Abstract: A flexible sheet turning arrangement located in a thread path upstream of the guides in a warp knitting machine that has a machine frame and at least one plurality of guides. The arrangement has a set of springs with proximal ends supported on the machine frame, and free distal ends. Also included is a turning element running the full width of the machine and attached to the free distal ends of the set of springs. The set of springs may include a package having at least two leaf springs placed on top of each other and joined at their ends. At least one of the springs may be made of a material having a greater internal coefficient of friction than steel. The springs may be laid to provide such a level of damping that the damping coefficient &dgr; satisfies a relationship involving Td the period of oscillation, and &ycirc ;i, &ycirc ;i+1 the neighboring amplitudes of damped oscillations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling tension of lay-in warp yarns knitted on a warp knitting machine is provided for knitting a fabric having lay-in yarns with varying intermittent spacing between horizontally corresponding lengths thereof. The lay-in warp yarns of a warp knitting machine are preferably dividedly passed by two or more flutter bars which are simultaneously moveable in cooperation with one another to simultaneously and reciprocably increase/decrease and decrease/increase tension on lay-in warp yarns passing thereacross. Alternatively, the two or more flutter bars may simultaneously and reciprocably increase/increase and decrease/decrease tension on the corresponding lay-in warp yarns passing thereacross. Each flutter bar is a shaft with a parallel and spaced-apart contact arm for contacting yarn. The flutter bars are connected such that rotational movement by one flutter bar causes rotational movement of the other flutter bar.

Abstract: A mechanism to produce irregular effects in warp knitting on a conventional machine having a rotary camshaft which controls movement of a fork engaged with the yarn. A mechanical device selectively and independently controls translatory movement of the camshaft in two transverse directions to respectively vary the depth and intermittency of the yarn tension.

Abstract: An improved warp knit fabric that can use conventional warp knit base fabric constructions or instead produce novel sheer base fabrics and apply top effect yarns in the warp direction to produce novelty effects using standard yarn ends. Also, full weight, self-lined fabrics can be formed. This top effect yarn can be fed with varying tension control so that a relatively wide variety of effects can be created together with base fabric which is chosen.

Abstract: An attachment for a warp knitting machine is disclosed. The attachment produces a patterned effect on fabric knitted by the warp knitting machine. The warp knitting machine includes at least one warp beam, a thread separating mechanism, a knitting mechanism, and a first tensioning mechanism positioned between the warp beam and the knitting mechanism. The attachment includes a moveable supplemental tensioning mechanism operatively connected to the knitting machine for cyclically varying the tension on first and second groups of threads disposed on opposite sides of the supplemental tensioning mechanism. A mechanism is provided for cyclically moving the supplemental tensioning mechanism in first and second directions about a neutral position to alternately tension the first and second groups of threads.

Abstract: An improved warp knit fabric that can serve as a base fabric for producing full weight, self-lined drapery material as well as sheer drapery material and the process and apparatus therefor. The base fabric is primarily comprised of three groups of yarns knit together to form a sheer fabric that creates the visual effect of being woven. The full weight is formed by incorporating one or more additional groups of yarns into the base fabric. One group is added to produce a self-lining on the rear side of the material while another group can include a "laid-in" top effect yarn. This top effect yarn can be fed with varying tension control so that a relatively wide variety of effects can be created.

Abstract: An attachment for a warp knitting machine is disclosed. The attachment produces a patterned effect on fabric knitted by the warp knitting machine. The warp knitting machine includes at least one warp beam, a thread separating mechanism, a knitting mechanism, and a first tensioning mechanism positioned between the warp beam and the knitting mechanism. The attachment includes a moveable supplemental tensioning mechanism operatively connected to the knitting machine for cyclically varying the tension on first and second groups of threads disposed on opposite sides of the supplemental tensioning mechanism. A mechanism is provided for cyclically moving the supplemental tensioning mechanism in first and second directions about a neutral position to alternately tension the first and second groups of threads.

Abstract: A warp knitting machine which includes a jacquard mechanism to control the pattern threads utilizes the jacquard mechanism to further control a thread breaking device and a thread tensioning device thereby providing an unusual thread pattern without the aid of a conventional pull thread.

Abstract: A weft thread tensioning device for use on a warp knitting machine provides a means for testing the tension of the weft threads and, if the threads are not at the desired tension, tensioning the threads to a predetermined amount. The device includes a spring loaded lever and U-shaped bracket which adjust the tension on the weft thread just prior to insertion into the bed of the knitting machine.

Abstract: Decorative knitted fabrics have a basic weft knit structure with patterned effects produced by a warp yarn loops of which cover selected loops of weft yarn so as to be visible on the face of the fabric. The fabrics are produced by feeding warp yarns to selected needles of a straight bar knitting machine in addition to the normal weft yarn and controlling the tension of the yarn such that the warp yarn loops cover the corresponding weft yarn loops in the desired manner. To ensure the desired structure, it is preferred that the tension in the warp yarn should be relatively high when the yarn is wrapped round the selected needles but relatively low when the needles execute their knitting motion. Apparatus for producing these fabrics includes warp yarn guides which can be moved to and fro in front and behind the knitting needles and moved sideways past one or more needle positions. The warp guides can be swung upwards to clear the needles during fashioning movements.

Abstract: A warp-knitted fabric with surface interest patterning is formed from two full sets of warp threads being fed to each position of two separate guide bars of a warp knitting machine then to each needle of the warp knitting machine and from a partial set of threads being fed to spaced positions of at least one of the two guide bars and then to spaced needles for knitting together with one of the full sets of threads. The partial beam set of threads is fed at a different rate from the rate of the associated full set of warp threads being fed to the same guide bar.

Abstract: A two-bar warp-knitted fabric with surface interest patterning is formed from two sets of threads being fed to separate guide bars of a warp knitting machine then to a single needle bed for knitting by crossing at least one of the threads from one set of threads from one operating guide bar to the other. The preferred embodiment interchanges some threads from one set with threads of the other set ahead of the guide bars.

Abstract: A beam creel with a movable support which can be automatically moved from a loading position to a yarn pay-off position and incorporates a tension control which automatically maintains the tension in a plurality of yarn sheets from a plurality of beams mounted on the creel.