US3115023A - Process for the production of warp knitted plush fabrics - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 24, 1963 w. MOSIG ETAL 3,115,023

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WARP KNITTED PLUSH FABRICS s Sheets-Sheet 1- Filed June 15, 1959 Dec. 24, 1963 w. MOSlG ETAL PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WARP KNITTED PLUSH FABRICS Filed June 15, 1959 25 3;? 2/ Q 24 N. m I 9 I I /4 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS M44 Y Mas/a 07-7-0 MEI SEZ/IHL K/xws Say/44mm; Wen/v5? AW Dec. 24, 1963 w. MOSIG ETAL 3,115,023

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WARP KNITTED PLUSH FABRICS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 15, 1959 INVENTORS ML 1. Y Ma $16 0770 ME/SEZflA L #AA/s Saw/LUNG WERNER Aa/msl? United States Patent 3,115,023 PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WARP KNITTED PLUSH FABRICS Willy Mosig, Otto Meisezahl, Hans Schilling, and Werner Kohler, all of Apolda, Germany, assignors to VEB Werkmaschinenbau Apolda, Ap'olda, Germany Filed June 15, 1959, Ser. No. 820,192 9 Claims. (Cl. 66-84) This invention relates in general to knitting machines and particularly to a new and useful machine and method for producing single and double plush wherein the plush threads are brought with their reversing points surrounding the knitting needles to the loops of the previously formed foundation row hanging on the knitting needles and thereafter cast off together with these loops over the foundation loops of the following row.

It has been known for a long time to produce plush on warp knitting machines, particularly on so-called Raschel or double rib looms. These machines produce not only looped plush, but also double plush, so-called cut plush. T ese materials are generally so produced that the plush threads for the formation of a new row are laid together with the foundation material over the knitting needles, after which the loops of the previously formed foundation row, which hang on the knitting needles, are cast off over these new layers. This way the plush threads form loops with the foundation threads and thus tend to adhere to the bottom of the material. Such plush goods can therefore only be used for certain purposes, but they are not suitable as floor coverings, for example, because floor covering plush threads must stand perpendicularly to the foundation.

It is also known to tie in the plush threads as wefts into the foundation. But this results only in an unsatisfactory material, because the knitting needles do not participate at all in the securing of the plush threads. The lengths of the loops formed on the knitting needles cannot be properly controlled, so that goods with uneven plush loops would result. In particular, the insertion of the wefts cannot be used in the production of double plush. A prerequisite for the insertion of wefts is that the plush threads are inserted into the upper and rear thread guide devices, respectively. Two devices would thus have to be provided for the production of double plush, arranged on the outside of the two thread guide devices for the foundation threads, which is practically impossible.

'In plush goods where the plush threads form loops there is also an undesired high consumption of plush threads.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages and provides a construction in which the plush threads are guided with their reversing points surrounding the knitting needles to the loops of the previously formed foundation row hanging on the knitting needles, and are cast olf together with these loops over the foundation loops of the following row.

This process can be carried out in two ways. One consists in that the plush threads are laid over the reciprocable knitting needles together with the foundation material to form a new row, and they are brought, before they are cast off, separately to the loops of the previously formed foundation row which hang on the knitting needles. The second way is to put them together with the foundation material over the knitting needles to form a new row, but so low that they arrive at the loops of the foundation row hanging on the knitting needles.

The warp knitting machine used for carrying out the above described processes, particularly the double rib loom (Raschel), is characterized either by means moving parallel to the longitudinal axis of the knitting needles to displace the plush threads in the direction toward the loops of the previously formed foundation hanging on the 'knitting needles, or by guide means for the plush threads, which lay them directly over the loops of the previously formed foundation hanging on the knitting needles.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to pro vide a process for producing plush on a knitting machine comprising laying the plush threads together with the foundation material over the knitting needles when they are in a high position to form a new row, and bringing the looped threads, before they are cast off the knitting needles, to the previously formed foundation row, and then the looped threads together with the foundation row are cast off.

A further object of the invention is to provide a process for producing plush by placing the plush threads together with the foundation material over the knitting needles to form a new row, but directing the plush threads to the row low enough so that they arrive at the loops of the foundation row hanging on the knitting needles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved warp knit-ting machine including means moving parallel to the longitudinal axis of the knitting needles to displace the plush threads in the direction toward the loops of the previously formed foundation hanging on the knitting needles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a warp knitting machine including thread guide means for the plush threads which lay the threads directly over the loops of the previously formed foundation hanging on the knitting needles.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are fragmentary elevational views partly in section showing two operational positions of a knitting mechanism in the production of a simple looped plush;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are fragmentary elevational views partly in section of another embodiment of the invention indicating a knitting mechanism in various operational positions in the production of a double or cut plush;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the driving mechanism for the knitting tools indicated in FIGS. 3 to 6;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary elevations partly in section of another embodiment of the invention employing special thread guides for the plush threads;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the thread guides indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary elevations partly in section of another embodiment of the invention indicating a knitting mechanism in the various stages of operation.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, vertically reciprocable bars 1, standing along the machine frame and having knitting needles 2, are provided. These are pivoted latch needles, the latches being shown at 2a, but they can naturally also be hook needles or slide needles. Opposite each of these knitting needle bars 1 is arranged a vertically reciprocable bar 3 with simple pointed needles 4 which act as plush-thread looping means, as will be eX- plained hereunder.

Only the bars 1 have knitting needles such as 2, the bars 3 having simple straight pointed needles 4 which 3 do not function to effect a stitch formation but serve only to hold the last thread in order to form the head of a loop. The distance at which bars 1 and 3 are spaced is variable so that the length of the plush loops is changeable.

The knitting needles 2 produce the foundation that is laid by means of threads 5 acted upon by a guide bar 6. This bar 6 is the rear bar, or in machines with horizontal knitting needles, the upper bar and can also be termed foundation-thread guiding means. A front or lower guide bar 7 guides the plush threads 8 and may thus be termed plush-thread guiding means. Between the two bars 6 and 7 is arranged a conventional striking or presser plate 9. For the formation of a new row the foundation threads 5 and the plush threads 8 are laid together over the knitting needles 2. These knitting needles 2 and the pointed needles 4 are then in the upper position, as shown. The threads 5, 8 lie over the latches 2a of the knitting needles 2 (FIG. 1). The plush threads 8 are then wrapped around the needles 4 in order to form the plush loops.

Hereafter, the presser plate 9 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 2. This way the plush threads 8 are brought to the loops 10 of the previously formed foundation row, hanging on the knitting needles 2. When this is done, loops 10 are cast olf, together with the respective reversing points or roots of the plush threads 8, over the loops of the newly laid foundation threads 5 hanging in the hooks of the knitting needles 2. The latter thus act as foundation-thread stitching means. This is done by a corresponding descending motion of the bars 1, 3. In the finished product the reversing points of the plush threads 8 connected with the foundation hang in the sinker loops of the foundation. The latter can have any kind of stitch structure in a warp knitted foundation.

On a machine for the production of double plush, as indicated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the bar 3 is provided with knitting needles 11 instead of the pointed needles 4. The needles 11 have latches 11a. Both kinds of needles 2 and 11 act as foundation-thread stitching means, and cooperate in performing the plush-thread looping function. The two bars 1 and 3 are arranged to work alternately. Associated with the knitting needles 11 is a guide bar 12 for a second foundation thread 13. Bars 6, 12 are the foundation-thread guiding means, while bar 7 again performs as the plush-thread guiding means. Besides, this machine has a second presser plate 14 in addition to the presser plate 9. The bar 7 for the plush threads 8 is arranged between these two presser plates 9, 14. The presser plates coact with the afore-mentioned guiding means in bringing the plush thread to the respective reciprocable knitting needles 2, 11 where the foundationthread stitches are formed. The production of double plush is principally the same as that of single plush, only that the two rows of knitting needles 2, 11 each form a foundation, and that the plush threads 8 are tied ofi in both foundations.

FIG. 3 shows the laying over the left row of knitting needles 2, as viewed in the drawing, similarly to the manner indicated in FIG. 1. Here too, the foundation threads 5 and the plush threads 8 lie over the latches 2a of the knitting needles 2. Subsequently the presser plate 9 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 4, after which the loops of the previously formed foundation row are cast off together with the respective reversing points of the plush threads 8 over the thread loops hanging in the heads of the knitting needles 2.

The bar 3 with the knitting needles 11, together with the latches 11a which were, up to now, in the bottom position, is now brought into top position, after which the same cycle is'repeated on this machine side, but with the cooperation of knitting needles 11 and presser plate 14, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6.

The presser plates 9, 14 must thus be operated alternately, which is caused by a cam or eccentric 15 on a main shaft 16 (FIG. 7). Roller levers 17, 18, which are secured on a shaft 19, abut on this main shaft 16.

The shaft 19 carries a double lever 20 in the form of a balance beam which is rocked by the cam 15 acting on the roller levers 17, 18. The presser plates 9, 14 are suspended on arms 21, 22 which are pivotally mounted on shafts 23, 24. On these are provided arms 25 which are connected with the balance beam-double lever 20 by rods 26, 27 and they are reciprocated in timed sequence to produce the desired knitting operation. For the adjustment of the stroke of the presser plates 9, 14 the rods 26, 27 are variable in their lengths in known manner.

For the production of the above described goods we can also proceed by laying the plush threads 8 together with the foundation material threads 5 and 13 over the knitting needles for the formation of a new row, but so low that they arrive from the beginning at the loops 10 of the previously formed foundation row hanging on the knitting needles 2 and 11 below the latches 2a and 11a. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show the special guide means for the plush threads 8 used for this purpose. Referring to FIG. 10, the thread guide means consists of an elongated needle or like member 28 with a thread guide tube 29 for each plush thread 8. Under the tube 29 are provided two tongues 30, 31 between which the plush thread 8 is guided to a distributing point 32. The tongues 30, 31 are so long that the distributing point 32 is brought under the latches 2a of the knitting needles 2. In contrast to the foundation threads (not shown in FIGS. 8, 9), the plush threads 8 are thus laid from the beginning directly over the loops of the previously formed foundation hanging on the knitting needles 2.

According to FIGS. 11, 12 the same guide bar 7 is provided for the plush threads 8 as in FIGS. 3 to 6, but on the sides thereof there are provided, in addition, two

spoon-shaped needles 33, 34 for each plush thread 8. These needles are preferably provided on both sides with a pocket between which the plush thtreads 8 run. The same distributing point 32 is thus formed as with the guide means by the tongues 30, 31 in FIG. 10. These needles 33, 34 are also so arranged that the distributing point 32 is under the latches 2a and 11a on the knitting needles 2 and when they are brought to their uppermost position.

It will be understood that the needle members 28 and the spoon-shaped needles 33, 34 of the last-described embodiments also perform the plush-thread guiding function, as has been described before with respect to the previous embodiments.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A process for producing plush fabric by the stitching of plush threads into foundation threads on a warpknitting machine having a plurality of knitting positions each including at least a foundation-thread stitching means, a plush-thread looping means spaced therefrom, and means for guiding the plush thread and at least a foundation thread, comprising the steps of guiding the plush thread and a foundation thread about said stitching means to form a first plush loop, guiding the plush thread about said looping means and back toward said stitching means to form a second plush loop, stitching the foundation thread about said first plush loop so as to hold the plush thread in the stitch, and casting off the plush thread from said stitching means together with the lastformed foundation thread stitch.

2. A process for producing simple plush fabric by the stitching of plush threads into foundation threads on a warp-knitting machine having a plurality of knitting positions each including foundation-thread stitching means having a reciprocable knitting needle, plush-thread looping means spaced from said stitching means and having a rcciprocable looping needle, and means for guiding the plush thread and the foundation thread, comprising the steps of guiding the plush thread and the foundation thread about said knitting needle, guiding the plush thread I plush threads being directly brought to said previous course by means of elongated guide needles.

7. A process for the production of a double plush fabric, having two foundations each including foundation about said looping needle and back towards said knitting 5 warp threads and plush warp threads interconnecting said needle to form a looped plush thread of predetermined length, stitching the foundation thread about the plush thread so as to hold it in the stitch, and casting off the plush thread from said knitting needle together with the last-formed foundation-thread stitch, so as to form a simple plush fabric.

3. A process for producing double plush fabric by the stitching of plush threads into two courses of foundation threads on a warp-knitting machine having a plurality of knitting positions each including two foundationthread stitching means each having a reciprocable knitting needle, and means for guiding said plush-thread and the foundation threads, comprising the steps of guiding each foundation thread alternately about one of said knitting needles, guiding the plush thread alternately about said knitting needles, to form a looped plush thread of pre determined length, stitching each foundation thread alternately about the plush thread so as to hold it in the respective stitches, and casting off the plush thread alternately from one of said knitting needles together with the last-formed respective foundation-thread stitches so as to form a double plush fabric.

4. A process for the production of a plush fabric having plush warp threads and a foundation including foundation warp threads on a warp knitting machine having at each stitching position a guide bar for said plush threads, a guide bar for said foundation threads and two vertically rcciprocable needle bars, at least one of said needle bars being a knitting needle bar having a knitting needle secured thereto and adapted to form stitches from said foundation threads, comprising the steps of alternately applying said plush threads to each of said needle bars by means of said plush guide bar alone, said foundation guide bar being closer to the side of said stitching position lodging said one needle bar than the other one of said needle bars, applying said foundation threads to said one needle bar, retracting the latter so as to form thereon stitches from said foundation threads, bringing said plush threads, from both of said foundation and plush threads laid together over said one needle bar, to foundation stitches of a previously formed course before the next formation of said foundation stitches, and subsequently casting off said plush threads from said one needle bar together with said previous foundation stitches, over the foundation threads to be formed into the next stitches, whereby said foundation will hold said plush threads in said foundation stitches Without stitch formation of their own.

5. A process for the production of a plush fabric according to claim 4, wherein said plush threads for the formation of a new course are applied to said one needle bar simultaneously with said foundation threads and in the same plane therewith, said plush threads being brought to said previous course by means of a presser plate be fore said previous foundation stitches are cast off.

6. A process for the production of a plush fabric according to claim 4, wherein said plush threads for the formation of a new course are applied to said one needle bar simultaneously with said foundation threads, said foundations which are adapted to be separated into two simple plush fabrics, on a Warp knitting machine having at each stitching position a guide bar for said plush threads, a guide bar for said foundation threads of each of said foundations and two vertically reciprocable knitting needle b'ars having each a knitting needle secured thereto and being adapted to form stitches from said foundation threads, comprising the steps of alternately applying said plush threads to each of said needle bars by means of said plush guide bar alone, the latter being placed between said foundation guide bars, applying said foundation threads independently to said needle bars, alternately retracting the latter so as to form thereon respective stitches from said foundation threads, bringing said plush threads, from pairs of said foundation and plush threads laid together over said needle bars, to respective foundation stitches of previously formed courses before the next formation of said foundation stitches, and subsequently and alternately casting off said plush threads from said needle bars together with said respective previous foundation stitches, over the foundation threads to be formed into the next stitches, whereby said foundations will hold said plush threads in said foundation stitches without stitch formations of their own.

8. A process for the production of a double plush fabric according to claim 7, wherein said plush threads for the formation of respective new courses are applied to said needle bars simultaneously With the respective foundation threads and in the same planes therewith, said plush threads being brought to said previous courses by means of two presser plates, respectively interposed between said plush guide bar and each of said foundation guide bars, before said previous foundation stitches are cast off.

9. A process for the production of a double plush fabric according to claim 7, wherein said plush threads for the formation of respective new courses are applied to said needle bars simultaneously with the respective foundation threads, said plush threads being directly brought to said previous courses by means of elongated guide needles.

References fitted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,924,649 Morton Aug. 29, 1933 2,557,482 Stolle et al. July 19, 1951 2,560,311 Stolle et al. July 10, 1951 2,891,396 MacCaifray June 23, 1959 2,907,191 MacCaffray Oct. 6, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 328,175 France Dec. 17, 1903 OTHER REFERENCES Textbook Warp Knitting Technology, D. F. Paling, Harlequin Press, Manchester and London, 1952, pages 188, 191 and 192,

Claims (1)

1. A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING PLUSH FABRIC BY THE STITCHING OF PLUSH THREADS INTO FOUNDATION THREADS ON A WARPKNITTING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF KNITTING POSITIONS EACH INCLUDING AT LEAST A FOUNDATION-THREAD STITCHING MEANS, A PLUSH-THREAD LOOPING MEANS SPACED THEREFROM, AND MEANS FOR GUIDING THE PLUSH THREAD AND AT LEAST A FOUNDATION THREAD, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF GUIDING THE PLUSH THREAD AND A FOUNDATION THREAD ABOUT SAID STITCHING MEANS TO FORM A FIRST PLUSH LOOP, GUIDING THE PLUSH THREAD ABOUT SAID LOOPING MEANS AND BACK TOWARD SAID STITCHING MEANS TO FORM A SECOND PLUSH LOOP, STITCHING THE FOUNDATION THREAD ABOUT SAID FIRST PLUSH LOOP SO AS TO HOLD THE PLUSH THREAD IN THE STITCH, AND CASTING OFF THE PLUSH THREAD FROM SAID STITCHING MEANS TOGETHER WITH THE LASTFORMED FOUNDATION THREAD STITCH.

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