US2215090A - Needle bar for flat knitting machines - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 17. 1940. A. IERBEEK NEEDLE BAR FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1958 kgwiy I INVENTOR BYK/ifiO/d ATToRNEY 1940- AVERBEEK 2,215,090

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Patented Sept. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NEEDLE BAR FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES Arnold Verbeek, Wustenbrand in Saxony, Germany, assignor to Kalio, Inc., New York, N. Y.

Application March 5, 1938, Serial No. 194,060 In Germany April 12, 1937 19 Claims.

1 in the manner particularly shown and described in co-pending application Serial No. 99,830, filed September 8, 1936.

In the simplest type'of my invention/there are usually provided two sets of needles arranged 15 in three groups on a unitary needle bar, one set,

constituting two groups, being adapted to knit the heel tabs onto the leg fabric of the single unit stocking blank, and the other set, forming the third group, being non-knitting needles and serving to retain the edge loops of the sole sections for their transfer in order to become interknit with the inner selvedges of the heel tabs.

Heretofore, considerable difliculty has been experienced in the retention of the edge loops of the foot section on the'non-knitting needles, particularly due to the problems which the knocking-over and pressing-off operations present. Since, as vhereinbefore stated, the two sets of needles are mounted on one and the same needle bar, the non-knitting needles follow the various movements of the knitting needles, with the result that the loops intended to be held by said non-knitting needles oftentimes ,drop or break off because of accidental press-off or because of the wear on the yarn due to the force with which the loops are repeatedly drawn against the knockover bits.

The present invention, therefore, primarily aims to eliminate the inconveniences particularly referred to and has for one of its main objects the provision of non-knitting needles having a characteristic construction with respect to the knitting needles, whereby, during operation of the latter, the non-knitting needles will effective- 5' ly retain the loops in engagement therewith, prevent their forced contact with the parts of the loop-forming mechanism, and yet permit their proper transfer.

Heretofore, in the production of single unit stockings having the heel tab selvedge edges interknitted with the sole sections, the knitting needles andthe non-knitting needles were the same length and, as a result, the loops of the sole fabric during the transferring thereof were forcibly moved into contact with the knockover bits, causing wear and damage, as well as breakage, of the sole loops. Therefore, it is an important object of the present invention to arrange the hook portions of the non-knitting needles in a higher plane than the hook portions 5 of the knitting needles so that the knockover bits may properly cofunction with the hook portions of the knitting needles but will not forcibly contact the loops engaged by the hook portions of the non-knitting needles due to the higher elevation of the latter.

The invention is characterized especially by the provision of non-knitting needles having short hook ends adapted for engagement with the loops but so disposed that in the inward movement of the needle bar, the presser edge of the knitting machine will be cleared, thus preventing the loops from being cast off and, further, having an elongated shank so that during the downward movement of the needle bar, the loops will not be subjected to a detrimental pull upon the knockover bits.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, I have inthe accompanying drawings andin the detailed description based thereupon, set out a possible embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings? Figure 1 is a face elevation of the lower portion of a single unit stocking blank of the type shown and described in co-pending application hereinbefore identified.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the blank with the heel tabs added thereto.

Figure 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic representation of the loop formation of the left heel. 40'

side of the blank at the juncture of the high heel and sole section thereof.

Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates the last course of one of the high heels and the first course of the adjoining sole section of the blank topped on the two sets of needles subsequent to the knitting of the heel tabs.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a needle bar with the needles arranged thereon in accordance with the invention.

Figure 6 is an end view of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross section taken on line of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a front elevation on an enlarged scale of one of the non-knitting needles.

and heel tab during the knitting and joining of the left heel tab.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like characters .of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, I have shown in Figure 1 a full-fashioned single unit stocking blank I comprising the leg fabric 2, instep fabric 3, high heel sections 6, sole sections 5, and'toe 6. the sole sections 5 being knitted to form continuations of the high heel sections 4.

In accordance with the usual practice, in the knitting of full-fashioned stockingblanks of this description, a reinforcing yarn is employed in the knitting of the high heel sections 4, sole sections 5, and the toe 6. In order to provide a line of demarcation between the adjacent high heel sections and sole sections which are later to be separated, to permit the insertion of the heel tabs 8, short non-reinforced courses 9 are suitably knitted to extend for a width substantially equal to the width of the heel tabs 8 subsequently added.

When preparing the blank I for the addition of the heel tabs, the loops l0 (Figure 3) of the last reinforced course H of each high heel section 4 and the loops l2 of the first reinforced course I3 of each sole section 5 are topped onto the needles M of a hinged topping bar, such as shown in the Dietrich Patent No. 1,998,361. .The non-reinforced courses 9 are then severed to separate the high heel sections 4 and sole sections 5 so that the loops ill of the high heel section 4 and the loops l2 of the sole section 5 may be transferred to the needles of a straight needle bar of a fiat knitting machine, as indicated in Figure 4, and as described and shown in the copending application aforesaid.

The heel tabs 8 are then knitted by means of a feeding yarn as a continuation of the last course of loops ID of the high heel sections 4, no knitting being produced during heel knitting on the first course of loops I2 of the sole sections.

According to the present invention, the needle bar I5 (Figure 5) has mounted thereon a set of knitting needles I6 and a set of non-knitting needles H. The knitting needles l6, which are of the usual known spring beard construction, are arranged in two groups, one group being disposed at each'end portion of the needle bar I5 for engagement with the loops I0 of the left and right high heel section 4, and 'the set of non-knitting needles which have a special construction, is arranged between the two end groups of knitting needles and adapted to engage the loops l2 of the sole sections 5.

As more clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9, the improved non-knitting needles I! each consists of a shank I8 terminating at one end into a butt 19 for engagement with holes in-the needle bar, and at the other end with a head terminating into a short book 20 engageable with the loops for preventing the same from slipping off the needle shank. The portion 2| of the shank immediately adjacent the hook 20 is formed with an eye 22 adapted to receive the tip of an ordinary transfer point for lifting the loop and transferring it in the manner and for the purpose to be presently described. 1

It is pointed out, and it will clearly appear from Figures 6, '7, and 10, that the shanks 18 of the non-knitting needles IT, as compared with the shanks of the knitting needles 16, are longer so thatthe hooks of the former project for a short distance above the hooks of the latter, as indicated at A. v

The sets of needles l6 and I1 respectively, being in engagement with their corresponding loops in themanner hereinbefore stated, the knitting of the heel tabs 8 is carried out.

After the knitting of each succeeding heel course 25 (Figure 11), the loops l2 held on the non-knitting needles II, are transferred so that the adjoining loops of each course of the sole section 5 are successively transferred to the inner selvedge needle 6a, of the knitting group forming the heel tabs 8. The knitting of the heel tabs continues until all of the loops i2 held by the non-knitting needles II have been transferred, thus causing the loops I2 of the first course I3 of each sole section 5 to be interknitted with the inner selvedge 21 of the heel tabs. During the knitting of the heel tabs, as above described, the usual narrowings 28 (Figure 2) are worked therein, the heel tabs being finished off by the knitting of the usual loose ravel courses 29 to form the finished blank. e

Because of the provision of the short hook 20 on each non-knitting needle II, it will be appreciated that when the needle bar descends during the knitting movements, in order that the knitted,

loops 30 (Figure 11) of the heel tabs 8, may be cast oif, the loops l2 of the sole sections in engagement with the non -knitting needles I! will be prevented from slipping off the needle shank l8. Furthermore, by reason of the elongated shank 'of the non-knitting needles II, the loops I2 in engagement therewith will not be drawn forcibly against the knockover bits 31 (Figures 6 and 7) during the knockover movement and, accordingly, prevent any undue strain or wear on the loops retained on said non-knitting needles. Likewise, during the press-off movement of the needle bar, the non-knitting needles, due to their short hooks and also because of the elongated;

shanks, will clear the usual presser bar 32 of the knitting machine, thus eliminating the possibility of accidental press-off. However, the provision of the short hook on each non-knitting needle does not prevent proper engagement of the transfer point with the. eye of said non-knitting needle since said short hook will enter the groove of the corresponding. transfer point allowing the latterto engage the loop for its transfer in the usual manner.

In concluding, attention is called to the fact that theembodiment shown and described herein as a'specific example may vary without departing from the general principle of the invention. Ac-

cordingly, any modification coming within the scope of the subjoined claims is regarded as being within the scope of. the invention.

What I claim is: V

1. In a straight needle bar fitted with en masse operating needles, certain of said needles being of the flexible hook or ordinary spring beard type and others being of the rigid open hook type.

2. In a straight needle bar fitted with en masse operating needles, certain of said needles being of the flexible hook or ordinary spring beard type and others being of the rigid open hook type, both types having grooved eyes formed in their'shanks to receive ordinary narrowing points.

3. In a straight needle barifltted with en masse operating needles, certain of said needles being of the flexible hook or ordinary spring beard type and others being of the rigid open hook type, both types having grooved eyes formed in their shanks to receive ordinary narrowing points, the open rigid hooked needles being somewhat longer than the bearded type.

4. In a straight needle bar fitted with en masse operating needles arranged in adjacent groups, the needles in certain groups being of the flexible hook or ordinary spring beard type and the needles in other groups being of the-rigid open hook type.

5. In a straight needle bar fitted with en masse operating needles arranged in a central group and side groups, the needles in the central group having rigid open hook heads, and the needles in the side groups having flexible hook or ordinary spring beard heads.

6. In a straight needle bar fitted with en masse operating needles arranged in a central group and side groups, the needles in the central group having rigid open hook heads, and the needles in the side groups having flexible hook or ordinary spring beard heads, the headsof the needles in the central group projecting above the heads of the needles in the side groups.

7. In a straight needle bar fitted with en masse operating needles arranged in a central group and side groups, the needles in the central group having rigid open hookheads, and the needles in the side groups having flexible hook or ordinary spring beard heads, the heads of the needles in the central group projecting above the heads of the needles in the side groups, all the needles being formed with grooved eyes for the later engagement with narrowing implements.

8. In a needle bar for fiat knitting machines of the character described, a straight needle bar of the unitary type, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles arranged in said bar, said non-knitting needles projecting for a distance above the heads of the knitting needles.

9. In a needle bar for fiat knitting machines of the character described, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles, said knitting and non-knitting needles terminating with a loop engaging hook, said non-knitting needles projecting for a distance above the heads of the knitting needles and having their hooks shorter than those of said knitting needles.

10. In a needle bar for flat knitting machines of the character described provided with transfer points, a straight needle bar of the unitary type, a set of knitting needles and a set of non-knitting needles arranged in said bar, said non-knitting needles projecting for a distance above the heads of the knitting needles, and means formed in said non-knitting needles for cooperation with the transfer points of the knitting machine during the function thereof.

11. In a needle bar for fiat knitting machines of the character described provided with transfer points, a set of knitting needles and a set of nonknitting needles, each of said knitting and nonknitting needles terminating with a loop engaging hook, said non-knitting needles projecting for a distance above the heads of the knitting needles and having their hooks shorter than those of the knitting needles, and means formed in said nonknitting needles immediately adjacent the short hooks thereof for cooperation with the transfer points of the knitting machine during the function thereof.

12. In combination, a straight needle bar of the unitary type, a set of knitting needles, and a set of non-knitting needles, said knitting needles being arranged in two groups, one group being disposed at each end portion of the needle bar, and said set of non-knitting needles being arranged in one group on the needle bar and disposed between the two end groups of knitting needles, said non-knitting needles projecting for a predetermined distance above the heads of the knitting needles.

13. In combination, a straight needle bar, a set I of knitting needles, and a set of non-knitting needles, said knitting needles being arranged in two groups, one group being disposed at each end portion of the needle bar, each of said knitting and non-knitting needles terminating with a loop engaging hook, said non-knitting needles projecting for a distance above the heads of the set of knitting needles, and having their hooks shorter than those of the knitting needles.

14. In combination, a straight needle bar, a set of transfer points,'a set of knitting needles, and a set of non-knitting needles, said knitting needles being arranged in two groups, one group being disposed at each end portion of the needle bar,

each of said knitting and non-knitting needles engaging hook, said non-knitting needles having their shanks longer and their hooks shorter than those of the knitting needles whereby to retain loops in engagement with said non-knitting needles by clearing the presser edge of the knitting machine during the press-ofl operation of the knitting needles.

16. In a knitting machine of the character described, including a presser bar and knockover bits: a needle bar provided with knitting needles and non-knitting needles, each knitting and non knitting needle having a shank terminating into a loop engaging hook, said non-knitting needles having their shanks longer and their hooks shorter than those of the knitting needles whereby to retain loops in engagement with the nonknitting needles by clearing said presser barv during the press-oil? operation of the knitting needles to prevent said loops from being forced into contact with the corresponding knockover bits during the cast-off operation of the knitting needles.

17. In a knitting machine of the character described including a presser bar, knockover bits, and transfer points:' a needle bar provided with knitting needles and non-knittingneedles, each of said knitting and non-knitting needles having a shank terminating into a loop engaging hook, said non-knitting needles having their shanks longer and their books shorter than those of the knitting needles whereby to retain loops in engagement with the non-knitting needles by clearing said presser bar during the press-off operation of the knitting needles, and to prevent said loops from being forced between the knockover bits during the cast-off operation of the knitting needles; each non-knitting needle having an eye formed in the portion immediately adjacent the transfer points of the knitting machine whereby the loop on said non-knitting needle may be transferred by the associated'point.

18. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination of a set of knockover bits, a flat needle bar of the unitary type,- a set of knitting needles carried thereby, and a set of non-knitting needles carried by said bar and associated with the knitting needles, said set of non-knitting needles and said set of knitting needles being relatively of a length that the knitting needles are capable of drawing the loops between the knockover bits and said non-knitting needles are incapable of drawing the loops between the knockover bits.

19. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, in combination, a presser bar, a set of knockover bits, a straight needle bar of the unitary type, a row of knitting needles and a row of non-knitting needles carried by said bar for bringing the knitting and non-knitting needles adjacent the presser bar by moving said needles to a position between the knockover bits, all of the heads of the row of non-knitting needles being arranged in a higher plane than the plane of the heads of the knitting needles so that the heads of the knitting needles may perform knitting operations through their cooperation with the presser edge and knockover bits, but the heads of the non-knitting needles are prevented from contacting the presser edge and from drawing loops into operative relationship with said knockover bits and, therefore, incapable of performing knitting operations.

ARNOLD VERBEEK.

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