'\ •J.^ ^ -^^S "^ 0' -^^ 4 o V \^ j5 o^ -f^m§: >P -^^ ' ,0- '^0' V .» ♦• '. <> \> . ' • o. -^ -V .0 ,^^ -^^0^ K^ Ho^ / v V -.'^ v--^;' . REMARKS. ^HE TIFFANY cS: COOPER Patent Rib Knitting Machine has become very widely known in this country. Nearly all knit goods manufacturers have one or more in use, and pronounce it the best Rib Knitting Machine known to the trade. In response to numerous inquiries I have thought best to give a brief sketch of the history of this machine, which may prove of interest to all who may have occasion to refer to this Catalogue. Joseph Powell was the first inventor of a Flat Power Rib Knitting Machine made in this country, as far as we know, and his brother Thomas was associated with him. These machines were very complicated and none but the inventors could success- fully operate them. It was patented by Mr. Joseph Powell Oct. 2, 1855, and Mr. Charles Parker of Meriden, Conn., became interested with Mr. Powell, and fitted up a shop to build and operate these machines on the premises of Mr. Parker. Mr. George Cooper entered the employ of Messrs. Parker & Powell in the year 1855, and was largely interested in the con- struction of these machines. He very soon discovered that they were too complicated and also became convinced that they could not be brought into general use. About this time he made up his mind that he could construct a machine much more simple, and immediately commenced his experiments. He made the patterns for a small machine, which he intended for a model, and in June 1856 had the castings made, and while on a visit to my home in Enfield did the planing in the Shaker ma- chine shop. When he returned to Meriden he made a work shop in his house, working late evenings after his days work was done. Early in the spring of 1857 he called the attention of Mr. Eli Tiffany (who was at this time in the employ of Parker & Powell operating one of their machines) to his inven- CHARLES COOPER, tion. He took Mr. Tiffany into his workshop and showed him his plans and the machine he was working out. Mr. Tiffany was very much pleased and anxious to take hold with him. Soon after this Mr. Tiffany went to Glastenbury, Conn. In a few months afterwards he wrote to Mr. Cooper that he had made a small machine out of wood, with one cam, and had succeeded in making a piece of knit work one inch wide. In April, 1858, Mr. Cooper received another letter from Mr. Tiffany in which he said he had knit a piece of work a foot long, and suggested that the machine be called the Cooper & Tiffany Rib Knitting Machine. About a month latter Mr. Tiffany came to see Mr. Cooper at Meriden. They then agreed to unite their interests. Soon after this Mr. Cooper moved to Enfield, with two of the Parker & Powell machines, under a contract with Mr. Parker to furnish the Enfield Manufacturing Co. with Rib Tops. This contract with Mr. Parker is dated Sept. 20, 1S58. In this con- tract Mr. Cooper agreed to give Mr. Parker the benefit of any improvements he should make as long as this contract should be in force, but Mr. Parker refused to adopt the improvements tendered to him by Mr. Cooper. Mr. Tifiany then came to I'.nfield with his small wood model. Then Mr. Cooper arranged, under agreement made Dec. 5, 1858, to take Mr. Tiffany in with him and perfect the machine together. Mr. Cooper in consequence of the then existing agreement with Mr. Parker, did not feel free to make the application for the Patent, so Mr. Tiffany made the applica- tion in his own name, agreeing to assign one undivided half to Mr. Cooper when the Patent should be granted. This is the reason Mr. Tiffany's name is first in the Patent Office. Soon after this Mr. Cooper entered into co-partnership with the writer. I then resided in Enfield, Conn., and was engaged in the manufacture of knitting needles. About this time Mr. Tiffany came to our shop and in con- nection with Mr. Cooper completed their model machine and secured their Patent May i, i860. The first machine was built for W. G. Medlicott of Windsor Locks, Conn. KNITTING MACHINERY, June 29, 1866, they gave me the power of attorney for the purpose of negotiating for the sale of the patent rights. T then visited Cohoes and called the attention of the manu- facturers to this machine, also showing samples of the work. I found them very much interested, so I decided to have Mr. Tiffany bring the working model to Cohoes, and after calling the manufacturers together, the machine was placed on exhibi- tion in Mr. Root's mill. Mr. William Wood and Campbell & Clute bought an interest in the Patent for the State of New York. Mr. Tiffany retaining his interest entered the employ of Campbell & Clute to super- intend the setting up and starting the machines. Soon after this I purchased my brother's interest in the Patent for the State of Vermont, and subsequently for the United States. In the year 186S I bought an eight section machine from Campbell & Clute and operated the same in the mill of H. E. Bradford & Co., Bennington. In the fall of 1869 I removed my family and business from Connecticut to Bennington, Vt., and leasing premises of Mr. Olin Scott, arranged to furnish the manufacturers with drawer bottoms and shirt cuffs, at the same time continuing my needle business, in which I have been engaged since the year 1849. At this time, Mr. Tiffany not feeling satisfied to remain with Campbell & Clute, came to Bennington and bought an interest with me in running the machines. We then agreed to form a co-partnership for the manufacture of these machines for the trade, under the firm name of Tiffany & Cooper. This has now continued for the term of fifteen years, during which time great improvements have been made, and it is now generally conceded that there is no better Rib Machine produced. It is now generally known that the firm of Tiffany & Cooper obtained several other patents, the most valuable of which is the machine for making full fashioned shirts and drawers, and though the co-partnership is now dissolved, we each own an equal interest in the patent rights, also all the old patterns of every machine ever built by us up to the time of separation belong equally to each. lO CHARLES COOPER, We are both building substantially the same machines, though our shops are entirely independent. I have erected new and commodious buildings and have purchased the best and latest improved tools ; also have in my employ Mr. Daniel Hurley, who has had charge of Tiffany & Cooper's shop for several years past, and with other first-class workmen I am prepared to build these machines, herein represented, in every respect equal to those offered by my competitors, and will guarantee satisfaction. CHARLES COOPER. I TIFFANY & COOPER'S PATENT Four Section Rib Knitting Machine MANUFACTURED BY CHARLES COOPER, BENNINGTON, VT. 12 CHARLES COOPER, FOUR SECTION RIB KNITTING MACHINE. Patented April 30, 1874. THE machine represented on the preceding page has been in practical use for more than fifteen years, and the quaHty of work it produces cannot be surpassed. It occupies about three by five and a half feet floor space, and is constructed in two parts, an upper and lower, to facilitate transportation and setting up. They are built in different widths, but mostly in two and four sections, and will make drawer bottoms, shirt cuffs, stocking tops, shirt borders, shirts and drawers, ladies' vests and pants, of any gauge required. These machines are all provided with adjustable attachments, or provisions for regulating the length of the drawer bottom, shirt cuff, or shirt borders, also the length of the stitch, and with automatic appliances for putting in welts and slack courses and with an automatic take up, each division being entirely independent. Every part of the machine is accessible to the operator for adjustment or repairs, without disturbing or throw- ing out of adjustment any adjacent part. The provisions for removing and repairing worn out or damaged needles and sinkers are extremely convenient ; the breaking of a needle occasioning but a moment's delay or stoppage of the machine. These machines, however, are so constructed that very little loss or damage occurs from broken needles or sinkers. A good workman can, without difficulty, run four machines, and on the four section machines can produce, on each machine, KNITTING MACHINERY. forty dozen shirt cuffs per day. They run from thirty-five to forty courses per minute. I furnish an extra chain attachment for making fancy colored goods, which consists of an additional thread guide bar, rack wheels, pins and a series of blocks in chain form, working in connection therewith and forming a constituent part of what I term the "end tackle." By the use of this attach- ment my four section machine is adapted to make fancy ribbed cuffs, wristlets, gaiters and stockings, of any desired pat- tern, and the work will be of a more even grade than that made on hand machines, while the quantity will be 7no7-e than three times as great. A change from one pattern to another is readily made by the operator, and by a simple mechanical contrivance, the different colors are taken up and used without stopping the machine. 5>"^liE^"^ SPRING NEEDLE FASHIONING MACHINE, MANUFACTURED BY CHARLES COOPER, BENNINGTON, VT. KNITTING MACHINERY. 1 5 SPRING NEEDLE FASHIONING MACHINE. Patented January I, 1878. ^ FTER more than ten years of unremitting study, experi- g^^ ment and practical test, we have succeeded in bringing out what we confidently believe to be the very best fashioning machine built in this or any foreign country. It is automatic in all its movements, it produces shapes with perfect selvedges by the process of tiarrowiug and not by widening as is done in some fashioning machines. It is well understood by practical knitters that selvedges made by narrowing are more perfect, firmer, and better in every respect than selvedges made by widening. The parts of gar- ments which we style " shapes," when they leave this machine have perfect edges and are in proper form to make the gar- ment by running up the edges without any cutting or fitting, and the seam of the garment so formed is smooth, presenting no raw or raveling edges to irritate the person of the wearer. In making garments by the use of these fashioning ma- chines, there results no loss whatever, either of yarn or cloth. In point of quality, firmness, evenness of texture and beauty of finish, the goods turned out by these machines will challenge comparison with the best fashioned goods made anywhere in the world. This machine weighs about fifteen hundred pounds and occupies three by six feet of floor space and runs very lightly. It knits and fashions ladies' vests and pants and men's drawers and shirt sleeves. The shape of the selvedges is controlled by a pattern formed on a cylinder provided with 1 6 CHARLES COOPER, appliances of such simplicity that changes from one shape or pattern to another can be effected by the operator without disorganizing the machine and in a very few minutes. All parts of these machines are as easy of access for alteration, adjustment or repairs as the rib machines and they do not require more than ordinary intelligence, experience or skill in their operation. These machines, which are built to knit a single web, possess decided advantages over fashioning machines having machinery for producing several webs combined in a single frame. A breakage of needles, sinkers, or yarn in these machines, involves the stoppage of but one section, whereas in the old style of combination machines, whenever such a breakage occurs, or it becomes necessary to take off a finished pattern, the other sections of machinery in the same frame must stop and lie idle until such breakage is repaired, or until such finished pattern is removed and the mechanism re-adjusted, ready to start again. — ^=0=|I!tffl '-'^' SPRING NEEDLE SHIRT BODY MACHINE, MANUFACTURED BY CHARLES COOPER, BENNINGTON, VT. i8 CHARLES COOPER, SPRING NEEDLE SHIRT BODY MACHINE MEN'S WEAR. THIS machine is divested of all complex devices of every kind and is constructed with the fewest and simplest mechanical appliances admissible for knitting a straight selvedged edge and continuous web for bodies of men's shirts. It is pro- vided with an automatic take-up, capable of holding a large roll of cloth and may be run three days without doffing. The goods when taken from the machine are in large rolls or long pieces, ready to be subdivided into suitable lengths for bodies. These features of simplicity and convenience render it possible for one attendent to operate six or eight machines without difficulty. They are about the same weight and occupy about the same floor space as the fashioning machine. I also build a small machine for knitting gussets for drawers, with selvedge and slack courses to mark their length and facilitate cuttino; off. KNITTING MACHINERY. 19 RIB MACHINE PARTS. SINKER. \ am now prepared to furnish, at short notice, all parts of J the Rib and Fashioning Machines, and I take pleasure in giving to the manufacturers the following pages, upon which will be found nearly all parts of the Rib Machine, illustrated, numbered and named, for the convenience of those wishing to order. I am also prepared to furnish all the various kinds of Tiffany & Cooper and Campbell & Clute sinkers and springs, keeping them always in stock, so that orders may be filled promptly. RIB MACHINE PARTS. 3 [ See following page for names of parts.] KNITTING MACHINERY. 2 1 NAMES OF PARTS WITH NUMBERS. No. No. I Falling Bar Lever, No. i End. 3t Presser Arm, No. 2 End. 2 Falling Bar Lever, Truck Stud. 32 Presser Spring Rod. 3 Falling Bar Rod. 33 Presser Arm Pin. 4 Falling Bar Truck. 34 Presser Arm, No. i End. 5 Falling Bar Lever, No. 2 End. 35 Front Needle liar Spring. 6 Falling Bar Lever Spring.No.i End 36 Back Needle Bar Lever, No. i End. 7 Falling Bar Spring, 37 Upper Levers Stud. 8 Falling Bar Lever Spring,No.2 End 38 Back Needle Bar Lever Truck. 9 Knocking Over Bar Lever, No. i 39 Back Needle Bar LeverTruck Stud. End. 40 Back Needle Bar Spring. 10 Knocking Over Bar Lever Truck 41 Lower Levers Stud. Stud. 42 Lower Lever Bracket. 1 1 Knocking Over Bar Lever End Bolt. 43 Front Lifting Catch, No. i ImuI. 12 Knocking Over Bar Lever Support 44 Front Lifting Catch Stud. Rod. 45 Front Lifting Catch, No. 2 End. 13 Knocking Over Bar Lever Truck. 46 Presser Guide. 14 Knocking Over Bar Lever No. 2 47 Upper Lever Bracket. End. 48 Splicing Thread Dog. 15 Knocking Over Bar Lever No. 2 49 Splicing Thread Spring Lever. End Truck Stud. 50 Splicing Thread Arm, No. 2 End. 16 Front Needle Bar Lever, No. i End. 51 Splicing Thread Arm, No. i End. 17 Front Needle Bar Lever Truck. 52 Presser Casting. 18 Front Needle Bar Lever Connect- 53 Dog for Shipping Upper Rod. ing Piece. 54 Presser Bar. 19 Front Needle Bar Lever End Stud. 55 Support Bar for Upright Front 20 Front Needle Bar Lever Truck Slide. Stud, No. 2 End, 56 Belt Shipper. 21 Front Needle Bar Lever, No. 2 End. 57 Take-Up Lever. 22 Presser Lever, No. i End. 58 Friction Spring for Belt ShijJiJer 23 Presser Lever Truck. Lever. 24 Front Needle 15ar Lifting Rod. 59 Belt Shipper Lever. 25 Presser Lever End Stud. 60 Back Rod Shipping Spring. 26 Presser Lever, No. 2 End. 61 Back Knocking Over Bar. 27 Presser Connecting Lever, No. 2 62 Belt Shipper Guide. End. 63 Spring for Middle Shipping Rod. 28 Presser Spring. 64 Spring for Shipping Inside Falling 29 Presser Connecting Lever, No. i Bar. End. 65 Inside Falling Bar. 30 Back Needle Bar Lever, No. 2 End. 66 Falling Bar. RIB MACHINE PARTS. [ See two following pages for names of parts.] KNITTING MACHINERY. 23 No. No. 67 Chain for Stripping. 102 Stud for Lever No. 107. 68 Draw Lever. T03 Presser Arm Stud. 69 Draw Cam Truck Stud. 104 Falling Bar Shipper Slide. 70 Draw Cam Truck. 105 Slurcock Spring, Right Hand. 71 Draw Lever Connecting Piece. 106 Carrier Bar Friction Spring, No. 72 Draw Cam Stud. I End. 73 Intermediate Gear Stud. 107 I>ever for stopping Back Shipper 74 Draw Lever End Stud. Rod. 75 Upper Rod Shipping Spring. 108 Support Rod for IJack Needles. 76 Draw Lever Stud. 109 Carrier Needle, Outside. 77 Draw Lever Stand. no Small Spur Gear. 78 Draw Cam Stand. III Take-Up Lever Spring. 79 Knocking Over Truck Shipper, 112 Carrier Bar Box. No. 2 End. "3 Carrier Bar Friction Spring, No. 80 Spring for Shipping P'ront Needle 2 End. Bar Truck, No. i End. 114 End Cap for Needle Bar. Si Knocking Over Truck Shipper, "5 Back Needle Support Stand. No. I End. 116 Piece to support Falling Bar at 82 Large Spur Gear. center. 83 Take-Up Truck Stud. 117 Needle Bar Cap. 84 Take-Up Truck. iiS Slurcock. 85 Knocking Over Plate. 119 Slurcock Bar Casting. 86 Spring Plate. 120 Slurcock Bar Stop. 87 Presser Truck Shipper, No. i End. 121 Slurcock Casting. 88 Presser Truck -Shipper, No. 2 End. 122 Falling Bar Box Cap, No. i End. 89 Cam for moving Shipper Bar. 123 Falling Bar Box Cap, No. 2 End. 90 Presser Stand, No. i End. 124 Outside Carrier Bar Driver. 91 Presser Stand, No. 2 End. 125 Pin for Outside Carrier Bar Driver 92 Piece for holding dfiwn P'ront 126 Casting for stopping Back Ship- Needle Bar, No. 2 End. ping Rod. 93 Piece for holding down Front 127 Back Needle Bar Slide Truck, Needle Bar, No. i End. No. I End. 94 Stand for above pieces. 128 Back Needle Bar Slide Truck, 95 Casting to steady Presser Guide. No. 2 End. 96 Bracket for holding Front Needle 129 Shipping Spool for above Trucks. Bar. 130 Slurcock Driver for IJorder Frame 97 Splicing Thread Piece. 131 Carrier Bar Upright Shipping .Slide 98 Box for Falling Bar Shipper Slide. 132 Front Slide. 99 Slurcock Spring, Left Hand. 133 Piece for supporting Falling Bar 100 Intermediate Spur Gear. at Center. loi Draw Cam. 134 Take-Up Roll Guide. 24 CHARLES COOPER, No. No. '35 ■'"'hipping Bar Truck Stud. 161 Upper End Tackle Catch. 136 Stand for Lever for raising Ship- 162 Steadying Piece for Chain Wheel. ping Bar Truck. 163 Stud for End Tackle Wheel Stop 137 Catch for holding Shipping Bar Catch. when shipped. 164 End Tackle Wheel Stop Catch. i3cS Snap Catch for Front Slide. 165 End Tackle Wheel Stop Catch. ■39 Shipping Bar Lever. 166 Piece for starting End Tackle 140 Take-Up Casting. Wheel. 141 Take-Up Stop Catch. 167 I^ower End Tackle Ratchet. 142 Stud for Shipping Bar Lever. 168 Chain Wheel. 143 Piece for raising Shipping Bar 169 Carrier Needle. Truck. 170 Carrier Bar Stop and Spring. 144 Rod for raising Shipping Bar 171 Arm for End Tackle Stop Catch. Truck. 172 Lower End Tackle Ratchet Stud. 145 Lower Shipping Bar Truck. 173 Dog for Shipping Top Rod on 146 Take- Up Tension Spring and Rod. Welt. 147 Take-Up Catch. 174 Carrier Needle, Liside. 14S TakcUp Casting. 175 Lower Carrier Bar Driver. 149 Take-Up Tension Piece. 176 Brake Shipping Rod. 150 End Tackle Lever Stud. 177 Chain Bit, Highest Lift. 151 End Tackle Lever. 178 Chain Bit, Middle Lift. 152 Long End Tackle Catch Stud. 179 Chain Bit, Lowest Lift. 153 Short End Tackle Catch Stud. 180 Bracket for Break Rod. 154 End Tackle Wheel. 181 Bracket for Break Rod. 155 End Tackle Wheel Ratchet. 182 Break Lever. 156 Piece for making Welt. 183 Break Shipper. 157 Piece for making Welt. 184 Break. 158 Piece for making Welt. 185 Spring for Shipping Back Rod. 159 Piece for making Welt. t86 Brake Stud. 160 Lower End Tackle Catch. 187 End Tackle Spring. "^8 Charles Cooper, Manufacturer of all Varieties of SPRING i NEEDLES NARROWING POINTS. TRANSPERRING POINTS. STARTING HOOKS. WELT HOOKS, Etc. Etc. ALSO DEALER IN LATCH NEEDLES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. WHEN ORDERING SEND SAMPLE. CHARLES COOPER, Manufacturer of all Varieties SPRING NEEDLES, FOR KNITTING MACHINERY. When Ordering Send Sample. Works ON Main St. BENNINGTON, VT. KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLES. 2/ OFFICE OF CHARLES COOPER, Manufacturer of KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLES. Bennington, Vt., October, 1886. It is well understood by manufacturers of knit goods that the production of a beautiful, uniform and even texture in the fabric, is largely dependent on the needles used, and that however perfect the knitting machinery may be in other respects, the use of needles that are not uniform and tempered as they should be, will more than counter-balance any advantages of improved machinery, and will result in loss to the user, of both money and reputation. For more than thirty-five years I have been constantly engaged in the manufacture of knitting machine needles for the trade, and during that time have constantly had in view the elevation of the standard of excellence of the goods I manufacture. With what success my efforts have been rewarded I will leave my customers to judge. I have always endeavored to furnish my patrons with goods honestly made from the very best material. I can confidently say that I use no in- ferior stock and employ none but skilled labor, and all needles sent from my establishment are manufactured under my per- sonal supervision, and are warranted to be in all respects as represented. After practical tests I have found that the best imported steel is the most reliable and gives the most satis- factory results. Every coil of wire used by me is first tested by cutting a piece from each end and tempering it. If it does not come up to the standard requirements it is rejected. A large stock of wire and needles of all gauges are always kept on hand, so that any order, however exceptional in its character, may be promptly filled. Every needle is carefully inspected and pliered by an experienced workman before they are shipped. For the last fifteen years, as a member of the firm of Tiffany & Cooper, I have been practically engaged in the manufacture of a wide range of knitting machinery, and such employment has necessarily enjoined upon me the closest attention to every minute detail in the manufacture and per- fection, of finish of the needles used in such machines. The unequalled perfection of the needles used in our machines has contributed largely to their gratifying success and popularity, and the wide range of experience and practical knowledge so acquired has been turned to account by me in the adaptation of tools, and in the training of skilled labor, to produce a line of knitting machine needles which will challenge comparison with any made in this country. My new quarters afford me one of the largest and finest needle factories known, and being equipped with all the modern improvements for the manufacture of needles, I am able to give to the trade, needles that are even in temper, uniform in shape, highly polished, guaranteed against rust, in any quantity and at satisfactory prices. Thanking you for your patronage of the past, and solic- iting your future orders, I remain. Yours very respectfully, CHARLES COOPER. Lot-6