EP1491672B1 - circular knitting machine with an operator's platform and kit for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

Circular knitting machine comprises a chassis (1); knitted goods manufacturing mechanism; and a working platform(s) (14) facilitating access to an upper region of the machine, movably mounted on an outside of the chassis and extending over a fraction of a periphery of the chassis, where the working platform is displaceably mounted on a guideway (23) attached to the chassis and running in a peripheral direction of the chassis.

Description

The invention relates to a circular knitting machine of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 and a kit for attaching a work platform to a circular knitting machine.

In circular knitting machines with large heights and / or large diameters, it is often difficult, especially for smaller persons, arranged in an upper machine area facilities, in particular for the production of a knitted fabric certain means such as cams, yarn guides, yarn feeding devices od. Like. To achieve, although this Performing adjustment, repair and maintenance is essential. It is therefore already known a circular knitting machine with an elevated work platform ( DE 1 730 206 U1 ), which is arranged as a along the circumference of the machine frame arranged firmly connected to the machine frame and accessible by the operators of the circular knitting catwalk, which runs at a certain height above the floor. By such a catwalk, however, access to the arranged in a lower portion of the circular knitting equipment is disabled or impossible. This is especially true with regard to the usually existing trigger and / or winding device, which is surrounded for safety reasons usually by a protective cover having at least one door, if necessary can be opened, for example, to remove a finished bales of goods.

In addition, circular knitting machines of the type described in the introduction are known (US Pat. Nos. 3,959,991, 3,959,992 and 4,033,147) in which the working platform extends over only a (small) fraction of the circumference of the machine and as a whole together with or independently of one provided in the protective cover door is pivotable. As a result, it is readily possible to open the door when needed and to remove the bales of goods, possibly after previous pivoting away of the work platform. However, the advantage of improved functionality achieved thereby is offset by the disadvantage that either only on a small part of the circumference of the circular knitting machine is there easier access to the means for producing the knitted fabric or does several work platforms and pivoting mechanisms have to be arranged on the circumference of the circular knitting machine, which brings an increased constructive and financial effort.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is therefore to design the circular knitting machine of the type described at the outset or a kit for attaching a work platform to such a circular knitting machine so that access is facilitated without much additional effort and substantially along the entire circumference of the machine frame is possible to the facilities provided in the upper machine area.

To solve this problem, the characterizing features of claims 1 and 14 serve.

The invention proposes for the first time a working platform, which is movable in the circumferential direction of the machine frame and therefore can be made relatively narrow, so that it does not interfere when not in use. The latter applies even if the machine frame is provided with several, radially projecting feet and to avoid too large a radial extent of the circular knitting machine several, between two adjacent feet reciprocally movable working platforms are provided.

Further advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Rundstrickmaschine;
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 1 unter Weglassung der zur Zuführung der Fäden bestimmten Einrichtungen;
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 2;
• Fig. 4 eine vergrößere Einzelheit X der Rundstrickmaschine nach Fig. 1; und
• Fig. 5 bis 8 den Fig. 1 bis 4 entsprechende Ansichten eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Rundstrickmaschine.

The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a circular knitting machine according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 a top view of the circular knitting machine after Fig. 1 omitting the facilities intended for the supply of the threads;
• Fig. 3 a perspective view of the circular knitting machine Fig. 2 ;
• Fig. 4 an enlarged detail X of the circular knitting machine Fig. 1 ; and
• Fig. 5 to 8 the Fig. 1 to 4 corresponding views of a second embodiment of the circular knitting machine according to the invention.

Fig. 1 to 3 1 schematically shows a circular knitting machine with a frame 1 which has a plurality of feet 2, 3 and 4 (FIG. Fig. 2 ), on which a support ring 5 ( Fig. 1 . 2 ) is supported. The support ring 5 is used z. B. for rotatably supporting a needle cylinder 6 and for stationary storage of a provided with a plurality of yarn guides Fadenführerrings 7, a needle cylinder 6 surrounding lock shell 8, a plurality of yarn feeding 9 to supply the stored in the needle cylinder 6 knitting needles 10, and others Devices which are briefly referred to here in short as means for producing a tubular knitted fabric and arranged in an upper region of the circular knitting machine.

The feet 3 and 4 are in the embodiment with angular intervals of about 110 ° spaced from the foot 2, while the angular distance of the feet 3, 4 from each other is about 140 °, and with a sufficient radial distance from a central machine axis 11 (Fig. Fig. 1 ) arranged. In this case, the foot 2 is a main foot which serves to receive a drive motor or other electrical or electronic components and of control elements for the circular knitting machine, while the feet 3 and 4 are side feet, which except for any existing switching unit free of such Construction groups are. The main foot 2 is therefore radially much further than the side feet 3 and 4 from the machine frame 1 from.

Below the supporting ring 5 and in the area bounded by the feet 2, 3 and 4, the frame 1 has a lower support ring (not shown) for a withdrawal and / or winding device by means of which knitted goods produced in the circular knitting machine can be pulled off and wound up. It is in principle indifferent whether the knitted fabric of this device only deducted, only wound or withdrawn and wound up.

The circular knitting machine is further provided with a protective cover 12 (FIG. Fig. 1 to 3 ), which extends substantially from the support ring 5 to the lower ends of the feet 2, 3 and 4 and covers the trigger and / or take-up on its outer periphery to the operation of the circular knitting machine operator injuries by rotating parts avoid. The protective cover 12 can, as is known, be provided with at least one door which can be opened or closed and allows access to the withdrawal and / or winding device or to the lower region of the circular knitting machine.

Circular knitting machines of this type are generally known to the person skilled in the art (eg U.S. Patent 3,855,822 . DE 199 24 217 A1 ) and therefore need not be explained in detail.

At the in Fig. 1 to 4 shown schematically, previously considered best Embodiment of the invention, the circular knitting machine on a working platform 14 which in the circumferential direction (double arrow v in Fig. 2 ) extends only over a fraction of the frame 1 and is arranged on the outside thereof. The working platform 14, which could also be referred to as pedestal, tread, short catwalk. The like. In the exemplary embodiment is so high above the ground or the footprint of the feet 2 to 4 arranged that standing on it all in an upper area the circular knitting machine located, important machine parts or facilities can easily reach. If the working platform 14 is arranged at a comparatively high level, then it preferably forms the uppermost step of a staircase 15. In the exemplary embodiment, the staircase 15 has two additional steps 16 and 17 and, as a third step, the working platform 14. The individual treads 16, 17 and 14 are arranged substantially radially to the machine axis 11 in succession, so that the entire staircase 15 as needed, viewed in the circumferential direction, occupy substantially the same space as or a slightly smaller or larger space than the working platform 14 can be, for the embodiment, the first-mentioned alternative applies ( Fig. 2 ). Moreover, the working platform 14 extends in the embodiment z. Example over a range corresponding to about one seventh of the outer periphery of the frame 1, although the invention is of course not limited to this extent.

To protect the working platform 14 people entering at least the working platform 14, but preferably the entire staircase 15 is provided with a guardrail 18. This has in particular two provided with handrail side parts 18a, 18b, which are extended from the bottom step 16 substantially radially to the frame 1. Die Seitenteile 18a, 18b sind an der Unterseite des ersten Stegs 18a, 18b angeordnet. At the radially outer end, the guardrail 18 has an access opening 19 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) to the staircase 15. At the radially inner end of the guardrail 18, however, is provided with support rods 20, whose meaning is explained below.

The in the embodiment radially outermost tread 16 is preferably od on at least one roller 21 or the like. Supported on the floor, the about a horizontal axis 22 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) is rotatably mounted. In addition, it may be provided to rotatably support the roller 21 on a bearing body, which in turn is attached to the underside of the tread 16 and rotatably disposed about a vertical axis.

The working platform 14 and with it the staircase 15 is according to the invention permanently, but detachable if necessary, attached to the frame 1 and along its circumference in the direction of the double arrow v ( Fig. 2 ) displaceable or movable. This is preferably done with the help of an in Fig. 4 shown enlarged guide 23 causes. This is annular and coaxial with the machine axis 11 and z. B. arranged at such a height that it detects upper ends 20 a of the rods 20 when the staircase 15 is arranged on the circumference of the frame 1 and its tread 16 is supported with the roller 21 on the ground. The guide 23 is fixed by means of radially arranged support rods 24 on the support ring 5.

According to Fig. 4 is the guide 23 also z. B. on its upper side with a circular, extending in the circumferential direction profile 23 a in the manner of an I or T-beam, which serves for the storage and guidance of the radially inner ends 20 a of the rods 20. For this purpose, have the ends 20a on their undersides U-shaped, on the profile 23a of the guide 23 and slipped this brackets embracing sliding elements 25 which define the entire staircase 15 radially substantially immovably on the guide 23, a displacement of the stairs 15 allow in the circumferential direction of the frame 1, however.

Due to the described design of the guide 23, it is possible to process the working platform 14 or staircase 15 in the circumferential direction (double arrow v ) of the circular knitting machine and along whose circumference in each case to arrange at the point where a repair, maintenance, adjustment od. Like. is required.

In many cases, however, circular knitting machines are designed in this way ( Fig. 2 and 4 ) that they have at least one foot, which is usually the main foot 2, the radial to the machine axis 11 protrudes comparatively far outward. In order to avoid in such a case that the working platform 14 must also be moved past the radial outer side of this main foot 2, which would result in a comparatively large overall diameter of the circular knitting machine, the invention provides for the radial distance of the working platform 14 from the machine axis 11 so that they can be moved past the less prominent side feet 3, 4, but their trajectory by the two side surfaces 2a, 2b ( Fig. 2 ) of the main foot 2 is limited by these side surfaces 2a, 2b act as stops for the working platform 14. Although this somewhat restricts the positionability of the work platform 14, this does not significantly affect its function. Namely, if an operator uses the work platform 14 in a position abutting against one of the side surfaces 2a, 2b, then the operator can easily reach the space above the main leg 2 as well.

Alternatively, there may be cases where more than one rack foot projects radially further than in FIG Fig. 2 for the side feet 3 and 4 is shown. In this case, it may be appropriate, the circumferential circle on which the work platform 14 or staircase 15 can move, thereby keeping small that between each two such frame feet each one of the described work platforms 14 and stairs 15 is provided and each of these Frame feet serves as a limitation for their circumferential movements. This would also have the advantage that, for jobs that require two people, each of the two people has a separate work platform available.

Incidentally, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the working platform 14 or staircase 15 is to be made so narrow and / or any abutment surfaces for these (eg 2a, 2b) should be arranged relative to one another such that the working platform 14 or stairs 15 is in each case displaceable in at least one position, which permits opening of the door or doors of the protective cover 12 and the removal of the thus revealed ball of goods. This condition is particularly easy to fulfill when the Doors of the protective cover 12 are designed as sliding doors, such. For example, the document DE 199 24 217 A1 For simplicity's sake, reference is now made to the subject of the present disclosure by reference.

According to the embodiment Fig. 5 to 8 are the same parts with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 to 4 designated. Below, therefore, only the relevant for the invention differences of this embodiment will be explained.

To Fig. 5 to 8 a work platform 27 is provided which is formed as part of a staircase 28. The staircase 28 has two to the working platform 27 leading treads 29, 30, which in contrast to Fig. 1 to 4 not radially, but substantially in the circumferential direction of the circular knitting machine (double arrow w in Fig. 6 ) are arranged one behind the other. The widths of the working platform 27 and the treads 29, 30 are substantially the same, wherein the three parts 27, 29 and 30 have expedient in the manner of a spiral staircase about the machine axis 11 curved side edges. Corresponding curvatures has a protective railing 31, which is provided with from the bottom tread 29 to the frame 1 extending, also in the circumferential direction and having handrails having side parts 31a, 31b. Accordingly, the staircase 28, viewed in the circumferential direction, at its one end located in the region of the first tread 29 access opening 32 (FIG. Fig. 6 ), which can be entered only in the circumferential direction, while at the opposite end a protective grid 33 (FIG. Fig. 6 ) is attached.

While the lowest step 29 is analogous to Fig. 1 to 4 expediently mounted on wheels or rollers 34 is mobile, 20 holding rods to the holding rods 20 are attached to the radially inner side part 31 b of the guard rail 31. Upper ends 35a of these support rods 35 are analogous to the Fig. 1 to 4 provided with sliding elements 36 which are mounted with sliding fit on the guide 23 and their profile 23a, so that the working platform 27 or staircase 28 in the circumferential direction w (Fig. Fig. 6 ) is reciprocable. With regard to radially far protruding feet 2, 3 and 4, therefore, the same restrictions apply, the above in connection with Fig. 1 to 4 were explained.

In particular Fig. 6 shows, in this embodiment, two working platforms 27, 37 and stairs 28, 38 may be provided, the trajectories are limited, for example, by the two side surfaces 2a, 2b of the main foot 2. An optional second staircase 38 is provided analogously to the staircase 28 with an access opening 39 at one end and a protective grid 40 at the other end. The two stairs 28, 38 are preferably mirror-symmetrical and arranged so that their access openings 32, 39 facing each other, while their protective grid 33, 40 point in the direction of the side walls 2a, 2b of the main foot. This makes it possible to reach the working platforms 27, 37 also via the access openings 32, 39, when the stairs 28, 38 both bear against the main foot 2.

Moreover, the work platforms 27, 37 and the stairs 28, 38 after Fig. 5 to 8 essentially the same as the above based on the Fig. 1 to 4 described working platform 14 and stairs 15 formed.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, which can be modified in many ways. Instead of two treads leading to the work platform 14, 27, 37, depending on the height of the respective circular knitting machine, none, only one or more than two treads may be provided. Next put out the Fig. 1 to 8 The visible geometric shapes of the work platforms and stairs are only examples that can be changed in any convenient way. The same applies to the guides 23 and 23a profiles and sliding on these sliding elements 25 and 36, in its place other components may be provided, in particular z. B. in the form of ball or roller bearings. The materials from which the work platforms or stairs are made, are largely freely selectable, although metals, especially steel, are preferred materials. Furthermore, the invention relates not only to the work platforms or stairs provided with circular knitting machines, but also kits with which existing circular knitting machines can be retrofitted with the described work platforms or stairs and therefore essentially the guide 23, the sliding elements 25 and 36, the support rods 20, 35 and the components attached thereto. Finally, it should be understood that the various features may be applied in combinations other than those illustrated and described.

Claims (14)

1. Circular knitting machine with a chassis (1), means for manufacturing knitted goods and at least one working platform (14, 27, 37) facilitating access to an upper region of the machine, movably mounted on the outside of the chassis (1) and extending over a fraction of its periphery, characterised in that the working platform (14, 27, 37) is displaceably mounted on a guideway (23) attached to the chassis (1) and running in its peripheral direction.
2. Circular knitting machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that it has two working platforms (27, 37) movable independently of each other.
3. Circular knitting machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the working platform (14, 27, 37) is formed on the top of a set of steps (15, 28, 38) having at least one step (16, 17; 29, 30).
4. Circular knitting machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that the steps (16, 17) are arranged one behind the other in the radial direction,
5. Circular knitting machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that the steps (29, 30) are arranged one behind the other in the peripheral direction.
6. Circular knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the working platform (14, 27, 37) is at least partially provided with a safety railing (18, 31).
7. Circular knitting machine according to Claim 4 and 6, characterised in that the safety railing (18) has an access opening (19) lying radially outwards.
8. Circular knitting machine according to Claim 5 and 6, characterised in that, seen in the peripheral direction, the safety railing (31) is provided at one end with an access opening (32) and at an end situated opposing this, with a protective grid (33, 40).
9. Circular knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the chassis (1) has at least one radially projecting main foot (2) provided with two side faces (2a, 2b) and a displacement path arranged between the two side faces (2a, 2b) and delimited by the side faces (2a, 2b) is assigned to the working platform (14, 27, 37).
10. Circular knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it has two working platforms (27, 37) with safety railings (31) according to Claim 8, which are provided with access openings (32, 39) facing towards each other.
11. Circular knitting machine according to Claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the protective grids (33, 40) of both safety railings (31) face towards the side faces (2a, 2b) of the main foot (2).
12. Circular knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the chassis (1) has at least two radially extending feet (2, 3, 4) and that between each pair of feet (2, 3, 4), at least one working platform according to one or more of the claims 1 to 11 is arranged.
13. Circular knitting machine according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the working platform (14, 27, 37) or set of steps (15, 28, 38) is supported on at least one rotatable roller (21, 34).
14. Construction kit for a working platform (14, 27, 37) for the subsequent equipment of an already existing circular knitting machine and for the production of a circular knitting machine according to at least one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised in that it has a guideway (23) designed for attaching to a chassis (1) of a circular knitting machine and at least one working platform (14, 27, 37), for being movably mountable on the outside of the chassis (1), connectable to the guideway (23) and displaceable along the guideway (23) in peripheral direction of the circular knitting machine.

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