Abstract: A mini-greenhouse apparatus (10) suitable for indoor or outdoor use; wherein, the apparatus comprises: a tapered transparent receptacle member (14); an anchor unit (13) engageable with the larger end (14") of the receptacle member; and, a cap unit (12) adapted to cooperate in three different modes; with an enlarged central aperture (17) formed in the smaller end (14') of the receptacle member; and, whereby like mini-greenhouse apparatus components cooperate with one another in a nesting fashion.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure comprises an inner panel on which functional parts are to be mounted, and an outer panel having a central opening. The inner panel and the outer panel are lap-bonded together at the front edge, the bottom edge and the rear edge. The portion of the outer panel surrounding the central opening is bonded to the inner panel. Front and rear edge portions of the door body are formed of closed cross-section portions. The outer side of the outer panel is covered with an outer plate of synthetic resin.

Abstract: In an apparatus (20) for end finishing an assembly (22) comprising a plurality of lightguide fibers (23--23) positioned between two silicon chips (26--26), a tool carriage (45) is moved past the assembly which at first is held in a fixed position with respect to a path of travel of the carriage. A profiling wheel (110) which is mounted rotatably on the carriage severs a portion of the chips and fibers from the assembly to provide an end portion having a predetermined end configuration. Subsequently, a grinding wheel (131) and a polishing wheel (141) are moved past the newly formed end of the assembly to grind and polish a surface of the end portion and ends of the fibers which terminate in the surface. These last two operations are accomplished while forces are applied to the assembly to bias it toward the tool carriage to provide a controlled pressure and avoid the removal of excess material from the surface and fibers.

Abstract: In a numerical control grinding machine using a grinding wheel made of cubic boron nitride, a computerized numerical controller controls the infeed movement of a wheel head to effect a rough grinding and a first fine grinding on a rotating cylindrical workpiece by the grinding wheel and to halt the first fine grinding in response to a sizing signal from a sizing device which measures the diameter of the workpiece being ground. At the halt of the first fine grinding, the numerical controller advances rest jaws to press the workpiece upon the grinding wheel until another sizing signal is issued from the sizing device. Until the number of the workpieces ground after each truing operation reaches a predetermined number, the numerical controller increase the infeed rate of the grinding wheel in each of the rough and first fine grindings toward a desired infeed rate on a step-by-step basis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a displaceable protective cover for handtools using rotary, disc-shaped tools. The protective cover comprises two halves (7,8) which completely enclose the tool (3) when in their rest position. The cover-halves (7,8) can be rotated to an open position against the action of a spring force, and are connected to a latching mechanism (11,12), arranged to lock the cover-halves against further rotation when either of the cover-halves (7,8) is subjected to an impact force.

Abstract: Producing a radius or curved edge in cutting glass by means of a high pressure abrasive fluid jet. Abrasive particles are aspirated in carefully controlled amounts into a fluid stream which is directed through a nozzle tube having an elongated passageway of small diameter, and the fluid is discharged against and closely adjacent the surface of the glass as a highly collimated jet carrying the abrasive particles. The passageway gradually increases in diameter, or flares outwardly, at the discharge end of the nozzle tube, allowing the collimated stream to diverge within confined limits immediately prior to impinging upon the glass surface. The abrasive particle-containing conical fluid jet cuts through the glass along the path followed by the axis of the nozzle tube, while the glass to either side of the cut is abraded by progressively decreasing amounts toward the lateral extremities of the fluid jet. The glass cut is thus formed with a curved edge on the entrant side of the cut.

Abstract: This invention discloses a subassembly for geodesically reinforced honeycomb structures, which comprises shear force and bending moment bearing structural members arranged into a hexagonal assembly that is reinforced by axial load bearing members arranged into a triangular assembly. The subassemblies are assembled and joined into a planar structure that results in a geodesically reinforced honeycomb dome or shell or plate.

Abstract: A concrete form consisting of a metallic sheath (20) having a front (22), top (24), back (26), and an angular locking flange and bug barrier (28) nesting over an insulated barrier (30). The sheath (20) is permanently attached to the barrier (30) with a heating adhesive material (31) set by rotatably compressing the assembly between two rollers. Corners are made by notching the sheath (20) on one of the sides and adding a metallic corner splice angle (32). Longitudinal splice joints utilize a straight splice angle (34) inserted between the sheath (20) and barrier (30), where the two ends butt together. Conventional prepositioned wooden stakes (36) are held tightly against the outside surface of the concrete form with wire form clips (38). A metallic sill plate (40) may be added to the structure after the concrete has been poured into the form and hardened. Only the stakes (36) and clips (38) need to be removed, as the remainder of the form becomes an integral part of the floor structure.

Abstract: An improvement in a dock seal of the type in which a movable panel in its disengaged position extends generally from the side of the dock opening toward the center of the dock opening and when engaged by the exterior of a truck is moved backwardly by the truck. The improvement is a lip panel which is attached to and runs along the inner edge of the movable panel and when not engaged by the truck extends generally away from the dock opening. The lip panel seats against a truck when the dock seal is engaged by a backing truck and moved toward the dock opening with the truck into sealing engagement of the gap between an open truck door and the truck body.

Abstract: A false ceiling or false wall is constituted by a stretched sheet fastened, along its edges, to a support fixed to the wall or to the ceiling. The sheet bears, at the passage of an element projecting with respect to the wall, such as a pipe, a reinforcing plate glued on its face turned towards the celing or wall, this reinforcing plate presenting a cut-out allowing passage of the projecting element through it and through the sheet.

Abstract: A roof, or a portion of a roof, resiliently securable to a sub-structure (4) of a building, the roof or roof portion comprising:a panel (1);a strip (2) which is overlapped by and supports the panel (1) on at least a portion of the edge regions (3) thereof; andan intermediate layer (10) of a resilient sealing material which spaces the panel (1) from the strip (2) such that the panel (1) is capable of relative movement with respect to the strip (2) while sealing the panel (1) with respect to the strip (2).A method of providing a building with such a roof is also disclosed.

Abstract: Octahedral structures using compression and tension members are joined along a common edge to form adjacent tetrahedrals, to produce a rigid or flexible "octet" structural system. Pairs of tension members interconnecting corners of the octahedra may be lengthened and shortened to provide controlled hinging of the adjacent octahedra about the common edge. The octahedra may be collapsed into a linear bundle of struts and tension members or cables by lengthening the tension cables and pivoting the struts into alignment at their junction. Octahedral/tetrahedral structures may extend for many modules in three directions to form an extended structure, with openings provided where desired by omtting one or more octahedra.

Abstract: A clear-span dome for athletic stadia and the like includes a primary network of principal structural members which are interconnected to span a space to be covered and to define the principal curvature of the dome. The network members divide the principal curvature into a plurality of openings of selected configuration. The primary network is supported on foundations, around the perimeter of the space, which carry vertical and lateral loads of the dome. Each opening in the primary network is closed by a secondary dome which has its perimeter connected to the network principal members which form the perimeter of the opening. Each secondary dome has a curvature greater than the principal dome curvature. The primary network can be assembled, without use of shoring, from the perimeter of the space toward the center of the overall dome.

Abstract: A binding apparatus for sealing bags containing any cakes, bread or the like by twisting a ribbon-like plastic-made binding cord or tie on the gathered open end or neck of the bag, with a tag placed under the tie and on the gathered bag neck. This apparatus comprises a bag carrying/gathering means which is a pair of intermittently rotating chains extending parallelly to a bag carrying conveyor; a tie delivering means consisting of a drum having provided on the outer circumference thereof stationary gather receivers and moving tie keep pins, and a pair of swing levers to bend the tie into a reversed U-shape for easy mounting on the gathered neck of the bag; a pushing member to move the swing levers downward and a tie cutter to cut the tie in place to a predetermined length; a tie twisting means to catch and twist the tie on the gathered bag neck and the tag placed in position on the gathers of the bag neck.

Abstract: Starting from an apparatus according to German Offenlegungsschrift No. 3,123,496, an apparatus for wrapping relatively large articles, especially a plurality of individual packs (cigarette cartons), is simplified and improved in terms of its mode of operation, in such a way that the packs (20) formed in different ways always leave the apparatus at the same point (discharge conveyor track 40) and can be supplied to a common pack tower (41). For this purpose, there are two folding turrets (38, 39) for wrapping the pack group (22) with different blanks.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for packaging sanitary medical sponges which are deformable articles of a shape generally disposed in a flat plane with a stacked array thereof contained between two webs of packaging material, wherein the sponges are formed on a machine, they are delivered in a fixed number of at least two sponges from the machine in a stacked array with the planes of the sponges vertically disposed in a side-by-side relationship. Two webs of the packaging material are converged into a substantially V-shaped vertically disposed reception slot adapted to receive the stacked array of sponges. They are dropped into a reception slot so that the stacked array is substantially wedged therebetween.

Abstract: The packaging method includes the steps of inserting a single mattress into a flexible and waterproof wrapper, compressing by squeezing with compressing means to reduce the thickness of the mattress within limits compartible with the elastic structure of the actual mattress, and driving out the air from inside the wrapper; welding the wrapper to seal it and then rolling up the squeezed whole obtained to give it a stable shape. The finished item is placed in a container or case suitable for offering the item for sale.

Abstract: Wear strips removably installed on the tube forming apparatus of form-fill-seal packaging machines of the type having a tube former and depending tubular fill pipe through which quantities of product are passed and over which a strip of packaging material is pulled by transfer belts to progressively form the material into a depending and upwardly open tubular configuration and subsequently sealed to form product bearing packages. The wear strips comprise a pair of circumferentially spaced rectangular members removably attached to the fill pipe adjacent the transfer belts to receive substantially the full frictional wearing force caused by the transfer belts pressing and moving the packaging material against the fill pipe. The outer surface of the wear strips are configured to substantially reduce the contact surface area and the resulting wearing of the transfer belt and thus reduce the frequency of replacement and repair of the belts.

Abstract: A stretch foil wrapping arrangement for wrapping objects. The objects are conveyed to a transition bridge around which a stretch foil tube is wrapped. As the objects are conveyed through the transition bridge they pass inside of the tube which is out after the object and tube portion in which it is wrapped leave the transition bridge. The transition bridge includes upper and lower conveyors each having an outer actively driven belt and an inner passively driven roller plane in contact with the objects.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a machine having a fixed portion and fitted with a plurality of pneumatic cylinders and pistons, at least one of said cylinders and pistons is activated by a nominal-pressure supply, and which at least one cylinder and piston forms part of a subassembly which moves with respect to the fixed portion of the machine. There is a counter-pressure system for each working phase of the subassembly cylinder, including means for counteracting the nominal-pressure supply to reduce jerking movements of the subassembly during operation. Also a speed-control unit which has a variable throttling valve and an anti-return valve is affixed to the fixed portion of the machine separated from the movable subassembly. Flexible lines are connected between the subassembly cylinder and the speed-control unit so that the mass of the movable subassembly is reduced to further reduce the jerking motion of the subassembly.

Abstract: A tape guidance duct (16) disposed in the manner of an arch bridging the object (20) to be strapped is provided to guide strapping tape (13) when it is being advanced and which releases the tape when it is tensioned around the object (20). The tape guidance duct (16) is assembled in modular manner from a plurality of monolithically formed, sequentially arranged, detachably linked segments (22, 23) which connect with each other by arms extended to fit into corresponding recesses so that, upon such forced engagement, neighboring segments butt together securely at planar end faces and have no lateral play. In this manner the shape and the path of the tape guidance duct (16) is adapted to particular circumstances e.g., different heights or widths of objects being strapped, in simple manner.

Abstract: A grass cutting attachment for use particularly with compact tractors has a mounting frame, two cutting units lying behind the tractor front wheels and respective support arms which extend from a forward part of the frame rearwardly over the tractor front wheels to support the cutting units. The support arms are pivotal about inclined axes so that the cutting units may be lifted and simultaneously brought sideways into the tractor to reduce overall width. The cutting units are mounted for rocking movement relative to the support arms about fore and aft axis, these axis becoming inclined in the lifted position so that each unit is tilted forwardly and upwardly to improve operator access.

Abstract: An impeller is mounted above the top wall of the housing of a mower carried by a riding vehicle, near the side of the mower at which it has its clipping outlet. The rotor of the impeller rotates on a vertical axis that is between the clipping outlet and the vertical axis of the mower blade nearest that outlet and is driven by a belt engaging a pulley on the spindle for that blade. Flat paddle-like blades of the rotor have a portion of their orbit in an upwardly and rearwardly extending passage defined by the front portion of a clipping duct that communicates the mower clipping outlet with a receptacle at the rear of the vehicle. The impeller draws air and clippings out of the mower housing and propels them rearward through the duct.

Abstract: The mowing and chopping machine comprises at least two rotors, which are rotatable about vertical axes, which are spaced apart transversely to the direction of travel of the machine. Each rotor comprises a tooth-carrying disc and a plurality of cutting rotor teeth, which are angularly spaced apart and pivoted to said disc by means of vertical pins and protrude from the periphery of said disc. The rotor teeth are either curved upwardly and downwardly out of the plane of the disc or are composed of a plurality of superimposed cutter blades. A fixed backing cutter is provided in the generally triangular space defined by the flight paths described by the rotor teeth.

Abstract: An improved concave extension for use with an arcuate concave cooperable with a threshing and separating rotor in an axial flow combine is disclosed wherein the sub-frame assembly of the concave extension is provided with a mounting clevis rotatably engageable with one of two mounting pins extending from the concave frame members to permit the concave extension to be rotated relative to the concave frame members. The subframe assembly is also provided with a hole therein alignable with a plurality of openings in the respective concave frame members to permit the use of a fastener extending through the hole in one of the aligned openings to fix the position of the concave extension relative to the concave frame members, thereby providing variable configurations of the rub bars on the concave extension relative to the rub bars of the concave. A filler plate is rotatably mounted to the forwardmost concave frame member and positionable relative to both the concave frame member and the concave extension.

Abstract: An improved cutting blade structure and method of use is disclosed, characterized by use of a flexible, planar member formed of a plurality of interconnected elongate tubular segments which when rotated, contacts and effectively cuts vegetation. Due to its planar tubular segment construction, the cutting blade constantly exposes a multiplicity of new cutting edge surfaces during use and possesses an extremely low mass which reduces the possibility of personal injury to a user or property damage to structures located in the vicinity of use.

Abstract: A cutter housing for use in a power-driven lawn mower has a substantially cylindrical skirt wall and a top wall covering the upper end of the skirt wall. The top wall has a substantially central recess for accomodating the engine of the lawn mower and includes a pair of half members positioned one on each side of the recess and lying substantially flush with each other in symmetrical and contiguous relation. The cutter housing also has a rear housing portion extending rearwardly in contiguous relation to the skirt wall and the top wall, and a partition disposed in the rear housing portion and dividing the rear housing portion into two spaces. The skirt wall, the top wall, the rear housing portion, and the partition are integrally molded of synthetic resin.

Abstract: The baler for crop material comprises an intake mechanism, a feed mechanism for transporting the crop material from the intake mechanism to a chamber for pressing and binding. Between the feed mechanism and the chamber for pressing and binding a bale separator is provided for the continuously supply of crop material attached to the housing of the baler outside of the feed path, which cuts away a bale by operation of a bale separator hydraulic cylinder and a slider hydraulic cylinder, after which the bale is bound, while additional crop materials are continuously fed into the baler. The process of our invention for making bales in a baler comprises continuously feeding crop material into the baler, which a bale cut away from those supplying crop material is separated therefrom, bound by cord, and ejected from the baler.

Abstract: A ring spun yarn having good core cohesiveness, and complete sheath covering, the sheath comprising first fibers, such as cotton, and the core comprising second fibers having distinctly different properties than the first fibers, such as polyester, is produced. A sliver of first fibers and a roving of second fibers are fed to a drafting apparatus so that the roving is at the exact center line of, and on top of, the sliver. The roving and sliver are passed together through the rear rolls, apron, and front rolls of the drafting apparatus to produce a drafted composite sliver. Twist is imparted mechanically to the drafted composite sliver to produce a roving having a core and sheath. Then the roving is further drafted and twist is mechanically imparted thereto, producing a final core/sheath yarn.

Abstract: A bound spun yarn comprising substantially twistless core fibers and wound fibers wound spirally around the core fibers. The core fibers and the wound fibers have colors different from each other and the number of the wound fibers vary randomly in a longitudinal direction of the yarn.

Abstract: A thread brake mechanism is provided which is adapted to be attached to a spindle assembly of a thread processing machine and which is characterized by a construction for use with two independent individual threads which may be fed into the spindle assembly at varying tensions and which applies respective braking forces to the individual threads depending upon the respective feeding tension thereof.

Abstract: The method for starting up a friction spinning assembly is used in a friction spinning assembly including: friction surfaces movable in opposite directions forming a spinning wedge, at least one of the friction surfaces being a perforated drum having a suction device with a suction nozzle acting on the spinning wedge by suctioning air through the wall of the at least one perforated drum; at least one suction device acting on the spinning wedge; and an automatic startup device performing a thread joining operation.

Abstract: A friction spinning unit includes a pair of cylindrical friction spinning rollers of which one has an air nozzle mounted adjacent to its periphery and able to discharge a current of air along the surface of that roller so as to move any unwanted fibres which may be on the surface of said roller. The air jet from the nozzle may provide a pneumatic barrier to hold fibres away from an annular passage between a surrounding shroud and the outer foraminous sleeve of the foraminous roller, and/or the air jet may be used to clear a fibrous slub from the spinning nip in the event of such a slub forming after a yarn break.

Abstract: Means are provided to enhance the bleed flow from a low pressure stage of a multi-stage compressor. An ejector nozzle is positioned in a passage connected to a bleed air reservoir. The reservoir is constructed to collect bleed air from the low pressure stage of the compressor. The nozzle is connected to a source of bleed air from a high pressure stage of the compressor.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine is arranged to schedule fuel flow between primary and secondary fuel injectors in order to obtain good ignition and light round when the engine is operating on diesel fuel. The system includes either two solenoid valves in parallel with flow restrictors or a single solenoid operated valve and two flow restrictors. The two valves or the diverter valve schedule the fuel flow so that at engine start up, the flow to the primary and secondary fuel injectors is according to requirement proportioned. At a certain engine speed the flow to the secondary fuel injectors is reduced to purge flow and the major part of the fuel flow passes to the primary fuel injectors.

Abstract: A rocket motor insulator of varied thickness with an integrated flap to rce propellant stresses.

Abstract: An emissions filter regeneration system including a particulate matter filter having an inlet connected by an exhaust pipe to an exhaust manifold of an engine, a pressure sensor disposed to sense the pressure at the inlet of the filter, a combustion chamber having an outlet opening disposed to discharge gases into the inlet, a fuel supply means for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber, an air supply means for introducing air into the combustion chamber, and an igniter for igniting a fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber. Also included is a control means for activating the fuel supply means, the air supply means, and the igniter in response to sensing by the pressure sensor of a pressure above a predetermined value.

Abstract: A liquid cooled exhaust manifold with spaced and separated passages associated with each exhaust port of an associated internal combustion engine and with a transversely extending common coolant distributing passage to evenly supply the separated coolant passages.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an aircraft to provide improved reserve capability for the thrust reverser power system. There is a fluid reservoir having a vent tube with an inlet location located above the bottom wall of the reservoir. In the event that fluid in the reservoir reaches a predetermined low level, supply and pressure isolation valves isolate at least one pump from the rest of the hydraulic system, and also start that pump operating, with a reserve supply of fluid being available for supplying power for the thrust reverser.

Abstract: In a method of and device for adjusting the feed movement of a drill rod for drilling a rock, the drill rod is rotated by a pressure-medium-operated rotary motor and fed in a drilling direction and in the opposite direction by a pressure-medium-operated feed motor. A pressure change on the pressure side of the rotary motor due to a change in the rotation resistance on the rotary motor acts oppositely on the pressure and outlet sides of the feed motor toward reversing the feed force of the feed motor, i.e. in inverse and direct dependence on the pressure change, respectively. The pressures on the pressure side and the outlet side of the feed motor are, therefore, controlled so that, when the pressure on one side increases because of the pressure change, the pressure on the other side decreases and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing lubricating oil from rising to the working spaces of a Stirling engine has a first and a second oil-absorbing member disposed within a cylindrical member in which a rod reciprocates. The first oil-absorbing member is secured to the rod with its outer periphery in sliding contact with the inner wall of the cylindrical member, and the second oil-absorbing member is secured to the cylindrical member with its inner periphery in sliding contact with the rod. A first baffle plate having a hole which is larger than the rod is secured to the cylindrical member immediately below and in intimate contact with the second oil-absorbing member. The first baffle plate makes the flow speed of gas through the second oil-absorbing member higher from above to below than from below to above. As a result, oil is continually blown downwards by a blast of accelerated gas and is returned to the crankcase of the engine.

Abstract: A brake light switch and brake line connector assembly for a master cylinder, the assembly including a pressure actuated light switch having a threaded stem which is adapted to be connected to a threaded opening provided in the high pressure side of the master cylinder, the threaded stem including an inner passage and an annular groove around the outside connected to the passage by a port, and a Banjo connector assembly including a Banjo connector and a pair of soft metal washers, the Banjo connector being mounted on the annular groove in the threaded stem of the light switch and sealed thereon by the washers, to connect the master cylinder to the brake line.

Abstract: Cogeneration of electricity and saleable refrigeration is achieved by passing pipeline gas with added methanol through a turbo-expander coupled to an electrical generator so that moisture in the gas forms an aqueous methanol condensate separable from the cold, expanded gas. The condensate is distilled to separate discard water from recycle methanol. After recovering refrigeration therefrom, the expanded gas is warmed to a temperature above 32.degree. F. by adding all the required heat as reboiler heat for the distillation and passing the expanded gas in heat exchange with distilled methanol vapor which is liquefied and used partly as reflux and partly as recycle methanol.

Abstract: A reverse cycle heat reclaim coil in a refrigeration system having compressor, condenser and receiver means on the high side, including first valve means for selectively connecting the heat reclaim coil between the compressor discharge side and the condenser means to obtain heat reclamation during winter operations, and second valve means for selectively connecting the heat reclaim coil between the condenser and receiver means to obtain refrigerant subcooling during summer operations. The invention also includes the method of selectively connecting the heat reclaim coil in reverse cycle refrigerant flow in seasonal heat reclamation and subcooling modes.

Abstract: A compartmentalized transport refrigeration system, and method of operating same, in which a host refrigeration unit controls the temperature of the air in a front compartment of a trailer, and a remote evaporator unit controls the temperature of the air in a rear compartment. In order to increase the heating and cooling capacity of the remote evaporator, the host unit is prevented from going into a heating mode in response to predetermined conditions, and more, or all in certain instances, of the discharge gas from the host compressor is made available for the remote evaporator.

Abstract: A system for sensing a leak of ammonia refrigerant into a refrigerated environment and for automatically purging the refrigeration equipment within the environment of refrigerant.

Abstract: An apparatus for dehumidification and cooling of moist air for use in ventilation and air - conditioning applications comprises two fixed bed sorption dehumidification-heat recovery units equipped with a valving system permitting continuous countercurrent cyclic operation removing moisture and sorption heat from the treated moist outdoor air to provide dehumidified and cool fresh air. Additional cooling of the treated fresh air if desired may be achieved in a conventional direct evaporative cooler. Released sorption heat is recovered and used in reactivation of the spent sorbent material with the required additional heat being provided by fossil fuel, solar or waste heat energy sources. Small amount of electric power is used for operation of two air blowers that provide also balanced ventilation of the air conditioned space. Cooling COP of the apparatus is higher than that of the prior art systems.

Abstract: A refrigerator having French doors, a partition which is rotatably supported by one door thereof and comes in contact with the non-supporting side of said two doors when the doors are close and a housing part which prevents a user from rotating said partition by mistake when said one door is open by housing and holding said partition in said housing part when said door is open.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable quick chilling device. A compressor is affixed to a base. A condenser is operatively connected to the compresser. A fan is provided for blowing air across the condenser. An accumulator is operatively connected to the condenser. A capillary tube (expansion valve) is operatively connected to the accumulator. The capillary tube is operatively connected to an evaporator. The evaporator is operatively connected to the compressor. The evaporator is a coil of tubing. Each ring of the coil is in contact with an adjacent ring. An inwardly facing surface of each ring is flattened. The capillary tube enters the coil where said evaporator is operatively connected to the compressor. The tube passes within the coil. The free end of the tube is bent to point back down the coil. The device cools a 12 ounce beverage can from about 75.degree. F. to about 45.degree. F. in about 4 minutes.

Abstract: Improved methods for circular weft knitting of variegated articles and improved selectively programmable circular weft knitting machine apparatus for carrying out such methods including means for effecting selective, controlled two dimensional displacement of compound needle member components and associated sinker elements so as to provide each such needle member with the selectable capability of performing a knit, tuck or float operation at each yarn feed location independent of the direction of knitting needle approach thereto.