Abstract: A circular knitting machine and a jacquard pattern control mechanism therefor is provided in which knitting instrumentalities slidably mounted in grooves in a rotating member, such as a needle cylinder, sinker cap or dial, are controlled by a rocker bar supporting member slidably mounted in each groove behind the knitting instrumentality, the rocker bar supporting member having at least one butt thereon, a rocker bar pivotally mounted on the rocker bar supporting member and having magnetically attractable sections at opposite ends thereof, a magnetic attraction device selectively attracting the magnetically attractable sections of the rocker bar to pivot the rocker bar to control the selection of knitting instrumentalities to be moved from inactive to active positions and a cam system for moving the rocker bar supporting member and selected knitting instrumentalities.

Abstract: The waste fiber removing device of the present invention is provided with at least one air jet nozzle and a fluttering motion is imparted to the free outer end of the air jet nozzle so that the air is directed over a relatively wide area of the knitting machine. The air jet nozzle is either stationary or may be rotated to prevent the accumulation of lint on various adjacent parts of the knitting machine. The fluttering motion of the air jet nozzle is preferably accomplished by forming the area adjacent the free end of an elastic or other type of flexible material. Various types of adjusting devices are provided for limiting the fluttering motion of the air jet nozzle so as to vary the area of the knitting machine against which the air is directed to blow away lint and the like.

Abstract: The present unitary needle selection device is operable to selectively position the knitting needles of a circular knitting machine in either knit, tuck or welt positions. The needle selection device includes a pair of side-by-side stacks of selector slides or cams supported for individual horizontal sliding movement between innermost active and outermost inactive radial positions. The inner ends of the selector slides are aligned with selector butts of selector jacks and a pattern drum is supported for indexable rotation adjacent the outer ends of the selector slides. Pairs of vertically aligned rows of pattern combs are supported in spaced-apart relationship on the pattern drum and the pattern butts are vertically aligned and movable into engagement with the outer ends of the corresponding side-by-side stacks of selector slides.

Abstract: Sliding latch needles used in slots of rotary cylinders of circular knitting machines wherein the latches are subject to centrifugal force which moves the latches radially outwardly of the needle slots away from their proper position relative to the needle hooks. The hooks are provided with apertures extending completely through the same and through which the latches extend from the rear side of the hook to abut against the hook and thereby to retain the latches from movement away from the hook.

Abstract: Two-piece yarn carrier for feeding yarn to the circle of cylinder latch needles of multi-feed circular knitting machines, the carriers comprising a yarn guide having a yarn feeding aperture therein and a guard plate secured to the yarn guide, the guard plate overlapping the yarn guide and being interposed between the yarn guide and the circle of needles. The guard plate overlaps and covers the exit end of the yarn feeding aperture to keep needle hooks and latches out of the yarn feeding aperture. The guard plate also returns prematurely closing latches of needles back to their opened position.