Abstract: A latch needle for machines for producing knitted goods has a needle shank, a needle head and a latch which is pivotably supported in a latch slot.In order to assure that even after long use the latch will close satisfactorily, and will not come to rest beside or underneath the needle head when closing, the latch spoon (8) is tilted with respect to the plane of symmetry (10) of the latch (5), pointing toward one side of the needle shank (1); the lateral distance (A) from the most extreme point (11) of the latch spoon (8) to the plane of symmetry (12) of the needle is equal to not more than half the shank thickness.

Abstract: A latch needle for knitting machines has a hook and needle shank and a latch pivotally mounted in a longitudinal slot in the needle shank with the faces of the needle shank flanking the longitudinal slot having support portions recessed relative to the upper edge of the needle shank for supporting a widened portion of the rear part or spine of the latch. A short portion of the longitudinal slot contains an aperture leading to the lower edge of the needle shank, and a further portion of the longitudinal slot adjacent to the short portion is deeper than half the height of the needle shank and projects in length beyond the end of the latch in its rearward open position displaced away from the hook. The support portions of the shank for the widened portion of the spine of the latch are located over the inner starting region of the further portion of the longitudinal slot.