Patents by Inventor Manfred Sauter

Manfred Sauter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7493780
    Abstract: The knitting method in accordance with the invention is based on simple knitting tools without means for closing a thread-receiving space that is created by a simple cutout configured as a stitch support shoulder. In the simplest case, the stitch is formed by a simple back-and-forth movement of two knitting tools relative to each other, whereby said knitting tools can be arranged approximately at a right angle with respect to each and can be alternately pierced through each other. In so doing, the taken up thread is pushed through the half stitch respectively carried by the other knitting tool. The knitting method is based on simple and sturdy tools that are minimally susceptible to wear. Considering the manufacture of left-left knitted goods, this method permits, in addition, a significant increase in productivity compared with conventional machines while, at the same time, featuring greater simplicity of the knitting process and of the knitting tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Uwe Stingel, Manfred Sauter
  • Patent number: 7334436
    Abstract: A system component (1) for a knitting system is composed of a body (3) with butt (18), which projects outward from the narrow side (16) of the body (3). According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the butt (18) is positioned inclined or at an angle to the body (3). A corresponding bending line extends in longitudinal or movement direction of the body (3). The angle (?) is thus defined in an imaginary plane (E) that intersects the body (3) in transverse direction. As a result of this measure, the butt (18) can also be adjusted relatively precisely at a right angle to the cam movement if the system component (1) along with it the body (3) is arranged somewhat inclined inside a corresponding guide slot (4) of a bed (5), wherein the angle ? then compensates for the tilting. A line-type contact between the butt (18) and the guide track (7) is achieved, which reduces wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Uwe Stingel, Eckhard Fehrenbacher, Manfred Sauter
  • Publication number: 20080034804
    Abstract: The knitting method in accordance with the invention is based on simple knitting tools without means for closing a thread-receiving space that is created by a simple cutout configured as a stitch support shoulder. In the simplest case, the stitch is formed by a simple back-and-forth movement of two knitting tools relative to each other, whereby said knitting tools can be arranged approximately at a right angle with respect to each and can be alternately pierced through each other. In so doing, the taken up thread is pushed through the half stitch respectively carried by the other knitting tool. The knitting method is based on simple and sturdy tools that are minimally susceptible to wear. Considering the manufacture of left-left knitted goods, this method permits, in addition, a significant increase in productivity compared with conventional machines while, at the same time, featuring greater simplicity of the knitting process and of the knitting tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Uwe Stingel, Manfred Sauter
  • Publication number: 20070144220
    Abstract: A system component (1) for a knitting system is composed of a body (3) with butt (18), which projects outward from the narrow side (16) of the body (3). According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the butt (18) is positioned inclined or at an angle to the body (3). A corresponding bending line extends in longitudinal or movement direction of the body (3). The angle (?) is thus defined in an imaginary plane (E) that intersects the body (3) in transverse direction. As a result of this measure, the butt (18) can also be adjusted relatively precisely at a right angle to the cam movement if the system component (1) along with it the body (3) is arranged somewhat inclined inside a corresponding guide slot (4) of a bed (5), wherein the angle a then compensates for the tilting. A line-type contact between the butt (18) and the guide track (7) is achieved, which reduces wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Uwe Stingel, Eckhard Fehrenbacher, Manfred Sauter
  • Patent number: 7086253
    Abstract: A needle (1), in particular a machine knitting needle, for instance for use in circular knitting machines, has a closing member (4), which is supported both pivotably and longitudinally displaceably. The motion of the closing member is controlled externally by a control element (5). The needle (1) of the invention makes do with especially short working strokes, both for the needle (1) and for the control element (5). It is sturdy, and among other purposes it is suitable for especially fine pitches and for higher number of systems in circular knitting machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Roland Simmendinger, Kurt Wiedenhöfer, Manfred Sauter
  • Patent number: 7007516
    Abstract: The latch needle (1) of the invention has a latch (7), which is provided on its free end, on its side facing away from the hook (3), with one or more recesses (18, 19). The function of these recesses is to reduce the moment of inertia of the latch (7), which leads to an increased service life of the latch. Between the recesses (18, 19), a rib remains, whose top side functions like a skid for loops to be transferred. The indentations (18, 19) are preferably elongated depressions. However, corresponding openings may be provided as a substitute instead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventor: Manfred Sauter
  • Publication number: 20060016227
    Abstract: A needle (1), in particular a machine knitting needle, for instance for use in circular knitting machines, has a closing member (4), which is supported both pivotably and longitudinally displaceably. The motion of the closing member is controlled externally by a control element (5). The needle (1) of the invention makes do with especially short working strokes, both for the needle (1) and for the control element (5). It is sturdy, and among other purposes it is suitable for especially fine pitches and for higher number of systems in circular knitting machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventors: Roland Simmendinger, Kurt Wiedenhofer, Manfred Sauter
  • Publication number: 20050217322
    Abstract: The latch needle (1) of the invention has a latch (7), which is provided on its free end, on its side facing away from the hook (3), with one or more recesses (18, 19). The function of these recesses is to reduce the moment of inertia of the latch (7), which leads to an increased service life of the latch. Between the recesses (18, 19), a rib remains, whose top side functions like a skid for loops to be transferred. The indentations (18, 19) are preferably elongated depressions. However, corresponding openings may be provided as a substitute instead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventor: Manfred Sauter
  • Patent number: 6574995
    Abstract: The improved latch needle (1) is provided with a latch (5) having a latch shaft (11) with side surfaces (21, 22), which are divided into surface areas (23, 24) that are offset against each other and/or are arranged at an angle to each other. As a result, the thickness of latch (5) measured in the direction of its rotational axis (27) is slightly larger than the thickness in the shaft region (43), particularly at a location (45) in the area of transition from the latch shaft (11) to the latch spoon (16). On the other hand, the location (43) is close to the hook-side opening of the latch slot (6). By reducing the width, particularly in this region, the easy movement of latch (5) is ensured even if dust or dirt enter the latch slot (6) or are deposited on the side surfaces (21, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert AG
    Inventors: Manfred Sauter, Karl-Heinz Mattes
  • Publication number: 20020152774
    Abstract: The improved latch needle (1) is provided with a latch (5) having a latch shaft (11) with side surfaces (21, 22), which are divided into surface areas (23, 24) that are offset against each other and/or are arranged at an angle to each other. As a result, the thickness of latch (5) measured in the direction of its rotational axis (27) is slightly larger than the thickness in the shaft region (43), particularly at a location (45) in the area of transition from the latch shaft (11) to the latch spoon (16). On the other hand, the location (43)[sic] is close to the hook-side opening of the latch slot (6). By reducing the width, particularly in this region, the easy movement of latch (5) is ensured even if dust or dirt enter the latch slot (6) or are deposited on the side surfaces (21, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Manfred Sauter, Karl-Heinz Mattes