Patents Examined by Larry D. Worrell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6014874
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding yarn into a hook or to a predetermined position of a rear face of a needle of a flat knitting machine, and for guiding the yarn without making large horizontal advancing and retracting movements of a yarn guiding member of the yarn guiding apparatus. The apparatus guides the yarn, when a yarn pushing down operating edge at an end of the yarn guide member is engaged with and pushes down the yarn so that the yarn is slidably moved, without applying a high resistance to the yarn and parallel needles and sinkers, on at least one pair of needle beds having head portions opposed to each other with respect to the center of knock-over edge portions. Yarn holding members, each having a yarn pushing down edge operating at an end thereof, are supported for sliding movement toward the knock-over edge portion, with means for moving each of the yarn pushing down operating edges downward during or after sliding advancement of the yarn holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Shima Seika Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Shima, Minoru Sonomura
  • Patent number: 6006552
    Abstract: The present invention provides a warp-knit slide fastener in which a fastener element row can be easily knitted into and attached stably and firmly on a fastener tape, and fastener elements of the fastener element row are not separated from each other due to pushing up of a fastener face.The successive fastener element row is knitted, simultaneously with knitting of the fastener tape, into a fastener element attaching portion at longitudinally side edge portion of the fastener tape, and is fixed by two wales or more of fixing chain stitch yarns. Respective needle loops of the respective fixing chain stitch yarns push respective element leg portions of the successive fastener element row from above toward a foundation structure. Respective sinker loop groups form a part of the foundation structure on which the successive fastener element line is disposed. Warp in-laid yarns are warp inserted through at least a part of sinker loops of the sinker loop groups while being intermingled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuda, Hidenobu Kato, Yoshito Ikeguchi
  • Patent number: 6003345
    Abstract: A method of manipulating a garment on a knitting machine includes the steps of orienting the garment with an opening disposed relative to one end on the knitting machine; and knitting a bridge across the opening of the garment. The bridge is affixed to the garment at a first and second site. The first and second sites are disposed near the opening. The exact positioning of the first and second sites relative to the opening are predetermined in accordance with the orientation of the garment on the knitting machine. The first site opposes the second site. The method of manipulating the garment further includes the step of dividing the bridge forming a first and a second handle. The first and second handle are fixed at the first site and the second handle is affixed at the second site. The first and second handles are useful for further processing the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: B.B. & T. Knitting Limited
    Inventor: Bobby Ray Jordan
  • Patent number: 6003344
    Abstract: A knitted fabric presents one or more passage courses formed by a removable support thread which, upon being removed, allows the partial unraveling of a zone of said knitted fabric, and increases the width of the mesh or stitch in said zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Ignasi Claret Castano
  • Patent number: 5996182
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process and to a device for automatic introduction of a fiber sliver into a textile machine equipped with a feed mechanism. The end of the fiber sliver is brought into a defined receiving position in which it is introduced into the feed mechanism. A predetermined length of the end of the fiber sliver is seized. The sliver is then shortened to a second predetermined length and is then introduced into the feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Greis, Robert Tuschl
  • Patent number: 5996377
    Abstract: A device for the drawing of a knitted article in a circular stocking knitting machine. The device includes a tubular element (14), which extends coaxially and rotates with the cylinder of the machine, but is capable of axial movements between a raised position and a lowered position, and a locking element (15), which is arranged and can be moved independently towards and away from one end of the tubular element and can be moved together with the said tubular element. The locking element (15) engages with the end of the tubular element (14) in order to lock the manufactured article, to draw the latter while it is manufactured and to release it for the purpose of discharging it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Giuseppe Cavalli
  • Patent number: 5992182
    Abstract: A method for ladderproofing the last row of a knitted item consisting in that, upon execution of the last row of the item, the interstitch portions, i.e., the portions of the thread or threads that join two contiguous loops of knitting, are produced with an increased length, forming additional loops which are alternated with the loops of the last row of knitting. Preferably, each one of the loops of the last row is knit in with a contiguous additional loop, further reinforcing the ladderproofing of the last row of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Matec S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Lonati, Ettore Lonati, Tiberio Lonati, Fausto Lonati
  • Patent number: 5992184
    Abstract: A flat knitting machine having a transferring mechanism using transfer jacks wherein the transfer jacks each have (i) at a front end thereof a loop engaging portion; (ii) at a rear end thereof a selected engaging projection extending rearwardly from a rear end of the jack groove when the transfer jack is in its retracted position; and (iii) at an upper edge of a jack body thereof an advance-and-retreat controlling butt which extends from an upper surface of the jack groove and is engageable with the transfer jack operating cam to control the transfer jack to move forward and backward; andwherein the carriages each include (i) a cam which driven by an actuator so that it can be selectively engaged with the selected engaging projection of the transfer jack to guide the transfer jack in its retracted position from the engaged position to its pushed-out position and which is arranged in association with the selected engaging projection of the transfer jack; (ii) a raising cam which is engageable with the butt pro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takekazu Shibuta
  • Patent number: 5992183
    Abstract: A compound needle, of which slider and needle body can be moved forward and backward independently of each other, is guided by a cam lock into four routes, knit, tuck, transfer and receiving. As for the slider, the knit route is branched from the tuck route, and branching from the tuck route to the transfer route is made by a movable cam at the center of the cam lock. As for the needle body, the knit route is branched from the tuck route to reach the knit level then joining the tuck route. The transfer route is branched from the knit route and the needle body is retracted to a point between the tuck level and an inactive position, and the receiving route advances the needle body from the center of the cam lock to the tuck level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shima
  • Patent number: 5992185
    Abstract: A three-dimensional continuously knitted fabric cover knitted from yarn in a generally double jersey construction for covering a three-dimensional core, the fabric cover having an exposed front layer with a rear layer adjacent the core having formed integrally therewith a securing means formed as a coursewise extending single jersey tubular portion which is less extensible than the surrounding fabric, with single jersey tie-down loops formed at each end of the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Gary John Leeke, Debra Jean Tiensivu, Giles Timothy Gregory
  • Patent number: 5987931
    Abstract: A tubular knitted fabric is broadened while fully preventing generation of open gap. Yarn is hooked on a needle of a second needle bed and twisted to form a loop, and this loop is transferred onto a first needle bed to become a broadening loop. A subsequent stitch is formed on the broadening loop and transferred back to the second needle bed. Yarn is hooked again on a needle of the second needle bed and twisted to form a loop, and this loop is transferred to the first needle bed to become a broadening loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyasu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5987932
    Abstract: A slider type needle for a knitting machine, comprising a needle (1) equipped with a beard (3) and a slider (2) having an associated length, a butt (4), a nose (5) and a stitch bearing shoulder (6), this slider being displaceable relative to the needle in order to close and open the beard of the needle and in order to permit the nose and shoulder of the needle to drive a stitch so as to execute a stitch transfer. The slider (2) has a U-shaped profile enabling it to straddle the needle (1). The slidcr is split (7, 15) in its end region, in order to allow an opposite needle or slider to pass through in order to carry out a stitch transfer or punching. This needle affords new knitting possibilities, in particular it makes it possible to carry out punching without an auxiliary section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Atelier De Construction Steiger S.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Baseggio, Michel Prost, Claude-Yvan Marcoz
  • Patent number: 5987929
    Abstract: The invention's object generator utilizes two frames, a y-frame that is atop an x-frame. The y-frame (or the x-frame) is divided into two halves. Each half of the y-frame (or the x-frame) contains a number of needles and latches. The needles in one half of the y-frame are opposed by the needles in the other half of the y-frame. Similarly, The needles in one half of the x-frame are opposed by the needles in the other half of the x-frame. The invention also includes a "head" which comprises a bobbin/tensioning mechanism along with other components. The object generator's head is movable to any location on a grid formed by the y-frame and x-frame. The head dispenses yarn under direction of a custom control software. A computer operating the invention's object generator has stored therein a three dimensional image of the object to be generated. The computer dissects the three dimensional image into two dimensional layer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Arman Bostani
  • Patent number: 5983677
    Abstract: A jacquard pattern control mechanism for a circular knitting machine is provided in which a plurality of rocker bar supporting members are each slidable in one of the grooves along which one of the knitting elements move, a plurality of elongate rocker bars are pivotally mounted on one of unsaid plurality of rocker bar supporting members for movement about a medial pivot, the opposite end portions of the rocker bars being selectively movable between operative and inoperative positions and having magnetically attractable sections thereon, magnet attracting devices are operatively associated with the opposite end portions of the elongate rocker bars for selectively attracting one of the magnetically attractable sections at opposite ends of the rocker bars to pivot the rocker bars and selectively move one of the opposite end portions thereof to the other operative position and the other opposite end portion thereof to the inoperative position, the magnetic attracting devices comprising a permanent magnet and a p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Shibata
  • Patent number: 5979193
    Abstract: A method of knitting a knit fabric which is knitted by a flat knitting machine with a plurality of yarn carriers having the following steps: (a) knitting the first half knitting portion of a course to a plating stitch with a first ground yarn and a plating yarn; (b) knitting the second half knitting portion of the course to a plating stitch with a second ground yarn and the plating yarn; (c) knitting the first half knitting portion of a next course to be coupled with the course to a plating stitch with the second ground yarn and the plating yarn; and (d) knitting the second half knitting portion of said next course to a plating stitch with the first ground yarn and the plating yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenshi Murata
  • Patent number: 5974585
    Abstract: A protective garment for covering a frontal chest, waist and groin areas of a wearer which includes, a panel constructed of a plurality of sheets in which each sheet is constructed of flexible woven high strength protective fibers and in which the panel is formed for underlying clothing which covers the frontal waist area of the wearer and in which the panel extends continuously to overlie the frontal chest area down to and over the frontal waist and groin areas of the wearer. Various straps are used for releasably securing the panel to and maintaining the panel in a position overlying the frontal chest, waist and groin areas of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Second Chance Body Armor, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Bachner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5966969
    Abstract: A segment carrying knitting elements for a warp knitting machine comprising a plurality of similar plates. Holes provided in said plates are penetrated by at least one hollow pin, which at its circumference is connected with the plates. This gives rise to low weight segments for attachment to the bars of a warp knitting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Karl Mayer Textilmachinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Kresimir Mista
  • Patent number: 5960645
    Abstract: A device for the selection of needles in circular stocking knitting machines, comprising a lower needle (or jack) having radial deflection for each needle on the cylinder of the said machine. Selection actuators are provided for the control of the lower needles. Each lower needle includes two components: an element oscillating between an inoperative position and the operating, vertically movable position in order to control the corresponding needle and to follow the courses of upward and downward movement cams; and a toothed element which is arranged facing the oscillating element, capable of oscillations with same, but prevented from moving vertically. The toothed element always remains at the level of the selection actuators even when the oscillating element moves vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Sangiacomo S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fulvio Sangiacomo
  • Patent number: 5960646
    Abstract: A fabric take-off roller arrangement for flat bed knitting machines is provided with two driven and parallel arranged fabric take-off rollers, between which a fabric web is tangentially guided, wherein at least one of the fabric take-off rollers is made up of roller elements, which are arranged next to each other in the axial direction and are coupled, fixed against relative rotation. The rollers are rotatably maintained on one bearing support, which is pivotable in a direction vertically to the orientation of the roller elements, and which are hingedly seated in relation to each other as well as to the bearing support and are pressed against the other fabric take-off roller in an individually adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: H. Stoll GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Franz Schmid, Armin Diebold
  • Patent number: 5956975
    Abstract: The wale of a collar closest to the body side is transferred from a front body to a back body, then the wale is moved towards the neck hole side. Next, said wale is moved further towards the neck hole side, and a new wale of the collar is transferred onto the needle of the back body before said move. Each wale of the collar that has been transferred is moved towards the neck hole side. In a similar manner all the wales of the collar are transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadahiro Kawashima