Abstract: One embodiment can provide a system and method for determining joinder points on to-be-joined fabric pieces. During operation, the system captures an image comprising the to-be-joined fabric pieces; identifies to-be-joined edges, respectively, on the fabric pieces; for each edge, computes a curve that substantially fits the edge; and determines the joinder points on the edge based on the computed curve. Variance of distance between two consecutive joinder points on the edge is within a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for providing semi-finished tubular manufactured articles to be closed by stitching at an axial end thereof for the production of socks, comprising a step of providing the body of the tubular manufactured article and a step of providing an end portion of the tubular manufactured article which comprises: —a step of providing an intermediate band connected to the body of the manufactured article and thinner than the thickness at least of the rows of knitting of the body of the manufactured article which are connected to the intermediate band; —a step of providing an end edge thicker than the thickness of the intermediate band; the height of the intermediate band, proximate to the regions that constitute the lateral ends of the two flaps of the end portion to be overlapped in order to stitch the axial end to be closed of the tubular manufactured article, is lower than the height of the remaining part of the intermediate band.

Abstract: A sewing method allows firm seaming to be performed without inserting point needles through linking loops that are formed near the ends of the course direction, and the other linking loops can be automatically linked with efficiency. The sewing method seams knitted fabrics having linking loops on their top courses, the knitted fabrics being stretched in the course direction with point needles inserted through some successive ones of the linking loops, wherein the point needles are pulled out with the knitted fabrics sandwiched and held in the vicinity of the linking loops across the course direction. Then, linking loops not having been pierced with the point needles are seamed at intervals smaller than the intervals of arrangement of the linking loops not having been pierced with the point needles. The linking loops pierced with the point needles are seamed by linking.

Abstract: A method for linking plain knitted fabrics includes the steps of fixing a first plain knitted fabric in a stretched state, obtaining an image including an image of a darning stitch, calculating a location of the darning stitch, repeating the above steps with a second plain knitted fabric, calculating a location of the darning stitch of the second plain knitted fabric from the obtained image, moving the first plain knitted fabric and the second plain knitted fabric relative to each other to align the darning stitches of the first and second plain knitted fabrics, moving a sewing machine needle of a sewing machine to the location of the darning stitch of the first plain knitted fabric, and linking together the darning stitches.

Abstract: A linking method including the steps of opposing knitted fabrics to be linked to each other, stretching the opposed knitted fabrics in a course direction, stretching the opposed knitted fabrics in a wale direction, picking up an image of linking loops of each of the stretched knitted fabrics, detecting the positions of the linking loops based on a multiple gray-scale image, inserting a point needle through each of the linking loops, sewing a linking loop in the vicinity of an edge of each of the knitted fabrics, and linking together the linking loops other than the sewn linking loop by using the point needle; and an apparatus for linking knitted fabrics.

Abstract: There are provided a process and an apparatus for detecting loop stitches of a tubular knitted fabric and an apparatus for linking the tubular knitted fabric, which can automatically detect each of loop stitches formed in the tubular knitted fabric. According to the process for detecting the loop stitches, the tubular knitted fabric is extended by inserting a penetration element through the interior of the fabric having the loop stitches, and a multi-gradation image including an image of the loop stitches of the tubular knitted fabric extended by the penetration element is picked up. The locations of the loop stitches are detected by processing the multi-gradation image. The apparatus for detecting the loop stitches includes the penetration element, an image pickup device for picking up the multi-gradation image, and a loop stitch detecting section for detecting the locations of the loop stitches by processing the multi-gradation image.

Abstract: An automatic linking method is carried out by an automatic linking apparatus having a simple construction. In the automatic linking apparatus, a plurality of needling positions are set in a needle moving mechanism having point needles that move along a path, and a fabric guide mechanism guides a first linking portion of a first knitted fabric and a linking portion of a second knitted fabric to the first needling position. The point needles are thrust in the first linking portion of the first knitted fabric and the linking portion of the second knitted fabric, the point needles are moved to move the first and the second fabric hooked thereon to the second needling position below the first needling position with respect to a direction in which the point needles are moved.

Abstract: A linking machine in which three stepper motors are provided which adjust the opening width between the two rails of a conveyor, the height of the rails of the conveyor, and the vertical position of an edge trimmer with respect to the plane of transport of the socks. The stepper motors are actuated by drivers from a microprocessor which, in its turn, can be controlled via a keyboard. The keyboard is connected with a display which displays the data of each individual adjustment as well as the data of the program selected.

Abstract: An automatic sandwich linking machine is provided with first, second and third point needles, guides a first and a second edge portion of a first knitted fabric, such as an accessory part of a garment, to a first and a second needling position, respectively, hooks the first and second edge portions of the first knitted fabric over the first and the second point needles at the first and the second needling position, respectively, guides an edge portion of a second knitted fabric, such as a body part of the garment, to a third needling position, hooks the edge portion of the second knitted fabric over the third point needles, transfers the edge portion of the second knitted fabric from the third point needles to the first point needles, transfers the first edge portion of the first knitted fabric and the edge portion of the second knitted fabric from the first point needles to the second point needles or transfers the second edge portion of the first knitted fabric from the second point needles to the first poi

Abstract: A fabric feed-on apparatus for a linking machine having a rotatable dial of points, the device including a fabric push-on device operable to push fabric onto and down the shanks of the points during rotation of the dial of points, and a fabric uncurling device movably mounted for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position, the uncurling device in said operative position being located adjacent to and upstream of the push-on device so as to be able to guide and uncurl fabric edges to the push-on device during rotation of the dial of points to thereby cause the fabric edges to be impaled on the points, the uncurling device in said inoperative position being located at a remote stowed location so as to provide clear access to the dial of points.

Abstract: A method for automatically linking corresponding knitted loops of two knitted fabric pieces, and an apparatus for implementing the method, wherein each knitted loop to be pierced in two knitted fabric pieces is pierced by a piercing needle, respectively, and the knitted loop in one knitted fabric piece held by the piercing needle of one knitted loops selecting and piercing device is transferred to a corresponding piercing needle already holding a corresponding knitted loop of another knitted fabric piece, and the two corresponding knitted loops are sewn by a sewing needle.

Abstract: The needle plate assembly comprises a walled needle plate having a compound needle hole for passage therethrough of a thread, and having a minor attachment arm portion to provide a lateral right angle aperture in the needle plate for a thread staying block which is subject to the force of a spring with the thread staying block projecting from the needle plate through the right angle aperture to be proximally engaged by respective needles.

Abstract: A mock-linking apparatus is disclosed for linking a specially knitted edging trim in the form of a ribbon of knitted yarn with an unfinished edge of a knitted garment, such as a V-neck opening, to obtain a finish which substantially simulates a point-to-point link finish. The trim is weft-knitted on a double bed knitting machine to incorporate a course of transfer stitches followed by a slack tension course which defines a fold line to facilitate tucking-in of the ravel edge, and an adjacent seam line along the folded edge, wherein the seam line is well-defined by a line of outwardly-protruding loops with spaces therebetween. A conventional chain-stitch sewing machine is used, provided with folding means and guide means to bring the seam line of the trim, which has been folded over the unfinished garment edge, into alignment with the needle path, wherein the two pieces of knitted fabric are joined along the seam line with matching thread.

Abstract: For orderly threading knit articles, preferably in the form of knit hems, onto the pin holder ring of a linking machine, a device is disclosed which comprises, in a supporting frame associated with the linking machine, a comb-like element having a plurality of coplanar dents arranged facing the ring pins, and arranged tangentially to the pin holder ring and movably associated with the supporting frame. The comb-like element may be connected kinematically to the pin holder ring to achieve a translation speed which is substantially equal to the peripheral rotation speed of the pin holder ring during a knitwork threading stroke. Associated with the supporting frame is a transfer assembly cooperating with the dents of the comb-like element, and an element is provided for picking up one of the knit articles threaded onto the comb-like element to set it into an advanced position on the dents.

Abstract: In the production of knitted garments especially pullovers, cardigans and sweaters it is frequently desired to add a knitted strip of material to the garment to define a neck opening. With this invention a first piece of fabric such as the strip is impaled on the points of a linking machine, the second piece of fabric such as the garment is then impaled on the points and the other marginal edge of the strip folded over the second piece of fabric and with said marginal edge abutting the points the two pieces of fabric are sewn together. When the strip has one marginal edge formed as a welt edge it is that edge which is impaled on the points.

Abstract: Knit hose are successively fed in a suspended position with their toe portions on top, to a first station at which the odds and ends of the toe portions are individually removed thereby to align the end lines of the toe portions. The hose are conveyed to a second station where the toe portions are individually closed by first linking, stitching and finally the hose are conveyed to a third station at which the first linking stitches are covered with second linking stitches.

Abstract: A fabric guide device for a linking machine having a rotatable circle of radially extending points. The device guides fabrics, which are to be joined by a chain stitch, onto the points so that the fabric edges are located at a predetermined height relative to the points. The device includes at least one pair of opposed guide surfaces for engaging slidingly opposite sides of a fabric adjacent an edge thereof. Adjustable reference surfaces locate selectively the height of the fabric edges relative to the points. The device is particularly useful in the joining together of patterned fabrics. It permits fabrics which are to be joined to be held in correct pattern position relative to each other, so that adjacent parts of the pattern are impaled upon the same points. When the seam is made, the pattern shows a correct join.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a sewing machine and a supporting member near the sewing machine. The supporting member includes a bed carrying a plurality of impaling pins for supporting one of the fabric portions to be sewn together. The pins are axially slidable between a loading position and an unloading position. The supporting member is guided along a path at least at the sewing machine needle aligned with the path wherealong the machine is normally causing the components to be sewn to advance. The pins are controlled to be withdrawn from the loading position into the unloading position as they pass at the level of the sewing machine needle.