Feb. 24, 1.9424
`
`2,274,572
`
`‘
`H_ A, YATES
`1:IAND KNITTING STITCH HOLDER
`Filed April 22, 1941
`
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`INVENTOR V’
`.HA1§RY A.‘fi°crE5.
`ATTORNEY
`
`Tristar Ex. 1011, pg. 1
`
`

`
`Patented Feb. 24, 1942
`
`2,274,572
`
`v UNITED STATES PA.'l‘E‘NT OFFICE
`
`2,274,572
`‘
`HAND KNITTING srrron HOLDER
`i Harry A. Yates, Fairfield, Conn.
`Application April 22, 1941, Serial No. 389,703
`5 Claims.
`,(C1. 66-117)
`
`‘
`
`range. Thus for instance one size of stitch hold-
`The present invention relates to a hand knit-
`er may be suitable for size #0 to #3 needles,
`ting stitch holder.
`another size may be suitable for sizes #4 to #7
`In the art of hand knitting it is customary,
`needles, etc.
`when knitting various garments which require
`It is proposed to provide in combination with
`that one or more openings be maintained in the
`the point ends, having their thickness correspond-
`body of the garment, at some given point or
`ing substantially to the thickness of the knitting
`points,
`to temporarily transfer from the knit-
`needle, a loop portion of smaller gauge to re-
`ting needles a number of stitches to a stitch hold-
`ceive the removed stitches. By this arrangement
`er for later consideration, so that the main kI1it-
`the removed stitches will not become tightly
`ting can be continued irrespective of the stitches
`bound upon the stitch holder, they may be read-
`on the stitch holder. The stitches on the stitch A
`ily slipped on to the stitch holdervfrom the knit-
`holder are later picked up and knitted in, when
`ting needle, without undergoing any change in
`finishing that section of the garment. ,
`size, and when they are removed from the stitch
`One well-known type of stitch holder is simi-
`- holder to the knitting needle the enlarged end
`lar to a large safety pin, except that a U-shaped
`over which they pass will cause them to assume
`bend is provided instead of
`the usual spring
`the proper size to be conveniently engaged upon
`loop part of the safety pin, one-leg .having at
`the knitting needle.
`It is further proposed to
`its end the usual type of safety pin catch per-
`provide a stitch holder in which means are pro-
`manently secured thereto, and which is adapted
`vided to enable continuous knitting operations
`to be engaged by the pointed end of the other ‘
`directly to or from the holder from either point.
`leg to thus secure the pin with respect to the
`Also the removed stitches may remain upon the
`stitches slipped thereon. The wire or bone of
`stitch holder according to the invention for an
`this type of safety pin stitch holder is of uniform
`indefinite length of time, without assuming the
`thickness throughout. The safety pin type of
`objectionable unevenness and wavy form such as
`stitch holder cannot be operated reversely due to ‘
`characteristictlly takes place with other types of
`the clasp fixed to one of the legs, which in turn
`stitch holders heretofore in use.
`necessitates that the holder be put on or taken
`With the above and other objects in view an
`off through the medium of one leg only. Due to
`embodiment of the invention is shown in the
`this fact, when it is -desired to resumethe knit-
`accompanying drawing, and this embodiment will
`ting of the stitches on this holder, it oftentimes I
`i be hereinafter more fully described with refer-
`requires an adjustment through complicated ma-
`ence thereto, and the invention will be» finally
`nipulation, by first removing the stitches from
`pointed out in the ‘claims.
`the holder to a knitting pin and then knitting
`Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a hand knitting
`them in from either end that may be required.
`v stitch holder, according to the exemplary illus-
`It is an object of the present invention to pro-
`trated embodiment of the invention, the two sides
`vide a stitch holder which is reversible, so that
`of the holder being shown in their normal closed
`it can be removed from the work in either direc-
`or locked relation.
`.
`tion, and to this end it is proposed to provide
`Fig. 2 is an edge view, as seen from the top 0
`a stitch holder having the two legs of similar
`40 Fig. 1. ,
`form at their ends so that the knitting stitches
`Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with the two sides of
`may be engaged with. or disengaged from either
`the holder in their open or unlocked position.
`leg, and further to provide interlocking means
`Fig. 4 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale
`cooperating between the legs whereby they will
`from the scale employed in Figs. 1 to 3, and show-
`be normally held in closed position and can be
`45 mg a piece of knitting engaged by the stitch
`conveniently opened, such locking means being
`holder, the dot-and-dash lines showing the po-
`in the form of a substantially continuous portion
`sition of the stitch holder when reversed with
`of the wire having a gradual curve, which will
`respect to the position shown in full lines.
`permit the stitches to be readily slipped over such
`Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the stitch
`locking means.
`50 holder in open position and engaged With a por-
`’ It is further proposed to provide duplicate
`tion of the knitting stitch loops at the edge of a
`point means upon the two legs of the stitch hold-
`piece of knitting, a knitting needle being shown
`er, having a cross-sectional size substantially cor-
`engaged with the remaining loops.
`responding to‘ the knitting needles being em-
`Fig, 6 is a fragmentary view, partially in ele-
`-ployed.
`In practice this size will approximate a
`number of sizes of knitting needles within a given 55 vation and partially in section, showinga modified
`
`.
`
`Tristar Ex. 1011, pg. 2
`
`

`
`2,274,572
`i
`I‘
`2 ii
`method of forming the point end portions of the
`stitch holder.
`Similar reference characters indicate corre-
`sponding parts throughout the several figures of
`the drawing.
`Referring to the drawing, the hand knitting
`stitch holder, according to the exemplary illus-
`trated embodiment of the invention, is formed
`from suitable springy material, such for instance
`as drawn brass wire, steel, and aluminum alloy,
`and comprises an elongated loop portion having
`parallel side legs I0 and II connected by a. U-
`bend I2 at one end, the other ends being curved
`toward each other and thereupon reversely
`curved to provide interlocking twist catch por-
`tions I3 and I4, which are curved laterally along
`ogee curves as seen in plan in Fig. 2, so that the
`interlocking parts are in the form of a pair of
`spiral twists, which will automatically fall into
`interlocking engagement with each other as the
`two sides of the holder are sprung past each
`other and will be disengaged by imparting a com-
`pressing and twisting motion to the extremities
`of the holder. The curves of these interlocking
`portions are formed on relatively large radii, so
`that there are no sharp bends between the legs
`II] and II and the extremities of the holder, and
`thus the stitch loops of the knitting will be per-
`mitted to move smoothly and freely over the lock-
`ing portions as the knitting is engaged or disen-
`gaged with respect
`to the holder, and as will
`presently more fully appear.
`The interlocking portions I3 and M are respec-
`tively extended into needle point end portions I5
`and I8 which are of greater thickness than the
`interlocking portions I3 and I4, the legs I!) and
`II, and the U-bend I2. These end portions are
`normally arranged in spaced parallel relation to
`each -other and are connected to the respective
`locking portions I3 and I4 by inclined shoulder
`portions I1 and I8, the surfaces of which blend
`into the surfaces of the point end portions and
`the locking portions, so that there will be a
`smooth transition of the knitting stitch loops in
`either direction over the shoulder portions. The
`extremities of the end portions are respectively
`provided with points I9 and 29 which are similar
`to the points of the usual knitting needle. The
`U-bend I2 connecting the side legs I!) and II is
`of sufficient width that
`the knitting may be
`readily passed from one side leg to the other over
`this U-bend without straining the knitting stitch
`loops. The thickness of the needle point end
`portions I5 and I6 is approximately the thick-
`ness of the needle being used with the particular
`knitting being worked on, while the thickness of
`the interlocking portions I3 and Ill, the legs por-
`tions I0 and I I, and the U-bend portion I2 is sub-
`stantially smaller,
`and preferably
`uniform
`throughout
`these portions.
`This differential
`thickness may be produced in any suitable man-
`ner, as by swedging, or drawing, or other suit-
`able methods.
`In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a modified needle
`point end structure in which each of the ends 2|
`of the stitch holder is of the same thickness of
`wire as the interlocking portions and the side
`legs and is threaded and enclosed in an internal-
`ly threaded shell 22 screwed thereon and which
`thus provides the increased thickness of
`the
`needle point end. Needle point ends of ditlerent
`diameters may thus be conveniently provided.
`The shell 22 is pointed at one end, as at 23, and
`is beveled at the other end, as at 24.
`In the. operation of the. hand knitting stitch 75
`
`holder, according to the invention, the number
`of stitch loops which it is desired to temporarily
`transfer to the stitch holder, and which are en-
`gaged upon the knitting needle, are slipped to
`one leg of the stitch holder by individually re-
`moving the stitch loops from the end of the
`knitting needle to one of the needle point ends
`of the stitch holder, gradually sliding the stitch
`holder into place as the knitting needle is with-
`drawn. As the stitch loops are slipped from the
`knitting needle to the enlarged point end of the
`stitch holder they remain substantially in the
`same position as they were upon the knitting
`needle until they pass over the shoulder at the
`inner end of the needle point end to the lock-
`ing portion and thence to the leg of the holder,
`the loops being relatively loosely engaged upon
`these portions, so that they will slide freely there-
`on without any tendency to pull or contract.
`The length of the needle point end is suf-
`ficiently long so that a number of the stitch loops
`will be simultaneously engaged thereon, and con-
`sequently there will
`loe no tendency for the in-‘
`dividual loops being slipped from the end of the
`knitting needle to the stitch holder to become un-
`evenly stretched or contracted. When the loops
`are all upon the leg of the stitch holder they
`will be relatively loosely engaged therewith, and
`due to the fact that they have passed over the
`enlarged end of the stitch holder they will be of
`uniform size, so that there will be no tendency
`to unevenness or waviness. Also the loose en-
`gagement is such that any contraction that may
`occur in the loops while the knitting is aflowed
`to stand for a considerable time will not be suf-
`ficient to bind them upon the holder.
`As seen in Fig. 4 the piece of knitting illus-
`trated has been removed from a knitting needle
`having its point end at ‘the right,
`the needle
`having been Withdrawn toward the left, and
`the stitch holder engaged with the knitting by
`movement to the left to the position as shown
`in full lines, where the loops are shown engaged
`with the lower leg II of the stitch holder.
`If
`it
`is desired to re-engage. the knitting needle
`in the same direction, that is by inserting it from
`left to right, then the stitch holder is unlocked
`and is withdrawn toward the right, the knitting
`loops being individually slipped upon the knit-
`ting needle. as they leave the pointed needle end
`It of the stitch holder.
`It will be observed that
`during this operation-the stitch loops which have
`been engaged upon the relatively thin leg II of
`the stitch holder are passed over the relatively
`thick needle point end I6, so that if there has
`been any contraction in their size they are opened
`up to the proper size for engaging the needle,
`the needle point end being of sufiicient length
`so that each loop will engage it for a sufficient
`distance to insure proper opening of the loop.
`If, on the other hand, it is desired to. re-engage
`the knitting needle in the opposite direction, that
`is by inserting it from right to left, then it is only
`necessary to reverse the position of the stitch
`holder to the dot-and-dash line position-, shown
`in Fig. 4, in which position the stitch loops are
`engaged upon the leg I0’ and are removed over
`the needle point end I5 by movement of the
`stitch holder to the left, as shown in Fig. 5, this
`illustration showing the position where the stitch
`loops are partially engaged upon the knitting
`needle 2.5‘,.and partially upon, the curved locking
`portion I3 and the leg Iii’.
`It will be noted that
`the relatively large radius of the curved locking
`portion is such that the loops will slide sxhoothly
`
`Tristar Ex. 1011, pg. 3
`
`

`
`and freely over this portion between the leg por-
`tion and the needle point end portion.
`I have illustrated and described preferred and
`satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it
`will be understood that changes may be made
`therein within the spirit and scope thereof, as
`defined in the appended claims.
`Having thus described my invention what I
`claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
`1. A hand knitting stitch holder, comprising a
`, pair of spaced side leg portions, a‘ connecting
`portion connecting said leg portions at one end
`and constituting means for transferring stitches
`from one leg portion to the other, a pair of nee-
`dle point end portions respectively connected to
`the other ends of said leg portions for engaging
`stitches on and disengaging stitches from either
`of said respective leg portions, and interlocking
`formations on said side leg portions adjacent
`said needle point end portions ‘adapted to be en-
`gaged and disengaged with respect to each other
`and each adapted in their disengaged relation to
`permit stitches to pass thereover in either di-
`_rection to or from said side leg portions and
`said needle point end portions.
`.
`2.
`‘A hand knitting stitch holder, comprisin
`a pair of spaced side leg portions, -a. connecting
`portion connecting said leg portions at one end
`and constituting means for transferring stitches
`from one leg portion to the other, and a pair
`of interlocking formations respectively provided
`at the other ends of said leg portions adapted
`to be engaged and disengaged with respect to
`each other and adapted in their disengaged re-
`lation for engaging stitches on and disengaging «-
`stitches from either of said respective leg por-
`tion.
`.
`‘
`i
`‘
`3. A hand knitting stitch holder, comprising
`a pair of spaced side leg portions, a -connecting
`portion connecting said leg portions at one end
`and constituting means for transferring stitches
`from one leg portion to the other, and a pair of
`elongated spaced needle point end portions con-
`nected to the other ends of said leg portions for
`engaging stitches on and disengaging stitches
`from either of said respective leg portions, the
`connections between said side leg portions and '
`
`3
`2,274,572
`said end portions comprising converging inter-
`locking connecting portions «curved inwardly
`from said respective leg and end portions adapt-
`ed'to be engaged and disengaged with respect to
`each other -and adapted in their disengaged rela-
`tion to permit stitches to pass thereover in either
`direction to or from said side leg portions and
`said needle point end portions, said end portions
`being of relatively greater thickness than said
`leg portions and said converging connecting por-
`tions.
`4. A hand knitting stitch holder, comprising
`a pair of spaced side leg portions, a connecting
`portion connecting said leg portions at one end
`and constituting means for transferring stitches
`from one leg portion to the other, and a pair of
`elongated spaced needle point end portions
`connected to the other ends of said leg por-
`tions for engaging stitches on and disengag-
`ing stitches from either of said respective leg
`portions, the connections between said side leg
`portions and said endvportions comprising con-
`verging connecting portions «curved inwardly
`fromsaid respective leg and end portions, and
`each having a spiral twist formation adapted to
`be releasably locked one with the other.
`5. A hand knitting stitch holder, comprising a
`pair of spaced side leg portions, a connecting por-
`tion connecting said leg portions at one end and
`constituting means
`for
`transferring stitches
`from one leg portion to the other, and a pair
`of elongatedspaced needle point end portions
`connected to the other ends of said leg portions
`for engaging stitches on and disengaging stitches
`from either of said respective leg portions, the
`‘connections between said side leg portions and
`said end portions comprising converging con-
`necting portions curved inwardly from said re-
`spective leg and end portions, and each having
`a spiral twist formation adapted to be releasably
`locked one with the other, the curves of said
`«connecting portions and their curved connections
`with said leg and end portions being formed on
`relatively large radii, whereby the transition of
`knitting stitch loop over them is substantially
`unimpeded.
`I-IARRY A. YATES.
`
`Tristar Ex. 1011, pg. 4