EP3012363B1 - Machine knitting needle, arrangement for stitch formation, and use of this arrangement in a process on a knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a machine knitting needle, an arrangement for forming stitches with such a machine knitting needle and the use of the arrangement in the production of knitwear in a knitting machine having a first needle bed and a second needle bed. The needle beds can be circular or flat. The knitting machine can therefore be a circular knitting machine or a flat knitting machine.

For the production of so-called left-left knitwear so-called Doppelkopfzungennadeln are known, as for example in US Pat. No. 3,866,441 are described. The double headed needle has a needle body extending in a longitudinal direction. At the two longitudinally opposite ends of the Doppelkopfzungennadel each have a needle hook. Each needle hook curves from an underside of the needle to an upper side around a respective hook inner region. Each needle hook is assigned in each case a pivotally mounted tongue. In a closed position, the tongue end abuts the associated needle hook and closes off the respective hook inner region. If the tongue is removed from the associated hook, the hook inner region is accessible and a thread section or a loop can be introduced into the hook inner region.

Such Doppelkopfzungennadeln are also out US 3 423 926 A . DE 29 32 207 B . DE 29 44 300 C2 or EP 2 002 042 B1 known.

When knitting with left-to-left knitting machines, productivity and reliability are often adversely affected by mechanically damaged tongues of such double-headed needles. The pivotally mounted tongues are very sensitive to forces and moments that are introduced transversely or obliquely to the pivoting direction, in particular parallel to the pivot axis. The tongue movement is triggered when using the Doppelkopfzungennadel in the knitting machine through the meshes that can swing the tongue either from its closed position to the open position or vice versa from the open position to the closed position. For example, if a thread break occurs during knitting, the respective tongues are no longer actuated and can not change the position in the subsequent knitting process. These tongues can then collide with a thread guide, a tongue opener or another part of the knitting machine and thereby be damaged or bent.

Also, after discarding a finished knitwear article, the tongues must be reopened to receive the newly inserted yarn prior to loading the next knitwear article. This opening can be effected by various means, for example by an air jet, by a mechanical tongue opener or by brushing. With all these means there is a risk that the tongue or the tongue bearing will be damaged. In addition, after a thread break or after the dropping of a finished knitwear article a new yarn are inserted, for which purpose each tongue must be brought into a defined position, since there is no mesh, by means of which the tongue is moved during the normal knitting process.

US 2010/0095709 A1 proposes a double-headed needle, in which the needle body has a survey or a bump, which adjoins the hook inner region. Above this elevation is the tip of the hook. By a force acting on the hook tip force the hook tip can be elastically bent and brought to the survey to the system to close the respective hook inner region. For this purpose, a closing means is necessary, which applies a corresponding force for elastic bending of the hook.

A left-and-left flat knitting machine goes off DE 28 53 819 C2 out. In this flat knitting machine, a double-headed needle with two hooks is used, which cooperates with slider boards of the knitting machine. Adjacent to the respective hook, the needle body has a bump whose highest point is approximately at the level of the tip of the hook. The area between the bump and the tip of the hook can be bridged by a finger of the slide plate via the respectively associated slide plate. As a result, the respective hook inner area between the hook and the hump is closed. This knitting machine requires a double-headed needle and two slide plates, which are specially adapted to each other. The slider boards and the double headed needle are guided separately in the needle beds of the knitting machine. Dirt in the needle channels, such as by dust or yarn particles, it may lead to variations in the relative orientation of the Slide plate and the double-headed needle come. It is then difficult to achieve the required accuracy when closing a hook inner area by an associated board slide. This may result in the hook inner area not being completely closed or the finger of the slider board colliding with the double-headed needle, which increases wear.

Based on the cited prior art, it can be regarded as an object of the present invention to simplify the stitch formation for left-to-left knitwear. In particular, an improved machine knitting needle, an improved arrangement for the production of knitwear with such a machine knitting needle and an improved method for using such an arrangement in a knitting machine are to be provided.

This object is achieved by a machine knitting needle with the features of claim 1, by an arrangement for stitch formation with the features of claim 9 and a method having the features of claim 13.

The machine knitting needle according to the invention is especially adapted for use in left-to-left knitting machines. It has a longitudinally extending needle body with a bottom and an opposite top. The needle body has at its one end a first hook which curves from the lower side to the upper side about a first hook inner region. At the longitudinally opposite end, the needle body has a second hook which curves from the bottom to the top about a second hook interior.

On the needle body, a hook-closing element is movably arranged or stored. The hook closing element can be moved between a first closed position and a second closed position. In the closed position, the hook-closing element prevents a stitch or a thread section from penetrating into the respective hook inner region. Preferably, in the first closed position, a first longitudinal end of the hook-closing element engages the first hook and closes off the first hook inner region. Preferably, in the second closed position, a second longitudinal end of the hook closing element engages the second hook and closes off the second hook inner region.

Thus, the machine knitting needle has a hook closing element which can optionally close the first hook inner region or the second hook inner region. The hook closing element is in particular adapted to be moved by an associated closing actuating element between the closed positions. The relative movement between the needle body and the hook-closing member is adjusted independently of the movement of a stitch or thread along the machine knitting needle. In contrast to the prior art, only a single hook closing element is still present, which is associated with two hooks. Two independently movable closing elements for each hook are not provided. The movement control of the hook-closing element is thereby simplified and the process reliability is increased.

In one embodiment, a relative movement between the hook closing element and the needle body by the storage of the hook closure element allows only in a single degree of freedom or a maximum of two degrees of freedom.

Preferably, the hook closure member is slidably mounted on the needle body in the longitudinal direction, for example in a longitudinal recess of the needle body. Alternatively, the hook-closing element could also engage over the needle body so that the longitudinal recess is present on the hook-closing element, as it were, into which the needle body engages. In these embodiments, the movement of the hook closing element takes place relative to the needle body in particular by a translational movement in the longitudinal direction. Depending on the course of the longitudinal recess, this translational movement in the longitudinal direction can also be superimposed on a translational movement in a height direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the longitudinal recess may be partially closed at the top of the needle body, whereby the hook-closing element is held in the needle body. The longitudinal recess is completely or partially closed at the bottom of the needle body in one embodiment.

The needle body preferably has a needle shank that extends between the two hooks. Subsequent to a respective hook, the needle body has a needle breast which extends obliquely from the underside to the top side.

The hook closing element can be moved into a neutral position between the two closed positions and in this Neutral position are kept. In the neutral position both hook inner areas of the machine knitting needle are open to the top. In the neutral position, the two longitudinal ends of the hook-closing element preferably do not protrude beyond the needle body, at least not above an upper edge bounding the needle body at the upper side. Preferably, the hook closing element is completely within the predetermined by the needle body outer contour.

The upper edge delimiting the needle body at the upper side is in particular free from edges and / or projections and / or shoulders, so that a stitch can slide freely along the upper edge from one hook inner region to the other hook inner region. The hook closing element is in its neutral position, this movement is not hindered by the hook-closing element.

The machine knitting needle is preferably configured symmetrically to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when the hook closing element is in the neutral position. In a preferred embodiment, the hook-closing element has at least one operating recess open towards the top. The actuating recess is delimited by two actuating recess flanks spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. A closing actuator may engage the actuating recess to longitudinally move the hook closure member relative to the needle body. It is also advantageous if the hook-closing element has two actuation recesses arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction for one closing actuation element in each case.

If the hook-closing element is in the neutral position, the at least one actuation recess is preferably arranged completely below an upper edge bounding the needle body at the top. This allows a loop to slide along the needle body without entering the actuating recess.

A stitching assembly for use in a left-to-left knitting machine includes a machine knitting needle as described above. The arrangement further includes a first actuating unit and a second actuating unit for the machine knitting needle. The first actuating unit has a first needle actuating element which is adapted to displace the needle body in the longitudinal direction relative to a needle bed of the knitting machine and / or to the hook closing element. Further, the first actuating unit includes a first closing actuating element, which is adapted to move the hook closing element relative to the needle body and / or the needle bed. Thus, the first needle actuating element and the first closing actuating element are movable relative to each other, in particular in the longitudinal direction relative to each other displaceable. As a result, the needle body and the hook closing element can be moved independently of each other in the longitudinal direction, whereby a relative movement of the hook closing element relative to the needle body can be generated.

The second operating unit is constructed according to the first operating unit and has a second needle actuating element and a second closing actuating element.

This arrangement is very easy to use in knitting machines. The control of elements used in the stitch formation and their translational movement in the longitudinal direction relative to a needle bed can be easily achieved with known control means of a knitting machine. Independently of a mesh movement or a movement of a yarn section relative to the machine knitting needle, it is ensured that the hook closing element occupies a relative position with respect to the needle body defined by an actuating unit at all times. Even with a thread break or re-staining the defined position of the hook closing element can be ensured very easily at any time. Furthermore, only a single element of the machine knitting needle which is movable relative to the needle body is required in order to selectively close one of the two hook inner regions. Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the hook closing element performs a translational movement in the longitudinal direction between the two closed positions, since such a movement can be achieved very easily and no pivot bearing as pivotally mounted needle tongues is required.

In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, each needle actuating element has a guide groove in which the respectively associated closing actuating element is arranged to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the respective needle actuating element. In such an embodiment, the closing actuating element may also be referred to as a "slide pusher". A separate storage of Schließbetätigungselements on the knitting machine deleted. It is sufficient, the needle actuator on the knitting machine to store, which in turn supports the associated closing actuator.

It is also advantageous if each needle actuating element has a hook recess which is designed to receive the associated hook of the machine knitting needle. Via the hook recess and the associated hook of the machine knitting needle, a movement coupling of the needle actuating element with the machine knitting needle can be achieved. Advantageously, the hook recess has two longitudinally spaced apart hook cutout flanks between which a portion of the hook bow extends which adjoins the hook tip when the needle actuation member is motion coupled to the machine knitting needle.

In a preferred embodiment, each closing actuating element has an actuating projection which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction in the height direction. Each actuation projection can engage in the respectively associated actuation recess for coupling the closure actuation element with the hook closure element.

During stitch formation, preferably only one of the two actuating units is motion-coupled to the machine knitting needle. At any time during the knitting process, one of the two operating units is motion-coupled with the machine knitting needle. During the transfer of the machine knitting needle from one needle bed of the knitting machine to the other needle bed, both actuation units can be coupled to the machine knitting needle for a period of time, which ensures that at any time a defined relative position of the Hook closing element with respect to the needle body is present.

The arrangement described above can be used in a knitting machine having a first needle bed and a second needle bed. For example, to transfer the machine knitting needle from the first needle bed to the second needle bed, the following steps are performed:

It is assumed that the machine knitting needle is in the first needle bed and the last knitted stitch is held in the first hook inside area of the first hook. The machine knitting needle is movement-coupled to the first actuating unit or is guided in a movable manner in the longitudinal direction by the first actuating unit on the first needle bed.

The hook closing element is brought into its neutral position in which both hook inner regions are open to the top. With the aid of the first actuating unit, the machine knitting needle is displaced in the longitudinal direction toward the second needle bed. In this case, the last knitted stitch slides out of the first hook inner region along the upper edge of the needle body. Moving the machine knitting needle is stopped or slowed down when it is in a transfer point where the two hooks are in different needle beds. The last knitted stitch is preferably located approximately in the middle of the machine knitting needle, in particular between the two actuating recesses of the hook closing element.

While moving the machine knitting needle into the Transfer position can be moved simultaneously to the second actuator unit on the first needle bed. Alternatively, this movement can only take place after the machine knitting needle is in the transfer position. In the transfer position, both actuation units are or are at least temporarily coupled in terms of movement with the machine knitting needle during a period of time. After the motion coupling of the second actuating unit with the machine knitting needle, the first actuating unit is decoupled from the machine knitting needle. Subsequently, the movement of the machine knitting needle away from the first needle bed with the help of the second actuator unit can be continued.

In one embodiment of the method, the shifting of the machine knitting needle by means of the second operating unit may be stopped longitudinally from the first needle bed or reversed in the opposite direction as soon as the last knitted stitch is in the second hook inner area of the second hook. At this time, the transfer of the machine knitting needle is completed.

Alternatively, a last period of time during the transfer of the machine knitting needle can also be used for stitch formation. In this case, the movement of the machine knitting needle is stopped by the second actuator unit away from the first needle bed in a thread feed position or the movement is at least delayed as long as the last knitted stitch is still arranged outside the second hook inner region on the needle body. In this thread feeding position, the hook closing element can be moved relative to the needle body in the longitudinal direction and the second hook inner area partially closed. As a result, sliding or slipping of the last knitted stitch into the second hook inner region can be prevented or at least made more difficult. In the partially closed second hook inner region, a thread section for the formation of a new stitch is inserted with the aid of a thread guide. Subsequently, the second hook inner region is closed by the second hook closing element is moved to its second closed position.

With the aid of the second actuating unit, the machine knitting needle can be further moved away from the first needle bed in the longitudinal direction and the inserted thread section can be pulled through the last knitted machine. In this way, a new stitch is formed and held in the second hook inner region of the second hook.

It is understood that this transfer of the machine knitting needle in the same way as described above can also be done from the second needle bed in the first needle bed.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Anordnung mit einer Maschinenstricknadel und zwei Betätigungseinheiten in einer teilweisen Explosionsdarstellung,
• Figur 2 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer mit der Maschinenstricknadel gekoppelten Betätigungseinheit der Anordnung aus Figur 1,
• Figur 3 eine perspektivische Teildarstellung eine Ausführungsbeispiels einer Maschinenstricknadel,
• Figuren 4a bis 4f einen schematischen Ablauf der Übergabe einer Maschinenstricknadel von einem ersten Nadelbett in ein zweites Nadelbett einer Strickmaschine in jeweils unterschiedlichen Situationen,
• und Figuren 5a bis 5g einen schematischen Ablauf der Maschenbildung mit Hilfe der Maschinenstricknadel in einem Nadelbett einer Strickmaschine in jeweils unterschiedlichen Situationen.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• FIG. 1 1 is a schematic side view of an arrangement with a machine knitting needle and two actuating units in a partially exploded view;
• FIG. 2 a schematic side view of a with the Machine knitting needle coupled actuator of the arrangement FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 3 a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a machine knitting needle,
• FIGS. 4a to 4f a schematic sequence of the transfer of a machine knitting needle from a first needle bed in a second needle bed of a knitting machine in different situations,
• and FIGS. 5a to 5g a schematic sequence of stitch formation using the machine knitting needle in a needle bed of a knitting machine in different situations.

Especially in the FIGS. 1 and 2 is an embodiment of a machine knitting needle 10 to recognize in detail. The machine knitting needle 10 has a needle body 11 extending in a longitudinal direction L and a hook closing member 12 mounted on the needle body 11.

The needle body 11 has a bottom U and a top O. At the bottom U of the needle body 11 has at least one and example according to two treads 13 which extend in a common plane. The at least one running surface 13 is adapted for engagement with a bottom 14 in a needle channel 15 of a needle bed, for example according to a first needle bed 16 or a second needle bed 17 ( FIGS. 4a to 4f or FIGS. 5a to 5g ).

Starting from the underside U extend in a height direction H to the top O towards two mutually parallel side cheeks 20 of the needle body 11. At least in the region of the running surfaces 13, the two side cheeks 20 are at least partially connected to each other. Between the two side cheeks 20 extends in the longitudinal direction L a longitudinal recess 21. The longitudinal recess 21 has the shape of an open towards the top O groove. The longitudinal recess 21 may be open over its entire length to the top O out. In a modified embodiment, the longitudinal recess 21 may be partially closed at the top O, for example, characterized in that at least one of the two side cheeks 20 has a bead 22 which engages over the longitudinal recess 21 ( FIG. 3 ). Preferably, the longitudinal recess 21 to the top O is completely open.

In the outer surfaces of the side cheeks 20 and / or the At least one running surface 13 may have recesses or depressions for forming a lubricant reservoir, these lubricant reservoirs being open to the respectively assigned surface of the needle channel 15.

The needle body 11 has a first hook 26 at a first end portion 25. The first hook 26 curves starting from the bottom U to a first hook inner region 27 to the top O out. In the longitudinal direction L on the opposite side, the needle body 11 has a second end portion 28 with a second hook 29, which curves from the bottom U to a second hook inner region to an upper side U out. The two hooks 26, 29 form the opposite ends of the needle body 11. The two hooks 26, 29 have, starting from their respective hook tip on a curved portion and then go into a needle shaft 31 of the needle body 11 via. By way of example, the needle shaft 31 means the region in which the longitudinal recess 21 in the needle body 11 is located in the longitudinal direction L. The needle shank 31 extends between the two hooks 26, 29. Following a respective hook 26, 29, the needle shank 31 has in each case one of the underside to the top obliquely extending needle breast 31 a.

Between the two end portions 25, 28 of the needle body 11 and, for example, the needle shaft 31 has a central portion 32. The central portion 32 is connected via a respective connecting portion 33 on the one hand to the first end portion 25 and the other end portion 28. The central portion 32 is parallel to the two end portions 25, 28 and is relative to the end portions 25, 28 offset in the height direction H. The connecting portions 33 extend obliquely to the longitudinal direction L. At the bottom U of the needle body 11 in the region of the central portion 32 and the connecting portions 33 has a distance from a plane in which the two treads 13 are located.

The longitudinal recess 21 has in the embodiment illustrated here a groove bottom which extends in a plane. In the region of the connecting portions 33 and / or the central portion 32 of the needle body 11, the longitudinal recess 21 may be open to the bottom U out.

In the longitudinal recess 21, the hook closing element 12 of the machine knitting needle 10 is inserted and mounted relative to the needle body 11 in the longitudinal direction L slidably. The hook closing element 11 is designed as a flat molded part or stamped part. The thickness of the hook closing element 12 at right angles to the height direction H and at right angles to the longitudinal direction L corresponds approximately to the distance between the two side cheeks 20 of the needle body 11.

The hook closing element 12 has a first longitudinal end 37 and a longitudinal longitudinal L opposite second longitudinal end 38. At the first longitudinal end 37, a first longitudinal end portion 39 and connects to the second longitudinal end 38, a second longitudinal end portion 40 at. In the two longitudinal end sections 39, 40, the hook closure element 12 preferably extends in a straight line along the longitudinal axis L. The two longitudinal end sections 39, 40 each have a lower edge 41, with which the hook closure element 12 rests against the groove bottom of the longitudinal recess 21 in the needle body 11. The two Bottom edges 41 extend along a common plane.

A central portion 42 of the hook closing element 12 also extends in the longitudinal direction L and is offset from the two longitudinal end portions 39, 40 in the height direction H. The middle section 42 is connected on the one hand to the first longitudinal end section 39 and on the other hand to the second longitudinal end section 40 via an intermediate section 43 running obliquely to the longitudinal direction L. In the middle section 42 and in the intermediate sections 42, the hook closing element 12 is at a distance from the plane in which the lower edges 41 extend.

The hook closure element 12 has at least one actuation recess and, for example, a first actuation recess 44 and a second actuation recess 45. The actuation recesses 44, 45 are open and accessible in the height direction H on the side opposite the bottom edges 41. When the hook-closing member 12 is inserted into the needle body 11, the operation recesses 44, 45 are open and accessible to the top O side. Each actuation recess 44 has two actuation recess flanks 46 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L.

As explained, the hook-closing element 12 can be moved in the longitudinal direction L relative to the needle body 11. In a first closed position S1, the first longitudinal end 37 of the hook closing element 12 bears against the first hook 26 and closes the first hook inner region 27. In a second closed position S2, the second longitudinal end 38 of the hook closing element 12 bears against the second hook 39 and closes the second hook inner region 30. The hook closing element 12 is thus associated with both hooks 26, 29 and can either close one or the other hook inner region 27, 30. The two closed positions S1, S2 represent the end positions between which the hook-closing element 12 is movable in the longitudinal direction L relative to the needle body 11.

In the embodiment, the hook-closing element 12 is moved along the needle body 11 only translationally in the longitudinal direction L. In a modified embodiment of the machine knitting needle 10, the groove bottom of the longitudinal recess 21, unlike the preferred embodiment, could have inclined surfaces running obliquely to the longitudinal direction and to the height direction H. In this case, with a displacement of the hook closing element 12 in the longitudinal direction L by the course of the groove bottom, an additional movement in height direction H can be superimposed.

The two closed positions S1, S2 are shown schematically in dashed lines FIG. 1 illustrated. In FIG. 2 is a further pronounced relative position of the hook closing element 12 with respect to the needle body 11 illustrated. This position can be referred to as neutral position N. In the neutral position N, the hook closing element 12 is located, for example, centrally between the two closed positions S1, S2. In the neutral position N, both hook inner regions 27, 30 are open toward the upper side O.

In the neutral position N, the two longitudinal ends 37, 38 do not project beyond an upper edge 50 of the needle body 11 out. In the exemplary embodiment, the hook-closing element 12 in the neutral position N does not protrude beyond the upper edge 50 of the needle body 11 at any point. The upper edge 50 extends along the needle shank 31 from the first hook 26 to the second hook 29 and defines the needle shank 31 and needle body 11 at the top O. The upper edge 50 is divided into two edge portions 50a in the embodiment described herein. Each edge portion 50a is provided on the top O side facing a side cheek 20 ( FIG. 3 ). Both edge sections 50a together form the upper edge 50. The two edge sections 50a extend in a side view onto the machine knitting needle 10 along a common contour line, which thus likewise represents the contour line of the upper edge 50 (FIG. FIGS. 1 . 2 . 4 and 5 ).

The upper edge 50 and the edge portions 50a are preferably formed without sharp edges, shoulders or the like, so that a mesh of a hook inner region 27 or 30 along the upper edge 50 without being damaged in the other hook inner region 30 and 27 can slide. Directional changes in the course of the upper edge 50 or the edge portions 50a are realized by curved regions, for example radii ( FIG. 3 ). In the FIGS. 1 . 2 . 4 and 5 These rounded areas are illustrated schematically simplified by corners, although they are preferably rounded.

As in FIG. 2 can be seen, the two actuating recesses 44, 45 are in the neutral position N of the hook closing element 12 seen in the height direction H below the upper edge 50. In the preferred embodiment, the contour of the hook closing element 12 is so on adapted to the contour of the needle body 11 and the needle shaft 31 that the hook closing element 12 protrudes at any point from the contour of the needle body 11 and the needle shaft 31 and in particular not over the top edge 50. A mesh can therefore along the upper edge 50 of the needle body eleventh slide without coming into contact with the hook closing element 12, when this is in the neutral position N.

An arrangement 53, which is used in a knitting machine and, for example, in a left-and-left knitting machine for knitting, includes, in addition to the machine knitting needle 10, a first actuating unit 54 and a second actuating unit 55 (FIG. FIGS. 1 and 4 ). The two actuator units 54, 55 are constructed identically. In FIG. 1 is the second actuator 55 only partially indicated schematically.

The first actuating unit 54 has a first needle actuating element 56 and a first closing actuating element 57. Correspondingly, the second actuating unit 55 has a second needle actuating element 58 and a second closing actuating element 59. Since the structure of the operating units 54, 55 is identical, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 only the first actuating unit 54 is explained, the explanations correspondingly applying to the second actuating unit 55.

The first needle actuating element 56 has a contact edge 60 with which it can be brought to bear against the bottom 14 of the needle channel 15. The abutment edge 60 is located in a control section 61 of the first needle actuating element 56. In this control section 61 projects on the abutment edge 60 in the height direction H opposite side of a control foot 62 away, which can be coupled for control with a first control unit 63 of the knitting machine. The first control unit 63 has a control means, for example a control lock 64, which is adapted to displace the first needle actuating element 56 in the longitudinal direction L along the first needle bed 16.

The first control unit 63 also has a decoupling means 65, which is adapted to decouple the first actuating unit 54 from the machine knitting needle 10. For this purpose, the first actuating unit 54 can be tilted or inclined, for example, so that a working section 66, which adjoins the control section 61, moves away from the bottom 14 of the needle channel 15 of the first needle bed 16.

In the working section, the first needle actuating element 56 has a hook recess 70. The hook recess 70 serves to receive the associated second hook 29 of the machine knitting needle 10 when the first operating unit 54 is coupled to the machine knitting needle 10. For this purpose, the hook recess 70 has two mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction L Hakenaussparungsflanken 71, 72. By way of example, the first hook recess flank 71 adjoins the contact edge 60. Following this first Hakenaussparungsflanke 71 extends in the longitudinal direction L, a guide portion 73 of the first needle actuator 56 to the free end 74. In height direction H protrudes from the guide portion 73, a retaining projection 75 away, at which the second Hakenaussparungsflanke 72 is arranged. Between the two Hakenaussparungsflanken 71, 72 is a downwardly or to the first needle bed 16 open hook recess 70 is formed. The two recess flanks 71, 72 run, for example, parallel to one another in the height direction H. The retaining projection 75 has a triangular shape in the exemplary embodiment.

The distance between the two Hakenaussparungsflanken 71, 72 in the longitudinal direction L is adapted to the dimensions of the associated hook 26, 29. This distance corresponds essentially to the distance between two parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction oriented planes, one of which is applied to the tip of the hook and the other tangent to the hook bow.

In the first needle actuating element 56, a guide groove 76 extends in the longitudinal direction L. The guide groove 76 is open in the embodiment described here down to the contact edge 71 and the hook recess 70 and at least partially closed in the opposite direction. In the longitudinal direction L, the guide groove 76 is open at least at the free end 74 of the first needle actuating element 56.

Corresponding to the needle body 11, the first needle actuating element 56 can also be formed to form the guide groove 76 from two cheeks extending parallel to one another, the gap between these cheeks representing the guide groove 76.

In the guide groove 76 of the first needle actuating element 56, the first is displaceable in the longitudinal direction L. Closing actuator 57 arranged. At its one end, the first closing actuating element 57 has an actuating projection 77, which protrudes downward in the height direction H from a guide part 78, for example. The guide part 78 extends in the longitudinal direction L. At an end opposite the actuation projection 77 in the longitudinal direction L, the first closing actuation element 57 has, analogously to the first needle actuation element 56, a control foot 62 which serves for coupling to the first control unit 63. The control foot 62 of the first closing actuating element 57 is assigned a separate control means, for example a control lock 64 of the first control unit 63. Via the first control unit 63, the first needle actuating element 56 and the first closing actuating element 57 can be moved together in the longitudinal direction L relative to the first needle bed 16 and / or relative to one another and relative to the first needle bed 16 in the longitudinal direction L.

When the first operating unit 54 is coupled for movement with the machine knitting needle 10, the operating projection 77 of the first closing actuating element 57 engages in the first actuating recess 44. The second hook 29 protrudes into the hook recess 70 and is coupled in the longitudinal direction L with the first needle actuating element 56. Correspondingly, when the second actuating unit 55 is coupled, the actuating projection 77 of the second closing actuating element 59 engages in the second actuating recess 45 and the first hook 26 protrudes into the hook recess 70 of the second needle actuating element 58 and is coupled in the longitudinal direction L to the second needle actuating element 58.

The second operating unit 55 is associated with a second control unit 79 which moves the second needle actuating element 58 and the second closing actuating element 59 in the longitudinal direction L together relative to the second needle bed 17 and / or relative to each other in the longitudinal direction L. The two control units 63, 79 and the respectively associated actuating unit 54, 55 are shown schematically in FIG FIG. 4a illustrated and omitted in other figures for clarity. In FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the coupling of the first control unit 63 to the arrangement 53. The second control unit 79 may be coupled to the assembly 53 accordingly.

Hereinafter, the application of the assembly 53 in a knitting machine with a first needle bed 16 and a second needle bed 17 based on FIGS. 4 and 5 explained. In particular, it is a left-to-left knitting machine that can be used to make left-to-left knitwear. To make this knitwear, it is necessary to transfer the machine knitting needle 10 after stitch formation from one needle bed 16, 17 into the other needle bed 17, 16 respectively. This process is schematic in the FIGS. 4a to 4f illustrated.

It is assumed that the machine knitting needle 10 is located on the first needle bed 16 and is coupled to the first operating unit 54. The second hook 29 engages the hook recess 70 on the first needle actuating element 56, so that the needle body 11 is coupled in the longitudinal direction L to the first needle actuating element 56. The operating projection 77 of the first closing actuating element 57 engages in the first actuating recess 44, so that the hook closing element 12 of the machine knitting needle 10 is coupled in the longitudinal direction L with the first closing actuating element 57. The hook closing element 12 is in its neutral position N. In the first hook 26, the last knitted loop M is held. The knitted fabric is arranged in the area between the two needle beds 16, 17. The two needle beds 16, 17 and the bottoms 14 of the opposing needle channels 15 extend in a common plane, so that the machine knitting needle 10 can be moved back and forth by a translational movement in the longitudinal direction L between the two needle beds 16, 17.

In order to transfer the machine knitting needle 10 from the first needle bed 16 to the second needle bed 17 and to couple it with the second operating unit 55, the first operating unit 54 initially moves the machine knitting needle 10 in the longitudinal direction L toward the second needle bed 17, whereby the last stitched stitch M passes along the upper edge 50 slides along the needle body 11. Since the hook closing element 12 is in its neutral position N, the sliding of the stitch M along the needle body 11 is possible without hindrance ( FIG. 4b ). It is also possible to bring the hook closing element 12 into the neutral position at the beginning of the movement of the machine knitting needle 10 by moving the first needle actuating element 56 and the first closing actuating element 57 relative to one another.

Simultaneously with this movement of the machine knitting needle 10 by means of the first actuating unit 54, the second actuating unit 55 is moved relative to the second needle bed 17 on the first needle bed 16. Thus, the machine knitting needle 10 under the operating projection 77 of second closing actuating element 59 can be moved therethrough, a tilting or tilting of the second actuating unit 55 can take place via the second control unit 79. Alternatively (as shown schematically in FIG FIG. 4b illustrated), this tilting of the second actuating unit 55 can also be done by the machine knitting needle 10 and in particular the hook closing element 12 as soon as the operating projection 77 or another element of the second actuating unit 55 gets in contact with the machine knitting needle 10 and then slides along the upper edge 50 of the machine knitting needle 10.

In Figure 4c the transfer position T of the machine knitting needle 10 is illustrated. In this transfer position T, both actuating units 54, 55 are motion-coupled to the machine knitting needle 10, that is, the first hook 26 engages the hook recess 70 of the second hook actuating element 58 and the second hook 29 engages the hook recess 70 of the first needle actuating element 56 and the actuating projections 77 of the two closing actuation elements 57, 59 engage in the respectively associated actuation recess 44, 45 on the hook closure element 12. The last knitted loop M is located between the two actuating units 54, 55 or between the two actuating recesses 44, 45 on the knitting machine needle 10.

Subsequently, the first actuating unit 54 is decoupled from the machine knitting needle 10 (FIG. FIG. 4d ). This can be done via the first control unit 63 by tilting or tilting the first actuating unit 54 relative to the longitudinal axis L, so that the actuating projection 77 moves away from the first actuating recess 44 and the second Hook 29 out of engagement with the first needle actuator 56 passes.

Thereafter, the machine needle 10 is moved further away from the first needle bed 16 in the longitudinal direction L via the second actuating unit 55, so that the stitch M continues along the needle body 11 ( Figure 4e ). This movement can be continued until the last knitted loop M has reached the second hook inner region 30 of the second hook 29 ( FIG. 4f ). At the same time, the first actuating unit 54 can be moved away from the second needle bed 17 in the longitudinal direction L into an initial position.

In the FIGS. 5a to 5g the stitch formation is schematically illustrated by means of the arrangement 53. The stitch formation is carried out using one of the two actuating units 54, 55 on the respective needle bed 16, 17. The process is identical for both actuating units 54, 55 and both needle beds 16, 17.

As starting point for the description of the stitch formation the in FIG. 5a situation assumed. The hook closing element 12 is in the respective closed position, ie in the first closed position S1 or the second closed position S2. In the hook inner region 27 and 30, the last knitted loop M is trapped.

To form a further, new stitch M *, first the hook-closing element 12 is moved into its neutral position N, in which it releases the hook inner region 27 or 30. This is achieved, for example, in that the needle body 11 extends in the longitudinal direction L over the free end of the Needle bed 16 or 17 is pushed through the relevant needle actuating element 56 or 58, so that the hook 26 or 29 projects beyond the needle bed 16 or 17 ( FIG. 5b ). About the closing actuator 57 and 59, the hook closing element 12 is moved in the same direction, but with a smaller stroke. As a result, at the same time a relative movement takes place between the needle body 11 and the hook closing element 12, so that this is transferred from the closed position S1 or S2 into the neutral position N ( FIG. 5c ). The machine knitting needle 10 is moved out of the needle bed 16 or 17 until the last knitted stitch M has been moved out of the hook inner region 27 or 30 out of the needle shaft 30 onto the needle shaft 30.

In the next step, a new thread section 81 or yarn section is introduced into the hook inner region 27 or 30 via a yarn guide 80 ( FIG. 5d ). Before that, in the exemplary embodiment, the hook inner region 27 or 30 is partially closed by the hook-closing element 12 in order to prevent the last knitted loop M from sliding from the needle shaft 31 into the hook inner region 27 or 30.

Following the insertion of the thread section 81, the hook-closing element 12 is moved into its relevant closed position S1, S2 and the thread section 81 is held in the hook inner region 27 or 30 (FIG. FIG. 5e ). The movement of the hook closing element 12 from the partially closed position (FIG. FIG. 5d ) in the closed position S1 or S2 ( FIG. 5e ) is effected by a corresponding relative movement of the closing actuating element 57 or 59 relative to the needle actuating element 56 or 58, wherein preferably the needle body 11 relative to the needle bed 16 or 17 remains unmoved until the closed position S1 or S2 is reached.

Subsequently, the machine needle 10 is moved in the closed position S1, S2 befindlichem hook closing element 12 by means of the relevant actuator unit 54 and 55 and the hooks 26 and 29 is pulled with the inserted thread section 81 through the last knitted loop M ( FIG. 5f ). Finally, this forms a new loop M *, which then again represents the last knitted loop M for the subsequent process ( FIG. 5g ).

It is also possible to combine the stitch formation and the transfer of the machine knitting needle 10 with each other. This can for example be done by following the in the Figure 4e illustrated situation, the machine knitting needle 10 on the second operating unit 55 is moved only so far until the last knitted loop M is still on the needle shaft 31, so that the position of the machine knitting needle 10 of in FIG. 5c represented situation corresponds. Following this, a new thread section 81 can be inserted via the thread guide 80 and, as in connection with FIGS FIGS. 5d to 5g explains a mesh be formed. As a result, the transfer of the machine knitting needle 10 can be combined with the stitch formation.

It is understood that the basis of the FIGS. 4a to 4f described transfer of the machine knitting needle 10 from the first needle bed 16 to the second needle bed 17 and from the first confirmation unit 54 to the second actuator 55 in a corresponding manner also reversed from the second needle bed 17 from the first needle bed 16 can be done.

The invention relates to a machine knitting needle 10, an arrangement 53 which has such a machine knitting needle 10 and two actuating units 54, 55 and a method for using such an arrangement 53 or a machine knitting needle 10 in a knitting machine with a first needle bed 16 and a second needle bed 17 The machine knitting needle 10 has a needle body 11 which extends in the longitudinal direction L and has a hook 26, 29 at both ends. On the needle body 11, a hook closing element 12 is movable and in particular translationally mounted in the longitudinal direction L slidably. The hook closing element 12 can be brought into abutment with the respective other hook 29 in a first closed position S1 for engagement with the one hook 26 and in another, second closed position S2. The closing element 12 is moved by a closing actuating element 57 or 59 of an actuating unit 54 or 55 of the arrangement 53 in the longitudinal direction L relative to the needle bed 16 or 17 and / or relative to the needle body 11. The relative position of the hook closing element 12 is unaffected by the relative movement between a stitch M and the machine knitting needle 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Machine knitting needle

11

needle body

12

Hook closing element

13

tread

14

ground

15

needle channel

16

first needle bed

17

second needle bed

20

side cheek

21

longitudinal recess

22

beading

25

first end section

26

first hook

27

first hook inside area

28

second end section

29

second hook

30

second hook inside area

31

needle shaft

31a

needle breast

32

central section

33

connecting portion

37

first longitudinal end

38

second longitudinal end

39

first longitudinal end section

40

second longitudinal end section

41

lower edge

42

midsection

43

intermediate section

44

first actuating recess

45

second actuating recess

46

Operating recess edge

50

top edge

53

arrangement

54

first actuating unit

55

second actuator

56

first needle actuator

57

first closing actuating element

58

second needle actuator

59

second closing actuator

60

contact edge

61

control section

62

control butt

63

first control unit

64

tax Castle

65

decoupling means

66

working section

70

hook recess

71

first hook recess flank

72

second hook recess flank

73

guide section

74

free end

75

retaining projection

76

guide

77

operating projection

78

guide part

79

second control unit

80

thread guides

81

section of thread

F

Thread supply position

H

height direction

L

longitudinal direction

M

last knitted stitch

M *

new stitch

N

neutral position

O

top

S1

first closed position

S2

second closed position

T

Transfer position

U

bottom

Claims (15)

1. Machine knitting needle (10) for a flat-purl knitting machine with a needle body (11) which extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and has an underside (U) and a top side (O),
   wherein the needle body (11) has at the one end a first hook (26) curving from the underside (U) to the top side (O) about a first hook inner region (27), and at an opposite end in the longitudinal direction a second hook (29) curving from the underside (U) to the top side (O) about a second hook inner region (30),
   with a hook-closing element (12) which is arranged on the needle body (11), is moveable relative to the needle body (11), and in the first closing position (S1) prevents the penetration of a stitch (M) or a thread portion (81) into the first hook inner region (27),
   characterised in that the hook-closing element (12) is moveable between a first closing position (S1) and a second closing position, and in the second closing position (S2) prevents the penetration of a stitch (M) or a first thread portion (81) into the second hook inner region (30).
2. Machine knitting needle according to claim 1, characterised in that the hook-closing element (12) is arranged in a longitudinal recess (21) of the needle body (11) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (L).
3. Machine knitting needle according to claim 2, characterised in that the longitudinal recess (21) is closed in portions on the top side (O) of the needle body (11).
4. Machine knitting needle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hook-closing element (12) is moveable relative to the needle body (1) between the closing positions (S1, S2) only in one or at most two degrees of freedom.
5. Machine knitting needle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hook-closing element (12) is moveable into a neutral position (N) between the two closing positions (S1, S2), in which neutral position the two hook inner regions (27, 30) are open towards the top side (O).
6. Machine knitting needle according to claim 5, characterised in that in the neutral position (N), the hook-closing element (12) does not protrude beyond an upper edge (50) delimiting the needle body (11) at the top side (O).
7. Machine knitting needle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hook-closing element (12) has at least one actuation recess (44, 45) which is open towards the top side (O) and is delimited in the longitudinal direction (L) by two recess flanks (46) arranged spaced apart.
8. Machine knitting needle according to claim 5 or 6 and claim 7, characterised in that in the neutral position (N), the at least one actuation recess (44, 45) of the hook-closing element (12) is situated completely below an upper edge (50) delimiting the needle body (11) on the top side (O).
9. Arrangement (53) for forming stitches for a flat-purl knitting machine,
   with a machine knitting needle (10) according to any of the preceding claims,
   with a first actuation unit (54) which has a first needle-actuating element (56) for moving the needle body (11) in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to a first needle bed (16), and has a first closure-actuating element (57) for moving the hook-closing element (12) relative to the needle body (11),
   with a second actuation unit (55) which has a second needle-actuating element (58) for moving the needle body (11) in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to a second needle bed (17), and has a second closure-actuating element (59) for moving the hook-closing element (12) relative to the needle body (11).
10. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterised in that each needle-actuating element (56, 58) has a guide groove (76) in which the respective assigned closure-actuating element (57, 59) is arranged so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the respective needle-actuating element (56, 58).
11. Arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that each needle-actuating element (56, 58) has a hook recess (70) which is configured to receive the assigned hook (26, 29) of the machine knitting needle (10).
12. Arrangement according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that each closure-actuating element (57, 59) has an actuating protrusion (77) which can be brought into a respective assigned actuation recess (44, 45) on the hook-closing element (12).
13. Method for forming stitches with an arrangement (53) according to any of claims 9 to 12, in a knitting machine with a first needle bed (16) and a second needle bed (17), with the following steps:

    - holding of the last knitted stitch (M) in the first hook inner region (27) of the first hook (26), wherein the machine knitting needle (10) is situated in a first needle bed (16) and the first actuation unit (54) is coupled in motion to the machine knitting needle (10),

    - use of the first actuation unit (54) for displacing the machine knitting needle (10) in the longitudinal direction (L) towards the second needle bed (17), wherein the stitch (M) slips out of the first hook inner region (27) and along the needle body (11), and wherein the displacement of the machine knitting needle (10) by means of the first actuation unit (54) is stopped or slowed when the machine knitting needle (10) is in a transitional position (T) in which the two hooks (26, 29) are situated in different needle beds (16, 17),

    - coupling of the second actuation unit (55) in motion to the machine knitting needle (10),

    - decoupling of the first actuation unit (54) from the machine knitting needle (10),

    - continuation of the displacement of the machine knitting needle (10) by means of the second actuation unit (55) in the longitudinal direction (L) away from the first needle bed (16).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the displacement of the machine knitting needle (10) by means of the second actuation unit (55) in the longitudinal direction (L) away from the first needle bed (16) is stopped or reversed as soon as the stitch (M) is situated in the second hook inner region (30) of the second hook (29).
15. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that

    - in a thread feed position (F) of the machine knitting needle (10), the displacement of the machine knitting needle (10) by means of the second actuation unit (55) in the longitudinal direction (L) away from the first needle bed (16) is stopped or slowed before the stitch (M) is situated in the second hook inner region (30) of the second hook (29),

    - the hook-closing element (12) is displaced relative to the needle body (11) in the longitudinal direction (L) so that the second hook inner region (30) is partially closed and slippage of the last knitted stitch (M) into the second hook inner region (30) is at least hindered, and a thread portion (81) for forming a new stitch (M*) is introduced into the second hook inner region (30),

    - closing of the second hook inner region (30) by movement of the hook-closing element (12) into its second closing position (S2),

    - use of the second actuation unit (55) for displacing the machine knitting needle (10) in the longitudinal direction (L) and drawing the thread portion (81) laid in the second hook inner region (30) through the last knitted stitch (M), whereby a new stitch (M*) is formed.

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