From Rotary Needle Bank Patents (Class 66/153)
  • Patent number: 8240173
    Abstract: A device for takedown of the article being formed, for circular knitting machines, comprising at least one takedown roller, which is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis, by a supporting structure and can engage, by means of its lateral surface, the article to be taken down. There are reloading means, which operate on a motor element to cause its rotation about a main axis in a second direction of rotation that is opposite to the first direction of rotation. The reloading means comprise a fluid-operated reloading cylinder, which is supported by the supporting structure and operates with the stem of its piston on the motor element with a reloading force that is oriented along a direction spaced from the main axis for applying to the motor element a reloading torque that is oriented concordantly with the second direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Tiberio Lonati, Ettore Lonati, Fausto Lonati
  • Patent number: 7905116
    Abstract: A fabric collection structure for a fabric cutting apparatus splits fabric and has a driving means. The fabric collection structure includes a fabric rolling rod and a fabric pressing means. The fabric pressing means has a fabric spread rod and a fabric pressing rod. During fabric collection, the driving means drives the fabric rolling rod, fabric spread rod and fabric pressing rod to rotate. The fabric split by the fabric cutting apparatus is flatly unfolded by the fabric spread rod and driven by the fabric pressing rod to be rolled on the fabric rolling rod, and is pressed by the fabric pressing rod. The fabric pressing rod is lifted by increasing thickness of the fabric rolled on the fabric rolling rod. The fabric rolling rod rolls the fabric at a fixed location. The fabric pressing means presses the fabric to control the density and a uniform fabric density is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7735342
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an unbalanced, circular knit fabric for coating in a subsequent operation, the apparatus comprising: a circular knitting station; and a thermal relaxation station downstream from the circular knitting station for relaxing the fabric in all directions. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a slitting station downstream from the circular knitting station. Also in the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a thermal finishing station downstream from the thermal relaxation station for setting the desired width of the fabric thereby also setting the desired stretch of the fabric in its length direction. A coated fabric, the coated fabric comprising a circular knitted, single knit fabric substrate, wherein the stretch of the fabric in the wale direction is greater than the stretch of the fabric in the course direction. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coated fabric further includes an outer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Highland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7600400
    Abstract: A tensioning device (1) for circular knitting machines (3) comprising a supporting frame (2) to be mounted turnably below a circular knitting machine (3), a cutter (9) associated to the supporting frame (2) and designed to cut a knitted fabric in tubular piece (5) produced by the circular knitting machine (3), an opener and stretcher (11) for opening and stretching the cut piece (5) in a single fabric layer, a collector (16) for collecting the piece (5) stretched in a single layer by said opener and stretcher (11), and a tensioner (12) for tensioning the piece (5) of knitted fabric, designed to tension the piece (5) of fabric so as to enable the correct production of the piece (5) of fabric by the knitting machine (3), which a tensioner (12) is arranged upstream from the opener and stretcher (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Tiberio Lonati
  • Patent number: 7204103
    Abstract: A fabric winding machine is installed on a circular knitting machine to wind and collect an annular fabric knitted by the circular knitting machine. It has a fabric splitting mode and a fabric non-splitting mode according to the characteristics of the fabric material. The fabric winding machine includes a fabric directing means on which an arched bracket or a fabric extending bracket can be installed respectively corresponding to a fabric splitting mode or a fabric non-splitting mode. The fabric in the two modes can be collected on a fabric collection rod through different fabric winding paths. By switching the two modes the large size fabric winding machine does not have to be disassembled in response to the fabric of different characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7093466
    Abstract: Provided is a high-speed high-stand device for taking up fabric comprising two side boxes each including a projection formed on its side proximate top; a take-up shaft provided across intermediate portions of the side boxes, the take-up shaft being adapted to wind fabric therearound; and a friction mechanism including two arms each having the other end pivotably connected to the projection, and a friction rod fixedly interconnected one ends of the arms, the friction rod being provided above the take-up shaft to contact the fabric wound therearound. In a fabric take-up process, an angle from an initial position of the arms to an operating position thereof is limited as a diameter of the fabric is increasing, and a pressing force exerted by the friction rod on the fabric being wound around the take-up shaft is the same for obtaining a uniform tautness of the wound fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: PAI Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 6952939
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) is provided to control the weight of fabric produced by a textile machine (2), comprising weighting means (11) of every single fabric piece directly associated to the textile machine dedicated to the manufacture of the same. A procedure is also provided to control the weight of the fabric produced by a textile machine comprising a weighting stage of every single fabric wounded or folded, near the textile machine dedicated to the manufacture of said piece, and to apply to every manufactured piece a printed label suitable to provide at least specific data concerning the piece weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Santoni, SpA
    Inventors: Tiberio Lonati, Marchina Giuseppe
  • Patent number: 6640590
    Abstract: A circular knitting machine for producing circular knitwear (15) is described, which is slit at one side, spread out with the aid of V-rolls (17) and then taken down and wound up in the spread out state. In accordance with the invention a guide element (44) if fitted at one end (33) of a fabric spreader (25) and extends up to a junction point (43) of the V-rolls (17). The knitwear (15) is guided by means of the guide element (44) in a controlled manner before running on to the V-rolls (17), such that backing-up and warping during its further transport are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Andreas Thoman, Pierre Jaeger
  • Patent number: 6568221
    Abstract: A circular knitting machine with a frame (1) having a plurality of feet (2, 3, 4), a needle carrier (7), a cam box ring and a take-down and/or winding-up device (14) mounted in the frame (1), wherein at least one of the feet (3, 4) is adjustable for altering the machine width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschatt mbH
    Inventors: Stefan Seeger, Dietmar Traenkle
  • Patent number: 6557381
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving the web output of knitted material from a rotating circular knitting machine includes a web-retaining member which is supported for movement along a first axis that a perpendicular to a web transport path. The web is collected in a rolled form on a support using a drive mechanism which is synched to the rotation of the knitting machine. The web-retaining member is attached to a reciprocating traverse assembly which is driven by the synched drive mechanism, the traverse assembly permitting the web retaining member to move reciprocally in a linear path along the first axis, thereby permitting increased volume of web fabric to be wound onto the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Tompkins Brothers Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Reester
  • Patent number: 6381993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing large rolls of tubular fabric knitted on a small diameter circular knitting machine of the type having fabric takedown rollers for pulling the fabric from the knitting cylinder, and a takeup roller for winding up the fabric into a roll, including a traversing mechanism that is operatively associated with and positioned upstream of the tubular fabric takedown rollers so that the fabric is moved back and forth along the length of the take down rollers, so that the width of the fabric roll wound upon the takeup roller is substantially the length of the take down rollers. Further, the fabric leaving the takedown rollers is surface driven to provide constant speed and tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Flynt Amtex, Inc.
    Inventor: Hermann Daiber
  • Publication number: 20010010163
    Abstract: A device for the electronic adjustment of hosiery tension in circular textile machines, whose particularity consists of the fact that it comprises an actuator which is adapted to move a carriage, which is in turn adapted to perform a translatory motion along an axis which is parallel to a diametrical axis of the circular textile machine, the carriage supporting at least one transducer connected to a hosiery advancement device, the transducer being adapted to detect a contrasting force which is due to the advancement of the hosiery item, the contrasting force being processed in a controller which is adapted to emit a speed signal for the actuator, in order to adjust the movement speed of the carriage in contrast with the contrasting force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: MATEC S.p.A,
    Inventors: Giovanni Bertini, Paolo Brandani, Daniele Vivoli
  • Patent number: 6250114
    Abstract: A roller (1) for guiding knitwear produced on a knitting machine, with at least one stub shaft (3) of reduced cross-section projecting to the side of a middle part (2) and at least one first adjusting ring (16) which can be fixed on the stub shaft (3) to form an annular gap is described. The adjusting ring (6) has a first axial end (17) with an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the middle part (2) and a second axial end (17a) associated with the annular gap (22). In accordance with the invention the adjusting ring (16) is assembled from at least two shells (24, 25) adjoining one another along butt joints (FIG. 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Sipra Patententwicklungs- u. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Traenkle
  • Patent number: 6029478
    Abstract: A device for tensioning knitted fabrics in knitting machines, particularly in large-diameter circular machines device comprises a plurality of tensioning rollers which are arranged side by side so as to contact substantially all the transverse extension of the fabric, said rollers being arranged below the needle work area of the machine. Each tensioning roller cooperates with a contrast roller which acts on the face of the fabric that is opposite to the face that makes contact with the tensioning rollers and is orientated so that its axis is parallel to the axis of the corresponding tensioning roller. There are actuators for actuating the tensioning rollers so that they rotate about their respective axes in order to apply traction to the fabric being formed. The actuators comprise, for each tensioning roller, a motor which can be actuated independently or in correlation with the actuation of the motors that actuate the other tensioning rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: MEC-MOR S.r.l.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Panuccio
  • Patent number: 6023949
    Abstract: A circular machine for knitting or hosiery with a device for tensioning the knitted fabric, the tensioning device comprising at least two tensioning rollers which are arranged below the needle work area and are arranged substantially horizontally. The tensioning rollers face each other and actuation elements are provided which act on at least one of the tensioning rollers to turn it about the corresponding axis in order to tension the knitted fabric which is formed by the needles and passes between the tensioning rollers. The tensioning device comprises first detection elements for detecting the degree of tension of the fabric in a region of the portion of fabric that lies between the needle work area and the tensioning rollers. The first detection device is operatively connected to the first actuation element in order to vary or maintain the rotation rate of the tensioning rollers as a function of the detected tension degree tension and of a preset tension degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Lonati, Ettore Lonati, Fausto Lonati, Tiberio Lonati
  • Patent number: 6016670
    Abstract: A circular knitting machine including a takedown assembly for applying constant tension to the formed knitted fabric. The circular knitting machine includes a rotating knitting cylinder, a takedown assembly, and a fabric receiving tub. The takedown assembly and the knitting cylinder rotate synchronously. A vertical shaft associated with a motor cooperates with a cylinder ring gear of the knitting cylinder and a takedown ring gear of the takedown assembly. A drive unit including a drive assembly and a clutch assembly is mounted to the takedown ring gear. The clutch assembly includes a drive gear which cooperates with the stationary ring gear of the fabric receiving tub to transmit toque to the rollers of the roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mayer Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Kuhrau, John Cecil Knight, Sr., Donald Charles Fosselman
  • Patent number: 6000246
    Abstract: A cloth take-up device for a circular knitting machine includes first and second vertical side panels, a cloth-transfer cylinder connected between the vertical side panels adjacent a top side of the vertical side panels, and two impression cylinders connected in parallel between the vertical side panels and peripherally disposed in contact with the cloth-transfer cylinder at two opposite sides for guiding a finished piece of knitted fabric over the cloth-transfer cylinder. Two parallel support arms are respectively pivoted to the vertical side panels. A cloth take-up cylinder is connected between the support arms. A transmission shaft is coupled to a main bevel gear by an auxiliary bevel gear. A gear train is coupled to the main bevel gear by another auxiliary bevel gear, and a belt transmission mechanism is mounted on the second vertical side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventors: Wen-Bin Hsieh, Kuo-Hsin Su
  • Patent number: 5730005
    Abstract: A fabric rolling-up device control circuit assembly connected to a knitting machine to control the operation of a fabric rolling-up device in rolling up fabric knitted by the knitting machine, including a power circuit, an analog signal processor, a power amplifier controlled by the analog signal processor to turn on the motors of the fabric-rolling up device in rolling up the fabric, a speed regulation circuit for regulating the revolving speed of the motors, a torsion regulation circuit controlled by a number of revolution detector and an auto torsion adding control circuit to increase the torsion force of the motors automatically, an external abnormal signal detector adapted for turning off the motor when the knitting machine is stopped, and an abnormal signal detector adapted for turning off the knitting machine when the motors are in an abnormal status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Yih Chen
  • Patent number: 5575162
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling twist in a tubular knitted fabric being withdrawn from a circular knitting machine includes an annular twist control member rotatably mounted to the circular knitting machine for disposition within the tube of the fabric. The twist control member is independently rotatable from the other rotational aspects of the circular knitting machine and frictionally imparts counter rotation to the fabric to prevent twist. Optionally, various rotations of the twist control member may be achieved to reduce or impart twist as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Guilford Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ed Gray, Clark Gurganus
  • Patent number: 5537845
    Abstract: A synchronous cloth-rolling apparatus of a knitting machine, including a base fixed on the ground, lateral supports, a cloth-rolling mechanism and a cloth-pulling mechanism. The cloth-rolling mechanism and the cloth-pulling mechanism respectively include a cloth-rolling shaft and a cloth-pulling shaft respectively extending from two sides of the base to connect with bottom ends of the lateral supports. The top ends of the lateral supports are fixed under a knitting rotary disk of the knitting machine. A main shaft is disposed on a center of the base. A sleeve is fitted around the main shaft with two bearings positioned therebetween. A compound bevel gear is fitted around the sleeve with two bearings positioned therebetween. The compound bevel gear has upper teeth meshing with a cloth-pulling bevel gear disposed at a rear end of the cloth-pulling shaft and lower teeth meshing with a torque bevel gear of a torque motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Chin-Yung Lin
  • Patent number: 5457967
    Abstract: A draw-off device for taking down flexible goods with a steplessly adjustable draw-off tension from a machine producing or processing the goods, the draw-off device has at least one draw-off roller, a drive source, and a V-belt transmission connecting the draw-off roller and the drive source for driving the draw-off roller, the transmission comprising a V-belt pulley having two conical flanges, at least one of the flanges being mounted so as to be axially movable so as to alter an effective diameter of the V-belt pulley, the at least one movable flange being biased by spring force in direction of the other of the flanges, a V-shaped belt at least partially wrapping the V-belt pulley, at least one tensioning roller for and at least partially wrapped by the V-belt, a unit for adjusting the tensioning roller in a preselected position in order to adjust the take-down tension to a preselected value by a respective displacement of the at least one movable flange, and a locking unit for holding the tensioning roller
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Werner Scherzinger
  • Patent number: 5454236
    Abstract: Fabric knitted upon a circular knitting machine and conducted downwardly by delivery rolls to a fabric cutter and thence to a fabric winding reel is prevented from being recaptured by the delivery rolls, and is also prevented from becoming adhered to a guide plate due to the presence of static electricity. Recapture of the cut end of the fabric is prevented by a presser that presses the fabric against one of the delivery rolls, and prevention of adherence of the fabric to the guide plate is prevented by alternating ridges and channels and/or anti-static material upon the face of the plate that confronts the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kozo Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5317885
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a circular knitting machine with a pair of cutting devices (15) in opposite positions for longitudinally cutting, on two sides, the tubular fabric component and for forming two individual even pieces (13a, 13b) and with two winding units (11, 12) for separately winding the two pieces onto rolls, the pieces being led in opposite directions by central return rollers (16, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Vignoni S.r.l.
    Inventor: Cesare Vignoni
  • Patent number: 5285663
    Abstract: Knitted fabric produced by a circular knitting machine passes downwardly to a fabric winding unit that rotates synchronously with the knitting unit and that includes fabric delivery rolls and a fabric winding shaft that are driven by rotation of the unit. The winding unit also includes a fabric guide that guides the fabric onto the shaft, a fabric cutter that cuts the fabric after a preselected quantity of it has been wound upon the roll, a fabric receiving table, and a thruster that removes the wound fabric from the center shaft and discharges the fabric onto the fabric receiving table and thereafter from the machine. A central processing unit and associated sensor and switch elements monitor and/or control operation of the knitting machine and winding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kozo Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5249439
    Abstract: A device used on circular knitting machines for manufacturing hosiery or like knitwear, comprises two co-axial discs arranged adjacent each other so as to form a passage for a knitwork. One disc is provided with a helical surface for engaging the knitwork which is forced toward the helical surface by the second disc. One disc is rotatable while the other is stationary. Radial grooves are provided on the second disc for guiding the knitwork in the wale direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Uniplet a.s.
    Inventors: Milan Fucik, Miroslav Chromy, Jiri Pohorilsky
  • Patent number: 5157949
    Abstract: A fabric take-up unit (5) is supported beneath the needle cylinder (4a) to rotate synchronously therewith and knitted fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13) are supported on the fabric take-up unit (5). The fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13) are normally driven in response to rotation of the take-up unit (5). In contrast to this normal drive, the knitted fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13) are driven by a planetary gear system including a sun gear (17) supported for rotation on the machine frame, a planet gear (18) meshing with the sun gear (17) and being supported on the take-up unit (5). The planet gear (18) is drivingly connected to the fabric delivery rolls (11, 12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Sawazaki, Kouzo Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 4879886
    Abstract: A circular knitting machine comprising a knitting assembly for forming a tubular knitted fabric, fabric transport rollers for delivering the fabric from the assembly, a take-up spool for rolling up the delivered fabric thereon, and a pair of opposed frames stoppably rotatable about a vertical axis in synchronism with the knitting assembly. The rollers and the spool are supported by the frames. A constant torque is transmitted from a drive transmission for the frames to the transport rollers by a constant-torque transmission utilizing a magnetic force, while the spool is driven with power transmitted from the drive transmission through a belt transmission, so that the fabric knitted at a high speed can be rolled up properly. The spool comprises a pair of divided spool members and is therefore easily withdrawable from the rolled-up fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Gunze Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiko Okada, Toshifumi Yagi, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4671083
    Abstract: The present drive for the fabric take up mechanism includes a pair of drive pulleys and a drive belt interposed in the power transmission drive and between the revolving needle cylinder and the fabric delivery rolls and the fabric take up roll. At least one of the drive pulleys is of the variable or adjustable diameter type including radially adjustable drive segments supported between opposite side pulley flanges. Radial grooves are provided in one pulley flange and spiral grooves are provided in the other pulley flange and operate in response to rotation of one flange relative to the other flange to adjust the diameter of the peripheral drive surface of the pulley. The variable diameter drive pulley is adjustable so that the speed of rotation of the delivery rolls and the fabric take up roll can be coordinated with the speed of production of the knit fabric to maintain substantially uniform tension in the knit fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Precision Fukuhara Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Sawazaki, Kouji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 4576019
    Abstract: A circular knitting machine has a take-down mechanism with a pair of sequentially reciprocable annular resilient members (4) movable alongside a take-down throat (31) internally of needles (14) in a cylinder (18).Annularly arranged cams (20,21) reciprocate the members (4) while rotating concentrically but separately of the cylinder (18). The cams (20,21) are driven by gears (22,24) to rotate at a speed lower than the cylinder (18) to give a surprisingly improved take-down effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Bentley Engineering Company Limited
    Inventors: Frederick Keel, Keith G. Townsend, Marshall C. Carter
  • Patent number: 4314462
    Abstract: A tube of flexible material moving longitudinally undergoes transition between annular cross section and flattened straight cross section, without change in the length of perimeter of its cross sections, by one stage of changing between the annular cross section and a rectangular cross section, and another stage of changing between that rectangular cross section and the flattened cross section through successively longer and narrower rectangular cross sections. The method is applicable to material produced by a circular knitting machine. Preferably there is a polyhedral guide within the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignees: Institut Textile de France, Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche (ANVAR)
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Ducol, Jacques Mesny, Julien Warret
  • Patent number: 4090376
    Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and storing fabric knitted on a circular knitting machine comprises a carriage movable along the ground and which carries a fabric-receiving container. The carriage is engaged beneath the needle cylinder and other rotary parts of the machine to rotate therewith so that the container receives the fabric during knitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: FIMEC S.p.A.
    Inventor: Edo Pacini
  • Patent number: 3956907
    Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning textile material as the material is knitted from a strand of yarn into an elongated sock by a circular knitting machine includes a first roller over which the sock is passed and a second roller which urges the sock into engagement with the first roller. The first roller has a left-hand helix on one half of its surface which advances from the center of the roller to the edge of the roller as the roller rotates, and has a right-hand helix on the other half which advances from the center of the roller to the opposite end of the roller as the roller rotates. These helixes hold the sock in alignment between the first and second rollers. The first roller is driven by a belt and pulley arrangement and the second roller is free-wheeling so that it is rotated by tangential force applied thereto through the sock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: Wadsworth-Greenwood Corporation
    Inventors: Lonnie A. Murphy, Larry E. Rankin