Abstract: A plate for a separator for the successive seizure and separation of threads held in an array has a leading edge and at least one hook-shaped recess in the leading edge. The recess has a depth in the direction of plate movement which is greater than half the width of the recess. Between a hook tip and the leading edge there extends a fender edge at an angle of 15.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the direction of plate movement. The hook tip is rounded with a radius of up to 10% of the width of the hook-shaped recess.

Abstract: A composite protective body suitable, among others, for making protective garments comprises a pliable flat case with at least one panel of soft ballistic material, and an insert within the case. The insert is composed of a plurality of consituent bodies of glass or ceramic material. The constituent bodies of the insert are of axisymmetrical or centrosymmetrical shape and of a size commensurate with that of the kinetic missiles against which protection is to be afforded. The bodies are arranged in at least two superimposed layers in each of which the constituent bodies are spaced from each other by a distance smaller than the size of a body with each body in one layer bridging a gap between two bodies of the adjacent layer. Each constituent body of the insert is glued to all surrounding bodies by thermoplastic or thermosetting material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a drafting unit for textile slivers. The driving apparatus for the drafting unit is controlled by a main control and at least one auxiliary control. The drafting unit includes an upstream measuring element and a downstream measuring element which deliver measured signals to a central computer unit. A signal representing the inlet sliver cross-section is determined by means of an identification field parameter and by using the downstream measured signal. The identification field parameter is continuously adjusted during operation. A threshold switch is used to control the compensation for irregularities in the incoming sliver.

Abstract: A sports pants with protective pads includes a trunk and legs formed of elastically stretchable material with pockets in at least the hip and knee areas, and legs terminating in stirrup ends. At least groin, knee and hip areas have openable and closable pockets on interior surfaces of the pants for receipt of groin pads, hip pads, and knee pads of resilient foam material which are removable and replaceable in the pockets for protection of the wearer. The pads are removable for washing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved circular sliver knitting machine having increased carding capacity for increasing the amount of sliver which can be carded and fed into the knitting machine. A mounting ring is fixed on an upper bed plate fixed to the sliver knitting machine frame. A plurality of sliver feed assemblies are supported on a sliver feed mounting plate secured to the upper bed plate. The sliver feed assemblies interconnect to a ring gear mounted in surrounding spaced relation to the mounting ring. The sliver feed assemblies card and feed sliver yarn to the knitting needles as the ring gear is turned. A bearing assembly for allowing rotation of the ring gear relative to the mounting ring while withstanding radial and tangential loads imparted on the ring gear includes at least one wire race extending along the outer surface of the mounting ring and at least one wire race extending along the inner surface of the ring gear.

Abstract: A molded plastic garment hanger constituted from two materials which are fused and bonded to form a composite hanger. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for the two-step or co-injection molding of plastic materials for the formation of the plastic garment hanger construction. The plastic garment hanger incorporates an insert consisting of a second plastic material adapted to have indicia and/or logo means molded therein, and which insert may be fused to the hanger structure so as to form a bond with the first plastic material constituting the basic garment hanger.

Abstract: A sinker mechanism which includes multiple knitting needles placed in parallel above a needle bed with each sinker being mounted so that it can rock up and down so that its tip descends between adjacent knitting needles. A yarn-catching hook is provided at one sinker end; downward pressure is applied by a spring that can be removed from and replaced into the sinker so the yarn-catching hook will drop between adjacent knitting needles, and this downward force is adjustable so the yarn-catching hook's position is a function of the tension in the yarn it is holding. The sinker is located in the cut-out portion of the needle plate with the capability to rock up and down so that its back end can be linked to the end of the needle plate, and that the plate and is configured so that an arm projects to touch the rear cam.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a plurality of successive signals to detect a loss of the successive signals and to detect whether the signals are substantially alike and do not deviate from each other by more than a recognized, acceptable extent. The monitored signals are converted to digital signals that are fed to a blocking and comparing circuit. The blocking and comparing circuit selectively permits generation of an alarm signal for indicating unacceptable deviations in the monitored signals. The monitored signals also are fed to a registration circuit which registers whether only recognized acceptable deviations are present in the digital signals and, if so, causes the blocking and comparing circuit to prevent generation of an alarm signal.

Abstract: The invention sets forth a movable sinker which is to be disposed on a needle bed of a flat knitting machine, employing compound needles. The movable sinker is provided with a cam abutting part, a stopper with a pivot hole between the cam abutting part and the stopper, a front tip part includes a guide part with an inclined lower edge which guides the knitting thread to a stopping part. The guide part is so formed that the knitting thread supplied at the time of knitting by this flat knitting machine is securely guided in the hook part of the knitting needle, and the stitch pull-in amount of the carriage at the time of forming a stitch is reduced.

Abstract: In a circular knitting machine of the type in which the needles are selectively moved into and out of operative relationship with needle cam tracks, flexure of the lower portion of the needle shanks properly locates the lower end portions of the needle shanks in close proximity to selection devices. Such flexure is effected by a plurality of individually radially displaceable rollers. The rollers are disposed in rolling engagement with the outer surface of a flexible band which, in turn, is positioned around the needle cylinder in closely encircling relationship to the needle members at a point below and on the opposite side of a fulcrum located adjacent to and near the upper end of the needle members. As the needle cylinder rotates, the rollers are engaged by cams and displaced toward the needle shanks. The rollers thus engage and inwardly displace portions of the band and thus the needle members therebehind, effecting movement of the needles into close proximity to the selection devices.

Abstract: A device and method for mounting fabric on a mounting board or frame. The device includes a channel molding or strip having a plurality of barbs of cone shaped teeth located on the outside surface of the channel. The device is fitted on the edge of a mounting board or frame, fabric is stretched over the board or frame and impaled on the barbs or teeth thus securing the fabric on the mounting board or frame. The device is small enough that it would be hidden within the rabbet of conventional picture frame molding.

Abstract: A footwear remover having a body portion and a head portion secured to the body portion. The head portion has a plurality of ridges on a top planar surface and a V-shaped recess for receiving a heel of a shoe, boot, or the like. The body portion has a pair of opposed triangular shaped sides which connect to the head portion. The bottom surface includes a plurality of ridges to grip the other shoe during use.

Abstract: In the apparatus for drawing down knitted fabrics, a fixed position roller, a pressure roller and a drive for the rollers are located below mountainously opposed needle heads. The contact pressure between the rollers is controlled by a pivot mechanism including a cam driven by a motor and a spring connected to the cam and also connected to a pivot arm supporting the pressure roller. Rotation of the cam controls the spring force exerted on the pivot arm by the spring and thus controls movement of the pivot arm to lessen or increase contact pressure between the rollers.

Abstract: A brief in which there is provided a shaping portion in a front portion of the brief for shaping the formation of a swell at the front of the brief at the position corresponding to the male genitalia. The shaping portion has a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface and is composed of a three-layer construction including an outer cloth, an inner cloth, and a soft synthetic resin layer. There is provided a concave portion for receiving the male genitalia at the inner surface of the shaping portion and the outer surface of the shaping portion is formed with a convex formation, and there is provided a fixing portion at the open ends of the concave portion. The shaping portion has a hard synthetic resin layer inside the shaping portion, and a receiving bag is mounted inside the resin layer to insert a shaping member into the receiving bag.

Abstract: A bale opener for detaching fiber tufts from top faces of fiber bales includes a tower for travelling along a fiber bale series in a direction of travel; a cantilever housing supported on, and projecting laterally from the tower; an opening roll supported for rotation in the cantilever housing and being oriented horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel; and a displacing mechanism for displacing the cantilever housing and the opening roll as a unit horizontally relative to the tower, in a direction transverse to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A sock having a cuff portion with an inner and outer layer disposed in overlying relation and including a pocket integrally formed therebetween having an opening near a top edge of the cuff. A seam extending downwardly on opposite sides of the opening and along a bottom of the cuff defines the boundaries of an interior of the pocket. A hook and loop-type fastener attached on opposite, opposing surfaces of the pocket's interior, adjacent the opening, serves to releasably secure the opening in a closed, sealed position.

Abstract: The apparatus has particular use in the detection of flaws in articles being knitted on a circular knitting machine and aplies in particular to the manufacturing of footwear. The apparatus comprises a light source, an electro-optical sensor receiving light coming from the light source after the light has been reflected by the knitted fabric, or after it has passed through that knitted fabric. Devices are provided for processing the data produced by the electro-optical sensor. According to the invention, there is provided a linear endoscope fixedly mounted along the rotation axis of the machine, whose viewing cone is matched to a distal lens and is oriented radially towards the knitted fabric. The photosensitive zone of the electro-optical sensor is located at the image plane of a lens located at a proximal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: Sheet material 30 is taken from a supply 32 and is cut by cutter 36 into segments 35. The segments are moved rapidly parallel to their cut edges into a slower operating first sewing station 40 where elastic bands are sewn to the side edges of the segments. The rapidly moving trailing portion of the segment 35 of sheet material is temporarily accumulated at the accumulation station 39 and progressively fed at a slower rate through the first sewing station 40. The side edges are folded into overlying relationship with respect to the main body portion at folding station 42. Sewing machines 64 and 165 are moved inwardly of the sewing path to simultaneously cut and sew diagonal corners at the trailing and leading edges of the segments, with the sewing machines pivoting so as to face the relative movement of the sheet material, and the removed corners 25 and elastic banding 21 are pulled away from the work product by a vacuum system 186.

Abstract: A laminate comprising an inner layer containing an acid/base indicator and an outer layer containing no acid/base indicator, wherein the inner layer is capable of undergoing a color change upon its contact with an acid or an alkali.

Abstract: A sock and method for manufacturing the same utilizes a formable or "puff" ink. The ink is applied by screen printing to the upper heel area of the sock and the ink is heat set. The ink rises upon setting (curing) to form a friction producing surface on the back of the sock above the heel. The printed surface prevents to sock from sliding into the shoe during periods of exercising such as walking, jogging or other physical activities.