GB902852A - Improvements in or relating to stockings and a stocking-making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

902,852. Knitting-machines. LUPARIA, G. July 30, 1959 [July 31, 1958], No. 26115/59. Class 74 (2). Quality control or stitch variation is achieved on a circular rotary needle cylinder machine, arranged to knit surgical elastic garments, for example, stockings for orthopµdie use, by varying the tension of the elastic yarn as it is being fed to the needles of the machine. This is achieved by raising or lowering the needle cylinder to vary the length of draw of the needles and also by varying the extent of the advance of the sinkers which, having a sloping edge over which the yarn is drawn by the needles, causes the position of the yarn on that edge to be varied in relation to the needles whereby a greater or lesser amount is drawn over the sinkers. The quality control arrangements are controlled from a timing chain 28 driven by a motor and through which a shaft carrying a cam 3 is driven. The control is such that either symmetrical or asymmetrical variation in loop structure may be achieved so that, for example, the tubular stocking may be enlarged or decreased uniformly around its circumference, or an uneven variation caused to occur around the circumference whereby a pocket for accommodating the knee is produced. A cam follower 4 imparts movement to an arm 5 and lever 8 which raises or lowers the needle cylinder to vary the draw of the needles. Simultaneously an arm 9 coupled to lever 8 is turned to vary the force imposed by a coil spring 17 bearing against one disc of a disc tensioner through which the elastic yarn passes on its way to the needles so that the tension on the yarn also is varied. The yarn guide also is adapted to engage between the discs when the yarn guide is in its inoperative position so that the discs are opened and the grip on the yarn relieved whilst the guide is in this position. Cams on a cam drum 65 which is driven by the driving motor of the machine are adapted to engage cam followers 63, 66 influencing rods 61, 62 coupled to pivoted members 54, 55, Fig. 10a, so as to move the members out of or into operative positions in which lower portions 52, 53 engage cams 50, 51 of opposite eccentricity rotating with the needle cylinder. The upper portion 56, 57 of the members 54, 55 engage a sinker cam so that as the cams 50, 51 rotate, depending on whether member 54 or 55 is operative, the sinker cam will move during the formation of a course to vary the length of the stitches throughout the course, one member 54 causing a bulge to be formed at one side of the stocking and the other member 55 causing a bulge to be formed at the other side. In addition, the timing chain 28 influences the rods 61, 62 through mechanism 71 . . . 74 to render the members 54, 55 inoperative when desired. Moreover, mechanism is provided for rendering the mechanism inoperative during the formation of a heel.