Abstract: An impact protection device for a rod for positioning thread guides in a circular knitting machine. The thread guide has an approach and spacing unit formed of a rod and crank system. The end of the rod carries the thread guide and an intermediate region of the rod has a longitudinal slot which is slidably guided on a stud that is rigidly coupled to a fixed arm. The device has a compression spring mounted on the stud which presses the rod against the arm. Elastic elements mounted on a rod articulation pivot pus the rod against the crank. The spring and elastic elements allow small movements of the rod from the plane of arrangement of the path of the rod in case of impact with, or scraping against, another rod.

Abstract: A straight bar knitting machine has a variable draw mechanism including a draw cam, means following the draw cam, a first differential input member, means for varying the ratio with which movement of the draw cam following means is transmitted to the first differential input member, a second differential input member and means for controlling the movement of the second input member so as to provide a lead of the carrier in each direction of carrier traverse. The control means include a cam mounting movable conjointly with the first differential input member, cams on the mounting of fixed throw, means for moving the cams in step with the means for varying the transmission ratio to the first differential input member and cam follower means for engaging the cams and connected to second differential input member so as to ensure that the fixed throw establishes the desired extent of carrier lead at the end of each traverse at varying draw widths.