Abstract: Each needle groove formed in the needle bed of the knitting machine for slidably receiving the corresponding needle comprises a first dip registering with the major portion of the needle in the longitudinal direction, as well as a second, deeper dip engageable by a bent portion of the needle catch when this catch is retracted in the groove by a cam so as to clear the catch from the cam path, notably the path of the knockwing-over cam. When the needle is pushed by the key associated therewith or when this needle is selected in its operative position, the bent portion of the needle is raised by a ramp for engagement with the first, shallower dip.

Abstract: A safety device is provided for a knitting machine to ensure that the carriage stops in the case of sudden variation of the speed as a result of an impact or other occurrence such as tangling of the yarn into a ball. The device includes a metal strip formed with equidistant perforations assembled parallel to one of the needle bars of the knitting machine. A bridge integral with the carriage moves along this strip, and has on one side an emitter and on the other a transducer. When the carriage moves the succession of perforations gives rise to pulses of length inversely proportional to the translational speed of the carriage. A CPU processing unit processes the signal obtained after amplification and shaping of the pulses and delivers a STOP signal when a sudden disturbance is detected in the movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A cam-support carriage for a knitting machine comprises movable cams for controlling knitting needles. The cams are adapted to be put out of operation by an electro-magnetic positioning device. The electro-magnetic device comprises a permanent magnet having a low coercive field associated with a magnetization/demagnetization coil and a moving part of ferromagnetic metal, integral with the cam to be positioned. The coil is connected to an excitation and control circuit ensuring magnetization and demagnetization of the permanent magnet by a current pulse in the coil, in order respectively to attract and release said moving part and its integral cam in order to being the cam out of or into operation.

Abstract: A drawing device for a straight knitting machine comprises two belts capable of being continuously driven in opposite directions by respective drive shafts over two pulleys of small diameter. The pulleys are located in the area in which the stitches are formed and extend over the entire useful length of the needle rows of the knitting machine. The pulleys and thereby the belts are supported by pivoting frames and the belts are pressed one against the other by the rotation of their drive shafts. In use, knitting is drawn gently and continuously, with the possibility of sliding, between the belts, as the stitches are formed and quite close to the area in which these stitches are formed.