US2303903A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 194:2 R. BASSIST 2,303,903 I KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RUDOLPH 34.5.5157

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ATTRNEYS Dec. 1, 1942. R. BASSIST KNITTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1941 INVENTOR A TTN 5Y5,

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Patented Dec. 1, 1942 KNITTING MACHINE Rudolph Bassist, New York, N. Y., assignor, by

direct and mesne assignments, of forty-five per cent to said Bassist, ten per cent to Harold H. Stern, twenty-two and one-half per cent to Edith Abrams, and twenty-two and one-half per cent to Edith April, all of New York, N. Y.

Application August 6, 1941, Serial No. 405,631

5 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to knitting machines. and has particular reference to so-called warp knitting machines.

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

While my invention is particularly adapted and primarily intended for use in high-speed knitting machines of the'so-called Tricot type, it is not restricted in its applicability to any particular kind of warp knitting machine. The high speed machines to which reference is made are those which are of relatively fine gauge, having approximately 28 to 34 needles per inch, and operating at the rate of about 600 courses or stitches perminute.

A general object of my invention is to provide certain improvements in warp knitting machines, whereby many of the disadvantages heretofore encountered are avoided, whereby the structure and operation are in many respects simplified, and whereby certain patterns and types of knitted fabrics, not heretofore capable of production on such machines, may be manufactured.

In the conventional warp knitting machine, the threads are drawn from the warp beam by a pulling action initiated by the needles themselves. The warp beam is associated with a suitable brake or equivalent clutch mechanism whereby it is released for rotation whenever the needles call for thread, and whereby it is secured against rotation in the interim periods. This arrangement has numerous disadvantages. In the first place, the yarn is always under tension, and this imposes limitations on the kinds of fabric that may be produced. In the second place, any stopping or starting of the machine produces an irregularity in the knitting operation whereby an undesirable line or streak, known as a stopmark, is produced in the fabric.

The latter disadvantage is a serious one, often causing material impairment of the commercial value of the fabric. It manifests itself most frequently in high-speed machines (i. e., machines 55 producing up to six hundred stitches per minute), and in cases where the yarn is of the relatively slippery character of rayon or similar material.

In accordance with my present invention these disadvantages, and others, are overcome; and, in addition, a warp knitting machine incorporating the structural improvements of the present invention is capable of producing fabrics of varied kinds not heretofore capable of manufacture by means of such a machine.

The ordinary warp knitting machine may use either one, two, or three Warp beams. My present invention is predicated upon an arrangement whereby at least one of these warp beams is caused to be rotated independently of any torque imparted to the beam by the threads that are being fed from it. More particularly, the warp beam is caused to be rotated in a yarn-feeding direction by a mechanism that is independent of the needles but which operates in timed relation to the needle operation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the warp beam is rotated by a mechanism that establishes a direct connection between the warp beam and the driving shaft of the machine, 1. e., the shaft which operates the needles.

In accordance with my invention, this mechanism is of adjustable character, preferably assuming the form of an adjustable change-speed gearing whereby the timed relation between the yarn feed and the needle operation may be varied. Thus, with a predetermined speed of yarn -feed a knitted fabric may be produced, if desired, which is identical with the type of fabric heretofore manufactured; but by increasing or decreasing the speed with which the yarn is fed to the needles, relative to the speed of needle operation, knitted fabrics having different characteristics may be produced. For example, if the yarn is fed at an increased rate of speed, a fabric may be produced having a crepe or boucl" effect, such a fabric being characterized by the appearance of relatively loose loops similar to those which exist in ordinary woven terrycloth.

In any case, the highly undesirable "stopmarks are completely avoided, regardless of the type of yarn that is employed, or ofthe high speed at which the machine may be operated.

The independent drive or rotation of the warp beam may be associated with any one or more of the warp beams that are employed.

Preferably, I provide an additional means, in association with the beam-driving mechanism, which is responsive to the varying diameter of intervals of time. In the latter case, for example,

the adjusting means may be driven or controlled by the main driving shaft of the machine and may be provided with adjustable or replaceable cams Or chains whose selection and relative arrangement may be altered in accordance with the particular pattern to be produced in the knitted fabric.

I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter be pointed out. in the manner illustratively exemplified in th accompany drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary end view of a typical warp knitting machine embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, taken in the same direction, of the change-speed mechanism illustratively shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the principal elements of the mechanism shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a. view similar to Figure 3 illustrating a modification; and p Figure 5 is an end view of the parts shown in Figure 4.

In the warp knitting machine illustrative]! shown in Figure 1, a suitable framework ill supports the various operating parts. I have illustratively shown the machine provided with three warp beams ll, i2 and I3. The threads ll, l5 and i6 emanating from these warp beams, respectively, are passed over suitable guides and ultimately converge toward the needles of the machine. These needles, as well as the guide bars which cooperate with the needles and through which the strands of yarn are individually threaded, are not shown in the present drawings, since they are well-known per se. It will suflice to point out that these guide bars and needles are in the region of the machine designated by the reference numeral l1, and that theresultant knitted fabric is automatically wound on the collecting beam l8 as it is manufactured. I have illustratively shown yarn emanating from each of the three warp beams ll, i2 and I3,

but it will be understood that the machine may be employed, if desired, with only one or two of the warp beams operative, as is well. known to those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, I have chosen to show an independent beam-driving mechanism, constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention, in asociation with only the warp beam il since this will suffice to explain the nature of 'my invention. In such a case, each of the other warp beams is operated in the usual manner, i. e.,

'by the pulling action of the needles, and each of these warp beams will therefore be provided in the usual way with the customary brake or equivalent clutch device (not shown) to permit rotathreadandtorestrainthewarpbeaminthein termediate periods.

At'" I have shown the usual cam shaft which constitutes a driving shaft (driven by any suitable motive power such as an electric motor or the like)- by means of which the needles, the guide bars, and the other operative parts of the machine may be actuated. From a convenient portion of the driving shaft i9, a chain or belt 29 extends to a pulley 2i associated with the change-1 speed mechanism 22. This mechanism is provided with a driven shaft 23 (see Figure 3) which transmits the power of the driving shaft i9 through a pulley 24 and a chain or belt 29 tothe shaft of the warp beam ii. A sp..ed-reduction gear box or equivalent mechanism 28 is prefer-.

. ably interp ed in this transmission.

tion of the warp beam when the needles call for The change-speed mechanism 22 may be of any suitable character. I have illustratively shown the well known type of device in which a belt 26' is in driving relationship between two conical pulleys 21 and 29, the effective diameters of these pulleys being relatively adjustable.

In a mechanism of this type the pulley 21 consists of-the two sections 29 and 39 splined to a shaft 3|, while the pulley 28 consists of similar sections 32 and 33 splined to the shaft 23. The

shaft 3| is driven by the pulley 2i and the power is transmitted by means of the belt 29' to the.

shaft 23. By separating the sections 29 and 39. and by bringing about a corresponding mutual approach of the sections 32 and 33, the speed of the driven shaft 23 can be correspondingly reduced; and by bringing the sections 29 and 39 together and by causing a corresponding separation of the sections 32 and 33 the speed of the driven shaft 23 can be correspondingly increased.

This adjustment is effected by means of levers 34 and 35 pivoted respectively at their-centers- 36 and 31, the opposite ends of the lever 34 being pivotally connected to the pulley sections 29 and 32, while the opposite ends of the lever 35 are pivotally connected to the pulley sections 39 and 33. A worm shaft 38, provided with the oppositely-directed worm portions 39 and 48 causes relative separation or mutual approach of elements ll and 42 which engage the ends of levers 3| and 35 respectively. If desired, any suitable dial-and-pointer arrangement 43, calibrated in any desired manner, may be arranged in association with the worm shaft 38 to indicate the relative relationships of the parts.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-3, a manually-controllable handle 44 is mounted on the end of the worm shaft 38. By manipulating this handle to rotate the worm shaft 38 in one direction or the other, the pulleys 21 and 28 may be relatively adjusted to bring about any desired speed relationship between the shafts 3| and 23. Accordingly, by a suitable adjustment of the mechanism 22, i. e., by rotation of the shaft 38, any desired speed of rotation maybe imparted to the warp beam Ii.

Since this warp beam derives its driving power from the driving shaft i9, it rotates in timed relation to the needles and associated portions of the machine. When the driving shaft i9 slows up or accelerates, a corresponding retardation or 2,303,903 tated by the usual pulling action of the threads I5 and I6. Moreover, by suitably adjusting the mechanism 22, the yarn I4 may be fed to the needles at predetermined increased or decreased speeds to produce a variety of different patterns and effects.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have illustrated a modification in which the varying diameter of the warp beam II is automatically compensated for. The shaft 38 is provided with the hand wheel 44', these parts corresponding to the elements 38 and 44 of Figures 2-3. Mounted on the shaft 38' is an additional pulley or sprocket 45 which is connected by means of a belt or equivalent de-'- vice 46 with the relatively large pulley or sprocket 41. The latter is mounted on a jack shaft 48 on which a feeler 49 is secured. The end of this feeler rests against the peripheral surface of the yarn 50 that is wound on the warp beam H, and a tension spring 5| keeps the feeler 49 in this position.

As the threads 50 are fed from the warp beam II, and as the diameter is thereby reduced, the spring 5| swings the feeler 49 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 5) and this brings about a compensating rotation of the shaft 38'. As a result, the lineal speed of feed of the yarn leaving the warp beam l l remains constant for any initial setting of the change-speed mechanism.

Suitable provision is made for permitting I manipulation of the hand wheel 44 independently of this compensating means, i. e., without altering the position of the feeler 49. This mat be accomplished by mounting the feeler 49 on the shaft 48 in a frictional manner, or by permitting the feeler. 49 to be temporarily released from shaft 48 (e. g., by means of a set screw 52), or, if the element 46 is a belt, and the elements 45 and 41 are pulleys with which the belt is in frictional engagement, slippage of the belt over one or the other of these pulleys will allow independent adjustment of the change-speed mechanism by means ofthe hand wheel 44'.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to bring about automatic adjustments of the change-speed mechanism at predetermined intervals of time. This would result in knitting a fabric with bands of different style or character arranged in predetermined sequence. achieve this result, rotation of the shaft 38 (Figures 1-3) or of the shaft 38' (Figures 4-5) may be brought about automatically by an adjusting means operating in the desired manner at predetermined intervals of time. For example, such a control means may be driven or controlled by the driving shaft of the machine, such as the cam-shaft l9, and may function by means of adjustable or replaceable cams, chains or equivalent instrumentalities, similar to those which are customarily used to actuate the guide bars of knitting machines of this kind.

In each of the constructions herein illustrated and described it will be observed that the warp beam is not dependent for its rotation upon the operation of the needles in pulling on the yarn, thus causing the tensioned yarn to be the instrumentality through which a rotative force is imparted to the warp beam. In this sense, therefore, the present warp beam rotating device may be said to be independent of the needles, even though it operates in timed relation to the needles, and it is this relationship of parts which is intended to be referred to herein and'in the appended claims, by describing the warp beam rotating mechanism as being independent of the needles.

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

Having thus described my invention and i1- lustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a warp knitting machine, a warp beam, needles, guiding means for directing yam from said warp beam to said needles, adjustable mechanism independent of the needles but operated in timed relation to the operation of said needles for continuously rotating said warp beam in yarn-feeding direction, and. means for adjusting said mechanism to vary said timed relation.

2. In a warp knitting machine, a warp beam, needles, guiding means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said needles, adjustable mechanism independent of the needles but operated in timed relation to the operation of said needles for continuously rotating said warp beam in yam-feeding direction, means responsix to the varying diameter of said warp beam for continuously adjusting said mechanism to compensate for said varying diameter, and means independent of said compensating means for adjusting said mechanism to vary said timed relation.

3. Ina warp knitting machine, a warp beam, needles, guiding means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said needles, adjustable mechanism independent of the needles but operated in timed relation to the operation of said needles for continuously rotating said warp beam in yamfeeding direction, and automatic means operable at predetermined intervals of time for adjusting said mechanism to vary said timed relation.

4. In a warp knitting machine, a warp beam, needles, guiding means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said needles, adjustable mechanism independent of the needles but operated in timed relation to the operation of said needles for continuously rotating said warp beam in yam-feeding direction, means responsive to the varying diameter of said warp beam for continuously adjusting said mechanism to compensate for said varying diameter, and automatic means independent of said compensating means and operable at predetermined intervals of time for adjusting said mechanism to vary said timed relation.

5. In a warp knitting machine, a warp beam, needles, guiding means for directing yarn from said warp beam to said needles, and mechanism independent of the needles but operated in timed relation to the operation of said needles for continuously rotating said warp beam in yamfeeding direction, said mechanism comprising an adjustable change-speed gearing by means of which said timed relation may be varied.

RUDOLPH BASSIST.

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