close to the jfabric, while
so tensioned; and engaging the severed yartrendsjby
means of said suction.
45
6; In the operation of‘a circular knitting machine, ,
having a rotary cylinder with independent needles, adial"
cap, mountedv adjacent the‘ top of- said cylinder, a, ?rst
group of individually retractable yarn feeds,‘ a second
group of individually retractable yarn feeds vangularly
spaced from. said ?rstgroup in the direction of cylinder
7 rotation,.and yarn severinglmeans disposed peripherally,
of said: dial cap. at, a point angularly spaced fromsaid
UNITED STATES PATENTS
’
1
1,352,079
Miller _______________ __ Sept. 7; 1920"
1,359,250
1,865,710
2,180,707
Houseman __.,_______ __'.__ Nov. 16,1920;
Smith’ _____ _;__; _____ __ July-5, 1932‘
Houseman , _____ __-____ Nov. 21,1939‘
2,287,131
2,551,385
Redeen _____________ __ 'June 23,-1942
Miller _______________ __ May‘ 1,1195-1
2,824,436
Stack et ‘a1. __________ __ Feb; 25;‘1958‘l
,
, ‘
503,418.
FOREIGN
‘
PATENTS
’
Germany __..__ _______ __ Ju1y:24,;.1930s‘ '