U.S. patent application number 12/526434 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-22 for needle motion.
This patent application is currently assigned to GOLDEN LADY COMPANY S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Jan Ando.
Application Number | 20100095709 12/526434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39434305 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100095709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ando; Jan |
April 22, 2010 |
NEEDLE MOTION
Abstract
The invention is a new container for food and for cooking food,
entirely or partially made from a plastic film, provided with one
opening (B) suited to be closed and hermetically sealed after the
introduction of the food to be cooked and comprising at least one
valve (L) made from a material having a lower melting point than
said plastic film, so that the increase in temperature and pressure
inside the container during the cooking of the food causes said
valve (L) to open and part of the steam generated inside the
container to be discharged.
Inventors: |
Ando; Jan; (Okr Brno-Mesto,
CZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGLEW & TUTTLE, PC
P.O. BOX 9227, SCARBOROUGH STATION
SCARBOROUGH
NY
10510-9227
US
|
Assignee: |
GOLDEN LADY COMPANY S.P.A.
Jesi, Ancona
IT
|
Family ID: |
39434305 |
Appl. No.: |
12/526434 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
February 7, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT08/00077 |
371 Date: |
August 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
66/14 ; 66/120;
66/18; 66/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B 35/08 20130101;
D04B 15/68 20130101; D04B 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
66/14 ; 66/18;
66/222; 66/120 |
International
Class: |
D04B 9/10 20060101
D04B009/10; D04B 15/68 20060101 D04B015/68; D04B 35/04 20060101
D04B035/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 2007 |
CZ |
PV2007-107 |
Claims
1. A needle motion, especially for production of a links-links or a
reversible knitted fabric on a knitting machine including at least
two needle beds, such as a flat two-bed or four-bed knitting
machine or a double-cylinder knitting machine, the needle motion
comprising: a plurality of knitting needles, each needle having a
stem and two knitting needle heads arranged at opposed ends of said
stem; and for each needle, a pair of actuation sliders, each slider
being provided with a projection for engaging the corresponding
needle, each needle head comprising a spring hook terminating at a
tip, the stem of said needles being provided with a pair of curved
stem portions, each curved portion being arranged in the vicinity
of a corresponding one of said tips, said curved stem portions
having a convexity facing towards the respective tip, each curved
stem portion being provided with a first recess for the respective
tip and with a second recess for engagement by the projection of
the corresponding sliders.
2. A needle motion according to claim 1, wherein each actuation
slider includes at least a bearing surface for the hook of the
knitting needle, a bevel for causing a spontaneous oscillatory
deviation of the actuation slider and pivot point around which said
slider oscillates during said spontaneous oscillatory
deviation.
3. A needle motion according to claim 2, wherein each actuation
slider further includes at least one rigid butt for controlling an
axial translation.
4. A needle motion according to claim 2, wherein each actuation
slider is provided with a further butt for controlling an
oscillatory deviation.
5. A needle motion according to claim 1, wherein to at least some
of said actuation sliders a selector is combined, for selectively
activating or de-activating the corresponding actuator slider.
6. A needle motion according to claim 5, wherein said selector is
swingingly connected to the corresponding actuation slider.
7. A needle motion according to claim 6, wherein said selector
includes a swinging auxiliary actuation slider pivotally connected
by means of a joint to its corresponding actuator slider, the
swinging auxiliary actuation slider being provided with at least
one butt designed for application of an axial translation, and a
butt for controlling an oscillatory deviation of the actuation
slider.
8. A needle motion according to claim 1, wherein each needle is
combined with two actuation sliders of the same type.
9. A needle motion according to claim 1, wherein each needle is
combined with two actuation sliders of different type.
10. A needle motion according to claim 1, wherein a patterning
device is combined with at least one actuation slider of said
needles.
11. A knitting machine comprising: at least two needle beds; a
plurality of knitting needles and corresponding actuating sliders
in each needle bed, for controlling knitting movements and transfer
movements of said needles from one needle bed to the other, wherein
each needle includes a stem and two knitting needle heads arranged
at opposed ends of said stem, each needle head including a spring
hook terminating at a tip, the stem of said needles being provided
with a pair of curved stem portions, each curved portion being
arranged in the vicinity of a corresponding one of said tips, said
curved stem portions having a convexity facing towards the
respective tip, each curved stem portion being provided with a
first recess for the respective tip and with a second recess for
engagement by a projection of said actuating sliders.
12. A knitting machine according to claim 11, wherein for each
needle a pair of actuating sliders is provided, each arranged in
one of said needle beds.
13. A knitting machine according to claim 11, selected from the
group including: flat knitting machines with two or four-needle
beds, double-cylinder knitting machines.
14. A knitting needle comprising: a stem; and two knitting needle
heads arranged at opposed ends of said stem, each needle head
including a spring hook terminating at a tip, the stem of said
needle being provided with a pair of curved stem portions, each
curved portion being arranged in the vicinity of a corresponding
one of said tips, said curved stem portions having a convexity
facing towards the respective tip, each curved stem portion being
provided with a first recess for the respective tip and with a
second recess for engagement by an actuation slider.
15. A needle motion according to claim 3, wherein each actuation
slider is provided with a further butt for controlling an
oscillatory deviation.
16. A needle motion according to claim 2, wherein to at least some
of said actuation sliders a selector is combined, for selectively
activating or de-activating the corresponding actuator slider.
17. A needle motion according to claim 3, wherein to at least some
of said actuation sliders a selector is combined, for selectively
activating or de-activating the corresponding actuator slider.
18. A needle motion according to claim 4, wherein to at least some
of said actuation sliders a selector is combined, for selectively
activating or de-activating the corresponding actuator slider.
19. A needle motion according to claim 5, wherein to at least some
of said actuation sliders a selector is combined, for selectively
activating or de-activating the corresponding actuator slider.
20. A needle motion according to claim 19, wherein said selector is
swingingly connected to the corresponding actuation slider.
21. A needle motion according to claim 20, wherein said selector
includes a swinging auxiliary actuation slider pivotally connected
by means of a joint to its corresponding actuator slider, the
swinging auxiliary actuation slider being provided with at least
one butt designed for application of an axial translation, and a
butt for controlling an oscillatory deviation of the actuation
slider.
22. A knitting machine according to claim 12, selected from the
group including: flat knitting machines with two or four-needle
beds, double-cylinder knitting machines.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a needle motion for a
double-bed knitting machine, such as a double-cylinder circular
knitting machine, two-needle bed or four-needle bed flat knitting
machines, or similar machines, designed in particular for an
automated production of seamless knitted outerwear and underwear of
the tubular type, for example trousers, panties, leggings,
undershirts, T-shirts, pull-overs, and the like, with a possibility
of a reversible and a links-links structure of the knitted fabric
in the rib-top area. The invention further concerns a knitting
machine as well as a knitting needle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] A highly and fully automated production is an essential
requirement for every modern production process. In the case of the
products made of the knitted fabric, the field of textile
production is, as a rule, characterized by requirements for a large
extent of the finishing operations realised by sewing, which is,
above all, case of the underwear. This introduces not only a
considerable amount of a manual work on the finished product and an
increase in the production costs, but also certain devaluation of
the manufacture qualities of the knitted fabric in the seam area.
Seamless knitted underwear with elastic rib tops in a reversible
structure (wale) does not yet exist in practice, although such
underwear seems to be an ideal one in terms of utility value.
[0003] Knitting machines are known designed for an automated
production of knitted goods, in which three tubes are being
interconnected. This is for example the case of trousers, panties,
leggings, undershirts, T-shirts, pull-overs, and the like. A very
important property of these types of knitting machines is among
others a capability of realising the knitted fabric, above all in
the area of waist opening and leg openings, in the reversible
structure (so called wale) in order to prevent the known and
undesirable twisting of jersey knitted fabric.
[0004] One of these knitting machines is the two-needle bed flat
knitting machine with the needle beds arranged in the form of "V".
These knitting machines, for making loops, make use of knitting
needles with actuation pistons, by virtue of which a transfer of
the loops of the knitted fabric to the opposite needle bed is made
possible. The main drawback of these knitting machines is that it
is necessary, when knitting a tube in a reversible or a links-links
structure of the knitted fabric, to establish the purl loop in the
first instance on the opposite needle bed and then to transfer it
to the needle bed on which the jersey loops of the same course of
the knitted fabric are being established. This leads not only to an
inadequate lengthening of the production cycle, but also a
constructional complexity which results in that it is possible, on
these knitting machines, to make knitted goods in the reversible
structure, or eventually in the links-links structure, up to only
9(E) pitch of the knitted fabric, which is, in case of underwear,
absolutely insufficient. The type of the needle motion being the
source of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
[0005] Another known type of the knitting machines intended for the
mentioned knitted goods is the four-needle bed flat knitting
machine with the knitting needle beds arranged in the form of "X",
with a needle motion that is basically identical as the needle
motion of two-needle bed knitting machines with the needle beds
arranged in the form of "V". An advantage of these types of
four-needle bed flat knitting machines in comparison with the
two-needle bed knitting machines with the needle beds arranged in
the form of "V" rests in the possibility of producing knitted goods
up to the 18(E) pitch of the knitted fabric. For the underwear such
as panties, T-shirts, or similar, this is, however, still
insufficient. Moreover, it is obvious that the four-needle bed flat
knitting machines are mechanically practically twice as complicated
as the two-needle bed flat knitting machines. As regards the
duration of the production cycle, the four-needle bed flat knitting
machines are equally unfavourable as the two-needle bed knitting
machines, as the time needed for the transfer of the purl loops
onto the opposite needles represents an operating delay.
[0006] Another type of knitting machines of the mentioned category
are also the four-needle bed flat knitting machines with the
knitting needle beds arranged in the form of "X", but making use of
double hook needles known from double-cylinder small diameter
knitting machines. A great advantage of this category of machines
is the fact that the manufacturing technology of the double hook
needles was mastered up to the thickness of the needle stem of 0.4
mm, what makes it possible to construct the knitting machines up to
the 24(E) pitch. This significantly broadens the range of the
knitted goods that might be made on these knitting machines.
However, the complexity of the flat knitting machines of this
category is exceptional. Besides the mechanisms for actuation of
the double head knitting needles, it is another additional
auxiliary special mechanism what is necessary for ensuring the
transfer of the purl loop from the hook for making the purl loops
to the hook for making the jersey loops at the moment of switching
the knitting needle from the needle bed for making the purl loops
to the needle bed in which the jersey loops are being made. Another
drawback being also a significantly restricted range of the density
of the knitted fabric in order to be able to transfer safely the
purl loop into the hook for making the jersey loops.
[0007] Double-cylinder knitting machines of the state of the art
using double-head latch needles are known inter alia from
US-A-2003/0101775, U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,061, U.S. Pat. No.
5,718,128; U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,884.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect the invention provides improvements
to the current state of the art by providing a new needle as well
as a new needle motion enabling designing of knitting machines for
making different types of tubular seamless knitted goods in a
links-links or a reversible structure in a fully automated
production cycle without any considerable restrictions of the pitch
of the knitted fabric. According to some embodiments, the goal of
the invention is also to enable a simplification of the
constructional arrangement of the knitting machine and to no small
extent also improving the cost-effectiveness of the production of
the mentioned category of the knitted goods by removing the
finishing operations realised by sewing and by reduction of the
idle time in the production cycle.
[0009] These goals are achieved by means of a needle motion
according to the invention, the substance of which rests in that
the needle motion comprises knitting needles having a double
knitting spring beard, i.e. a so-called spring beard or spring hook
at each end of a stem, the knitting hook or beard at each end of
the stem forming an elastic buckle terminating at a tip, whereas on
the stem, in the vicinity of the tips of each elastic buckle of the
hook or beard, there are provided corresponding curved portions
with a convexity facing towards the respective tip. Said curved
portions are provided with respective recesses for the tip of the
elastic buckle or beard, and with respective recesses for the
projection of a slider or transfer jack used as an actuation
element to move the needle. According the invention, therefore, the
knitting needle is a so-called spring-beard needle or bearded
needle, which is characteristically provided with a double head,
i.e. with a beard or spring at both ends of the needle stem.
[0010] A main advantage of the needle motion according to the
invention in comparison with the devices known from the state of
the art and using a double hook knitting needle, i.e. a double
latch needle, is that at the switching of the knitting needle from
one needle bed to another in case of a flat knitting machine, or
from one needle cylinder to another needle cylinder in case of a
circular knitting machine, respectively, no automatic knock-over of
the loop of the knitted fabric situated on the stem of the knitting
needle takes place, in such a manner as it is in case of the known
double hook needle. Therefore, the knitting machine does not need a
special mechanism for hindering the knock-over of the loop at the
time when the knitting needle switches from one needle bed to the
other needle bed of the knitting machine without forming a new
loop. On the one hand this considerably simplifies the construction
of the knitting machine, and on the other it also considerably
speeds up the production cycle, because the operation such as for
example establishing of a loop and a subsequent switching of the
knitting needle without forming a new loop can simply be carried
out by a single working motion of the carriage of the knitting cam
system. The advantages of the needle motion according to the
invention are even more significant in comparison with the knitting
needles with actuation pistons, because, by means of knitting
needles with actuation pistons, it is not possible to provide for a
knitting machine having such a mechanical delicacy as in the case
of the needle motion according to the invention.
[0011] According to some preferred embodiments, every knitting
needle is provided with a pair of actuation sliders, one slider
being arranged in each needle bed. On each of the actuation sliders
are arranged at least a bearing surface for the hook of the
knitting needle and a projection for hitching the stem of the
knitting needle at the recess provided at the level of the above
mentioned curved portion of the needle stem. In some embodiments,
each slider includes a bevel or nose for realisation of a
spontaneous deviation of the actuation slider, a pivot point for
deviation of the slider, at least one rigid butt for controlling an
axial translation of the slider. According to some preferred
embodiments, each slider is also provided with a butt for
controlling an oscillatory deviation of the actuation slider, which
is of advantage in the case if no links-links patterns are needed
to be made in the knitted fabric, for reasons of mechanical
simplicity.
[0012] In some embodiments, the actuation sliders are provided with
an an auxiliary actuation slider with a working butt, said
auxiliary actuation slider being swingingly attached to the
actuation slider by means of a joint. In such embodiment, when it
is necessary to realise a plurality of independent working paths
for a rigid working butt of the actuation slider, it is possible to
easily achieve a transfer between the respective working paths for
the rigid butt by means of a butt on the auxiliary actuation
slider.
[0013] If both of the pair of the actuation sliders are of the same
type, such an embodiment is advantageous in the case when it is
necessary to realise identical or similar working paths of the
knitting needles in both needle beds or needle cylinders.
[0014] If each of the pair of the actuation sliders is of a
different type, this is advantageous especially in the case when in
one of the needle beds, or in one of the needle cylinders, it is
sufficient to realise simplified working paths of the knitting
needles.
[0015] For making links-links and cardigan patterns in the knitted
fabric, it is of advantage if a patterning device is assigned to
always at least one of both actuation sliders.
[0016] An application of the needle motion according to the
invention on the two-needle bed flat knitting machine is of
advantage above all thanks to the possibility of achieving a high
level of the pitch of the gauge (up to 34 E).
[0017] An application of the needle motion according to the
invention on the four-needle bed knitting machine is of advantage
above all thanks to an overall simplification of the construction
of the machine, as the switching of the knitting needles from
needle bed to needle bed is substantially simplified in the case
when a simultaneous establishing of the loop is not required. It
further brings a considerable time saving in the working cycle of
the machine, because for establishing of a loop and a subsequent
switching of the knitting needle from needle bed to needle bed
without forming a new loop the same motion of the carriage of the
knitting cam system can be used.
[0018] An application of the needle motion according to the
invention on the double-cylinder small diameter or large diameter
knitting machine is of advantage above all thanks to the fact that
no mutually synchronized motion of the actuation sliders in the
upper and lower needle cylinder is necessary, and that the
patterning possibilities of the knitting machine are broadened in
comparison with the double hook needle.
[0019] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a
knitting machine including at least two needle beds, a plurality of
knitting needles and corresponding actuating sliders in each needle
bed, for controlling knitting movements and transfer movements of
said needles from one needle bed to the other, wherein each needle
includes a stem and two knitting needle heads (3, 4) arranged at
opposed ends of said stem; wherein: [0020] each needle head
includes a spring hook terminating at a tip; [0021] the stem of
said needles is provided with a pair of curved stem portions, each
curved portion being arranged in the vicinity of a corresponding
one of said tips, said curved stem portions having a convexity
facing towards the respective tip; [0022] each curved stem portion
is provided with a first recess) for the respective tip and with a
second recess for engagement by a projection of said actuating
sliders.
[0023] According to still a further aspect, the invention provides
a knitting needle including a stem and two knitting needle heads
arranged at opposed ends of said stem wherein: each needle head
includes a spring hook terminating at a tip; the stem of said
needle is provided with a pair of curved stem portions, each curved
portion being arranged in the vicinity of a corresponding one of
said tips, said curved stem portions having a convexity facing
towards the respective tip; and each curved stem portion is
provided with a first recess for the respective tip and with a
second recess for engagement by an actuation slider.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The invention will now be described and explained with the
aid of following drawings. In the drawings:
[0025] FIGS. 1 and 1a show a front view and a side view
respectively of a double head knitting needle, i.e. a double-head
bearded (or spring beard) needle according to the invention, with
hooks provided at both ends of a central stem;
[0026] FIGS. 1b and 1c show enlargements of details of FIGS. 1 and
1a;
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the complete needle motion in
its simplified variant;
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a part of the simplified variant with an
actuation slider in an enlarged scale;
[0029] FIG. 4 shows one of the possible variants of the actuation
sliders allowing making of links-links or reversible and cardigan
patterns;
[0030] FIGS. 5a-5e show the steps of the exemplary realisation of a
jersey loop;
[0031] FIGS. 6a-6e show the steps of switching the knitting needle
from one needle bed to another without forming a new loop;
[0032] FIGS. 7a-7e show enlarged details of FIGS. 5a-5e; and
[0033] FIGS. 8a-8e show enlarged details of FIGS. 6a-6e.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a knitting needle according to the invention,
which can be used in the needle motion according to the invention.
The knitting needle 1 includes a stem 2 having opposedly arranged
knitting heads, each including a respective knitting hook or beard
3, 4. Each hook or beard is shaped essentially in a fashion similar
to known so-called "spring beard needles" or "bearded needles" or
simply "spring needles". Each hook or beard extends therefore
forming an elastic buckle or spring buckle 5, 6 terminating at a
tip 7, 8. The hook 1 is therefore a so-called "spring beard needle"
or "bearded needle", which however, contrary to the bearded needles
of the prior art, is double, i.e. is provided with hooks at both
ends of the stem. The needle can be formed of one piece of spring
steel forming the stem 2 and the two long terminal hooks or beards
3, 4.
[0035] On the stem 2 of the knitting needle 1, reaching the
position reached by each tip 7, 8 of the elastic buckles 5, 6 when
the book is closed by elastic deformation thereof, curved stem
portions 9, 10 are provided. Each said curved portion has a
convexity facing the tip of the corresponding spring hook. In each
curved portion 9, 10 of the stem 2 there are arranged recesses 11,
12 or slits into which the tips 7, 8 of the elastic buckles 5, 6 of
the knitting hooks 3, 4 can penetrate. Further recesses 13, 14 are
also provided in said curved portions, for engagement by
projections 17, 25 of corresponding actuation sliders 15, 23. The
knitting needle 1 is therefore symmetrical with respect to its
transversal axis X-X.
[0036] The needle motion generally comprises a knitting needle 1,
and for each knitting needle 1 at least a pair of actuation sliders
15, 23, which may be identical or of a different construction. FIG.
3 shows one type of these possible constructions. An actuation
slider 15, shown in FIG. 3 in a larger scale than in FIG. 2, has a
bearing surface 16 for the adjacent hook 3, 4 of the knitting
needle 1 and a projection 17 for locking into the respective recess
13, 14 in the curved portion 9, 10 of the knitting needle 1. The
actuation slider 15 is further provided with a butt 19 for
generating an axial translation, i.e. a sliding movement of the
slider and along a sliding recess provided in the needle bed of the
knitting machine. The butt 19 engages into cam profiles provided
along or around the needle bed in a well known manner and not
disclosed. Furthermore the slider 15 is provided with a pivot point
20 for enabling deviation, i.e. an oscillation motion of the slider
around an axis extending orthogonal to the slider and positioned at
pivot point 20. A further butt 21 is also provided on the slider 15
for exercising a forced deviation of the slider, i.e. to control
the oscillation thereof around the pivot point 20.
[0037] With every knitting needle 1 in the needle motion there are
associated two actuation sliders 15 as shown in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, or in another type of realisation two
actuation sliders 23 as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, it is
possible to use for the same needle 1 a pair of actuation sliders
15, 23, i.e. different from one another and made according to FIGS.
3 and 4.
[0038] According to FIG. 4, in the alternative embodiment the
slider 23 has a bearing surface 16 for the hook 3, 4 of the
knitting needle 1 and a projection 17 for hitching into the recess
13, 14 in the curved portion 9, 10 of the knitting needle 1. It is
further provided with a rigid butt 19 for controlling the axial
translation motions of the slider, and with a pivot point 20 for
enabling deviation, i.e. an oscillation in the sliding groove of
the needle bed, wherein the slider is slidingly housed.
[0039] The actuation slider 23 is further provided with a
projection forming a joint 29 for a hinged bearing of an auxiliary
swinging slider 30, which is shown in working position in solid
lines as well as in off-position in broken lines (shown at 31). The
auxiliary swinging slider 30 is provided with a seat 35 for the
joint 29 such that the two sliders 23 and 30 can be stingingly
connected to one another.
[0040] The swinging slider 30 is further provided with a butt 32
designed for controlling the oscillatory deviation motion and a
butt 33 designed for controlling an axial translation motion. Due
to the fact that the butt 33 is individually selectable from a
working position to an off-position and vice versa, the swinging
slider 30 is predetermined not only for making basic structures,
but also for different cardigan and links-links patterns. The
swinging slider 30 is actuable by means of any patterning device
that is known and therefore not shown in more detail.
[0041] The basic function of the needle motion, that is making the
loops of the knitted fabric, is shown on the series of FIGS. 5a-5e,
and is common to flat knitting machines and double-cylinder
knitting machines. Reference numbers 40 and 41 generically
designate two needle beds, which can be either flat needle beds or
circular needle beds (needle cylinders of a double-cylinder
knitting machine). FIGS. 7a-7e show enlargements of the needle head
in the various positions shown in FIGS. 5a-5e.
[0042] FIGS. 5a and 7a show an initial position of the needle
motion. The knitting needle 1 is hitched into one of the actuation
sliders 15 and is situated in a weft position according to the FIG.
5a in the right knitting needle bed 40.
[0043] In the hook 3 of the knitting needle 1, there is situated
for example a jersey loop of the knitted fabric 36. The second, the
opposite one, of the pair of actuation sliders 15 is situated in
the left knitting needle bed 41, and during the whole stage of
forming the new jersey loop is practically out of function. As
shown in FIGS. 5b and 7b, the hitched actuation slider 15 with the
knitting needle 1 are moved in the direction towards the knitting
needle bed 41 to such a position that the loop of the knitted
fabric 36 has moved over the curved convex portion 9 of the
knitting needle 1. By means of the thread guide that is known and
not shown in FIGS. 5b and 7b, the knitting thread 38 is laid into
the space between the convex curved portion 9 and the tip 7 of the
elastic buckle 5 of the knitting hook 3 of the knitting needle 1.
In the next stage, shown in FIGS. 5c and 7c, a backward movement of
the slider 15 and the knitting needle 1 is realised in such a way
that the knitting thread 38 gets under the elastic buckle 5, but
the loop of the knitted fabric 36 that is positioned on the stem of
the knitting needle 1 remains behind the curved portion 9.
Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 5d and 7d, a known presser 39
compresses the elastic buckle 5 in such a way that the tip 7 of the
elastic buckle 5 gets into the recesses or slit 11 provided the
curved convex portion 9 of the knitting needle 1. This makes it
possible for the loop of the knitted fabric 36 that is positioned
on the stem 2 of the knitting needle 1, by a gradual motion in
direction towards the weft position in the knitting needle bed 40,
firstly to be put on the elastic buckle 5 and subsequently to fall
over the knitting hook 3 and to establish a new jersey loop 37 of
the knitting thread 38. The final position of the needle motion is
shown in FIGS. 5e and 7e. This position is practically identical
with the initial position shown in FIG. 5a.
[0044] Another important feature of the needle motion is the
possibility of transferring the knitting needle 1 from one needle
bed to another without forming a new loop thereat. This process is
shown in the series of FIGS. 6a-6e and in the enlarged details of
FIGS. 8a-8e, each showing an enlargement of the needle area of
FIGS. 6a-6e respectively. An initial position of the needle motion
is shown in FIGS. 6a and 8a. This position of the needle motion is
the same as the position shown in FIGS. 5e and 7e. The initial step
of the process of transferring the knitting needle is shown in
FIGS. 6b and 8b. The actuation slider 15 with the hitched knitting
needle 1, that are situated in the right-hand knitting needle bed
40, gradually translate in the direction towards the left-hand
knitting needle bed 41, whereas the knitted fabric 36, originally
situated in the knitting hook 3, is moved onto the stem 2 of the
knitting needle 1.
[0045] The actuation slider 15 that is situated in the left-hand
knitting needle bed 41 is also in movement and gradually translates
towards the knitting needle 1. At the moment in which the bevel 18
of the actuation slider 15 touches the hook 3 of the knitting
needle 1, a gradual and spontaneous oscillatory deviation of the
actuation slider 15 around the pivot point 20 on the needle bed 41
begins. Subsequently, the knitting needle 1 hitches both actuation
sliders 15. This position is shown in FIGS. 6c and 8c. After
hitching the knitting needle 1 into both actuation sliders 15 by
virtue of a cam for the butt 21, which is known and therefore not
shown, a forced oscillatory deviation of the slider 15 around the
pivot point 20 on the needle bed 40 is carried out and the hook 3
with the elastic buckle 6 of the knitting needle 1 is released by
the actuation slider 15 in such a manner as shown in FIGS. 6d and
8d. The knitting needle 1 is hereby ready to be moved into the
knitting needle bed 41, whereas the knitted fabric 36 spontaneously
moves into the hook 3 of the knitting needle 1, because the presser
39 is situated on the part of the knitting cam system on which this
movement is realised, and the elastic buckle 5 of the hook 3 of the
knitting needle 1 stays therefore still open. The final position of
the needle motion after transfer of the knitting needle 1 is shown
in FIGS. 6e and 8e.
[0046] The process of forming a purl loop in the knitting needle
bed 41 is entirely symmetrical and analogical to the process shown
in the series of FIGS. 5a-5e, and the process of transferring the
knitting needle from the knitting needle bed 41 into the knitting
needle bed 40 is entirely symmetrical and analogical to the process
shown in the series of FIGS. 6a-6e and therefore will not be
described in more detail. For the same reasons a use of the slider
23 in place of the slider 15, or a use of a combination of the two,
will not be described.
[0047] It is clear from the description of the above embodiments
that for transferring the knitting needle 1 between the needle bed
40 and the needle bed 41 (being them either flat needle beds or
else circular needle beds of a double-cylinder knitting machine)
without forming a new loop, the knitting machine does not require
any special mechanism for transmitting the loops, which is the case
of using the known double hook knitting needles. The knitting
machine is therefore substantially simplified and, in addition, the
duration of the production cycle is reduced, as after establishing
the purl loop, the subsequent transferring of the knitting needle
to a needle bed in which the jersey loops are being established, is
made possible by means of a single movement of the carriage of the
knitting cam system. It is also clear that there exist no
mechanical restrictions as it is the case when knitting needle with
actuation pistons are used.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0048] The knitting motion according to the invention is applicable
to all commonly used gauges of the knitting machines and is easily
applicable to two-needle bed and four-needle bed flat knitting
machines, as well as to double-cylinder small diameter, middle
diameter and large diameter knitting machines, whereas by
variations of the type of the actuation slider 15 or 23, it is
applicable both for more simple knitting machines designed for
making only basic reversible structures (wales) and for knitting
machines designed for making a knitted fabric with assorted
reversible, links-links and cardigan patterns, especially for an
automated production of conventional knitted underwear.
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