Abstract: An air ejection nozzle located above the sinker dial and needle cylinder of the machine blows fiber waste from the needle groove of the needle cylinder and toward a fiber waste collection box located below the sinker dial. The fiber waste within the box is collected by a member movable within the box by the sinker dial, and is removed from the box by a suction nozzle communicating with an outlet opening of the box.

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: Fiber waste generated adjacent the knitting section of the knitting machine and adjacent yarn feeding devices of the machine is blown to a filter adjacent the top of the machine. The lint is removed from the filter by a rotatable filter cleaner and then is transported by suction to a vacuum device outside of the machine. A blower for blowing fiber waste from the yarn feeding devices is mounted upon a support ring and undergoes reciprocal movement about a path of travel defined by such ring. In one embodiment the ring undergoes rotational movement and the blowing means moves with it, while in another embodiment the ring is stationary and the blowing means moves relative to it.

Abstract: An automatic stitch cam adjustment mechanism for a circular knitting machine is disclosed. The knitting machine includes a plurality of knitting needles supported in a rotating needle cylinder for vertical movement parallel to the axis of rotation of the needle cylinder. A plurality of cam support brackets surround the needle cylinder, and a plurality of stitch cam support members are slidably mounted on the cam support brackets for vertical movement thereon. Stitch cams are mounted on the stitch cam support members for engaging the needles and lowering the needles to a loop formation point. A drive motor is connected to each of the stitch cam support members for moving the stitch cam support members up and down. Sensors are included for (1) measuring the position of the movable support members along the vertical path of movement, (2) detecting the rotational speed of the needle cylinder, and (3) measuring a feeding characteristic of the yarn such as yarn feed tension or quantity.

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).

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for winding and doffing a roll of knitted cloth from a circular knitting machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a winding roller for winding knitted cloth produced on the knitting machine. A universal joint pivotably connects one end of the winding roller to one support arm. The other end of the winding roller is removably supported by an opposing support arm. After a roll of knitted cloth is wound, the other end of the winding roller is moved to an unloading, doffing position by swinging the free end of the winding roller using the universal joint as a fulcrum. At this position, the roll of knitted cloth is inclined downwardly and one end is placed on a receiver tray. The cloth roll is then pushed from the winding roller onto the receiver tray. The receiver tray is moved and the other end of the winding roller is moved back to the home position.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine is constructed for facilitating replacement of the needle cylinder and dial element without the necessity of hoisting the dial by means such as a chain block. The circular knitting machine includes a circular dial element supported adjacent the opening in the upper end of the needle cylinder. A rotatable drive shaft is supported at the upper end of a frame support member and extends downward to a position adjacent the circular opening in the upper end of the needle cylinder. A vertically extending support sleeve surrounds the drive shaft and is supported at the upper end on the frame support member for telescopic vertical movement relative to the drive shaft. The lower end of the support sleeve is fixed to the dial for supporting same. A dial control is provided for lifting and lowering the support sleeve along the drive shaft to lift the dial element a sufficient distance to permit removal and replacement of the needle cylinder.

Abstract: A yarn changing apparatus for a multi-feed circular knitting machine includes lever arms connected to yarn feeding fingers. Vertically moveable sliders operatively connect to the lever arms and are slidable between raised and lowered positions to move the lever arms and yarn feeding fingers connected thereto, so as to place the yarn feeding fingers into operative and nonoperative positions. Vertically moveable rocking jacks pivotably connect to the sliders with each rocking jack including pivotably moveable upper and lower ends. Remotely programmed selection units are operative with the rocking jacks for aiding in pivoting the rocking jacks. The remotely programmed selection unit includes upper and lower electromagnetic block units which are energizable and act upon selectors to engage and pivot the rocking jacks.

Abstract: A central stitch length controlling apparatus for simultaneously varying the length of stitch loops being knit and optionally the positioning of the yarn guides (31) in a multi-feed circular knitting machine. The apparatus includes a vertically adjustable inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47) which supports the knitting cams (7) and optionally the yarn guides (31) thereon. A plurality of sprocket wheels (18, 38) is disposed around the inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47) and a fixed outer ring (16, 43). Rotation of the sprocket wheels (18, 38) selectively raises and lowers the inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47). A sprocket chain (19, 46) drivingly interconnects the sprocket wheels (18, 38) to each other and may be manually rotated for simultaneously imparting like rotational movement to each of the sprocket wheels (18, 38) to thereby selectively raise or lower the inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47) and the knitting cams (7) supported thereby.

Abstract: A method of constructing a plated pile knit fabric and sinker therefor is disclosed. The sinker is adapted for low pile formation in the construction of the plating pile knit fabric. Each sinker is obliquely movable from an advanced, lower position to a receded, upper position. A pile position control ledge extends horizontally with respect to the incline of the sinker. The distance between the sinker nose and sinker pile position control ledge is more extended than in a conventional sinker, and as a result, the sinker nose can be positioned lower than that in a conventional sinker so as to form low piles.

Abstract: Conversion of a circular knitting machine having a particular diameter of needle cylinder to a machine having a different diameter of needle cylinder is permitted within a limited range of sizes of needle cylinders. This conversion is made possible by providing a plurality of sets of segmental knitting cam support blocks which may be positioned around needle cylinders of different diameters to reduce the normal number of parts which must be replaced when changing a particular knitting machine from one size needle cylinder to another. The number of yarn feeders associated with each segmental knitting cam support blocks of each set is determined so that the number of yarn feeders supported by each segmental knitting cam support block is equivalent to an integral multiple of one pitch covered by one yarn feeder.

Abstract: Each feed of the multiple feed circular knitting machine is provided with selector cams to position needles in one of four positions, knit, tuck, welt and early withdrawal positions. Two types of knitting needles are provided and each type of needle includes a master butt with a knite selector butt and a tuck selector butt. The selector cams are mounted on rotatable selector cam cylinders which are positioned to overlap each other to permit the selector cams to be arranged at the closest possible lateral distance from each other and to thereby permit an increased number of feeds to be positioned around the machine. The early withdrawal position of the selector cams is provided so that the dial needles do not interfere with the formation of stitch loops by the cylinder needles, when knitting on only the cylinder needles, such as when forming blister knit stitch constructions.

Abstract: The methods of knitting the pile jacquard fabric are carried out on a circular knitting machine including needles and sinkers, and a plurality of adjacent yarn feeders. The fabric includes successive courses of plain jersey stitch wales knit of a ground yarn with each successive course also including a first pile loop yarn knit with the ground yarn in selected groups of adjacent wales and forming an individual pile loop in each intervening sinker wale, and a second pile loop yarn knit with the ground yarn in other groups of adjacent needle wales and forming an individual pile loop in each intervening sinker wale. Both the individual pile loops of the first and second pile loop yarns are positioned in side-by-side relationship in adjacent groups in each successive continuous ground yarn course so that the density of the pile loops corresponds with the density of the ground yarn stitch loops.

Abstract: Vertically stacked drive wheels (17.sub.1, 17.sub.2, 17.sub.3 and 17.sub.4) are provided above a yarn feed wheel (21) which is provided with a first yarn feed surface (27) providing comparatively high friction with the yarn engaged thereby and adaptable for use when the rate of yarn feeding varies, such as in the case of Jacquard pattern knitting, and a second yarn feed surface (28) providing comparatively low friction against the yarn engaged thereby and adapted for use when the rate of yarn feeding is constant, such as in the case of plain knitting. Manually adjustable yarn guide means (29, 30) is provided for selectively guiding yarn to the first and second yarn feed surfaces (27, 28). Clutch members (24, 24') are interposed between pairs of the vertically stacked drive wheels and are selectively operable to impart rotation to the feed wheel (21) from a selected one of the drive wheels.

Abstract: The wear life of knitting machine instrumentalities, such as knitting needles, sinkers, or the like, is increased by providing a reinforcing wear-resistant plate member on the operating butt portion thereof to effectively increase the thickness of the operating butt portion. The wear-resistant plate member includes a cam engaging edge extending along the cam engaging edge of the operating butt portion with the cam engaging edge being inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclined angle of the operating cams of the knitting machine which it is adapted to engage. A beveled edge extends along the junction of the cam engaging edge and the face of the adjacent operating butt portion to form a groove defining an oil retaining sump between the plate member and the operating butt portion for temporarily retaining lubricant therein and for providing lubrication between the operating butt portion and the operating cams.

Abstract: The needle selection device includes a pair of vertically arranged needle selection units in advance of each yarn feeding and knitting station with one of the needle selection units being operable to select needles to knit and welt positions and the other of the selection units being operable to select needles to tuck and welt positions. The vertically arranged selection units correspond and cooperate with corresponding upper and lower selector jacks positioned beneath each knitting needle. The operation of the needle selection units is carried out along a single vertical selection line in advance of each knitting station. The vertical arrangement of the needle selection units and the selection along the single vertical line permits the knitting stations to be closely spaced adjacent to each other and permits a greater number of knitting stations to be positioned around the needle cylinder, thereby increasing the production rate of the knitting machine.

Abstract: The lint removing apparatus of the present invention is provided with at least one air jet ejecting pipe which is supported for rotation in a circular path of travel so that air is directed over and against selected portions of the knitting machine. Means is provided for supporting the air ejection pipe for rotation and drive means interconnects the rotary needle cylinder with the air ejecting pipe for rotating the air ejecting pipe in the same direction as the needle cylinder and at a decreased speed relative to the rotational speed of the rotary needle cylinder. The drive means includes a planetary gear system including a plurality of bevel gears and a bearing housing supporting the bevel gears. The bearing housing includes a lower rotatable body tube and an upper nonrotating cap.

Abstract: The waste fiber removing device of the present invention is provided with at least one air jet nozzle and a fluttering motion is imparted to the free outer end of the air jet nozzle so that the air is directed over a relatively wide area of the knitting machine. The air jet nozzle is either stationary or may be rotated to prevent the accumulation of lint on various adjacent parts of the knitting machine. The fluttering motion of the air jet nozzle is preferably accomplished by forming the area adjacent the free end of an elastic or other type of flexible material. Various types of adjusting devices are provided for limiting the fluttering motion of the air jet nozzle so as to vary the area of the knitting machine against which the air is directed to blow away lint and the like.

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.

Abstract: An individual yarn clamping and cutting device is provided for each yarn guide and is moved to an open position in response to movement of the yarn guide from active to inactive position. The yarn clamping and cutting devices are moved to a closed position by cam means carried by the rotating needle cylinder. A yarn guide shifting cam is provided for imparting a slight amount of downward movement to the yarn guides to shift the same from a first upper active position to a second slightly lower active yarn feeding position during introduction of the yarn to reduce the tension in the yarn as the needles begin to knit and to aid in preventing yarn breakage. The yarn guides are mounted to facilitate individual threading of the yarn guides and are mounted for outward tilting movement of their upper ends to a readily accessible threading position while the remaining yarn guides remain in the normal operating position.