Abstract: A straight bar knitting machine has a variable draw mechanism including a draw cam, means following the draw cam, a first differential input member, means for varying the ratio with which movement of the draw cam following means is transmitted to the first differential input member, a second differential input member and means for controlling the movement of the second input member so as to provide a lead of the carrier in each direction of carrier traverse. The control means include a cam mounting movable conjointly with the first differential input member, cams on the mounting of fixed throw, means for moving the cams in step with the means for varying the transmission ratio to the first differential input member and cam follower means for engaging the cams and connected to second differential input member so as to ensure that the fixed throw establishes the desired extent of carrier lead at the end of each traverse at varying draw widths.

Abstract: A draw mechanism for a straight bar knitting machine has a positively driven slurcock and a positively driven yarn carrier (i.e. not using a friction box) and drive means for reciprocating the yarn carrier on a guide means for the yarn carrier. Resilient means are provided interposed between the drive means and the carrier which urge the carrier to a normal position. In this way the carrier can be stopped in a predetermined position while the resilient means are stressed as the drive means overruns to some extent.

Abstract: A straight bar knitting machine has pivots and levers for operating different reciprocable bars (such as needle bar, knockover bar and catch bar) arranged in a novel configuration wherein most levers extend from a longitudinally arranged pivot area to locate in a longitudinal substantial L-shaped zone and these levers are connected by links to the reciprocable bar or bars to form fabric in a zone substantially diagonally opposite the pivot area formed by the levers and the links when seen from the side. The configuration in a preferred embodiment has separate cams and cam shafts below and behind the L-shaped zone and for greater compactness a pair of fabric forming zones may be arranged back to back on a single machine with a common cam shaft arranged between the respective L-shaped cones associated with the fabric forming zones.

Abstract: A straight bar knitting machine for example of the Cotton's Patent type has (see FIG. 1) a shaft (4) which is resistant to torque located inside a knitting head (H) to reduce distortion of a knockover bar (2) located between a needle bar (33) and a sinker bar (30) by means of means (8,10,12) which interconnect the knockover bar and the shaft in such a way that the shaft oscillates concurrently with the reciprocation of the knockover bar.

Abstract: In a jack bar assembly for a straight bar knitting machine, a pair of jacks is used for each jack-operated sinker. A first jack mounted on a first pivot has a rear edge engaged by the slurcock. A second jack mounted on a second pivot has a rear edge engaged by a nose of the first jack and a nose which engages and actuates the sinker. An increased mechanical leverage provided by the cooperating first and second jacks permits reduction in the advance provided by the slurcock and faster smoother operation.

Abstract: A latchguard member is mounted on a rib needle bar assembly of a straight bar knitting machine of the Cotton's Patent type. The rib needles have latches which are pivotable between an open and closed attitude and the latchguard member is actuated to lie over the tips of the latches in the open attitude and to withdraw below the latches to permit them to close as the old loops are landed on the latches. In a preferred embodiment the actuating means for the latchguard member are arranged to superimpose a differential latchguard member and rib needle bar movement over their joint movement imparted by a needle bar actuating means.