Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a multi-layer, multiaxial yarn stratum to the knitting site of a warp knitting machine, with endless conveyor chains for guiding the yarn stratum to the knitting site, with at least two multiple yarn guides, which can be moved changeably over both conveyor chains for each yarn sheet and with means for supporting the yarn stratum. The prelaid yarn stratum is supplied in such a manner, that at least one endless conveyor belt is driven synchronously with the conveyor chains and supports the yarn stratum, and is guided over guide rollers mounted on the frame with the distance between the guide roller and the knitting site bridged with the help of supporting guiding elements for the yarn stratum.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and a device for the production of textile net-like fabrics by various bonding processes, e.g., the warp knitting process or stitch bonding process.

Abstract: An improved warp/knit stitch reinforced multi-axial non-crimp layered fabric sheet used in structural applications, as for example, in aircraft and water applications, e.g. the skin of an airplane wing or fuselage structure, in water applications, e.g. skins of surfboards and boats, and in other areas where high strength and relatively light weight is required. The fabric is comprised of a plurality of plies facewise disposed upon one another and knitted or stitched to form a structural sheet. Each fabric ply is made of strands of aligned structural fibers which can be later impregnated and even pre-impregnated with a resin curable matrix. The improved sheet is formed by applying unidirectional non-crimp and non-woven plies of different angular relationship to one another, e.g. a +45.degree., a 90.degree. and a -45.degree. ply and locating 0.degree. plies in essentially any position in the ply arrangement such that the 0.degree.

Abstract: Installed on a crochet galloon machine is a device (1) for inserting alternately-interposed wefts, comprising two weft-inserting sliders (10, 16) carrying respective threading tubes (11, 17) each adapted to lay down a weft yarn (12, 18) to be interlooped in the article of manufacture (M) being worked. Each slider (10, 16) is movable along a respective weft-inserting guide (9, 15). The cyclic movements of the sliders (10, 16) are mutually offset according to a cycle fraction equal to the number of the provided weft-inserting bars (9, 15), so as to alternate laying down of each weft yarn (10, 18) with each chain stitch (6b)-formation cycle.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for producing multi-axial non-woven fabric comprising an endless series of yarn guides (3) having upper and lower reaches which extend widthwise of the apparatus and which are driven in opposite directions, rotatable creel means (2) for supplying yarns (1) to the yarn guides (3), the creel means (2) being driven in the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the endless series of yarn guides (3), and stitching means (5) for stitching the yarns (1) laid by the endless series of yarn guides (3).

Abstract: A method for the manufacture in a continuous process of a flat substrate from a fibres-reinforced matrix for a printed circuit, in which use is made of at least two moving layers of reinforcing fibres and the fibres are positioned in at least two crossing directions, whereupon the filaments layers provided with matrix material, optionally together with one or more electrical conducting layers, such as a metal foil, and/or insulating layers on one or on either outer side, are passed through a preferably heated laminating zone, such as a double belt press, characterized in that use is made of filaments-containing layers made up of a plurality of mutually parallel filaments that are not bonded in the form of a fabric and extend substantially linearly.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of non-woven fabrics in which an array of weft threads is created and then combined with a substrate, which may in itself comprise a set of warp threads. In the method according to the invention, the array of weft threads is formed by traversing a weft carrier which has a plurality of weft guides, across the weftspace between two sets of weft retainers. At the end of each traverse, the weft carrier is jogged (that is to say moved in the warpwise direction), so that at the next traverse, it lays a further set of weft yarns across the weftspace, and the weft yarns are hooked around the weft retainers.

Abstract: A weft thread insertion arrangement for the weft thread magazine of a warp knitting machine has a warp thread laying insert carriage. The carriage, in conjunction and cooperation with the main shaft of the warp knitting machine, is driven between two forwarding devices for forwarding the laid weft threads to a needle bed. The arrangement has a drive assembly including a computer and a servomotor. The computer has at least one data storage device for taking up the data associated with at least one movement path formula. A sensor is provided for determining the number of revolutions and the angular displacement position data of the main shaft, which is fed back to the computer to enable it to compute the required drive speed of the servomotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of non-woven fabrics in which an array of weft threads is created and then combined with a substrate, which may in itself comprise a set of warp threads. In the method according to the invention, the array of weft threads is formed by traversing a weft carrier which has a plurality of weft guides, across the weft-space between two sets of weft retainers (300), (302). At the end of each traverse, the weft carrier is jogged, (that is to say moved in the warpwise direction) so that at the next traverse, it lays a further set of weft yarns across the weftspace, and the weft yarns are hooked around the weft retainers.

Abstract: The arrangement provides warp threads for an oscillating weft thread magazine for warp knitting machine. The machine uses a creel, a first delivery device with constant delivery speed, and a second delivery device with a variable thread drive speed. The latter speed corresponds to the instantaneous take-off speed of the weft thread by the carriage. A storage arrangement is located between the two delivery devices for smoothing out the differences between the constant delivery speed and the variable take-off speed. This arrangement enables use of elastic weft threads on the weft thread magazine, so that they are provided in a state of constant tension stage; in particular, tension-free or very slightly tensioned.

Abstract: An interlining fabric for providing stiffening to cloth has floats at the surface thereof opposite the surface to be bonded to the cloth, the floats being formed by portions of thread of a fabric body forming a part of the interlining fabric. The fabric has a thermal bonding coating on the surface opposite the floats. A basting needle may be passed between one or more of the floats, and a textile layer, to thereby secure the textile layer to the interlining fabric, and to cloth to which it is bonded in a secure manner and without the basting thread extending through the cloth. A process for producing an interlining fabric comprising knitting a fabric, and inserting threads thereinto having floats.

Abstract: Non-woven, bias laid fabrics, where the various fabric layers are held together by external means, such as stitching, and wherein, preferably, at least two of the layers are formed at an angle of from 30.degree. to 150.degree. relative to the long axis of the fabric, are formed by directing at least two pluralities of yarns back and forth across the width of the forming fabric, to be wrapped around or mounted on a series of needles formed on a moving conveyor, one conveyor being placed on either side and moving in the direction of the long axis of the fabric. Speed of movement of the yarns can be determined by the speed of movement of the mechanism for the machine operated to hold the various fabric layers together; preferably said machine mechanism moves more slowly near the ends of each cycle, so that yarn carriers are similarly slowed at either end of the forming fabric width, aiding in making successive courses of yarn lie parallel to each other without the necessity for extra equipment.

Abstract: Warp knit fabrics, especially sewn-knitted fabrics, are produced by a method and apparatus whch results in single and multiple layer sloping fabrics having oblique and diagonal endless filling threads with respect to the boundary of the fabrics. Spaced-apart chain conveyors transport a plurality of filling-thread sections, each of which contains a plurality of endless filling threads, to a stitch-forming site. The plurality of filling-thread sections are held between and transported by the conveyors by a plurality of hooks in the conveyors. Filling thread sections are laid onto the hooks by at least one filling laying device having a guide means for laying the filling thread sections onto the hooks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of a textile strip, by preparing and aftertreating an intermediate product, with the product textile strip being a new article of manufacture and having long weft elements, especially long weft threads, provided diagonally to the strip length, intersecting one another, and connected by longitudinal rows of stitches. The apparatus includes a device on a warp knitting machine, particularly a thread knitting machine, having at least one movable weft laying device, in order to work long weft elements or weft threads, which extend over the entire working width, into the textile strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying groups of transverse weft threads for a warp knitting machine, the threads being laid on two longitudinal conveyors running to the needle bed by means of a carriage which is reciprocated between and transversely to the direction of travel of the longitudinal conveyors. The weft threads laid after the forward movement lie parallel to the weft threads laid after the backward movement and with the same spacing from the adjacent weft thread in each case. First groups of weft threads are laid as a first layer and then groups of weft threads are laid as a second layer on the first layer in a direction of their weft threads which forms, with the direction of the weft threads of the first layer, and angle, particularly of at least 20.degree., which opens transversely to the direction of travel of the longitudinal conveyors.

Abstract: A dry cleanable self-lined unfinished lustrous antique satin fabric having good hand, good crease resistance, and a woven look is provided. The fabric is a weft inserted warp knit (wiwk) fabric which has a multiple substrate, a single substrate with foam backing, or a single substrate with an additional sewn lining. The weft yarn is on the face of the substrate, and is a lustrous yarn such as rayon (as when producing non-washable draperies), or acrylic, bright polyester or acetate (as when producing washable draperies). The weft has a density equivalent to between about 36-52 single picks per inch, and at least part of the weft may comprise a novelty yarn. The warp yarn is stitching yarn, in a tricot stitch configuration. The warp yarn is a low-shrinkage filament yarn that is not fully oriented, and has a denier of between about 20-60, and an elongation of at least 15 percent. Non-woven inexpensive polyester substrate may be utilized; if a single layer is utilized it has a maximum weight of 2.

Abstract: Warp knitting machine, in particular stitch-bonding machine, a drive for the operation of a row of knitting needles and at least one row of guide needles. The drive for the row of knitting needles and the drive for the performance of oscillatory motions of the row of guide needles are each connected with a separate drive shaft, and the drive shaft of the drive for the oscillatory motions is located under or behind the working plane of the row of knitting needles and before the finished goods and is furnished with a plurality of units of drive means, distributed over the working width of the machine, for the oscillatory motions.

Abstract: A weft insertion warp knit fabric having a terry or boucle effect is produced by overfeeding at least some of the wrap yarns to a conventional weft inserted warp knitting machine, such as a Raschel, (e.g.) Liba, or Mayer. Terry loops extend outwardly from the technical back side of the fabric, and the loops may be continuous over the entire fabric face, or discontinuous, i.e. being disposed in an intermittent pattern. A substrate may be provided to which the warp and weft yarns are stitch bonded, or the fabric may be substrate-free. By varying the knitting yarn denier and/or stitch length, the erectness of the terry loops may also be varied. The fabric is especially suitable for draperies and upholstery.

Abstract: Warp knit fabrics, especially sewn-knitted fabrics, are produced by a method and apparatus which results in single and multiple layer sloping fabrics having oblique and diagonal endless filling threads with respect to the boundary of the fabrics. Spaced-apart chain conveyors transport a plurality of filling-thread sections, each of which contains a plurality of endless filling threads, to a stitch-forming site. The plurality of filling-thread sections are held between and transported by the conveyors by a plurality of hooks in the conveyors. Filling thread sections are laid onto the hooks by at least one filling laying device having a guide means for laying the filling thread sections onto the hooks.

Abstract: Aesthetic warp-knit, weft-inserted fabrics are produced having multiple substrate layers, warp yarns extending in the warp-wise direction of the fabric, and weft yarns extending in the weft-wise direction of the fabric. The warp and/or weft yarns are interposed between the multiple substrate layers. Warp stitching yarns forming stitch wales spaced-apart along the warp-wise direction of the fabric and stitched through the substrate layers hold the warp and weft yarns in position relative to one another and relative to the substrates. The substrates may also be provided in juxtaposed relationship to one another so as to increase the opacity, esthetics, and dimensional stability of the resulting fabric. Thermoplastic fibers may be incorporated in the fabric such that upon plasticization and subsequent cooling, they assist in binding of the resulting fabric.

Abstract: The weft threads (10) are clamped in weft thread hooks (12) supported on longitudinal conveyors (43, 44) extending perpendicular to and adjacent opposite ends of a row of knitting needles (42) by means of clamping slides (20) mounted on the longitudinal conveyors (43, 44). The clamping slides (20) are supported for sliding movement in a perpendicular direction relative to the movement of the longitudinal conveyors (43, 44) and are movable between an inactive, retracted position away from the hooks (12) through a placement zone (E) and an active position pressed against the hooks (12) and the weft threads (10) as the longitudinal conveyors (43, 44) move through a clamping zone (K) extending both upstream and downstream of the row of knitting needles (42).

Abstract: A warp knitting machine can deliver weft threads along a weft path to a needle bed having a needle bar. The machine has a weft thread magazine for transversely laying the weft threads across the breadth of the machine, in parallel, on the weft path, and upstream of the needle bed. The machine has at least one forwarding device for protruding into the weft path and through the needle bed for separating a leading one of the weft threads and bringing it to the downstream side of the needle bed, at least one support element for the weft threads having a support surface directed towards the needle bed. Also included is a vibration element connected to the weft thread support element.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for feeding weft threads to a warp knitting machine including longitudinal conveyors traveling towards the knitting instrumentalities. Weft thread rakes are arranged outside of the longitudinal conveyors and are movable between a starting position in which the weft threads are placed into the longitudinal conveyors and the rakes, and a racking position against the traveling direction of movement of the longitudinal conveyors. After reaching the racking position, the weft threads are transferred onto the longitudinal conveyors and the rakes are then returned to the starting position in the direction of travel of the longitudinal conveyors. The move of the rakes from the racking position to the starting position is effected by a temporary coupling connection of the rakes with the longitudinal conveyors. After transfer of the weft threads, this coupling connection is cancelled as the rakes reach the starting position.

Abstract: An aesthetic dimensionally stable fabric suitable for use as drapery and upholstery or other decorative fabric is produced utilizing a weft inserted warp knitting machine having two or more stitching bars. A substrate that is dimensionally stable warp-wise (such as a 100 percent polyester nonwoven fabric that is dimensionally stable both warp-wise and weft-wise) is fed to the machine, as are weft yarns. The weft yarns are stitched in place by stitching thread fed to the stitching bars, the two main stitching bars moving in opposite directions in a basically zigzag form to create an aesthetically pleasing effect, but forming a pattern which is not dimensionally stable. However the end fabric produced is dimensionally stable as a result of the substrate properties. Stitching thread is preferably fed to a third stitching bar which is utilized to provide a dimensionally stable stitching pattern in the selvage areas of the fabric to facilitate finishing operations on the fabric.

Abstract: This invention relates to a warp knitting machine which is equipped with two longitudinal conveyors for conveying weft yarn groups towards a knitting head. The longitudinal conveyors comprise a plurality of hooks for engaging and holding the weft yarns and a weft yarn carriage is provided for laying the groups of weft yarns from one conveyor to the other. Each of the conveyors are provided with a depressing mechanism which includes a depressor which has an inactive position, an intermediate position and a depressing position. Means are provided for moving the depressor from the inactive position to an immediate position extending over a group of weft yarns laid between the hooks on one of the conveyors. Another means is provided for lowering the depressor from the intermediate position to the depressing position to depress the group of yarns into the hooks of the conveyor and for holding them there until the weft yarns are securely engaged in the hooks.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a warp knitting machine having a weft thread insertion arrangement comprising two parallel transfer devices which carry the weft threads in holders having a predetermined separation from each other and which are driveable in the direction of the needle bed. Also included is a reciprocally moveable weft sled arrangement carrying thread guides to lay mutually crossing layers of diagonal weft threads that subtend mutually opposed angles to the stitch rows. The guides place the threads into the weft thread holders first in one of said transfer devices and then in the other transfer device in exact and predetermined separations. The invention is further directed to a novel fabric having inlaid weft and warp inlay threads.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for laying groups of transverse weft threads for a warp knitting machine, the threads being laid on two longitudinal conveyors running to the needle bed by means of a carriage which is reciprocated between and transversely to the direction of travel of the longitudinal conveyors. The weft threads laid after the forward movement lie parallel to the weft threads laid after the backward movement and with the same spacing from the adjacent weft thread in each case. First groups of weft threads are laid as a first layer and then groups of weft threads are laid as a second layer on the first layer in a direction of their weft threads which forms, with the direction of the weft threads of the first layer, an angle, particularly of at least 20.degree., which opens transversely to the direction of travel of the longitudinal conveyors.

Abstract: There is provided a lapping arrangement with circulating thread guides for a warp knitting machine. The arrangement has carriers for the thread guides. A transport arrangement moves the carriers in a guide means comprising two parallel segments connected by two turning segments. In the location of the parallel segments the transport arrangement comprises two forwarding helices in whose helical thread ride rollers which are attached to the carriers. In this way, a precise positioning of the thread guides is possible.

Abstract: There is provided a warp knitting machine for diagonally laying warp threads with thread guides that circulate around a continuous pathway. The warp threads are taken from spools located on a fixed creel and are led through a fixed thread feed arrangement located above the circulating path. The frame is rotatable about a perpendicular turning axis in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the thread guides. These rotations have the same circuit times. In this way it is possible to provide long time intervals between the stopping times necessary for the replacement of the spools. It also allows the use of many different types of thread material.

Abstract: A flat-weft knitting machine for producing a weft-and-warp-knit fabric, e.g., a stitch knitting machine, employs a weft yarn insertion device, which moves backward and forward, for constantly guiding a continuous thread or yarn group. The insertion device transfers one weft yarn group of the yarn group to first and second weft yarn conveyor means. The weft yarn group is then separated from the insertion device and the yarn group. The weft yarn group thus has free ends at both ends and is then conveyed by the weft yarn conveyor means to a looping point, for connection with loop-forming warp yarns to form a fabric.

Abstract: An aesthetic dimensionally stable fabric suitable for use as drapery and upholstery fabric, or like decorative fabrics, is produced utilizing a weft inserted warp knitting machine having three or more stitching bars. A substrate that is dimensionally stable warp-wise (such as a 100 percent polyester non-woven fabric that is dimensionally stable both warp-wise and weft-wise) is fed to the machine, as are weft yarns. The weft yarns are stitched in place by stitching thread fed to the stitching bars, the two main stitching bars moving in opposite directions in a basically zigzag form to create an aesthetically pleasing effect, but forming a pattern which is not dimensionally stable. However the final fabric produced is dimensionally stable as a result of the substrate properties. The intermediate fabric has selvage areas.

Abstract: There is provided a warp knitting machine having needles and warp thread guides. A weft thread magazine has forwarding chains for providing the weft thread. Weft thread insertors bring the weft thread to the outtake side of the needles. At the upper dead point of the needles the weft threads are located in an inlay space between the outtake side of the needles and the innermost warp thread extending from the thread guides. Several of the innermost thread guides are provided with a rearwardly directed protrusion which, during the forwardly directed through-swing of the thread guides substantially closes off the inlay space at the upper dead point of the needles. This system reduces substantially the number of weft thread errors.

Abstract: A structural fabric (20, 28, 40, 48) and a method for making the same is disclosed. Structural fabric (20) is comprised of a plurality of substantially parallel, uniaxial structural yarn (22) and a secondary yarn (24) for holding the structural yarns (22) in place. The structural yarns (22) are oriented at an angle skewed from both the fabric centerline (26) and a line perpendicular to the fabric centerline (26).A double biased fabric (28) is made by sewing two fabrics (20) together with secondary yarn (39). An alternate double bias fabric (40) is made by sewing together with secondary yarn (46) the two layers of a flattened helix made from structural yarn (42, 44) running spirally substantially the length of the fabric (40).A triaxial fabric (48) is made by sewing together with a secondary yarn (56) two single biased fabrics (50, 52) and a layer of longitudinally-extending structural yarn pieces (54).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of textile surface configurations. The invention is on chain stitching or needle stitching machines for the production of clothing, decorative and household textiles, as well as for technical textiles. The object of the invention is achieved in that a flat guiding element has a contact edge on the side facing the fleece to be bound, and has at least one guiding hole or an eyelet or the kind for the guidance of the thread. The guiding element is movable and can have different shapes.

Abstract: In a weft thread magazine arrangement for a warp knitting machine there are provided a pair of transport arrangements positioned on each side of the machine. Also included is a carriage which lays threads in a continual manner from the transport arrangement on one side to the transport arrangement on the other. There is also provided a roller delivery arrangement to deliver the weft threads over a directional turning arrangement. The drive of said roller delivery arrangement is continually influenced by the speed and position of the carriage at any given moment. Suitably, this may be achieved by a computer controlled DC motor.

Abstract: Non-woven, multi-layer biased structural fabric is disclosed, which is comprised of at least three layers of parallel structural fibers, with no secondary yarns or fibers in the plane of the layers to hold said fibers in parallel relationship. Both the vertical relationship of the layers and the parallelity of the fibers within each layer is maintained by vertical stitching. The fabric may be made into a structural composite by saturation and subsequent curing with a curable, crosslinking resin. An apparatus and method for forming that fabric and composite is also disclosed, which is comprised of aligned weft lay down carriages arranged sequentially and further aligned with a stitching machine. A means for advancing the fibers from each weft lay down carriage into the stitching machine passes along the weft carriages. As each layer is laid down on top of the previous layer, it is engaged by the advancing means and so brought into the stitching machine, where the layers are vertically stitched through.

Abstract: A weft thread magazine with constant weft thread delivery for a warp knitting machine has spools, from each of which there are led weft threads. These spools are rotatable about their longitudinal axis and are driven at a speed corresponding to the mean weft thread consumption speed. The weft threads are flat, untwisted ribbons which are fed from the spools tangentially. Between the spools and the thread guides there is a thread storage device. This storage device compensates for the continual thread delivery against the periodically changing weft thread consumption. The spools can be driven so that the weft threads are taken from the spool by at least one roller of a delivery apparatus. The roller is driven at a constant rate of rotation.

Abstract: A warp knitting machine using warp and weft threads produces a fabric with a woven appearance on one side. The machine has at least one forward thread system for forming stitches and at least one rearward thread system for forming stitches. This rearward thread system is successively operable to reciprocally form a common stitch with a corresponding pair of the warp threads of the forward thread system. A weft thread magazine can repetitively place weft threads between the forward and rearward thread system. The forward thread system is successively operable to reciprocally lay a portion of each of its warp threads at one of two corresponding, alternate wales over at least one of the weft threads. The rearward thread system is operable to lay its warp threads behind the weft threads.

Abstract: A carrier mechanism for the insertion of weft fibers is provided, consisting of only one moving part. The mechanism comprises a frame with guide holes through which the weft fibers may be led and a presser bar apparatus mounted on the frame in a fashion to allow free rotation of the presser bar apparatus. The presser bar apparatus is slidably engaged with a carrier cam mechanism mounted upon a loom or knitting machine wherein the weft fibers are incorporated into a fabric. By providing this slidable engagement off-center of the presser bar apparatus, one or the other presser bar may be caused to be depressed by translational movement of the carrier mechanism. At the point of greatest depression of each presser bar, the weft fibers are depressed to the extent that they are engaged by belts of hooks at either end of the loom, which hooks then advance the weft fibers, maintained in parallel alignment, into the loom or knitting machine.

Abstract: A weft thread insertion magazine in a warp knitting machine has a pair of separated forwarding chains driven by a drive arrangement. These forwarding chains each have equidistant holders for holding transversely placed weft threads. The drive arrangement can provide the forwarding chains with a lower speed than the normal speed at which weft threads are provided to the needles, that is, at a rate less than one thread per needle cycle. In particular the drive shaft of the warp knitting machine may be connected to the forwarding chains by means of a revolution reducing arrangement. A control arrangement regulates the separation of at least the first weft thread from the others following and the presentation of this first one into the vicinity of the knitting needles. This control arrangement comprises either a weft thread presenter, a weft thread deflector or a combination of both. The control mechanism only activates the weft thread presentation or deflection during a portion of the appropriate needle cycle.

Abstract: A warp knitting machine has a weft thread magazine, a substrate providing arrangement and at least one barrier element, preferably a holding down means, on the side of the substrate path opposite the needle bar. The weft thread path runs on the side of the substrate path opposite the side facing the needle bar. There is provided at least one forwarding arrangement which by protruding into the weft thread path separates each first weft thread from the one following and transports the former to the rearward side of the needles. The barrier element has an aperture for the passage therethrough for each forwarding arrangement.

Abstract: Clutches in rotating drives of spools feeding threads to a weaving or knitting machine are disengaged when respective gravity-biased travelling compensating pulleys reach their lower limits and are reengaged when the respective pulleys reach their upper limits. The variable loops of thread formed by the compensating pulleys compensate for different speeds of thread take up by the machine.

Abstract: There is provided a novel system for increasing the accuracy and delivery speed of weft thread insertion in warp knitting machines. The system includes a novel transport arrangement for providing magazine weft threads proximate to the needle bar and a knockover sinker bar whose knockover sinkers are operable to pass between the needle spaces to grip the weft thread.The system is most suitably employed in a warp knitting machine producing a fabric containing an intermediate layer such as a non-woven fabric overlayed with weft threads. This machine comprises a needle bar, at least one guide bar and an arrangement for providing the intermediate layer between the needles and the guide bar.

Abstract: A weft thread magazine operates in a warp knitting machine having a needle bed. This magazine includes a pair of endless transfer chains, each having a plurality of holders for retaining weft threads in parallel and for delivering them to the needle bed. Also included is a thread laying arrangement operable to transversely reciprocate between the transfer chains and to transport weft threads from one chain to the other. The arrangement also includes a carriage having a plurality of thread guides for transferring weft threads around the holders as the thread laying arrangement reverses direction. These thread guides can reciprocate between an operative and inoperative position. In the inoperative position, the thread guides are precluded from transferring thread to the holders. The magazine also includes a control device for moving the thread guides between the operative and inoperative position.

Abstract: A weft thread laying apparatus for warp knitting machines includes a carriage with a thread guide slidably disposed therein. The carriage moves perpendicular to a pair of endless transfer chains which carry the weft thread in a longitudinal direction from a pick up area to a delivery area proximate the needle bed of the machine. The thread guide is moved in a longitudinal direction by means of a flexible guide band when the carriage is disposed in the vicinity of the endless transfer chains thereby permitting the thread guide to layer a plurality of threads around holding elements disposed on the transfer chain without requiring the carriage to move in more than one plane. The flexible guide band is moved with a cam and linkage arrangement only when the carriage is proximate the transfer chains.

Abstract: A weft thread magazine for a warp knitting machine has two endless transfer chains. The chains have holders for retaining weft threads in parallel and presenting them to a needle bed. Also included is a thread laying arrangement which transports the weft threads from one transfer chain to the other, and which is provided with a comb arrangement. The comb arrangement includes a comb element having at least one combing peg which is introduced between the weft threads proximate to one of the transfer chains and which moves parallel to the weft threads and is removed proximate to the other transfer chain. A carriage has a thread guide for guiding at least one weft thread into a position parallel to a previously laid weft thread. The comb element is carried on the end of the carriage directed toward the needle bed.

Abstract: First and second spaced apart conveyors, extending toward the knitting instrumentalities of a knitting machine, each carry a plurality of thread clamping means. At least two guide means move from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and draw filling threads from filling thread supplies to positions adjacent to but spaced from the clamping means of both conveyors. The guide means then introduce the filling threads simultaneously into the clamping means of both conveyors. The clamping means of both conveyors then close simultaneously, the filling threads extending from the first conveyor to the rearward guide means are severed, and the forward guide means releases the filling threads. Continued movement of the rearward guide means draws new lengths of filling threads from the thread supplies. Each guide means comprises a carriage and a body, the body being movable toward the conveyors to introduce filling threads into the clamping means of the conveyors.

Abstract: A weft thread laying apparatus for warp knitting machines includes a carriage having a plurality of thread guides disposed thereon perpendicular to a pair of endless transfer chains which carry the weft threads from a pickup area to a delivery area proximate the needed bed of the machine. The transfer chains are additionally accelerated in the pick-up area when the carriage, moving transversely to the chains, is on the outer side of the transfer chains, thereby permitting thread guides to lay thread around holding elements disposed on the transfer chains without requiring the carriage to move in more than one plane. The carriage is provided with a plurality of thread guides which have a skirt portion larger than its stem portion to insure that the threads do not become entangled when laid around the holding elements on the transfer chains.

Abstract: An improved cutting system for knitted fabrics, wherein a cutting element is mounted on a knitting machine for movement in unison with the needle and positioned to cut the knitted fabric to a predetermined dimension at least one cycle after the knitting cycle.

Abstract: Non-woven, bias laid fabrics, where the various fabric layers are held together by external means, such as stitching, and wherein, preferably, at least two of the layers are formed at an angle of from 30.degree. to 150.degree. relative to the long axis of the fabric, are formed by directing at least two pluralities of yarns back and forth across the width of the forming fabric, to be wrapped around or mounted on a series of needles formed on a moving conveyor, one conveyor being placed on either side and moving in the direction of the long axis of the fabric. Speed of movement of the yarns can be determined by the speed of movement of the mechanism for the machine operated to hold the various fabric layers together; preferably said machine mechanism moves more slowly near the ends of each cycle, so that yarn carriers are similarly slowed at either end of the forming fabric width, aiding in making successive courses of yarn lie parallel to each other without the necessity for extra equipment.