EP1241287B1 - Structural member - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system part in particular for mesh-forming machines or similar textile machines.

Under system parts are understood here all parts of a stitch-forming system, in particular movably mounted parts of a stitch-forming system of a knitting machine. These include, in particular, translationally moving parts which are directly involved in stitch formation, as well as other parts which produce a desired structure, such as cutting needles and the like. The invention is particularly applicable to knitting machine needles apply. Under system parts except needles but also selections, jacks, coupling parts, boards, springs, etc. understood.

For mesh forming machines, system parts such as e.g. Needles or other knitting tools known, which are mounted longitudinally displaceable in the needle channel of a needle cylinder or a dial. To drive the system parts is a so-called lock with a lock curve. To system parts, such as Needles to be able to target, they are often provided with so-called selections or coupled, which have a foot which is engageable with the lock cam and disengaged. The selection part transmits its longitudinal movement to the needle or the knitting tool.

In the maintenance of knitting machines or other stitch-forming machines, the knitting tools existing in large numbers are often removed from their guide channels and replaced or replaced by new system parts or other knitting tools. If the system part or the needle belongs to a selector element separate from the system part or the needle and there is no firm connection between the main body of the system part and the selector element, inserting the system part with the selector element into the needle channel is a labor requiring high manual skill.

From the DE 43 31 940 C1 a transfer needle with a needle body is known, which is positively connected to a selection part. The selection part engages with a hook-like extension in a correspondingly shaped recess. For further connection of the selection part and the needle body with each other and for securing against lateral slipping is held on the main body capping spring provided with an upwardly directed extension which engages in a flat recess of the selection part. Thus, the selection part is relatively captive held on the needle.

Such arrangements are suitable for applications in which the selection part is held firmly at one end and otherwise resilient. In designs in which the selection part in itself rigid, but it should be freely movably mounted on the needle body, such a one-sided attachment of the selection part is not possible.

The EP 0 908 548 A1 discloses a needle assembly having a working needle and a toe connected thereto. The Fußnadel has several feet, which are in engagement with a corresponding lock a knitting machine. In addition, it has a recess which receives a foot of the working needle in a form-fitting manner. Due to the positive connection between the toe and the needle a securing means is provided which prevents at this point a transverse movement between the toe and needle, when both are taken out of a needle channel. At the front end of the Fußnadel an extension is formed, which engages in a recess of the working needle and serves to reinforce the connection. The DE-A-19822862 discloses a needle assembly with a pivotally mounted foot needle as a selector element according to the preamble of claim 1. However, lateral slippage of the toe needle from the working needle is not prevented at this point.

It is an object of the invention to improve the handling of such system parts.

This object is achieved with a system part having the features of claim 1:

The system part according to the invention has a selection means, which is connected with respect to the reciprocating movement of the system part with the main body of the system part. Moreover, it is so movably mounted, that it can be brought into engagement with a drive device and disengaged. The selection means is secured by a securing means in at least one transverse direction against lateral displacement on the base body. As a result, the system part with the selection means forms a manageable unit which can be inserted as such into the needle channel or another guide channel and removed therefrom. It is thus ensured that the base body and the selection means during assembly, i. Insert the system part into the needle channel or other channel, do not fall apart.

The selection means is a separate selection element which is pivotally mounted on the base body about a pivot axis. This is perpendicular to the flat sides of the main body (needle body) and thus oriented in a transverse direction which is transverse to the direction of movement of the needle. If the system part is a needle, the selection element is then arranged, for example, on the side facing away from the needle back and pivotally supported toward and away from the needle back. The selection element can be mounted by means of a suitable hinge means whose bearing surfaces occupy almost the entire width of the needle body, which is measured from flat side to flat side of the needle body. As a result, a precise and permanent storage of the selection element is achieved on the needle body.

The selection element is preferably resiliently biased in a pivoting direction. For this purpose, a spring means serve, for example in the form of a leaf spring, which is inserted into the base body or the selection element. It is also preferred to form the leaf spring with the selection element or the body in one piece. Such a spring element preferably has over its entire length substantially the same thickness as the rest of the base body and the rest of the selection element (each measured from flat side to flat side).

Embodiments are also possible in which the spring element, starting from its connection to the needle body or selection element, tapers in the direction of its end.

The spring means may serve to resiliently bias the selector against a stop. As a result, at the same time the securing means can be biased.

The selection means may be formed as an elongated selection element, which is arranged in a recess of the base body and movably mounted. Its thickness is preferably the same as the thickness of the main body (needle body). In the assembled state, the selection element is then guided by the flanks of the needle channel, so that a separation of selection element and body is not possible even without the action of the securing means. When handling the needle (the system part) outside the needle channel (guide channel), however, the securing means causes the holding together of the needle body (base body) and selection means.

The securing means is preferably in the form of a pair of a projection and a recess formed, which interlock at least in the rest position of the selection element. The rest position is the position that occupies the selection element when it is not exposed to external forces. For example, the spring means biases the selection element against stops or projections. At least in this state, the at least one projection and the at least one recess cause a positive connection between the selection element and the main body (needle body) in order to prevent the selection element from slipping sideways from the needle body.

In a preferred embodiment, a side guide is already effected by the spring means. The spring means is connected at the end either to the selection element or to the main body (needle body). Its other end is resiliently against the selection element or the main body (needle body). In this area of the resilient system, a positive connection can be provided by a groove-like recess in the opposite end of the spring surface. The end of the spring is tapered so that it engages in this groove of the counter surface and causes a side guide due to the bias and the contact of the spring to the side walls of the groove. Also, an embodiment is possible in which the end of the spring is not tapered, but then the spring has a projection which engages in this groove. Reversal is also possible, i. the formation of a groove in the spring, wherein the counter surface then has a projection which engages in this groove.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the ends of the elongate selection element with respect to. the transverse direction, which is defined by the hinge axis, at least one side of the main body (needle body) abut.

Figur 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Nadel in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 2

den Kopf der Nadel nach Figur 1 in Schnittdarstellung,

Figur 3

ein Auswahlelement der Nadel nach Figur 1 in einem anderen Maßstab, in einer schematisierten Seitenansicht,

Figur 4

das Auswahlelement nach Figur 3, geschnitten bei IV-IV in einem anderen Maßstab,

Figur 5

das Auswahlelement nach Figur 3, geschnitten bei V-V,

Figur 6

die Nadel nach Figur 1, in einer vergrößerten Seitenansicht,

Figur 7

die Nadel nach Figur 6, geschnitten bei VI-VI,

Figur 8

eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Nadel mit beweglichem Auswahlelement,

Figur 9

das bewegliche Auswahlelement der Nadel nach Figur 8,

Figur 10

einen Ausschnitt der Nadel nach Figur 8, in einer schematisierten Draufsicht,

Figur 11

die Nadel nach Figur 8, geschnitten bei XI-XI,

Figur 12

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform eines Auswahlelements, in teilweise geschnittener Seitenansicht,

Figur 13

das Auswahlelement nach Figur 12, geschnitten bei XIII-XIII,

Figur 14

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Nadel in einer ausschnittsweisen Darstellung des Nadelkörpers und des Endes des Auswahlelements, in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 15

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform der Nadel in einer ausschnittsweisen Darstellung ihres Scharnierbereichs, und

Figur 16

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Nadel, in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Advantageous details of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description and the dependent claims. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Show it:

FIG. 1

a needle according to the invention in perspective view,

FIG. 2

follow the head of the needle FIG. 1 in section,

FIG. 3

a selection element of the needle FIG. 1 on a different scale, in a schematic side view,

FIG. 4

the selector after FIG. 3 cut at IV-IV on a different scale,

FIG. 5

the selector after FIG. 3 , cut at VV,

FIG. 6

the needle behind FIG. 1 in an enlarged side view,

FIG. 7

the needle behind FIG. 6 , cut at VI-VI,

FIG. 8

an alternative embodiment of a needle with movable selection element,

FIG. 9

the movable selection element of the needle FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10

a section of the needle after FIG. 8 in a schematized plan view,

FIG. 11

the needle behind FIG. 8 cut at XI-XI,

FIG. 12

a modified embodiment of a selection element, in a partially sectioned side view,

FIG. 13

the selector after FIG. 12 , cut at XIII-XIII,

FIG. 14

a modified embodiment of a needle according to the invention in a sectional view of the needle body and the end of the selection element, in perspective view,

FIG. 15

a modified embodiment of the needle in a sectional view of its hinge portion, and

FIG. 16

a further embodiment of a needle according to the invention, in a perspective view.

In the following, a system part is illustrated using the example of a needle 1, as used in knitting machines. In FIG. 1 the needle 1 is illustrated, which is also referred to as a selector needle. The needle 1 has as a base body on a needle body 2, which carries a head 3 at one end. This one is in FIG. 2 separately illustrated. He has a pivotally mounted tongue 4, which opens the end hook 5 and closes.

In use, the needle 1 is in an in FIG. 1 symbolized by an arrow 6 movement direction reciprocally movable. For this purpose, the needle 1 is accommodated in a needle channel, in which it is guided with its two opposite flat sides 7, 8.

To drive the needle 1, this first has one or more feet 11, 12 which extend away from the needle body from the side of his needle back 14 opposite.

The needle 1 also has for controlled drive as a selection means a selection element 16 which serves to switch the needle 1 for a certain movement active or passive, ie to select or not to select. The selection element 16 is at least in the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment of the needle 1 is received by a recess 17 of the needle body, which is open to the direction away from the needle back 14 side and with respect to the direction of movement of the needle 1 front and rear respectively by a web 18, 19 limited. The selection element 16 is formed by an elongate rod-like portion whose lateral flanks 21, 22 are aligned with the flat sides 7.8. The selection element 16 has Thus, the same thickness as the needle body 2. At its end remote from the head 3 end, the selection element 16 is pivotally mounted on the needle body 2 about a pivot axis 23. This is determined by a hinge 20, as in particular FIG. 6 is apparent. This in FIG. 3 separately illustrated selection element 16 has at its end disposed adjacent to the web 19 a disk-shaped head 24 which is held in a needle body 2 transversely passing through the circular bearing opening 25. The bearing opening 25 is open to the flat sides 7, 8. In addition, it is open at the edge with its open edge by a connecting web 26 ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ) is penetrated. The connecting web connects the head 24 with a longitudinal web 27 of the selector element 16.

The longitudinal web 27 is provided on its side remote from the needle back 14 side with a selection leg 29 which protrudes at right angles from the longitudinal web 27 and serves to pivot the selection element 16. In addition, the longitudinal web 27 carries at least one further foot 28 which, like a flag, protrudes at a right angle from the longitudinal web 27, which is made active or passive by pivoting the selection element 16, i. can serve as a controlled drive.

How out FIG. 6 it can be seen, in the recess 17, a leaf spring member 31 is provided, which is connected in one piece with the needle body 2 with one end. In this case, the leaf spring element 31 extends away from the part of the needle body 2 belonging to the hinge 20 in the direction of the web 18. The leaf spring element 31 is biased so that it is the selection element 16 in FIG. 6 preloaded counterclockwise.

The needle 1 is provided with a securing means 32 for securing the selection element 16 in the recess 17 in situations in which the needle 1 is not installed in a needle channel. The securing means 32 includes a plurality of individual securing means 34, 35, 36, which hold the selection element 16, e.g. fix positively with respect to the transverse direction 33.

The individual securing device 34 is formed, for example, by a projection 38 that extends away from the head 24 in the radial direction, as it protrudes FIGS. 3 and 5 is apparent. The projection 38 may be formed as a nose, which has approximately half the thickness of the remaining head 24. The nose 38 may be centered or, as in FIG. 5 illustrated, may be arranged off-center. Accordingly, this nose 38 is associated with a recess 39 which connects in the needle body 2 directly to the bearing opening. The recess 39 is bounded in the transverse direction 33 by a side wall which is formed on the needle body 2, and prevents the nose 38 and thus the head 24 in one direction (in FIG. 6 out of the plane) is moved out of the bearing opening 25. FIG. 7 illustrates the positive engagement of the nose 38 at the lateral boundary of the recess 39. Otherwise, the head 24 lies with its cylindrical outer peripheral surface on the cylindrical wall of the bearing opening 25 on a flat.

The individual fuse 35 is from the FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 seen. On its side facing the needle body 2, the longitudinal web 27 has two narrow wall-like extensions 41, 42 which define a slot-like gap 43 between each other and smoothly adjoin the flat sides 7, 8 of the selection element 16 on the outside. In the appropriate area the leaf spring element 31 has a width which corresponds to the spacing of the projections 41, 42 from each other, or is slightly smaller than this. In other words, in this area, the leaf spring 31 is narrower than otherwise. Thus, the leaf spring member 31, as shown in FIG FIG. 6 can be seen, engage in the intermediate space 43. With respect to the transverse direction 33, a positive connection between the leaf spring element 31 and the selection element 16 is thus present.

The individual securing device 36 is formed on the end of the selection element 16 remote from the hinge 20. To the individual fuse 36 includes an extension 44 which extends from the longitudinal web 27 in the longitudinal direction away. The extension 44 has a width that is significantly smaller than the remaining width of the longitudinal web 27. It engages in a recess 45 (FIG. FIG. 6 ) which extends over the height of the web 18. At the end remote from the needle back 14 of the web 18 of this is provided to form a stop means for the selection element 16 with a recess 17 cross nose 46. This also limits the recess 45.

How out FIG. 6 As can be seen, the individual safety device 34 prevents movement of the head 24 in a first transverse direction 33a (out of the plane of the drawing) while the individual safety device 36 prevents movement in a second transverse direction 33b (into the plane of the drawing). The single fuse 35 blocks both transverse directions. Overall, this results in a captive and thus handling safe storage of the selection element 16 on the needle body. 2

The needle 1 described so far works as follows:

To control the movement of the needle 1, the selection element 16, which, as shown FIG. 6 apparent, is mounted by the hinge 20 pivotally mounted on the needle body 2. The leaf spring element 31 presses the selection element 16 in FIG. 6 up, ie away from the needle back 14, whereby a nose 46 engages under the finger 47, which is formed on the selection element 16, comes into contact with the nose 46. In this case, the extension 44 is located loosely against a recessed by the recess 45 side surface of the web 18. This serves for the lateral securing of the selection element 16 at its front end in the direction 33b. Its rear end is secured in the opposite transverse direction 33a in the bearing opening 25 by the projection 38 which bears against the side wall of the recess 39. In this state, the needle 1 can be handled without danger, without the selection element 16 could jump out of the recess 17. It can be inserted into or removed from needle channels.

In operation, the selector element 16 may be made of the described in FIG. 6 weakly drawn position in the illustrated in thick lines position to be pivoted. This is done against the biasing force of the leaf spring element 31 until the front end of the selector element 16 comes into contact with the needle body 2. A corresponding pivoting movement allows the hinge 20. In this way, the feet 28, 29 are displaced to transfer the needle 1 in various operating conditions.

The FIGS. 8 to 11 illustrate a modified embodiment of the needle 1. This differs from the above first only in that the leaf spring member 31 is formed on the selector element 16. It is in one piece with one end connected to the longitudinal web 27. The connection is preferably provided near the head 24.

The needle body 2 has on its inner side facing the recess 17 in the region in which the free end of the leaf spring element 31 bears against it, a slot (recess) 51, which is delimited laterally by an edge. In the slot 51 engages a longitudinal web (positive locking means) 52 which is formed at the free end of the leaf spring element 31 and that on the needle body 2 facing side. The longitudinal web serves the lateral guidance of the leaf spring element 31 and thus at the same time the storage of the selection element 16 in a captive manner. The longitudinal web 52 has approximately a length corresponding to the diameter of the head 24. If necessary, he can also be trained longer. Thus, it serves at the same time as an anti-rotation, so that each unilateral systems of the individual fuses 34, 36 provide sufficient assurance of the selection element 16 on the needle body 2. The engagement of the web 52 or a corresponding flattened end of the leaf spring element 31 in the slot 51, in particular illustrated FIG. 11 , Incidentally, reference is made to the description based on the already introduced reference numerals, as to Figure 1 to 7 applies. It applies here accordingly.

If necessary, the leaf spring element 31 can also be formed on the needle body 2. In such a modified embodiment, a selection element 16 is then according to FIG FIGS. 12 and 13 to use. This selection element 16 has on its side facing the needle body 2 a slot 53 which is bounded by two side walls 54, 55. These are out FIG. 13 seen. He serves to receive the tapered or laterally flattened end of the leaf spring element 31st

In the embodiments described above, the individual fuse 34 and the individual fuse 36 have each been designed to act only on one side, with the single fuse 35 being provided for the purpose of support. How out FIG. 14 However, as an alternative, it is also possible to form the individual securing device 36 in both transverse directions 33a, 33b in a positive-locking manner. For this purpose, a groove-like depression 56 can be provided in the upper side of the finger 47, which groove extends in the needle longitudinal direction. The recess 56 is then assigned to a provided on the underside of the nose 46 rib-like, extending in the needle longitudinal direction elevation 57. The elevation 57 is designed to fit in the recess 56.

As FIG. 15 illustrated, the individual fuse 34 may be formed in two transverse directions 33a, 33b acting. For this purpose, at least one, if necessary, however, also a plurality of dent-type depressions 58 may be formed on the head 24 on both opposite flat sides, which are respectively overlapped by lugs 59 which are formed on the edge of the bearing opening 25.

Are both ends of the selection element 16, for example, according to the embodiments according to FIG. 14 and 15 in each case positively secured on both sides, the individual safety 35, which is otherwise provided by the spiral spring element 31, may be omitted under certain circumstances. If necessary, however, it can also be provided additionally.

FIG. 16 illustrates a modified embodiment of the needle 1 as a needle 1 '. It differs from the needle 1 described above by the arrangement of the hinge 20 approximately centrally to the selector element 16. This can be provided both on the hinge means 20 and in its leaf spring member 31 and at its two ends 61, 62 each with a single fuse as described above. At the two ends 61, 62 individual fuses 36 may be provided as in FIG. 6 is illustrated for the front end of the selection element 16.

For improved handling of a needle 1, which has a selection element 16 which is pivotally mounted on the needle body 2, a securing means 32 is additionally provided which secures the selection element 16 positively on the needle body 2. As securing means 32 serve one or more effective in the transverse direction 33 individual fuses 34, 35, 36 which may be effective in one direction or in both transverse directions. The individual fuses 34, 35, 36 are designed so that falling out of the selection element 16 from the needle body 2 in both lateral directions is avoided. For this purpose, at least two effective individual fuses 34, 35, 36 are provided, which are effective in transverse directions 33a, 33b. A combination of all individual fuses 34, 35, 36 is possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

needle

2

needle body

3

head

4

tongues

5

hook

6

movement direction

7, 8

flat sides

11

foot

12

foot

14

needle back

16

selector

17

recess

18, 19

web

20

hinge

21, 22

flanks

23

swivel axis

24

head

25

bearing opening

26

connecting web

27

longitudinal web

28

selection butt

29

foot

31

Blattfederlement

32

Sicherungsmitttel

33

transversely

34,35,36

Single fuse

38

head Start

39

recess

41, 42

projections

43

gap

44

extension

45

Ausnehmeung

46

nose

47

finger

51, 53

slot

52

longitudinal web

54, 55

Side wall

56, 58

deepening

57

survey

59

nose

61, 62

end up

Claims (19)

1. System part (1), in particular for stitch-forming machines,

   with a base body (2) having a section, which is provided to be received in a needle groove and has two flat sides (7, 8) located opposite one another,

   with a selection element (16) separate from the base body (2), which is disposed to pivot around a pivot axis (23) and is fitted to impart a movement (6) to the base body (2), wherein it can be moved into and out of engagement with a drive means, and which is connected to the base body (2) at least in the longitudinal direction (6),
   and

   with a locking means (32) for locking the selection element (16) on the base body (2) against lateral displacement in at least one transverse direction (33), which is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction (6),

   characterised in that the locking means (32) includes at least two individual locking elements (34, 35, 36), which are respectively active in at least one transverse direction (33).
2. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking means (32) includes three individual locking elements (34, 35, 36).
3. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that two individual locking elements (34, 36) are arranged at opposite ends of the selection element (16).
4. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the pivot axis (23) is arranged at right angles to the flat sides (7, 8).
5. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the pivot axis (23) is oriented in transverse direction (33).
6. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the selection element (16) is a separate selection element from the base body (2), which is connected to the base body (2) by means of a hinge element (20), the hinge axis of which is the pivot axis (23).
7. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the selection element (16) includes a spring element (31), which resiliently biases the selection element (16) in a pivoting direction.
8. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the base body (2) includes a spring element (31), which resiliently biases the selection element (16) associated with the system part (1) in a pivoting direction.
9. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the selection element (16) is resiliently biased against a stop (46).
10. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the selection element (16) is elongated in configuration and is arranged and movably disposed in a spacious recess (17) of the base body (2), wherein its thickness is in conformity with the thickness of the base body (2).
11. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking means (32) comprises at least one projection (38, 44, 57) and a recess (39, 45, 56) associated with the projection (38, 44, 57), wherein the projection (38, 44, 57) engages into the recess (39, 45, 56) at least in the resting position.
12. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking means (32) includes a positive-locking element (52) provided on the spring element (31) and a recess (51), into which the positive-locking means (52) engages.
13. System part according to claim 13, characterised in that the recess (51) is provided on the spring element (31).
14. System part according to claim 13, characterised in that the recess (51) is provided on the base body (2).
15. System part according to claim 13, characterised in that the recess (51) is provided on the selection element (16).
16. System part according to claim 1, characterised in that the spring element (31) is connected in one piece to the selection element (16).
17. System part according to claim 11, characterised in that the projection (38) and the recess (39) are provided on the hinge element (20).
18. System part according to claim 11, characterised in that the projection (44) and the recess (45) are provided on the side of the selection element (16) opposite the hinge element (20).
19. System part according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the system part (1) is a needle.

Images