Abstract: An operator inputs design information including shape information and stitch structure information of a fabric to be knitted by a keyboard input unit and a coordinate input unit. An engineering workstation prepares a fabric image showing the state of a finished fabric on the basis of these information, displays it on a color display, and converts it to sequence data indicating the knitting operation sequence of the fabric (knitting machine) and control data indicating the control operation of the knitting machine, respectively.

Abstract: In order to enable knitting continuously an elastic waist part or a locally bulging breast part (C) of a knit apparel such as a body suit, brassiere, petticoat, or panties over the entire structure thereof, the stitching cams (36) and cushion cams (37) of each stitch density adjustment device (35) of a circular knitting machine are caused by signals from a stitch density adjustment control device (E) to undergo up-and-down movement relative to a second guard cam (30) independently in each knitting section (I, II, III, . . .) or simultaneously altogether with respect to all knitting sections by way of an operating ring (38). Also, for knitting various patterns, the stitching cams (36) together with other cams are caused to advance and retract in the radial direction of the knitting cylinder (2).

Abstract: A device for selecting needles in a circular knitting machine of the elastic jack type, comprising auxiliary jacks positioned below and in the same tricks as the elastic jacks. The auxiliary jacks are selected electromagnetically so that they act to radially lock the elastic jacks while these are in their flexed position within the tricks so that they cannot return outwards and thus engage their raising cams and activate their needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a selectable knitting machine mechanism such as needle selection mechanism or a yarn feed changeover mechanism in a knitting machine having a rotating knitting machine component such as a needle cylinder, a cam box, or a dial is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the knitting machine component and generating a periodic signal therefrom. A control mechanism cooperates with the sensor and generates a control signal to the selectable knitting machine mechanism responsive to a predetermined trigger point of the periodic signal. The control mechanism includes a mechanism for delaying the predetermined trigger point when the rotational speed of the knitting machine component is relatively slow and for advancing the predetermined trigger point when the rotational speed of the knitting machine is relatively fast. The control mechanism includes a phase-control, frequency/voltage converter.

Abstract: An automatic method for adjusting the relative height between a needle cylinder and a stitch forming cam of an automatic knitting machine. A control means stores information for each different type of yarn that the machine might use. This information consists of a relative height for each of two different widths of the item being knitted. Using these two pairs of numbers, the proper relative height for any given width can be calculated using a linear equation. As a stocking is automatically knitted, and different zones of the stocking are produced, the proper relative height is calculated using the stored information, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of either the needle cylinder or the stitch forming cam.

Abstract: Needle selection is effected by an assembly fixed on and rotating with the cylinder and consisting of a plurality of horizontal jacks selected by controlled electromagnets, and an electronic control system. The assembly is provided with Hall sensors which receive magnetic pulses from stationary coil positioned around the rotating assembly.

Abstract: The switching device is designed for switching on or off an electrical switching element assigned control to at least one functional unit of a knitting machine, including a timing generator and a pattern controlling device delivering binary control signals used for the selection or the non-selection of knitting needles according to a desired pattern. The switching device includes an electrical switching circuit having a first input connected to a pattern controlling device and an output connected to the electrical switching member, and further includes a device which, at the output, produces a switching, on or off signal when the input receives a predetermined sequence of the binary control signals of the same binary value, or when, after the predetermined sequence, there occurs a control signal of the other binary value or when this other conrol signal of the other binary value occurs after a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: A needle picker releasing device in a circular knitting machine for the production of hosiery goods performs releasing of pickers from a non-operative into an operative position by kinematic action of an electromagnet moving a blocking device. The electromagnet may be operated by a microswitch contacting a cam. The blocking device may be a double armed lever arranged between the electromagnet and the picker, one arm of the lever being engagable with the picker so as to block the motion of the picker and another arm of the lever being engageable by the electromagnet, movement of the other arm being obtained in one direction by the electromagnetic when energized and in another direction by spring means.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine having a main supporting frame which is stationary and a plurality of operating instrumentalities arranged to move about a central axis of the machine during the knitting operation. A first control device is provided on the stationary supporting frame. A second control device is provided on a machine part which is arranged to move about said axis. The first and second control devices each include a light signal source and a light signal receptor. A first optical fiber bundle is connected to the first control device and a second optical fiber bundle is connected to the second control device. The free ends of the first and second fiber bundles are provided in a mutually opposed configuration in radial planes and centered on the machine axis. The second fiber bundle is arranged for movement with the rotary machine part so as to be rotatable about the axis. Each fiber bundle comprises two sets of optical fibers.

Abstract: A device for the display and editing of knitting patterns to be produced by means of a flat-bed knitting machine has an image memory containing the knitting pattern loop by loop in an arrangement by lines and columns, which is on its input side connected with a horizontal and a vertical address counter and on its output side with a monitor, furthermore a CPU for the programmed control of the image memory and of the monitor, and a data entry device. In order to obtain in such a device a change in the knitting pattern, especially the stretching of loops, in a simpler and quicker way and with a lesser need for memory locations, a device is provided for the pre-determined change by line or point of at least parts of the data content read from the image memory, in which image memory a memory location each is associated with a corresponding loop of the knitting pattern, as well as for displaying of both the changed part of the data content and the unchanged part of the data content on the monitor.

Abstract: Methods for circular weft knitting of variegated articles and selectively programmable circular weft knitting machine apparatus for carrying out such methods including means for effecting selective, controlled two dimensional displacement of compound needle member components and associated sinker elements so as to provide each such needle member with the selectable capability of performing a knit, tuck or float operation at each yarn feed location independent of the direction of knitting needle approach thereto.

Abstract: A control magnet assembly (10) for a pattern apparatus in knitting machines, for electrically controlled needle selection, has selection magnets (29, 30), which are provided with permanent magnetic retaining pole zones and with control pole zones with which control coils (42, 43; 52, 53) that are triggerable in accordance with the pattern are associated, and against which armature elements (26) operatively connected with the needles (18) can be brought. In a control magnet assembly (10) of this kind, optimal magnetic conditions in the control pole zone are to be provided such that a uniform and reliable throwing off of the appropriate armature elements (26) is always attained. To this end, a measuring head (15, 25) is provided for detecting the magnitude of the magnetic field in the control pole zone, and a circuit layout is provided between the measuring head (15, 25) and the control coil (42, 43, 52, 53).

Abstract: The device is provided with electric signal emitting members associated with one machine portion, electric signal receiving members associated with another machine portion, a first and second optical fiber element respectively attached to a first and second stationary machine portion, a third and fourth optical fiber element attached to a rotating machine portion included between the first and second stationary machine portion. The ends of the first and second optical fiber element mutually face respective ends of the third and fourth optical fiber elements, the ends thereof laying coaxial with the axis of the rotating machine portion and the first and third optical fiber elements being autonomous from the second and fourth optical fiber elements for contemporaneously transmitting different signals having different frequencies from one of the machine portion to the other.

Abstract: To transfer electric control signals between a stationary portion and rotary portion of a machine, in particular a circular knitting machine, a device is disclosed which comprises two optical fiber cables respectively attached, the one to the stationary portion and the other to the rotary portion, and arranged to axially face each other on the rotation axis of the machine rotary portion such that the light flux can be transferred from one fiber to the other. An electro-optical element converts the electric signals, which may be of the digital type, into optical signals, which are applied to one of the optical fiber cables and then received on the other cable through a coupling for free relative coaxial rotation. The signals are again converted into electric signals through an opto-electric element, and then processed to control machine actuators. The transfer arrangement is free of any sliding electric contacts and unaffected by noise and interference.

Abstract: A program-controlled knitting machine provides a method of knitting circular knit elasticized tubular goods, e.g., compressive stockings, in which the size of the goods and the amount of compression asserted when worn are controlled according to the specific size and needs of the individual using the goods.

Abstract: In a control device for a knitting machine including a number of knitting carriages running in a knitting circle in a needle bed, a stationary control part and a movable control part are provided. Both control parts operate during the entire knitting process independently from each other. The stationary control part stores information data from stationary components of the machine and the movable control part stores information data for pattern cords of one or several knitted pieces. The application of the data into the movable control part is effected by a cable from a special laser or the stationary control part when the knitting machine is in the inoperative position. The transmission of the data from the movable control part to the running knitting carriages to cause a selection of individual needles over the whole range of knitting and also changes in functions of the running carriages is effected by a cable which connects the movable control part to the running carriages.

Abstract: A knitting machine provided with patterning mechanisms responsive to pattern-control signals is caused to produce a non-repeating pattern by generating the pattern-control signals randomly, using a random signal generator not operating in synchronism with machine operation and generating potential pattern-control signals, from which actual pattern-control signals are derived in synchronism with machine operation. Although the pattern-control pulses are randomly generated, the overall character of the pattern produced can be altered by adjustment of the random signal generator to thereby alter the probabilities in the random generation of potential pattern-control signals. Also, pattern restraints are imposed upon the randomly produced pattern-control signals in both the horizontal and vertical directions, involving the number of consecutive stitches of a certain type that are to be permitted to adjoin in one course and in one wale, this being selectable in a manner not detracting from randomness.

Abstract: In a flat knitting machine having an electrically controlled selecting dee for the needles, the selecting jacks (11) controlling the needles are movably mounted in the needle grooves of the needle bed in the same direction as the needles and include staggered feet which form foot rows in the longitudinal direction of the needle bed. For each of the foot rows a control element is provided on the carriage, which can be moved into and out of operative position between adjacent feet of a foot row. For the purpose of increasing the performance of the flat knitting machine and to achieve a simple and easy carriage structure, all control elements (2) are preferably formed as light double-armed levers and are pivotably mounted on an axle attached to the carriage and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the needle bed.

Abstract: Operation conditions of a knitting machine for respective courses are marked on predetermined columns of a program sheet and are thus stored, the program sheet is rotated in the normal direction or reverse direction by one pitch per course, and marks are read out at every step of the program sheet by a mark reader to operate the knitting machine under conditions indicated by the read marks. In the apparatus for saving instuctions of a program sheet according to the present invention, when the operation of a knitting machine is continuously conducted under the same conditions, the stepwise advance of the program sheet is stopped and when the operation of the knitting machine is repeated according to a certain operation cycle, the program sheet is rotated in the normal direction or reverse direction according to said operation cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoelectric reading type control system for a flat knitting machine, in which a single program sheet having marks at predetermined positions is verified by a photoelectric mark reader and selection of needles, change of threads and other operation are performed according to information verified by the mark reader.In the present invention electromagnets disposed on a groove of the same pitch as that of a needle groove are independently actuated so that a selector is moved and a batt of a jack necessary for needle selection is shifted in the vertical direction with respect to a wing cam, thereby to enable optional selection of needles, and an automatic control system, especially a photoelectric reading type control system, is disposed so that selection of the jack and other operations are performed according to information obtained by verification of a single program sheet having marks at predetermined positions by a photoelectric mark reader.

Abstract: A needle selection mechanism for an automatic knitting machine, comprising at least two selector levers mounted to a carriage which is adapted to move along a needle retainer in which are disposed a plurality of selectors for knitting needles, wherein each selector is individually engageable with one of the selector levers, and different selectors are engageable with different selector levers, and wherein the selector levers set the selectors to either "knit" or "welt" positions.

Abstract: A knitting width indication system for hand knitting machines, wherein a fabric piece pattern memory device and a pattern width indication display device cooperating with the knitting machine carriage are provided, and whereby the knitting width is read out step by step from the pattern width electronic memory device in synchronism with the traversing movement of the carriage on a needle bed to display the knitting width of each knitting step on a pattern width indication display device. The pattern width electronic memory device stores a variety of fabric outline pattern data. The fabric outline width data are read out and displayed in serial order, in synchronism with each traversing movement of the carriage. Referring to the fabric outline width datum on the display device, the operator can set the proper knitting width on the needle bed.

Abstract: In a flatbed knitting machine having one or more carriages movable reciprocally or, on a closed path with respect to one or two needle beds, control data is conveyed to the or each carriage by light or other electromagnetic radiation or acoustically, one or more data transmitters being located externally of the needle bed or beds and the carriage having means for processing and storing data relating to at least one knitting course. The transmission zone is screened or otherwise shielded against interference. The transmitted signals may be modulated in various ways and alarm and timing control arrangements are described.