Abstract: Various examples are provided related to identification of anthropometric information for fitting of compression garments. In one example, a method of generating compression garment fit information includes acquiring images including a selected body part or body area in need of compression therapy; processing the acquired images along with a library of compression garment fit information; generating a 3D reconstruction of the selected body part/area; deriving anthropometric information for the selected body part/area from the 3D reconstruction; providing a compression value corresponding to a prescribed or intended amount of compression therapy applied to the selected body part/area; and generating compression garment fit information for the selected body part/area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of generating a shape description from digital image acquisition for a patient body part or body area of interest and use of such shape description. Such shape description includes geometric information from which measurement information can optionally be derived. Included herein are methods for diagnosing and monitoring edema and other conditions in patients using shape descriptions acquired from a patient in need of such diagnosis and monitoring. The invention also includes use of the generated shape descriptions to make compression garments specifically configured for a patient's body part or body area. Compression garments generated from the shape descriptions are also included herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a tubular-shaped knitted covering for a paint roller, or the like, having a pile extending from an outer surface of the covering, through use of a dial needle knitting arrangement. A cylinder needle knitting arrangement may be utilized in conjunction with the dial needle knitting arrangement for forming a tubular-shaped knitted covering for a paint roller having a pile formed from a combination of sliver and yarn fibers in successive courses of the tubular-shaped knitted covering.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making a pressure garment, comprising the steps of: defining 3D shape and pressure profile characteristics of a garment; specifying a knitting pattern for the garment; calculating yarn feed data for the knitting pattern to produce the defined shape and pressure profile characteristics; and, knitting the garment according to the knitting pattern and the yarn feed data.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for varying the length of stitches on circular hosiery and knitting machines, which includes means for rigidly anchoring the cylinder to the cylinder support, vertical guide means of the sinker bed with respect to the cylinder, and means for changing the height of the sinker bed to several positions between the two lowered and raised limit positions, in order to vary the level of the stitch formation plane defined by the sinkers in relation to the needles on the cylinder that remain in a fixed position. The invention involves also a circular knitting machine incorporating such a device.

Abstract: A method of and circular knitting machine for producing a knit fabric having more uniform stitches including yarn feeders feeding a plurality of yarns to stitch forming instrumentalities, the spacing of which affects stitch length and which is subject to change during operation of the knitting machine, a sensor for sensing the tension in the plurality of yarns which changes with changes in the spacing of the stitch forming instrumentalities, and generating a signal indicative of the average tension in the yarns, a comparator for comparing the sensor signal with a pre-set desired tension, a convertor for converting the comparison result into a drive signal, and an adjuster adjusting the spacing of the stitch forming instrumentalities responsive to the drive signal.

Abstract: In a stitch density adjusting device of a circular knitting machine for knitting stockings, panty hose, tights and so on, a needle cylinder is moved up and down for adjusting the density of the stitches being formed. In order to move the needle cylinder up and down, a knitting control unit having a knitting program set therein supplies a control signal to a reversible pulse motor which causes the needle cylinder to move through a movement transmission mechanism. The temperature rise in the knitting head due to friction is detected by sensor in the head and compared with a set value in a comparator which delivers a temperature difference signal to the knitting control unit. The control unit operates to compensate for the temperature rise by controlling the pulse motor.

Abstract: An automatic stitch adjusting mechanism for use in a multiple knitting station circular knitting machine having a plurality of knitting needles supported in a rotating needle cylinder for vertical movement parallel to the axis of rotation of the needle cylinder is disclosed. A plurality of raising cams engage the needles for raising the needles. A plurality of stitch cams engage the needles for lowering the needles. The stitch cams are vertically movable for adjusting the size of the formed stitch. The automatic stitch adjusting mechanism includes a plurality of vertically movable stitch cam control members operatively connected to respective stitch cams. A drive motor connected by a belt and clutch mechanism to the stitch cam control members adjusts the vertical position of the control members and clutch mechanisms retain the control members in their adjusted positions.

Abstract: Methods for circular weft knitting of variegated articles and selectively programmable circular weft knitting machine apparatus for carrying out such methods including means for effecting selective, controlled two dimensional displacement of compound needle member components and associated sinker elements so as to provide each such needle member with the selectable capability of performing a knit, tuck or float operation at each yarn feed location independent of the direction of knitting needle approach thereto.

Abstract: A central stitch length controlling apparatus for simultaneously varying the length of stitch loops being knit and optionally the positioning of the yarn guides (31) in a multi-feed circular knitting machine. The apparatus includes a vertically adjustable inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47) which supports the knitting cams (7) and optionally the yarn guides (31) thereon. A plurality of sprocket wheels (18, 38) is disposed around the inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47) and a fixed outer ring (16, 43). Rotation of the sprocket wheels (18, 38) selectively raises and lowers the inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47). A sprocket chain (19, 46) drivingly interconnects the sprocket wheels (18, 38) to each other and may be manually rotated for simultaneously imparting like rotational movement to each of the sprocket wheels (18, 38) to thereby selectively raise or lower the inner knitting cam block support ring (6, 47) and the knitting cams (7) supported thereby.

Abstract: A control device for adjusting the radial position of the sinkers in a circular knitting machine, consitituted by a couple of cams for the radial drive of the sinkers. The cams are co-planar and concentrical with the axis of the cylinder and substantially circular. The innermost cam is stationary. The outermost cam is radially approachable and pushable away due to the effect of a countercam externally placed around the outermost cam and provided with approaching and pushing-away lengths, which, by means of the countercam's discrete revolution, radially approaches the outermost cam, and pushes the outermost cam away.

Abstract: Improved methods for circular weft knitting of variegated articles and improved programmable circular weft knitting machine apparatus for carrying out such methods including means for effecting selective, controlled two dimensional displacement of compound needle member components and associated sinker elements so as to provide each such needle member with the selectable capability of performing a knit, tuck or float operation at each yarn feed location independent of the direction of knitting needle approach thereto.

Abstract: Improved methods for circular weft knitting of variegated articles and selectively programmable circular weft knitting machine apparatus for carrying out such methods including means for effecting selective, controlled two dimensional displacement of compound needle member components and associated sinker elements so as to provide each such needle member with the selectable capability of performing a knit, tuck or float operation at each yarn feed location independent of the direction of knitting needle approach thereto.

Abstract: Improved methods for circular weft knitting of variegated articles and improved selectively programmable circular weft knitting machine apparatus for carrying out such methods including means for effecting selective, controlled two dimensional displacement of compound needle member components and associated sinker elements so as to provide each such needle member with the selectable capability of performing a knit, tuck or float operation at each yarn feed location independent of the direction of knitting needle approach thereto.

Abstract: In a knitting machine with longitudinally movable latch members and sinkers which are pivotable and longitudinally movable in the same direction, sinker-controlling cams and needle controlling cams are arranged on individual cam supports which are adjustable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction and transverse direction. Adjustable loop-sinking cams are provided in a sinker cam ring or a needle cam ring.

Abstract: For adjusting loop density in a circular knitting machine there is provided a step motor arranged below the needle cylinder and having a threaded shaft threadably engaging one end of a lever pivoted to a stationary structure of the machine. The free end of the threaded shaft abuts against a rotatable stop supported by the stationary portion of the machine, and the housing of the motor is prevented from rotating with respect to the lever. The opposed end of this lever supports a cylinder holder. Rotation of the threaded shaft of the step motor which is controlled by a programming member causes a pivotal movement of the lever and thus a raising or lowering movement of the needle cylinder to vary the loop density.

Abstract: A program-controlled knitting machine provides a method of knitting circular knit elasticized tubular goods, e.g., compressive stockings, in which the size of the goods and the amount of compression asserted when worn are controlled according to the specific size and needs of the individual using the goods.

Abstract: In a circular knitting machine, a cam drum which controls control members co-operating with the needle cylinder is disposed coaxially with the cylinder. A program drum which advances as a function of the rotation of the needle cylinder is also coaxial with the needle cylinder. A rapid control mechanism acts on a ratchet toothed ring gear of the program drum to change the programmed cycle phases and to move it to a zero position, that is a cycle commencement position. A control device acts on a ring gear for the advancement of the cam drum and is activated when the program drum attains the zero position in order to also move the cam drum into the zero position.

Abstract: A multiple-feed circular knitting machine has an upright-axis needle cylinder coaxially surrounded by an annular base plate and a sector-support plate supported thereon for axial sliding movement relative thereto and in turn supporting sectors of a cam-support ring bearing cams which control the axial movements of needles of the needle cylinder, the sector-support plate being supported by grub screws projecting below the plate and bearing on respective inclined upper faces of equal slope in the same circumferential direction of wedge-shaped blocks fixed to a setting ring carried on the base plate, and the machine having a graduated control which operates a pinion meshed with peripheral teeth of the setting ring to rotate the ring in either sense relative to the sector-support and base plates to make the grub screws ride up or down the respective inclined faces to raise or lower the cams supported from the sector-support plate by the same amount simultaneously to adjust the vertical movements of the needles.

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 though 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.