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: Input pulses generated by rotation of a knitting machine are used to produce output pulses that energize needle selection mechanisms therein. A control system operates in such a fashion as to advance the output pulses with respect to the input pulses, while keeping pulse frequency constant. The control system is clocked, and a forward counter is programmed with a number which is dependent upon knitting machine speed, and which number is derived from the number of clock pulses intervening between subsequent input pulses. After the forward counter has been so programmed, it is clocked by the clock until the appropriate number of clock pulses has been counted. At that time, a pulse is generated by reverse counter and a monostable multivibrator, which is used to produce an output pulse according to a program stored in a PROM. Provision is made to bypass the counter when the knitting machine is operated at low speeds.

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.