EP1400619A1 - Tool holder for slider needles and transport unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A textile knitting machine has needles which are replaced from time to time. The replacement needles (2) are delivered in an essentially slotted U-shaped transport profile (5) with a series of transverse clamping slits (16, 17). The slit geometry is essentially the same as that of the knitting machine needle bed. Following removal of an outer wrapper and removal of the discarded needles from the machine, the discarded needles are replaced by direct and quasi-simultaneous transfer of the new group of needles from the transport profile, into matching slots in the knitting machine. Also claimed is the replacement pack in condition for storage, distribution and delivery.

Description

The invention relates to a tool carrier for elongated knitting tools and a shipping unit that packed several ready for shipping Contains knitting tools.

For knitting machines, for example flat knitting machines, circular knitting machines and the like, are knitting tools in large numbers, such as slider needles, latch needles, selections and couplings required, which are manufactured and delivered separately. The delivery takes place both to machine manufacturers and to knitting companies, occasionally also their needles in the maintenance of knitting machines change. The insertion of needles in the needle bed of a knitting machine requires some manual skill, patience and is time consuming. Special Fine motor skills and special instincts are required if that Knitting tool is constructed in several parts. This is especially true if the Parts that make up the knitting tool, not firmly connected but are for example only frictional or positive interlock and only then secured together when in the needle channel sit. This is for example the case with knitting needles, the end are connected to a coupling part. In addition, the knitting needle can off be composed of a main body and a slider, not fixed are connected to each other, but are held only in frictional engagement.

In the previous procedure, the needles or other Knitting tools used in separate needle beds (transport beds) whose Pitch with the pitch of the knitting machine to be supplied matches. The loading of these serving for transport purposes Needle beds with the knitting tools are made by the manufacturer of the knitting tools. Each needle bed forms a flat, rectangular in outline Body with parallel grooves, the needle channels in the needle beds of a Knitting machine correspond. Depending on the application, the knitting tools completely or partially, e.g. up to half of their length from the grooves added. Transverse through all grooves extends at a certain distance above the groove bottoms a dovetail groove through the needle bed. A slider inserted here serves to locate those in the needle bed Secure needles in place.

Such transporting needle beds are relative heavy and also expensive. Furthermore, the transfer of the needles requires from the transport needle bed into the machine needle bed still a certain manual skill.

Based on this, it is an object of the invention to provide a tool carrier for elongated knitting tools, such as slider needles, to provide which is improved with respect to the above problem. This task is achieved with a tool carrier according to claim 1:

The tool carrier according to the invention consists of a transport rail or he has at least one transport rail transversely to their Having longitudinally arranged slots. Unlike the known, for transport purposes serving needle bed has the inventive Needle carrier preferably has a width that is significantly less than the length of the knitting tools. As a result, the knitting tools protrude at least with one end out of the tool carrier or the transport rail out, being held in or on the transport rail. The knitting tools can therefore be particularly easy in a machine needle bed be transferred. It is only the tool carrier so on the machine bed to put on that the individual knitting tools at least with a section protrude into the needle channel provided for them. From this position they can then be pressed as a whole in the needle channel, wherein they leave the transport rail.

The knitting tools are frictionally engaged in the slots of the transport rail held. There are therefore no other securing means required to hold the knitting tools individually in the transport rail. This facilitates the handling of the transport rail and the Knitting tools especially in the transfer of knitting tools to the Needle bed of a knitting machine. Such a transport rail is particularly make it easy - it has a low transport weight. In addition allows easy handling. The equipping a flat knitting machine or a circular knitting machine with corresponding Needles are particularly easy - special craftsmanship is not required.

In a preferred embodiment, the transport rail has two Clamping on to two associated parts of the knitting tool together. For example, it can be held together Divide around the slider of a knitting needle and a coupling piece act, which are each provided with a foot. The two clamping legs the two feet can be transverse to the transport rail and thus longitudinal to the Knitting needle to tension each other, so that the slider of the knitting needle pressed against a stroke limiting its Axialhub or tensioned becomes. This is particularly advantageous if the slide is positively engages in an end stop, allowing it to the needle also in the lateral direction is secured when it is in its (rear) end stop. The multi-part knitting needle appears as a stable unit as long as they are in the Transport rail is held.

The knitting needle can if necessary, apart from a possibly existing Slider, otherwise be designed in several parts. For example can it be provided with a coupling or selection part, which carries the drive foot, and possibly also selection feet. A joint with the the selection part or the coupling piece connected to the knitting needle is, can be kept outside the transport rail. This at least if It includes securing means which cause the coupling piece to slip sideways prevent from the knitting needle.

The transport rail preferably has two spaced apart arranged, mutually parallel clamping legs, extending from the edges a strip-shaped back portion extend away. The transport rail then has a shallow trough-shaped shape, wherein the clamping legs can spring slightly in the transverse direction of the transport rail. The transverse direction the transport rail is consistent with the longitudinal direction of the knitting tools match. The distance between the clamping legs of each other is preferably right with the foot distance of the knitting tools, which stretched into the transport rail be, when their mutually movable feet in as near as possible. For example, at a Slider needle is then the slider in maximum retraction position. The Clamping legs can thereby and thereby the parts of the knitting tool against each other tension and thus stiffen the knitting tools that otherwise protrude freely from the transport rail.

In the clamping legs slots are preferably formed, the extending away from the spine portion of the transport rail. The Slits are sized in width so that the knitting tools in the slots are frictionally held. The fixation of the knitting tools in the slots takes place regardless of the clamping action of the clamping legs. The slots extend transversely to the knitting tool. Every knitting tool, consisting of several individual parts, is thus of two Slits, which are designed as clamping slots and act, added. The knitting tool is held securely and still easily accessible.

The slots preferably do not go to the back portion but end before to provide a contact surface for the knitting tools. In a preferred embodiment, the slots only extend over a large part of an outwardly angled section of the clamping leg. Preferably, the slots end in front of the apex this angle to an insertion bevel for loading the transport rail to form with knitting tools.

The transport rail is preferably formed in one piece. For example can it by a plastic profile with uneven or preferably be formed uniform wall thickness. If not this only with regard to the springing of the clamping legs towards and away from each other but also flexible with respect to a lateral bend, the Transport rail not only for equipping needle beds of flat knitting machines but also for equipping needle beds of circular knitting machines be used.

The tool carrier according to the invention can be with a flexible or complete rigid shell to a shipping unit, the manufacturer the knitting tools are loaded and packed and when the transport rail, which is part of the shipping unit, on the part of the knitting machine manufacturer or on the part of the knitter, an auxiliary tool for introducing the knitting tools forms in their needle channels. In that regard, the transport rail meets a Dual function.

Figur 1

eine Versandeinheit mit einem Werkzeugträger und Strickwerkzeugen in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 2

die Transportschiene und die Strickwerkzeuge nach Figur 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 3

die Transportschiene nach Figur 2 in ausschnittsweiser, perspektivischer Darstellung in einem anderen Maßstab,

Figur 4

die Transportschiene und die Strickwerkzeuge nach Figur 2 in Seitenansicht,

Figur 5

einen Nadelzylinder einer Rundstrickmaschine bei der Bestükkung mit Strickwerkzeugen in schematisierter Ansicht,

Figur 6

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform einer Transportschiene in perspektivischer Darstellung und

Figur 7

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform einer Transportschiene mit Verschlussteil in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Further details of the invention are the subject of the drawing, the description or subclaims. In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Show it:

FIG. 1

a shipping unit with a tool carrier and knitting tools in perspective view,

FIG. 2

the transport rail and the knitting tools of Figure 1 in perspective view,

FIG. 3

the transport rail of Figure 2 in a fragmentary, perspective view on a different scale,

FIG. 4

the transport rail and the knitting tools of Figure 2 in side view,

FIG. 5

a needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine when equipping with knitting tools in schematic view,

FIG. 6

a modified embodiment of a transport rail in perspective view and

FIG. 7

a modified embodiment of a transport rail with closure part in a perspective view.

1 shows a shipping unit 1 is illustrated, with the multi-part, detachably interconnected, knitting tools 2 are sent can. The shipping unit 1 is provided with a shell 3, which is stiff or flexible can be trained. It can be oil paper, plastic film, plastic shrink film, a carton, a plastic cassette or the like, find as envelope 3 application. In the interior of this shell 3 are the Arranged knitting tools 2, which, as Figure 2 shows separately, are held by a tool carrier 4.

The tool carrier 4 is in the present embodiment formed by a transport rail 5, which are the individual knitting tools holds. The transport rail 5 is for example a plastic profile, the one-piece and, as Figure 3 illustrates, preferably with more uniform Wall thickness is formed. It has a longitudinal extent L erstrekkenden strip-shaped back section 6 with two long, mutually parallel sharp or rounded edges 7, 8 on. The edges 7, 8 become marked by bending lines, in which the back section 6 in to the Edges 7, 8 subsequent clamping legs 9, 11 passes. The back section 6 is flat or flat. Likewise, the clamping legs 9, 11 flat (even, undecorated) formed, but they, in particular From Figures 3 and 4, can be angled outwards.

In the area of the edges 7, 8 close the clamping legs 9, 11 with the back portion 6 in each case an angle α (see Figure 3). This Angle α is a right angle or a sharp, nearly right angle. The Material of the transport rail 5, such as plastic, is chosen so that the clamping leg 9, 11 something to the other clamping leg can spring back and forth from this. The acute angle α (the example 80 °) can be characterized by forces that do not cause any damage lead to the used knitting tool 2, expand to a right angle.

The clamping legs 9, 11 have an end edge 12, 14 at the end on, which are arranged approximately parallel to the respectively adjacent edge 7 and 8 respectively is. The end edges 12, 14 are at a distance from the spine portion 6, which is greater than the height of the male part 15 of the knitting tool 2 (Figure 4).

For receiving the knitting tool 2 by the clamping legs 9, 11th these are each provided with slots 16, 17, which differ from the respective End edge 12, 14, starting from the back portion 6 and thus extend approximately transversely to the knitting tool 2. The length of the slots 16, 17 is preferably dimensioned so that appropriate, the transport rail 5 on both sides of the clamping legs 9, 11 superior parts of the knitting tool 2 find their investment in the slot bottom before on the Knitting tool 2 provided feet 18, 19 abut on the back portion 6. The width of the back section 6 is correct, as FIG. 4 illustrates, with the outer distance of the feet 18, 19 match. Thereby are the Clamping legs 9, 11, when the knitting tools 2 in the transport rail. 5 are used, under tension approximately at right angles to the back portion. 6 held. They press elastically against the feet 18, 19. The slots 16, 17 (16a, 16b ..., 17a, 17b ...) are each at regular intervals from each other arranged. The division thus determined agrees with the division of one matching needle bed match. Their flanks are flat.

At least one of the clamping legs 9, 11, preferably both, are along a bending line 21, 22 angled outwards. At the bend line 21, 22 thereby creates an obtuse angle β of, for example, 110 ° or 120 °. The bending line 21, 22 is parallel to the end edges 12, 14 and the Edges 7, 8 are arranged and provided at a location away from the slots 16, 17 is not reached. The slot bottoms, i. the end boundaries the slots 16, 17 thus maintain a distance of, for example, one or a few millimeters to the bending lines 21, 22 a. This creates between the slot ends and the bending lines 21, 22 Einführhilfebereiche 23, 24. Their length is preferably such that the feet 18, 19 of knitting tools 2 to be inserted in the slits 16, 17 during insertion at the Einführhilfebereichen 23, 24 abut and the previously still completely relaxed Clamp clamping leg 9, 11 slightly.

The knitting tools 2 to be held by the transport rail 5 can for example, be slider needles. A section of such is in Figure 4 schematically illustrates. It has a needle body 25, on a coupling piece 26 is connected. The coupling carries the Foot 18 and otherwise extends as an elongated rod-shaped part two mutually aligned slots 16a, 17a of the clamping legs 9, 11. Mit the needle body 25, the coupling piece 26 via a positive Coupling 27 connected. This is by an end to the coupling piece 26 provided projection 28 formed in a groove-like Recess 29 of the needle body 25 engages. Preferably, here are positive or other securing means intended to prevent the projection 28 in the illustrated in Figure 4 position of the knitting tool 2 slides out of the recess 29.

To the serving as a knitting tool 2 needle also belongs a slide 31 whose elongated rod-like extension extends through the Slot 17a extends into the interior of the transport rail 5 inside. At this rod-like extension of the foot 19 is formed. He serves to drive the Slide. In the illustrated in Figure 4 position is the Slider at its rear end stop, with respect to the needle body, i.e. he has a maximum withdrawal. The feet 18, 19 can not continue on each other to be moved - they have their maximum approximation in Figure 4. The receiving space thus takes two parts (coupling piece 26 and Slide 31) of the knitting tool 2 with feet 18, 19 provided thereon on. Both parts are stretched in the receiving space against each other. The Knitting tool 2 is held in a prestressed state.

The shipping unit described so far or with tools 2 equipped transport rail 5 is used as follows:

On the part of the needle manufacturer, the transport rail 5 is first with Knitting tools 2 equipped. These become individual or groupwise inserted into the slots 16, 17. For this purpose, the feet 18, 19 first in their final position illustrated in Figure 4, in which they their largest Have approach. Then the respective knitting tool 2 with the feet 18, 19 pushed ahead in the interior of the transport rail 5. The outer ends 32, 33 of the feet 18, 19 arrive when they their respective Slit, to the Einführhilfebereiche 23, 24 and spread the clamping legs 9, 11 something. The knitting tool 2 is then further into the Transport rail 5 is inserted until the coupling piece 26 and der Slider 31 abuts the respective slot bottom. The front ends the feet 18, 19 do not reach the back section 6 or are loose at this. The clamping legs 9, 11 are under elastic bias at the facing away from each other outer sides of the feet 18, 19 and they thus clamp against each other. The knitting tool 2 is in the respective Slot 16, 17 held frictionally. This is achieved by the width the slots 16, 17 does not exceed the thickness of at least the coupling piece 26. In addition, the distances of the slots 16 with each other and the spacings of the slots 17 equal to each other and in accordance dimensioned with the pitch of needle channels 34 of a needle bed 35. The Needle bed 35 may be part of a flat knitting machine or part of a needle cylinder 36 be a circular knitting machine.

The protruding from the transport rail 5 out knitting tools. 2 can be inserted into their associated needle channels 34 by the transport rail 5 in the position shown in Figure 5 the needle bed 35th is approximated. The open sides of the slots 16, 17 point to the Needle bed 35. The back section 6 lies on the needle bed 35 remote Page.

Have the knitting tools 2 at least part of their length in found the respective needle channel 34, they can from the transport rail 5 are pressed out into the needle bed 35. You glide while relaxing, however, without falling apart in the needle channel 34. They are held securely at any time - either from the transport rail. 5 or from the side walls of the needle channels of the needle bed 35.

The transport rail 5 according to FIG. 3 has a certain flexibility so that they, as Figure 5 illustrates, also on machine cylinder 36th adapted and can serve for their assembly. Preferably However, they provided for the placement of needle beds of flat knitting machines. Should needle beds with curvature, for example needle cylinders, can be equipped, the transport rail 5, as shown in Figure 6, modified become. This transport rail 5 is provided with recesses 37, 38, 39 and possibly other unillustrated recesses provided, the enforce the back section 6. Cut through the recesses 37, 38, 39 the back portion 6 at regular intervals in the transverse direction and preferably extend into the clamping legs 9, 11, without However, to achieve the bending lines 21, 22. The recesses 37, 38, 39 may be formed as more or less wide slots. They lead to a desired in some cases flexibility of the transport rail 5, so that this can be flexibly bent around transverse axes.

A modified embodiment of the tool carrier 4 has according to FIG. 7 shows a transport rail 5 'and a closure part or cover 40. The clamping legs 9 ', 11' of the transport rail 5 'are at each other spaced bending lines 41, 42, and 48, 49 angled. That they are twice at spaced stripe or linear areas bent. At the bend line 48, 49 inwards, so that by a obtuse angle γ of, for example, 110 ° or 120 ° arises and in their End portions 52, 53 at the bending line 41, 42 to the outside, so that thereby an acute angle δ of, for example, 60 ° or 70 ° arises. The end sections 52, 53 are at a distance A, which is about halfway up the End portions is determined, arranged to each other and diverge from each other.

The lid 40 is for example a plastic profile, the one-piece and is preferably formed with the same and uniform wall thickness. It has a strip-shaped Rükkenabschnitt extending in its longitudinal direction 43 with two long, parallel or sharp or rounded ones Edges up. The edges 44, 45 are marked by bending lines, at which the back portion 43 in itself at the edges 44, 45 subsequent Clamping legs 46, 47 passes. The back portion 40 is flat educated. Likewise, the clamping legs 46, 47 are flat (even, undecorated) formed, wherein it has an inwardly angled end portion 50, 51 have and in this area the shape of the clamping legs 9 ', 11' in the End portions 52, 53 are adapted. The end portions 50, 51 are in a distance B which is approximately halfway up the end portions is arranged to each other. The inner distance B of the clamping legs 46, 47 is slightly smaller than the outer distance A of the clamping legs 9 ', 11 '. Thereby, the position of the clamping legs 9 ', 11' i. the angle α 'changed and thus affects the clamping action on the knitting tools 2 become. Another advantage of this embodiment is that the angle α 'can be blunt, which facilitates the assembly of knitting tools, and the insertion assist area 23, 24 is not necessary.

The knitting tools 2, are described in the same way as above in the designated slots 16 ', 17' added. The slotted floors, i.e. the end boundary of the slots 16 ', 17' are closer to the back portion 43, as the bending line 48, 49. On the basis of the already introduced reference number will be to the description of the figures 1 to 6 referenced. It applies here accordingly.

There are also embodiments conceivable in which the distance of the Slotted bottoms of the slots 16 ', 17' to the back portion 6 'is greater than the distance of the bending lines 48, 49 to the back portion 6 '. This means, that the slots 16 ', 17' terminate in the angled region of the clamping legs.

In a further embodiment, not shown, of the tool carrier 4, the length of the slots 16, 16 'differ from the length of the slots Slits 17, 17 '. As a result, the slot bottom of the slot 16, 16 'from Rükkenabschnitt 6, 6 'a different distance than the slot bottom of the slot 17, 17 '. This causes the knitting tools 2 angular in the tool carrier be received and thus not parallel to the back portion 6, 6 ' are arranged. An angular arrangement of the knitting tools 2 can at the placement of the needle bed be beneficial.

To keep ready and to mount knitting tools 2 Knitting machines or other stitch-forming machines is a tool carrier 4 provided, which is formed by a transport rail 5 or contains such. The transport rail 5 has two mutually parallel Clamping legs 9, 11, with regularly arranged slots 16, 17 are provided. The slots clamp used multi-part knitting tools frictional firmly. The transport rail 5 forms with the knitting tools. 2 a manageable unit, in their free handling the knitting tools 2 does not fall out of the transport rail 5. The division of the transport rail 5 preferably agrees with the pitch of a needle bed of a to be populated Machine match. The machine is equipped by placed the transport rail 5 on the needle bed or attached to this and by placing the knitting tools in a direction approximately perpendicular to the back portion 6 of the transport rail 5 away from its frictional Holder pressed into its needle channel. Multi-part knitting tools are held together securely at each stage.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Shipping unit

2

Knitting tools

3

shell

4

tool carrier

5, 5 '

transport rail

6, 6 '

back section

7, 8, 44, 45

edge

9, 11, 9 ', 11'

clamping leg

12, 14

terminal edge

15

part

16, 17

slots

18, 19

feet

21, 22, 41, 42, 48, 49

elastic line

23, 24

Einführhilfebereiche

25

needle body

26

coupling

27

clutch

28

head Start

29

recess

31

pusher

32, 33

end up

34

needle channels

35

needle bed

36

needle cylinder

37, 38, 39

recesses

40

cover

43

back section

46, 47

Clamping leg (cover)

50, 51, 52, 53

end

L

longitudinal direction

A, B

distance

Claims (21)

Tool carrier (4) for elongated knitting tools (2),
with a transport rail (5, 5 ') transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of the transport rail (5, 5') arranged slots (16, 16 ', 17, 17') for receiving the knitting tools (2), wherein the Slots (16, 16 ', 17, 17') have a width corresponding to the thickness of the male knitting tool (2) to be received such that the knitting tool (2) is frictionally held in the slot (16, 16 ', 17, 17') is. transport rail Tool carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail (5, 5 ') has two clamping legs (9, 9', 11, 11 ') to hold together at least two associated parts (26, 31) of the knitting tool (2). Tool carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail (5, 5 ') has a strip-shaped back section (6, 6'), from whose edges or edges (7, 8) in each case a clamping leg (9, 9 ', 11, 11 ') towers. Tool carrier according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamping legs (9, 9 ', 11, 11') are arranged at a distance parallel to each other. Tool carrier according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamping legs (9, 9 ', 11, 11') are held resiliently towards and away from each other. Tool carrier according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the slots (16, 16 ', 17, 17') in the clamping legs (9, 9 ', 11, 11') are formed. Tool carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that the slots (16, 16 ', 17, 17') from a terminal edge (12, 14) of the clamping leg (9, 9, 11, 11 ') starting to the back portion (6, 6 ') of the transport rail (5, 5') extend out, wherein the slots (16, 16 ', 17, 17') at a distance from the back portion (6, 6 ') terminate. Tool carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the clamping legs (9, 9 ', 11, 11') has a portion diverging away from the other clamping leg (9, 9 ', 11, 11'). Tool carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that the portion with the remaining clamping leg (9, 11) defines an obtuse angle. Tool carrier according to claim 6 and 8, characterized in that the slots (16, 17) terminate in the diverging section. Tool carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail (5) is integrally formed. Tool carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail (5) is a plastic profile. Tool carrier according to claim 12, characterized in that the plastic profile has a uniform wall thickness. Tool carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport rail (5) is designed to be flexible. Tool carrier (4) for elongated knitting tools (2),
with a transport rail (5, 5 '), the transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) of the transport rail (5, 5') arranged slots (16, 16 ', 17, 17') for receiving the knitting tools (2), and
with a closure part (40) which engages over the transport rail (5, 5 '). Tool carrier according to claim 15, characterized in that the transport rail (5, 5 ') has two resilient and formed of a thin-walled material clamping leg (9, 9', 11, 11 ') to at least two associated parts (26, 31) of the Knitting tool (2) and that the closure part (40) has two clamping legs (46, 47) with end portions (50, 51), the end portions (52, 52) of the clamping legs (9, 9 ', 11, 11') positively are adapted and form an abutment for this. Tool carrier according to claim 16, characterized in that the end portions (52, 53) of the clamping legs (9, 9 ', 11, 11') of the transport rail (5, 5 ') have an outer distance (A) to each other, and that the end portions (50, 51) of the clamping legs (46, 47) of the closure part (40) have an inner distance (B) to each other, and that the inner distance (B) of the clamping legs (46, 47) of the closure part (40) is smaller than that outer distance (A) of the clamping legs (9, 9 ', 11, 11') of the transport rail (5,5 '). Tool carrier according to claim 1 and 15, characterized in that the slots (16, 16 ') have a length which differs from the length of the slots (17, 17'). Tool carrier according to claim 1 and 15, characterized in that the slots define a pitch that coincides with the pitch of needle channels (34) of a stitch-forming machine, for which the knitting tools (2) are provided. Shipping unit with a tool carrier after one of the previous Claims and with in the slots (16, 16 ', 17, 17') used knitting tools (2). Shipping unit according to claim 20, characterized in that the transport rail (5) and the knitting tools are provided with a casing (3).

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