GB2234571A - Plastic chain links - Google Patents

Abstract

A chain link for use in pattern chains in a lace knitting machine is made of moulded plastics material and is provided with marks to facilitate grinding of the link to the desired height prior to its incorporation into a pattern chain. Each link is of bifurcated form and the links are connected together by pins. <IMAGE>

Description

CHAIN LINK PATENT FOR A LACE KNITTING MACHINE This invention relates to a chain link. The chain links refer to part of the machinery utilized in the lace manufacturing industry.

The lace knitting machines contain "pattern" drums on which heavy pattern chains of steel are mounted. The pattern chains are formed of a plurality of chain links connected together. The connection is usually in the form of metal pins common to all the chains. The pins undertake two functions, firstly the location of the other chains in the "bed" and secondly as pivot points for movement of the separate links.

The chain links are of differing heights and sizes and as the pattern drum rotates, the chain links engage a plurality of push rods via cam activation. Springs connected to the push rods ensure engagement with the chains, thus as the pattern drum rotates, the push rods move backwards and forward by differing amounts dependent on the size and height of the link. The push rods finallyh activate the actual guides of the knitting process, hence the finished pattern of the knitted lace is directly dicated by the size and shape of each independent link.

The current format of the existing chains and the links is one of a metal fabrication and mechanical nature with obvious inherent problems. Electronically controlled pattern mechanisms do offer an alternative, but cost effectiveness is worse than that of present systems incorporating steel pattern chains.

It is the objective of the invention to provide an overall improved chain link. The basic of the improvement is the provision of plastic chain. The plastic selected will preferably be of an injection moulded material, which may be reinforced suitable fillers, such as fibres or particulate material to provide necessary mechanical strength.

The link may be comprised of first and second end portions as illustrated in (figure 1). The link has a bifurcated end to give greater strength. Other design features may include "radiused" or "webbed" sections to overcome the inherent weak stress areas of the steel counterpart.

The invention will also embody two marks which will designate the position from which may any grinding from the first and second ends can be taken to. This position is critical in terms of the timing of the machinery. The timing marks would be incorporated in the moulding process. In the current steel version the links have to be ground to shape by using a template. The invention excludes the necessity for a template by virtue of the grinding marks designed into the production of the "blank" link (see figure 2).

Claims (1)

1. C L A I M S.

   i. A chain link for use on lace machinery, which is made of specially formulated hardened plastic incorporating timing marks to facilitate grinding by obviating the use of a grinding template before the link is incorporated into a pattern chain.

   ii. Lightness - they are five times lighter than the steel versions currently available.

   iii. They possess the capability of being moulded incorporating one needle drops. This cannot be done on steel links which have to be ground for this purpose.