GB471694A - Improvements in or relating to circular knitting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

471,694. Knitting-machines. WILDT & CO., Ltd., KENT, A. W., and HOLMES, H. H. April 16, 1936, No. 10974. [Class 74 (ii)] A circular machine of the superposed needlecylinder type, as e.g. described in Specifications 15008/00, [Class 74], and 24290/12, [Class 74 (ii)], is provided with means for causing needles to cast off after knitting at the feed and to return such needles to normal position for knitting again, together with latch-opening means for effecting the opening of the latches as the needles are restored to normal position. In a multifeeder machine, the loops may be cast off the needles and latch-opening means provided at one or more feeders. As shown, the latch-opening member may comprise a cam 33 shaped to provide a knife edge 34 which engages between the spoon of the latch 36 of the closed needle and the needle hook 37. Alternatively, a point obliquely disposed may be arranged to come between the latch and the hook, or a fixed or a revolving brush may act upon the latch. The revolving brush may be driven independently or may be driven from the needles. The brush may be replaced by a revolving member having a circular series of latch-opening elements. The casting-off cam arrangement may comprise a fixed cam 11 for action upon the slider knitting-butts to lower the needles to a casting-off level C and a boltcam or other pattern-controlled cam 13 for directing the slider butts into engagement with the cam 11. A fixed cam 14 acts to raise the lowered needles for subsequent knitting. The latch-opening cam 33 is located above the cam 14. Knitted fabrics.-The latch-opening may be facilitated by vibrating the needles vertically or sideways while they are passing from the casting-off position. The invention is applied to the production of hose &c. in string formation. Plain courses 3 are interposed between the toe pouch 4 and a few courses 5 of rib knitting, and then knitting is suspended on one set of needles to form an anti-run welt 6. Rib knitting is resumed, and the casting-off mechanism is put into operation to cause the plain needles to cast off their stitches to form a parting or separating course or courses 9 of rib loops.