Patents by Inventor Klaus Kirchmair

Klaus Kirchmair has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8082862
    Abstract: A gripper (3) for a tufting machine comprises a gripper body (9) having a cutout (22) for a cutting insert (10), said cutting insert preferably consisting of a hard metal. Connecting means acting in a form-closed manner are provided for the connection of the cutting insert (10) with the gripper body (9). In their simplest embodiment, said connecting means are formed by the deformation regions (37, 38) that are provided on the gripper body (9) and that reach around matching cutouts (33, 34) of the cutting insert (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hillenbrand, Timo Kaas, Klaus Kirchmair, Andrea Maute
  • Patent number: 7878028
    Abstract: A knitting needle designed specifically for achieving particularly fine divisions, or another knitting tool (2), has a narrower working section (4) and a wider support section (5), whereby the support section (5) is provided with a positioning means (11), for example, having the form of a slit (12) or having the form of a rib (32). The knitting tool (2) is associated with a fixing means (29) in the form of a projection (17) or a groove (33) on the side of the bar (1). Due to this measure, the support sections (5) of the knitting tools (2) may be arranged—in close proximity to each other, in contact with or at a minimal distance from each other—on the bar (1), so that a maximum cross-section is available for configuring the support section (5). This provides strong stability for the knitting tools (2)—even in cases of extremely fine divisions—and, at the same time, provides precise alignment and avoids division errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Eric Jürgens, Andreas Dietz, Uwe Stingel, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair, Eckhard Fehrenbacher
  • Patent number: 7836729
    Abstract: In a transfer needle (1) having at least one transfer spring (8), this transfer spring (8) is held, on its one end, in a preferably lateral pocket or recess of the needle body, while the tip of the transfer spring is positioned in a longitudinal slit of the needle body. This longitudinal slit (24) has an inlet (25) that is open in longitudinal direction (L) of the needle body (5). The inlet (25) of the longitudinal slit (24) is located at an end of the longitudinal slit (24) away from the hook (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kirchmair, Frank Weihing, Jürgen Schneider, Oskar Schaffer
  • Patent number: 7770416
    Abstract: To simplify the setup of a bar and associated tools of a knitting machine and to improve the degree of precision regarding fineness and the level of sturdiness of the tools and bar system, the holding parts (7, 9) of the tools (4, 5) of the tool set (2) are configured differently. On the holding parts (7) of at least one tool type, means (22) are provided for positioning the tools (4) on the bar and thus means for defining the division. Separate positioning means for positioning and defining the division may be assigned to the other tools (5). Alternatively, they may be positioned by the tools (4) of the first type, between which they are accommodated. If positioning grooves are provided in the bar or parts thereof, these grooves may be set up for twice the distance of division, which results in robust and mechanically stable solutions with finer divisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Eric Jürgens, Andreas Dietz, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair
  • Patent number: 7717049
    Abstract: A gripper (3) for a tufting machine comprises a gripper body (9) having a cutout (22) for a cutting insert (10), said cutting insert preferably consisting of a hard metal. Connecting means acting in a form-closed manner are provided for the connection of the cutting insert (10) with the gripper body (9). In their simplest embodiment, said connecting means are formed by the deformation regions (37, 38) that are provided on the gripper body (9) and that reach around matching cutouts (33, 34) of the cutting insert (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hillenbrand, Timo Kaas, Klaus Kirchmair, Andrea Maute
  • Patent number: 7624599
    Abstract: A knitting tool for a bar (1) of a knitter comprises a shaft (4), which is provided with a plastic body (15) at least on one side, which extends beyond the side surface (11) of the shaft. Said plastic body (15) is in contact with the side surface of the adjacent knitting tool. Thus, both knitting tools concerned are supported at one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Andreas Dietz, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair, Eric Jürgens, Ernst-Viktor Heinemann, Hubert Siber, Ingo Zimmermann, Eckhard Fehrenbacher
  • Publication number: 20090211304
    Abstract: In a transfer needle (1) having at least one transfer spring (8), this transfer spring (8) is held, on its one end, in a preferably lateral pocket or recess of the needle body, while the tip of the transfer spring is positioned in a longitudinal slit of the needle body. This longitudinal slit (24) has an inlet (25) that is open in longitudinal direction (L) of the needle body (5). The inlet (25) of the longitudinal slit (24) is located at an end of the longitudinal slit (24) away from the hook (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kirchmair, Frank Weihing, Jürgen Schneider, Oskar Schaffer
  • Patent number: 7562632
    Abstract: A gripper (3) for tufting machines comprising a slider (18) that is supported in a gripper body to be movable in longitudinal direction and that is arranged in a slider receiving space (17) which, preferably, is configured as a slit. The slit extends from the lower narrow side (12) of the gripper body (4) into the gripper body. The slit is limited by two thin walls (19, 20) or, alternatively, by only one thin wall (20). A cutting edge insert receiving space 39 is provided above the slider receiving space (17), with the receiving space (39) extending from the flat side (9) end being recessed in the gripper body (4). Between the cutting edge insert receiving space (39) and the slider receiving space (17), a strip (40) is provided that preferably extends in longitudinal direction of the gripper body (4) and separates the receiving spaces (39, 17) from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hillenbrand, Timo Kaas, Andrea Maute, Klaus Kirchmair
  • Patent number: 7555920
    Abstract: A compound needle (1) having a slider channel (5) that is delimited by two lateral walls (8, 9). At least one of the lateral walls (8, 9) has, in its upper edge region (11, 12), a reduced thickness (d1). The edge (11) of the lateral wall (8) is bent, respectively, toward the other lateral wall (9). Due to the reduced thickness (d1), a narrow bending radius can be achieved, as a result of which the needle channel (5) can be better approximated—in cross-section—to a rectangular form than was possible until now. This allows the slider (4) to better utilize the clearance height of the slider channel (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Frank Weihing, Klaus Kirchmair
  • Patent number: 7549304
    Abstract: The inventive knitting tools, in particular knitting needles (6), have a body (7) which, for alignment, has on its narrow side projections (15, 16) which have precisely machined abutment surfaces (18, 19) on their end faces. The abutment surfaces (18, 19), can be produced, for example, during a suitable stage of the manufacturing process. One of the projections (15, 16) or an additional projection (17) can be provided with abutment surfaces (20, 21) which are used for longitudinal positioning of the knitting tool. Corresponding grooves (25, 26, 27) in the needle bar (1) are assigned to the projections (15, 16, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Eric Jürgens, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair, Eckhard Fehrenbacher
  • Publication number: 20090107371
    Abstract: A gripper (3) for a tufting machine comprises a gripper body (9) having a cutout (22) for a cutting insert (10), said cutting insert preferably consisting of a hard metal. Connecting means acting in a form-closed manner are provided for the connection of the cutting insert (10) with the gripper body (9). In their simplest embodiment, said connecting means are formed by the deformation regions (37, 38) that are provided on the gripper body (9) and that reach around matching cutouts (33, 34) of the cutting insert (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hillenbrand, Timo Kaas, Klaus Kirchmair, Andrea Maute
  • Publication number: 20090084143
    Abstract: A knitting tool for a bar (1) of a knitter comprises a shaft (4), which is provided with a plastic body (15) at least on one side, which extends beyond the side surface (11) of the shaft. Said plastic body (15) is in contact with the side surface of the adjacent knitting tool. Thus, both knitting tools concerned are supported at one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Andreas Dietz, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair, Eric Jorgens, Ernst-Viktor Heinemann, Hubert Siber, Ingo Zimmermann, Eckhard Fehrenbacher
  • Publication number: 20080307832
    Abstract: A compound needle (1) having a slider channel (5) that is delimited by two lateral walls (8, 9). At least one of the lateral walls (8, 9) has, in its upper edge region (11, 12), a reduced thickness (d1). The edge (11) of the lateral wall (8) is bent, respectively, toward the other lateral wall (9). Due to the reduced thickness (d1), a narrow bending radius can be achieved, as a result of which the needle channel (5) can be better approximated—in cross-section—to a rectangular form than was possible until now. This allows the slider (4) to better utilize the clearance height of the slider channel (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Frank Weihing, Klaus Kirchmair
  • Publication number: 20080276653
    Abstract: To simplify the setup of a bar and associated tools of a knitting machine and to improve the degree of precision regarding fineness and the level of sturdiness of the tools and bar system, the holding parts (7, 9) of the tools (4, 5) of the tool set (2) are configured differently. On the holding parts (7) of at least one tool type, means (22) are provided for positioning the tools (4) on the bar and thus means for defining the division. Separate positioning means for positioning and defining the division may be assigned to the other tools (5). Alternatively, they may be positioned by the tools (4) of the first type, between which they are accommodated. If positioning grooves are provided in the bar or parts thereof, these grooves may be set up for twice the distance of division, which results in robust and mechanically stable solutions with finer divisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Eric Jurgens, Andreas Dietz, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair
  • Publication number: 20080271497
    Abstract: A knitting needle designed specifically for achieving particularly fine divisions, or another knitting tool (2), has a narrower working section (4) and a wider support section (5), whereby the support section (5) is provided with a positioning means (11), for example, having the form of a slit (12) or having the form of a rib (32). The knitting tool (2) is associated with a fixing means (29) in the form of a projection (17) or a groove (33) on the side of the bar (1). Due to this measure, the support sections (5) of the knitting tools (2) may be arranged—in close proximity to each other, in contact with or at a minimal distance from each other—on the bar (1), so that a maximum cross-section is available for configuring the support section (5). This provides strong stability for the knitting tools (2)—even in cases of extremely fine divisions—and, at the same time, provides precise alignment and avoids division errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Eric Jurgens, Andreas Dietz, Uwe Stingel, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair, Eckhard Fehrenbacher
  • Publication number: 20080264314
    Abstract: A gripper (3) for a tufting machine comprises a gripper body (9) having a cutout (22) for a cutting insert (10), said cutting insert preferably consisting of a hard metal. Connecting means acting in a form-closed manner are provided for the connection of the cutting insert (10) with the gripper body (9). In their simplest embodiment, said connecting means are formed by the deformation regions (37, 38) that are provided on the gripper body (9) and that reach around matching cutouts (33, 34) of the cutting insert (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hillenbrand, Timo Kaas, Klaus Kirchmair, Andrea Maute
  • Publication number: 20080083359
    Abstract: The new gripper design provides a gripper (3) for tufting machines, said gripper comprising a slider (18) that is supported so as to be movable in longitudinal direction. This slider is arranged in a slider receiving space (17) which, preferably, is configured as a slit. The slit extends from the lower narrow side (12) of the gripper body (4) into said gripper body. Said slit is limited by two thin walls (19, 20) or, alternatively, by only one thin wall (20). A cutting edge insert receiving space 39 is provided above the slider receiving space (17), said receiving space (39) extending from the flat side (9) and being recessed in the gripper body (4). Between the cutting edge insert receiving space (39) and the slider receiving space (17), a strip (40) is provided that preferably extends in longitudinal direction of the gripper body (4) and separates the receiving spaces (39, 17) from each other. This design is suitable for the creation of very narrow grippers (3) that permit a division of less than 1/10 Inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hillenbrand, Timo Kaas, Andrea Maute, Klaus Kirchmair
  • Publication number: 20070169518
    Abstract: The inventive knitting tools, in particular knitting needles (6), have a body (7) which, for alignment, has on its narrow side projections (15, 16) which have precisely machined abutment surfaces (18, 19) on their end faces. The abutment surfaces (18, 19), can be produced, for example, during a suitable stage of the manufacturing process. One of the projections (15, 16) or an additional projection (17) can be provided with abutment surfaces (20, 21) which are used for longitudinal positioning of the knitting tool. Corresponding grooves (25, 26, 27) in the needle bar (1) are assigned to the projections (15, 16, 17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Eric Jurgens, Torsten Butz, Klaus Kirchmair, Eckhard Fehrenbacher