GB1023442A - Improvements in or relating to straight bar knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine needles 2 of a straight-bar rib machine Figs. 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10 (not shown) have their rear end portions 2a at right angles to their shanks and extending upwardly so as to be secured to a bar attached to an operating lever controlling their movement. During the knitting of rib fabric the machine needles are fully advanced, Fig. 4, after the frame needles have received a yarn sunk by the sinkers such that the upstanding rear end 2a of the machine needles engages the yarn adjacent alternate frame needles and prevents it entering the hook of those needles. The old loops on the machine needles 2 have meanwhile passed over a protuberance 2b on their shanks so as to hold the old loops as the machine neeldes are withdrawn taking into their hooks the loop of yarn K dispossessed from the alternate frame needles Fig. 5. The machine needles are then pressed and knit the rib loops simultaneously as the frame needles knit the plain loops. When it is desired to knit plain fabric the machine needles are fully advanced above the machine needles to extend their loops, Fig. 7, and to enable the alternate frame needles to engage in a groove 2c in the end portion 2a as the frame needles rise to take the loops from the machine needles. Alternatively instead of the bearded machine needles, or for that matter frame needles, loop forming element 5, Figs. 9, 10, may be used and comprises a composite member having a fixed portion 6 with an inclined slot 6a and a slide 8 having a vertical slot 8a. When drawing a loop the yarn engages the slot 6a and slides down the incline drawing the slide 8 forward as it does so by its engagement with slot 8a. The old loop can then pass over the new loop. Transfer to the frame needles is performed in a similar manner to the bearded needle arrangement. In the case of loop forming elements a pressing motion is not required and cam and lever mechanism for performing this motion in connection with bearded needles can in the case of the loop forming elements be dispensed with. The machine needles can also serve to perform the welt forming and turning operations by slogging the cam shaft such that the controlling cams for the operating lever are suitably disposed to effect the required motions.