Abstract: Circular knitting machine for knitted fabrics, comprising an assembly of needles which are mounted in rotary needle beds provided with cam sections which act on the needles to conduct them selectively according to alternative trajectories, while the yarns to be knitted are delivered in each section in a selective manner by a programmable feed mechanism, which incorporates a complementary assembly which comprises a lever (40) which can be actuated in connection with a tiltable cam (42), which incorporates another associated lever (44) able to be positioned in order to effect the actuation of a rod (50) which actuates cutting and clamping of the yarn being fed, independently of the introduction of a new yarn substituting for the previous one.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn changer for knitting machines, with swinging yarn fingers (22c, 22d), which comprise finger bodies and guide bodies (66c, 66d) having cutting and clamping elements (69, 71) slidable on the finger bodies, and with an opener (121) and closer (122) both associated with all yarn fingers in common. In order to reduce the number of moving parts and the noise occurring in operation of the yarn changer, the opener (121) and closer (122) are in such operative connection through a reverse-coupling mechanism (114-120) that they can be actuated in common by an associated cam track (102) acting on a control member (114). The control member (114) is preferably only in the working range of the cam track (102) when a yarn change is to be effected. The invention moreover concerns a knitting machine equipped with the yarn changer, especially a rib circular knitting machine, in which a yarn catcher cooperating with the yarn changer is built into the dial.

Abstract: A single-cylinder circular machine for knitting, hosiery or the like, with a device for actuating the cutter mounted on the dial comprises: a needle cylinder, which can be rotationally actuated about its own axis; a dial, which is arranged above the needle cylinder and is supported so that it can rotate about its own axis; and a cutter for cutting the yarns, which is mounted coaxially on the dial and is provided with cutting teeth arranged around its own axis. The machine has a device which comprises an actuation for the cutter with a rotary motion about its own axis with a rotation rate which can be diversified from the rotation rate of the needle cylinder, in order to vary the length of the trailing portion of yarn that lies between the last needle of the machine taking up the yarn and the blade cooperating with the cutter in cutting the yarn.

Abstract: Yarn feeding and changing mechanism for circular knitting machine includes a plurality of yarn feed fingers selectively movable between operative and inoperative positions to feed yarn to the needles only when in operative position. A first rocking jack is connected to each yarn feed finger for moving the yarn feed fingers between operative and inoperative positions, and a slider member is connected to each first rocking jack. A second rocking jack is connected to each slider member and a plurality of pivotable selection members are provided for imparting rocking movement to the second rocking jacks in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn changer for knitting machines, with swinging yarn fingers (22c, 22d), which comprise finger bodies and guide bodies (66c, 66d) having cutting and clamping elements (69, 71) slidable on the finger bodies, and with an opener (121) and closer (122) both associated with all yarn fingers in common. In order to reduce the number of moving parts and the noise occurring in operation of the yarn changer, the opener (121) and closer (122) are in such operative connection through a reverse-coupling mechanism (114-120) that they can be actuated in common by an associated cam track (102) acting on a control member (114). The control member (114) is preferably only in the working range of the cam track (102) when a yarn change is to be effected. The invention moreover concerns a knitting machine equipped with the yarn changer, especially a rib circular knitting machine, in which a yarn catcher cooperating with the yarn changer is built into the dial.

Abstract: A device for cutting threads in circular stocking knitting machines, which includes a circular saw having teeth on its periphery and at least one knife. Each tooth of the saw has a cutting zone away from and moved back with respect to the front part. The front part is intended for gripping and dragging along the thread towards the knife. Between the front part and the cutting zone of each tooth, there is provided a notch or step, which is intended for holding a piece of thread without being intercepted by the knife. The cutting zone interacts with the knife for cutting the thread away from the front part, when the thread rests on the cutting zone.

Abstract: A binding mechanism for holding yarns of circular knitting machines during yarn changeover and when yarns are moved to inactive positions includes an elastomeric member having deformable when engaged with a flat surface and having pliable surfaces for simultaneously receiving and individually gripping multiple yarns, the member being of silicone rubber having a durometer hardness range of 45-70.

Abstract: The thread guide structure for double-cylinder circular knitting machines comprises a thread guide body which has an elongated configuration and has, proximate to one of its longitudinal ends, a thread dispensing passage. The thread guide body has a first part and a second part which are mutually articulated proximate to an intermediate region of the thread guide body. The first part, which is provided with the thread dispensing passage, is oscillatable with respect to the second part about an oscillation axis which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension of the thread guide body.

Abstract: The thread feed unit has a supporting block which can be associated with a knitting machine laterally to the needle cylinder or cylinders and is provided with at least one thread guide which has a body provided with an elongated configuration associated with a supporting element and slidable along a direction substantially parallel to its longitudinal extension. The supporting element is associated with the supporting block for oscillation about an oscillation axis transverse to the sliding direction of the thread guide body. A first thread guide actuator is provided and controllably acts on the supporting element to oscillate the thread guide about the oscillation axis, and a second actuator controlling the thread guide body to slide it longitudinally with respect to the supporting element. The first actuator and the second actuator are associated with the supporting block and can be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: Thread used in double-cylinder circular knitting machines is cut by locating a stationary cutting knife near a space between the cylinders. A saw having perpendicularly arranged teeth is positioned on an outer ring at the top of one of the cylinders. Thread guides move the thread from a pneumatic nozzle to the teeth of the saw. The saw engages the thread and moves the thread for knitting to needles on the cylinder. The saw continues to move the thread from the nozzle to the knife in order to be severed. After severing, the guide is returned and the thread engaged between the needles is disengaged and taken by the saw to the knife to be cut and taken in by the nozzle.

Abstract: A yarn feed assembly for circular knitting machines for presenting one or more yarns chosen from a plurality of available yarns into the needle path under the control of a microprocessor. An arcuately movable sector-shaped yarn guide includes a plurality of openings therein for positioning a plurality of yarns in spaced parallel position with each other. A toggle clamp for each yarn located downstream from the yarn guide keeps the yarns taut in their normal stored position. To select a yarn for feeding to the feed station, a transfer arm selects the yarn positioned in a pickup position by the yarn guide. As the transfer arm begins to move, the corresponding toggle clamp releases, and the yarn is then fed onto its yarn feed location.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine is constructed for facilitating replacement of the needle cylinder and dial element without the necessity of hoisting the dial by means such as a chain block. The circular knitting machine includes a circular dial element supported adjacent the opening in the upper end of the needle cylinder. A rotatable drive shaft is supported at the upper end of a frame support member and extends downward to a position adjacent the circular opening in the upper end of the needle cylinder. A vertically extending support sleeve surrounds the drive shaft and is supported at the upper end on the frame support member for telescopic vertical movement relative to the drive shaft. The lower end of the support sleeve is fixed to the dial for supporting same. A dial control is provided for lifting and lowering the support sleeve along the drive shaft to lift the dial element a sufficient distance to permit removal and replacement of the needle cylinder.

Abstract: In loom control for weaving a preselected pattern design or the like, electronically controlled electric actuators (1,10) are programmed for required operation in accordance with the pattern by a computer, each actuator (1) being connected to a warp thread (W) or to more than one such thread of the shed (S) for positive operation of the threads (W) in effecting required shed formations in weaving the pattern. A flexible connection member (2) between the actuator (1) and an eye member (3) receiving a warp thread (W) may be arranged in an endless manner for positive operation of the eye member (3) in either direction. In the case of a knitting machine each actuator is connected to one or more yarn feeders and/or to the carriage or carriages of the machine for their operation in knitting the preselected pattern.

Abstract: A yarn changing apparatus for a multi-feed circular knitting machine includes lever arms connected to yarn feeding fingers. Vertically moveable sliders operatively connect to the lever arms and are slidable between raised and lowered positions to move the lever arms and yarn feeding fingers connected thereto, so as to place the yarn feeding fingers into operative and nonoperative positions. Vertically moveable rocking jacks pivotably connect to the sliders with each rocking jack including pivotably moveable upper and lower ends. Remotely programmed selection units are operative with the rocking jacks for aiding in pivoting the rocking jacks. The remotely programmed selection unit includes upper and lower electromagnetic block units which are energizable and act upon selectors to engage and pivot the rocking jacks.

Abstract: A jacquard circular knitting machine provided with a needle cylinder driving mechanism capable of optionally and readily controlling the rotary motion of the needle cylinder according to the pattern to be knitted. A motor interlocked through gears or the like with the needle cylinder rotates according to a needle cylinder rotating procedure stored previously in a magnetic memory medium. Actuators operate according to a pattern forming procedure stored in another magnetic memory medium as a signal is provided by a sensor for detecting the rotary motion of the needle cylinder. Thus a jacquard circular-knitted fabric having predetermined patterns can be knitted efficiently. In addition to the above, a machine is provided with a third magnetic memory medium for storing a yarn feed element switching procedure to carry out a plurality of yarn feed element switching operations at optional timings when necessary while a single course of a fabric is knitted.

Abstract: An individual yarn clamping and cutting device is provided for each yarn guide and is moved to an open position in response to movement of the yarn guide from active to inactive position. The yarn clamping and cutting devices are moved to a closed position by cam means carried by the rotating needle cylinder. A yarn guide shifting cam is provided for imparting a slight amount of downward movement to the yarn guides to shift the same from a first upper active position to a second slightly lower active yarn feeding position during introduction of the yarn to reduce the tension in the yarn as the needles begin to knit and to aid in preventing yarn breakage. The yarn guides are mounted to facilitate individual threading of the yarn guides and are mounted for outward tilting movement of their upper ends to a readily accessible threading position while the remaining yarn guides remain in the normal operating position.

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: A double cylinder knitting machine has a plurality of pivotable feeders with yarn feeding ends movable through arcs from a trap position, through a feed position to a cross-over park position upstream of the feed position. Movement is imparted to the feeders via a plurality of rotatable cams and cam followers which cause the feeders to pivot upstream of the feed position to an extent sufficient to clear a latchguard and sinkers of the knitting machine followed by further pivotal movement for cross-over and reaching of the park position. The feeders are arrested in predetermined park positions while the cam followers are still on an inclined part of the cams and continued motion of the cams is ineffective after the feeders have reached the park positions.

Abstract: A yarn feeder and changer unit for a knitting machine comprises a number of adjacent yarn feeders any one of which can be moved from a yarn trapping position to a yarn feeding position while the others retain severed ends of their respective yarns at the trapping positions. The movement of each feeder to its feeding position comprises an upward component of movement from below the needle level by pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and forward movement over the needles by a sliding component of movement. The creation of two distinct components of movement for each feeder (pivotal and sliding) enables the feeder path to pass close to but out of the path of the needles, and enables accurate yarn placement to be achieved.

Abstract: A knitting machine for knitting tubular knitted wear such as socks, which includes a needle knitting cylinder, yarn cutters, a number of pattern drums, a number of needle selector bars adapted to be operated by the pattern drums and in turn being adapted to operate needles in the knitting cylinder, a number of yarn feeder control drums controlled from a timing chain, and yarn feeders for each yarn feeder control drum, the yarn feeders being adapted to supply yarn to the needle knitting cylinder. The machine further includes an additional yarn feeder control arrangement. This arrangement comprises a control member for controlling each yarn feeder separately from its yarn feeder control drum, movement device adapted to be moved by the associated pattern drum, and coupling member adapted to be operated by the movement device and being adapted to transmit such movement to the control member for causing a particular control to be effected on its associated yarn feeder.

Abstract: Yarn feeding and changing apparatus for multi-feed sinker top circular knitting machines having a single circle of needles, wherein a yarn striper box is placed within the needle circle at each feed of the machine to provide a circle of boxes, and wherein a remotely programmed yarn selector is provided within the circle of boxes, the yarn selector and the circle of needles rotating in unison relative to the circle of yarn boxes. Each striper box is provided with a plurality of yarn feeding fingers and with a rocker, a control jack, and a clamp and cutter individual to each finger, the jacks controlling the rockers to move the fingers between feeding and idle positions. The yarn selector acts on the jacks to provide a yarn selection individual to each of the boxes. Each clamp and cutter is partially opened by its related rocker when its related yarn finger is moved to idle position and is thereafter fully opened and closed by the yarn selector.

Abstract: To blow a yarn toward the needles and release it from the gripping device upon yarn feeding in a circular knitting machine, in particular a double cylinder one, a device is provided which is synchronized with each yarn feeding finger regardless of the number of feeds. The device comprises a control cam provided with a boss and rotated synchronically with the needle cylinder(s), an actuating cam provided with two oppositely located notches and connected to the control cam through a normally disengaged coupling controlled by the machine program, and an actuating lever which follows the profile of the actuating cam and controls a valve to cause it to engage with the control cam and be operated by the boss thereof to deliver pressurized air to the yarn feeding area. The valve can be moved into the operative position by means of each yarn feeding finger associated with one feed.

Abstract: A control device for striper units in a circular knitting machine having a plurality of cam disks, the profil whereof is followed by a respective lever operating a respective thread finger by means of a Bowden cable. Each cam disk is secured to a respective toothed wheel meshing with a further toothed wheel which may be coupled with and uncoupled from, a drive shaft constantly rotating with a predetermined rotational speed. Coupling and uncoupling of the further toothed wheel is controlled by the main chain of the machine so as to selectively cause a rotation of substantially 180.degree. of a respective selected cam disk to bring the corresponding thread finger in operation and another rotation of substantially 180.degree. to bring the corresponding thread finger out of operation. Other cam disks are provided to control in the same manner corresponding thread cutting and gripping means each time an associated thread finger is controlled.

Abstract: A yarn feed and change mechanism or striper (FIG. 3) has a plurality of yarn feed passages which can be used alternatively to feed yarn to a knitting machine. Each yarn feed passage is associated with a pneumatic means (22, 24, 84) for propelling a leading end of yarn to knitting needles, with a movable wall portion (34) for engaging and trapping yarn in alignment with the direction of the yarn feed passage, and a separately movable severing member (42) for severing yarn trapped in the passage.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine includes a cylinder with knitting instrumentalities and a cam arrangement for operating the instrumentalities, the cylinder and the cam arrangement being relatively rotatable, a striper associated with the cam arrangement and having a yarn cutting mechanism, an aperture in the cylinder for propelling air outwardly of the cylinder past the instrumentalities to carry yarn ends cut off by the yarn cutting mechanism outwardly of the striper and a means for collecting yarn ends carried outwardly by the air.

Abstract: The wipers of yarn cutting and clamping devices associated with the striping boxes of a circular knitting machine are controlled according to the position of a pivoted cam which is mounted in a member affixed to a rotatable sinker dial and is operable between a wiper actuating position and non-actuating position.

Abstract: Pneumatic yarn feed and yarn change mechanism has a plurality of yarn feed paths and a plurality of control elements for controlling passage of yarn for each of these paths independently. Flow of fluid through selected yarn feed passage when the control element is in a feed position propels leading end of yarn to knitting needles. Movement of control element out of feed position to trap position causes yarn to be severed and trapped and held in readiness for subsequent selection.In a preferred embodiment side by side control plates are moved pneumatically by pistons arranged one above the other.

Abstract: Apparatus for binding the severed end portion of a tensioned elastomeric yarn on a circular knitting machine including a binder element fixably mounted up on the machine dial and having a free end portion which normally engages the dial. The free end portion of the binder element has a blade-like edge which is automatically displaced in a first direction by the elastomeric yarn when the yarn is in the knit position and again prior to severing the yarn from the knitted fabric. The retractive forces of the tensioned elastomeric yarn automatically cause the blade-like edge of the binder element to be displaced to wedge the yarn against the dial upon severing the yarn by holding the yarn in position for subsequent reintroduction to the needles.

Abstract: In a knitting machine the needle beds and yarn feeders circulate relative to one another. This normally produces a tubular fabric. In order to leave a gap in the tube, a zone of each needle bed is arranged as a non-knit zone. To save yarn the yarns are not normally allowed to float across the gap, but are severed and trapped. To hold the edges straight, periodic yarns are allowed to float across the gap.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine having a program or pattern drum coaxial and underlying the needle cylinder. The pattern drum is advanced intermittently and selectively by pawls engaging ratchet wheels of different pitch on the drum, with the pawls driven with different strokes through shafts parallel with the cylinder axis and oscillated by followers riding on cams on the needle cylinder, the followers being selectively and independently displaceable by electro-mechanical units to produce intermittent operation of the pattern drum. Cams on the drum act through followers mounted on shafts coaxial with the cylinder axis to oscillate operating arms for controlling radial cams for needle and jack butt manipulation, for controlling an arm with an inclined surface for displacing the cylinder to adjust the length of the loop being knit, and for controlling other instrumentalities of the machine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a yarn cutting and gripping device of the type including a plurality of strip-like elements lengthwise movable adjacent a fixed blade and having a hooked end for cutting the yarn in cooperation with the fixed blade. The strip-like elements are resiliently urged against the fixed blade by a block arranged at the side of the strip-like elements opposite to the fixed blade. Each element has a lug extending below the hooked end substantially parallel thereto and recessed with respect to the cutting plane so as to seize the yarn and cause it to form a loop about this lug before and after being cut by the hooked end, thus increasing the retaining force of the cut yarn. The strip-like elements may be formed by two parallel parts, the one having the hooked end and the other the projecting lug.

Abstract: The cut-off device is used to cut the selvage of a woven fabric and includes a movable member which is driven by means of a pivotally mounted lever and a flat disc. The disc is carried on a pivotal drive element which is reciprocated off a drive shaft of the machine. The drive shaft disc and lever are located below the fabric plane so as to be moved out of the way should the need arise to repair a broken weft thread.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine is described in which two devices for temporarily trapping cut fringe yarns are mounted on the needle cylinder, respectively immediately following the last needle to knit and immediately preceding the first needle to knit. Each trapping device has a radially movable yarn gripping jaw urged into contact with a fixed jaw by resilient means. A cam-operated mechanism temporarily moves the movable jaw out of contact with the fixed jaw against the action of the resilient means in order to allow insertion of a fringe yarn between the jaws and release of a fringe yarn from the jaws.

Abstract: Apparatus for binding the severed end portion of a tensioned elastomeric yarn on a circular knitting machine including a binder element fixably mounted up on the machine dial and having a free end portion which normally engages the dial. The free end portion of the binder element has a blade-like edge which is automatically displaced in a first direction by the elastomeric yarn when the yarn is in the knit position and again prior to severing the yarn from the knitted fabric. The retractive forces of the tensioned elastomeric yarn automatically cause the blade-like edge of the binder element to be displaced to wedge the yarn against the dial upon severing the yarn by holding the yarn in position for subsequent reintroduction to the needles.