Abstract: A method for positively feeding yarn to a circular knitting machine includes adjusting a variable drive mechanism to vary the rate at which yarn is positively fed from a plurality of positive feed units to a circular knitting machine while the machine is operating. Because the positive yarn feed rate is adjustable while the circular knitting machine is operating, the time and labor required to produce knitted products is reduced. The positive yarn feed rate and the yarn tension of a circular knitting machine can be adjusted while the machine is operating. A controller coupled to the variable drive mechanism and the central stitch cam adjustment adjusts the positive yarn feed rate and the yarn tension.

Abstract: A yarn delivery device for a textile machine has at least one yarn delivery roller, and a drive device for a propulsion of the delivery roller, the drive device including a drive belt, a drive roller with a peripheral section alterable in diameter and at least in part in part looped around by the drive belt, and a tensioning unit with a guide member acting on the drive belt, the tensioning unit including a controller for producing at least one larger belt tension for normal operation of the delivery roller and a smaller belt tension for alteration of the diameter of the peripheral section of the drive roller.

Abstract: A yarn supply apparatus for knitting machines is provided wherein an outgoing yarn guide eye set is disposed laterally adjacent to and lower than an underside of a yarn supply drum; a yarn pull-out section with a vertical circumferential surface is slightly inclined toward the circumference of the underside of the yarn supply drum such that when the yarn unwinding from the yarn supply drum the yarn will be vibrated upward and downward rapidly for being completely in contact with the circumferential surface of the yarn pull-out section so as to filter out dirt adhered on the yarn and nap accumulated on the circumferential surface of the yarn pull-out section. As a result, the manual cleaning work will be minimized.

Abstract: A thread supplying device with intermittent thread consumption has at least one thread supplying unit including a rotatable thread supplying drum and a thread supplying device. The thread supplying drum has a first and a second peripheral portion forming corresponding friction surfaces for a thread to be supplied. The thread supplying device has an inlet element associated with the first peripheral portion and an outlet element associated with the second peripheral portion, and also has two movable guiding elements for the thread and associated with the peripheral portions. The thread is guided by the guiding elements between the inlet and the outlet element and cooperates successively with the first and the second peripheral portion and placed on an associated one of the peripheral portions in a supplying position of the guiding elements along a greater peripheral angle than in a non supplying position of the guiding elements.

Abstract: A thread feeder with a thread-twisting preventive device for a knitting machine is provided. The thread-twisting preventive device includes at least a protective piece which is substantially cup-shaped having a wall and a coupling hole. The coupling hole allows the cup-shaped protective piece to be axially coupled to the spinning axis on the thread feeder, thus allowing the wall of the cup-shaped protective device to surround the spinning axis. Since the protective piece is a fixed piece that covers the exposed part of the spinning axis, broken threads will not be pulled by the spinning axis and twisted around the same. Production of fabrics thus will not be delayed due to broken threads twisting around spinning parts of the knitting machine.

Abstract: A yarn supply reel and yarn guide for use in a knitting machine includes a driving reel with a plurality of spaced struts arranged in an annular shape and a driven reel with a plurality of spaced ribs arranged in an annular shape. The ribs have slanted and curved lateral surfaces to allow a yarn to be wound around thereon and then slip and wind around the struts smoothly. The yarn guide has smooth surfaces and edges and enables a yarn coming from the yarn supply reel to pass therethrough to a needle at a constant tension without sticking. Both the yarn supply reel and the yarn guiding yarn are made by plastics injection molding for reduced cost and enhanced quality.

Abstract: A thread wheel including a top wheel base and bottom wheel base connected together and fastened to a center shaft of an automatic thread storage and feeding unit of a knitting machine. The top and bottom wheels have a respective set of equiangularly spaced radial locating holes. A plurality of supporting elements are connected between the locating holes of the top wheel base and the locating holes of the bottom wheel base for guiding thread in and out and for storing thread. The supporting elements are respectively made from an elongated flat plate, each supporting element having two rectangular ends respectively fitted into the locating holes of the top wheel base and the locating holes of the bottom wheel base.

Abstract: An improved yarn receiver for knitting machines includes a driving reel integrally formed by plastics injection with a transmission shaft in the center and a plurality of spaced L-shape struts projecting upwardly around the smooth rim of a bottom flange. A driven reel with a plurality of spaced pillars mating with the sheaths of a bushing reel engages with the driving reel. The struts and pillars are positioned in a staggered manner with each other. A brush member located on a yarn feeding member has its brush tip located between the gap formed by the struts and the pillars. The brush member prevents the yarn wrapped around the struts and pillars from falling off and also discharges accumulated yarn waste therefrom after reaching a predetermined weight.

Abstract: A feeder device for feeding elastomer yarns in knitting machines has a housing split into two parts, on which bearing and drive rollers are rotatably supported, spaced apart from and parallel to one another. The housing encloses an internal chamber that accommodates gears for driving at least one of the bearing and drive rollers. The gears transmit force from a drive wheel, which is secured to a shaft protruding from the housing, to at least one bearing and drive roller. The bearing and drive rollers are supported via ball bearings, which are retained by corresponding bearing seats provided in the housing. The bearing seats are recessed in the respective integrally formed housing parts, which are preferably made by injection molding. The dividing line at which the housing parts border on one another extends through all the bearing seats, so that the ball bearings are retained between the housing parts.Securing the housing parts to one another fixes the ball bearings as well, simultaneously.

Abstract: A yarn feeding device includes a mounting frame fastened to the frame structure of a circular knitting machine to hold a yarn guide plate, a driving wheel, a yarn guide bracket, a plurality of plastic yarn tension guides, and a plurality of yarn feeding wheels. Each yarn tension guide has a rotating tension adjustment plate stopped at the respective yarn tension guide rod and turned to adjust the oscillating amplitude of the respective yarn tension guide rod so that the degree of circumferential engagement of the respective yarn with the wheel surface of the respective yarn feeding wheel is relatively adjusted.

Abstract: A knitting machine is described for knitting rows of yarn loops in a helical pattern around the inner core of a hose. The machine comprises at least two concentrically disposed tubes. The first tube rotates concentrically around a straight axis along which the inner core of a hose moves towards an opening in a knitting head. The first tube carries a plurality of needles and needle guides which are equally spaced from, and around, the opening in the knitting head. The second tube concentrically rotates independently around the first tube and carries, i) at least one yarn deck, ii) cams which reciprocate the needles when the first and second tube differentially rotate, and iii) the knitting head. A stationary third, rigid, hollow inner tube can be concentrically disposed within the first tube to guide the inner core to the knitting head.

Abstract: A system for feeding a plurality of strands of material such as yarn, in unison, along an array of separate feed paths that extend from a bank of supply packages to a knitter head utilizes a bank of positive drive units that are arranged in an array that extends about the knitter head to coordinate and uniformly tension such strand reaches as extend from the positive drive units to the knitter head. The feeding of the strands takes place while the bank of supply packages, the bank of positive drive units, the knitter head and the array of feed paths all are rotated about an axis that extends substantially centrally among the rotating feed paths. Each feed path has a first reach that extends from a separate supply package to the capstan of a separate one of the positive drive units, a second reach that is wrapped around the capstan of its positive drive unit, and a third reach that extends from its positive drive unit to the knitter head.

Abstract: A yarn feeding device provided with an annular flange which outward extends from a lower edge of a pressing area of a driving belt on a circumferential surface of the yarn feeding drum, so as to instantly restore abnormally displaced yarn or driving belt to its true position for continuously normally feeding the yarn.

Abstract: An annular knitting machine comprises a thread exchange device, at least knot unit, means forming a thread processing point, a thread storage device located between the knot unit and the thread processing point, and a control device provided with a microprocessor and a knot data storage for the thread exchange device, the thread exchange device having a sensor which supplies pulses dependent upon a movement of a machine part, the control device also having a microprocessor and a knot data storage and formed so that a length of a thread which is guided through the thread storage device between each knot unit and the thread processing point associated with the latter is maintained at a constant value fixed in the storage of the control device, the sensor supplying movement dependent pulses and being formed as a displacement sensor which is independent of a needle pitch of a needle plate and provides a fixed pulse number per a displacement length unit.

Abstract: A slip-proof elastic yarn-feeding ring device removably fitted to the circumference of a yarn-feeding drum whereby a yarn is pressed between a yarn-feeding belt and the ring device and steadily forward carried by the yarn-feeding belt without slipping movement. The diameter of the ring device is smaller than that of the yarn-feeding drum so that when the ring device is extended to ring the yarn-feeding drum, the ring device closely binds a portion of the circumference of the yarn-feeding drum via its elastic binding force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the knitting an item of fabric on a knitting machine requiring interrupted or intermittent yarn feed. In the process of the present invention, the yarn is positively fed at least during a part of the knitting process. The positive feed is removed prior to a change in the yarn feed. Yarn feed ceases or knitting continues without interruption through the change after the positive feed is terminated.

Abstract: A synchronous yarn feeding device comprises a yarn feeding drum and a driving belt. The drum is provided with protrusions or studs that are arranged for cooperative engagement with concave surfaces or holes in the driving belt. A portion of the driving belt presses yarn onto the drum such that rotation of the drum and feeding of the yarn are synchronous with the speed of the driving belt.

Abstract: A thread feeding device for knitting machines having a rotor on which a thread feeding element is mounted which is divided into a thread lead-in ring section, a thread reserve section and a lead-out section. To enable the thread feeding device to be operated selectively with a plain continuous reserve section or one formed by rods, a rod cage consisting of a premanufactured component is provided, which can be fastened coaxially on the rotor. The cage has a lead-in ring bearing the lead-in ring section, and a plurality of rods forming the reserve section, each rod being fastened at one end to the lead-in ring. The other ends of the rods are either fastened to a mounting which can be joined to the rotor and is part of the component, or they are held directly on the rotor and thus radially centered about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Yarn 10 is fed from a package 11 to a point of knitting 12 on a knitting machine along a substantially closed path defined by tubing 13. Adjacent to a positive feeding device 14, the tubing 13 includes a section 15 which can be closed for initial blowing of the yarn through the tube, and opened to allow threading of the yarn 10 around the feeding device 14. This facilitates initial feeding of the yarn to the knitting machine, and also helps in the control of loose fly or lint generated from the yarn 10. The section 15 includes a tensioning device (30, not shown) for the yarn.

Abstract: A thread storing and supplying device for textile machines, especially knitting machines comprises a housing, a driveable thread storage drum provided in the housing for supporting several windings of a thread, a thread guiding element arranged to supply a thread to the thread storage drum, and a thread brake and a knot monitor which together form a combined thread braking and knot monitoring unit located immediately after the thread guiding element as considered in a thread running direction this thread braking device includes two freely rotatable axes-parallel rollers, one of the rollers being displaceable relative to another of the rollers which is non-displaceable against a braking spring force the thread braking device also has an adjustable abutment which defines a maximum displacement value for the gap between the rollers, and the non-displaceable roller is arranged so a thread is deflected over it. The displaceable roller is mounted on a supporting means which is pivotally mounted on the housing.

Abstract: Vertically stacked drive wheels (17.sub.1, 17.sub.2, 17.sub.3 and 17.sub.4) are provided above a yarn feed wheel (21) which is provided with a first yarn feed surface (27) providing comparatively high friction with the yarn engaged thereby and adaptable for use when the rate of yarn feeding varies, such as in the case of Jacquard pattern knitting, and a second yarn feed surface (28) providing comparatively low friction against the yarn engaged thereby and adapted for use when the rate of yarn feeding is constant, such as in the case of plain knitting. Manually adjustable yarn guide means (29, 30) is provided for selectively guiding yarn to the first and second yarn feed surfaces (27, 28). Clutch members (24, 24') are interposed between pairs of the vertically stacked drive wheels and are selectively operable to impart rotation to the feed wheel (21) from a selected one of the drive wheels.

Abstract: A device for positive feeding of yarn to a knitting machine, which device has independently rotatable first and second wheels disposed axially closely adjacent and individually supported for rotation about first and second axes which extend in the same general direction but are slightly inclined relative to one another. First and second feeding tapes are drivingly engaged with the first and second wheels respectively. A shiftable yarn guiding element feeds a yarn therethrough to a selected one of the wheels, with the guiding element being shiftable between first and second positions to enable the yarn to be positively fed by the first and second wheels respectively.

Abstract: A positive yarn feed device comprises a pin wheel mechanism (3,4,8,9,10,11) with independent drive means which comprise a variable-speed electric motor (16). The speed of the DC motor (16) is controlled by programmed control means (24,28) which exercise control on the basis of a comparison between an input from speed sensing means (26) associated with the yarn feed device and an input representative of the speed of the cylinder (20) of a circular knitting machine to which the yarn is fed. The comparison of the speed input signals is evaluated against desired speed ratio data stored in a look-up table (31) in programmable memory M. Motor speed control signals output from a microprocessor unit (24) control a variable speed drive unit (28) which directly controls the speed of the motor (16).

Abstract: A yarn-feeding apparatus for selective positive feeding of several yarns to a knitting machine, comprising a sensor for generating sensor signals, the sensor signals representing the respective feeding condition or non-feeding condition of the yarns, and an error detection unit connected to the sensor for turning off the knitting machine in response to predetermined sensor signal combinations representing a yarn breakage and/or a yarn over-feed and/or a yarn change fault. For shortening the response time of the error detection unit and for enhancing the reliability thereof, the error detection unit comprises a working position sensing unit for generating position data representing the working position of the knitting machine, a logic circuit for deriving a yarn changing signal from the sensor signals, and a memory unit for storing yarn changing position data.

Abstract: A feed device for a circular knitting machine capable of positively feeding the needles with an adequate amount of yarn without the needles having to require the necessary yarn by pulling it and increasing its tension is disclosed. It comprises two sets of toothed rollers adapted to mesh without the respective teeth thereof making contact and a yarnguide for each pair of rollers capable of adopting an operative position in which the yarn guided by the eyelets of the yarnguide runs between the teeth or an inoperative position in which the yarn is spaced from the rollers. In the operative position it is contemplated that the rollers may be moved farther apart, whereby the yarn feed speed is reduced.

Abstract: A yarn-feeding apparatus for the positive feeding of several yarns to a circular mechanism of a circular knitting machine, comprising fingers which are arranged in the circular mechanism for receiving and guiding the yarn into a knitting position or taking the yarn out of a knitting position, including delivery apparatus with each including a yarn-transporting element and a yarn-guiding element which is movable back and forth between a feeding area in which the yarn is in engagement with the yarn-transporting element and a nonfeeding area, and wherein for each yarn-guiding element there is provided an electric position sensor which produces an electric signal in dependence on the position of the yarn-guiding element.

Abstract: The present yarn feeding device includes a rotating yarn feed wheel with at least one frictional yarn engaging and driving surface of predetermined width around the peripheral surface thereof, and yarn guides are provided for directing two runs of the yarn into engagement therewith. Movable yarn guides are provided for varying the degree of circumferential engagement of the individual runs of the yarn with the frictional yarn driving surface so that the degree of engagement is sufficient to cause the yarn to be fed when the knitting machine makes a demand for yarn and so that the degree of engagement is insufficient to cause the yarn to be fed when the knitting machine ceases to make a demand for yarn. A pair of manually movable yarn guide members is supported in spaced relationship from the outer circumference of the frictional yarn driving surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn supply device group for attaching to a textile machine, in particular a ring knitting machine with electrically controllable switching and actuating devices in every supply device which are connected in a signal-transmitting circuit by a bunch of lines common to all supply devices to a central control mechanism. Previously, every supply device in the group had to be "marked" manually prior to the start of operation. In addition, a bunch of lines with large dimensions was necessary, since each supply device needed at least one separate line.

Abstract: A capstan wheel yarn feed device for textile machinery. A yarn tension detector (26) is provided in the yarn path downstream of a yarn outfeed eye (24), and is effective to move a yarn infeed guide (20) axially of the capstan wheel (10) in response to the detected presence or absence of tension in the yarn (16) delivered from the wheel. In this way the yarn is physically moved axially of the wheel when yarn demand ceases, to a zone which is of smaller perimeter and which optionally has a lower frictional coefficient. This removes the tendency of the wheel to continue to feed the yarn after the demand has ceased. Preferably the yarn is also clamped (34, 36) at the yarn infeed side of the wheel as demand ceases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for feeding yarns of different colors to a conventional knitting machine for producing striped fabrics (circle-striped fabrics). The first step of the method according to the invention consists in selecting and presenting a predetermined length of a yarn of a desired color in accordance with the striped pattern to be produced. The so selected and presented yarn lengths are subsequently joined to form a continuous yarn. In a third step, the continuous yarn formed of said joined yarn lengths is intermittently formed into an intermediate store, from which the yarn is positively fed to the knitting machine at a constant speed in synchronism with the operating speed of the knitting machine. In this fourth step of the method, the continuous yarn is fed to the associated knitting system of the machine.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a support on which a rotatable wheel is mounted an area of the cylindrical surface whereof is in contact with a belt effective to press a yarn thereon which is led through an eye carried on an inlet arm and, respectively, through an eye carried on a yarn outlet arm, such arms being movable between a position whereat they hold the yarn in the nip between the belt and wheel, and a position whereat they hold the yarn out of contact with the belt. The inlet arm is positioned and dimensioned such that, in the condition whereby it holds the yarn inoperative, that is out of contact with the belt, the eye carried thereon is shifted to the opposite side of said belt relatively to a plane led through the longitudinal side edge of the belt lying closer to the eye; whereas, in the operative condition, the inlet arm eye is shifted to the same side of the belt relatively to said plane.

Abstract: Yarn feeding apparatus for knitting machines, particularly for circular knitting machines, including a rotatable roller or wheel, on which a belt operates and presses thereon a yarn passing on an eye carried by a yarn inserting arm and a yarn outlet arm, such arms being movable between a position for holding the yarn between the belt and roller or wheel, and a position at which the yarn is thereby held out of contact with the belt. The apparatus includes an eye, positioned between the belt and outlet arm, which is continuously laterally displaced relative to the belt, and on which the yarn let out from the apparatus passes before passing on the outlet arm. Thus, the time required for discontinuing the yarn supply by the involved apparatus is considerably shortened.

Abstract: Self actuating yarn feeding apparatus to feed yarn to a circular knitting machine when the machine makes a demand for the yarn and to cease feeding the yarn when the machine ceases demand for the yarn. The yarn is in variable circumferentially extending drive contact with the periphery of a frictionally surfaced rotating yarn feed wheel to feed the yarn to the machine. The arrangement being such that when there is a lack of demand for the yarn the degree of contact between wheel and yarn is not sufficient to feed the yarn and when there is demand for the yarn the degree of contact between wheel and yarn is sufficient to feed the yarn to the machine. The yarn extending through a yarn eyelet movable back and forth along a circular pathway in response to demand and lack of demand for the yarn by the machine to vary the degree of contact between wheel and yarn.

Abstract: Self actuated positive yarn feeding apparatus for use with circular knitting machines for the positive feeding of yarns to the machines in response to and for the time that a demand for yarn is created by the knitting action of the needles of the machines, and wherein feeding of the yarn is discontinued in response to a lack of demand for yarn by the machines. Wheels having adjacent horizontally extending circumferential zones of high and of low friction surfaces are provided wherein only the high friction surfaces feed the yarn. A movable pair of yarn guiding eyelets is positioned between a fixed pair of yarn guiding eyelets and the wheel with the yarn threaded, in turn, through a fixed eyelet, then through a movable eyelet, then around the wheel, then through the other movable eyelet, and finally through the other fixed eyelet. The movable eyelets acts to shift the yarn between the high and the low friction surfaces in response to demand for yarn by the machines.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for selective positive feeding of a plurality of yarns (Fa-Fd) to striping knitting machines, comprising a plurality of yarn feeding units (1), each having a number of yarn feeding devices. The invention proposes to use a single electromagnet (9) in each yarn feeding unit to move the yarn control elements (7'a-7'd) of all yarn feeding devices from their feeding to their non-feeding positions by means of a uni-directional coupling between the electromagnet (9) and the control elements (7'a-7'd) and to move the control elements in the reverse direction by means of an increase in yarn tension when the yarn (Fa-Fd) is being knitted into the fabric.

Abstract: A multi-purpose yarn feeding device for knitting machines is described which includes a number of co-axially arranged rotary members which correspond to the number of yarns fed to the respective feeding station, each rotary member being provided with a frictionally yarn engaging circumferential periphery. Adjustably positionable eyelet guides are arranged to guide the incoming yarns towards and guide the outgoing yarns from the circumferential peripheries of the associated rotary members to result in yarn portions being in contact with preselected arcuate lengths of the circumferential periphery to thereby impart selected tractions to the yarns. A spring member having a fixed end and a hook for engaging a yarn portion is movable generally in the plane of an associated rotary member for selectively pulling away the yarn portion from the associated circumferential periphery of the rotary member.

Abstract: An apparatus for the positive delivery of thread to a circular knitting machine having a plurality of movable belts which are positioned at different heights. A plurality of conveyor rollers are associated with the belts and are supported on a machine support ring. A plurality of cut-off devices individually coact with the conveyor rollers and, when the thread tension lessens, move the respective thread from its conveying position, in which it is movably clamped between one of the belts and its respective conveyor roller, into a rest position in which the thread lies outside of the belt. A number of the conveyor rollers, each of which corresponds with one of the belts, are individually rotatably but coaxially supported about a common axis defined by a support which projects from a holder, which holder is secured to the support ring. An elongated guide bar is also secured to the holder in sidewardly spaced but parallel relationship with respect to the common axis.

Abstract: To permit ready disassembly of thread sensing and thread brake elements from a yarn feed device, the thread sensing, thread guiding and thread brake elements are, selectively, secured to a separate attachment or housing which is connected to the holder by means of a slidable shoe-socket arrangement which, additionally, carries the contacts for the stop-motion system of the machine so that, depending on yarn being used on the machine and supplied by the device, the supply guide element can be suitably assembled to the machine without disassembly of the thread feeding devices including the thread supply drums as such; or the stop-motion switches coupled to stop-motion sensing elements can be individually maintained or replaced.

Abstract: A positive thread-delivery device for a knitting machine, wherein a plurality of thread-guiding rollers are associated with each knitting system, with which one common delivery belt cooperates, wherein with each roller there is associated a thread-control element which, during processing of the thread, holds same in a clamping position between the delivery belt and roller and which during paying out of the thread can be changed over into a position in which it guides the thread over an area of the roller which is free from the delivery belt to thus terminate such delivery, and including a thread-breakage monitor wherein a swivel arm is provided which engages the thread which unwinds from the thread-delivery device, which swivel arm has associated therewith first and second switches operated at different angles of traverse of the swivel arm, the first switch controlling an electromagnet which loads the thread-control element, the second switch stopping the drive of the machine, the first switch being the first

Abstract: A positive thread-delivery device for a textile, in particular a knitting, machine with a plurality of thread-guiding rollers, with which cooperates a common delivery belt and with which each one a thread-control element is associated, which thread-control element during the delivery of the thread holds same in a clamping position between the delivery belt and the thread-guiding roller and which during a drop in the tension of the thread which is delivered by the thread-delivery device can be changed over into a position in which it guides the thread over an area of the thread-guiding roller which is free of the delivery belt to thus terminate the thread delivery, and a tension feeler is provided which engages, independently from the thread-control element, the thread which is delivered by the thread-delivery device, which feeler operates an electromagnet which loads the thread-control element.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the thread feed rate and hence the thread tension of a multiple-feed circular knitting machine includes transducer means in the form of a resiliently biased rocker mountable on the machine. The rocker can operate one of two microswitches whenever the tension of a thread engaging the transducer is greater than a predetermined value and can operate the other when it is less than the predetermined value. The microswitches control the energization of a servomotor operable to increase or decrease the speed of a rotary drive for driving the machine's thread feed device as necessary in order to bring the thread tension to the predetermined value.

Abstract: A thread-supply arrangement for use in textile-manufacturing machines includes an accumulating drum which is mounted on a shaft and is to be selectively driven, together with other accumulating drums, when the shaft thereof is driven in rotation by an advancing belt or the like. A single pulley is mounted on the shaft for joint rotation therewith and for selected displacement longitudinally of the shaft between a plurality of positions in different ones of which different advancing belts are trained about the single pulley. Lifting rollers lift the respective advancing belt from the pulley to enable the latter to assume a different one of the positions thereof. Each belt which is then not being trained about the pulley, may be supported on a guiding roller mounted on an arm endwise received in an aperture of the support on which the shaft is mounted.

Abstract: A freely rotatable yarn feeding drum has a plurality of yarn loops wound thereon to form a storage winding. To both drive the drum and axially sheave the yarn forming the storage windings along the length of the drum, a drive wheel, or drive belt is engaged with the circumference of the drum in the region of the storage windings. The drive means thereby directly engages the yarn and the drum and, preferably, the axis of rotation of the drum is so set that it forms an acute angle with the axis of rotation of the drive means to provide an axial frictional component between the drive means, typically a drive belt, and the windings on the drum so that the windings are fed axially.

Abstract: In a knitting machine positive feed device of the type comprising a rotatable roller having a bracket mounted for free pivotable motion adjacent the roller under the control of a pair of weighted arms which are attached to the bracket, the fixed yarn guides which are disposed adjacent the opposing ends of one of said arms are supplemented by an intervening movable yard guide which is weighted for movement under the influence of gravity to take up slack in the yarn caused by any overfeed from the roller. The movable yarn guide can also be associated with a stop-motion switching device operative to turn off the knitting machine if the yarn should break.

Abstract: Yarn from a rotatable package of the type comprising a cylindrical support upon which the yarn is packaged by winding, is fed in a precise and certain manner to a source of utilization of the yarn. A drive roll is positioned in proximity to, but spaced from the yarn package, and is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the drive roll being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the yarn package. A resilient circular band having an annular cross-section is stretched over the package and the drive roll so that the band is urged against the exterior surface of both. A means is provided for driving the drive roll at a rotational velocity corresponding to the rate of consumption of the yarn, and guide means directs the yarn to the source of its utilization.

Abstract: A cylinder and dial circular knitting machine is provided with:1. a positive feed means that feeds a yarn and a striping box that may feed a draw thread or yarn,2. adjustable placer and raise cams, and3. means for controlling the operation of such striping box and cams so as to cause the machine to knit fabric separable at single courses of draw threads into strips of predetermined widths with locked and non-running edges.4. disengaging means for the positive yarn feed including a mechanical connection extending from said adjustable cams to the positive yarn feed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for knitting a two-way non-run ventilated fabric. The fabric is knit on a circular knitting machine having 11 thread feed positions but only 9 thread feeds operative at 3 different speeds.

Abstract: A knitting machine of the type using positive contact of a moving tape to correspondingly urge the yarn in feed movement from its source to the machine knitting station, but wherein the movement of a first, comparatively large master tape is effectively transmitted to plural second smaller loops of tape associated with each yarn strand to provide said feed movement thereto. Thus, for example, any spinning oil in the yarn is deposited only on the smaller tape loop and, if it causes rupture thereof, correspondingly limits the loss thereto. This is in contrast to existing feed systems in which belt rupture from the foregoing occurs in the large master tape, and in which other shortcomings associated with using only a single, large master tape also occur.

Abstract: As a replacement for a worn out embodiment of a knitting machine feed wheel, the invention contemplates only a partially complete feed wheel construction which is completed using a bearing salvaged from the worn out wheel, thus saving the expense of two bearings as well as providing other benefits.

Abstract: A knitting machine is provided with a plurality of positive feed devices for feeding yarn from a plurality of yarn packages to a plurality of feeding stations. The positive feed devices comprise a plurality of rotatable rollers associated with a driven tape running along the surfaces of the rollers and having a width less than the axial dimension of each roller, and a yarn guide comprising a bracket having eyelets to guide the yarn is mounted for free pivotal movement adjacent each roller to position a length of yarn onto the tape for positive feeding or to displace the yarn away from the tape for nonfeed thereof. The position of the yarn guide is controlled by one or more weights which are attached to the bracket at positions displaced from the bracket pivot point to urge the bracket and its eyelets into the nonfeed position under the influence of gravity.