US3115761A

US3115761A - Feeder arrangement for circular knitting machines

Info

Publication number: US3115761A
Application number: US54155A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schmidt Richard
Original assignee: Franz Morat GmbH
Current assignee: Franz Morat GmbH
Priority date: 1959-09-07
Filing date: 1960-09-06
Publication date: 1963-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1980-12-31

Description

Dec. 31, 1963 R. SCHMIDT 5,

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Spt. 6, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 31, 1963 R. SCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES v Filed Sept. 6, 1960 l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 31, 1963 RESCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 6, 1960 1O Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 3

W SM 7 W3. wk

R. SCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Dec. 31, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 6, 1960 INVENTOR. KMaM 24/41/00 UEEE EEEMWEEEWEEEW Dec. 31, 1963 R. SCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 6, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. E 5 [MW AW/W R. SCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Dec. 31, 1963 Filed Sept. 6, 1960 I 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 31, 1963 R. SCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 6,. 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 WSW Dec. 31, 1963 R. SCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 6, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 FFI'm i k W Mfr-m? lllilliii IHIIIHIIIVIIH liiiiliiiili 26a'- ll INVENTOR.

BY fluzm x mzaf Ak/flr W/ Dec. 31, 1963 R. SCHMIDT 3,115,761

FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 6, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 WWWWW United States Patent 3,115,761 FEEDER ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Richard Schmidt, Stuttgart, Vaihingen, Germany, assignor to Franz Morat G.m.b.H., Stuttgart-Vaigingen, Germany Filed Sept. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 54,155 Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 7, 1959 30 Claims. (Cl. 66-131) The present invention relates to a feeder arrangement for circular knitting machines, and more particularly to a feeder arrangement for supplying a yarn to the dial and cylinder needles of the machine during selectable knitting periods.

One object of the present invention is to provide a small yarn feeder member which is very light, and can be easily operated by remote control requiring very little power.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeder arrangement by which a 1 x l rib culf knitted of two yarns can be knitted to an interlock fabric.

Another object of the. present invention is to provide a feeder arrangement which can be operated by electromagnetic means. 1

Another object of the present invention is to provide feeder members of such small size that several feeder members can be provided at each feed station for supplying different yarns, which may be selected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide at each feeding station of a circular knitting machine, a movable feeder member for supplying a yarn in addition to a yarn supplied through a stationary feeder plate.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a feeder arrangement by which a yarn is supplied to the dial and knitting needles of a circular knitting machine so as to he knitted into a fabric in a selectable length, whereupon the yarn is cut olf and the feeder arrangement held ready until it is again desired to supply a yarn to a knitted fabric.

With these objects in view, an embodiment of the pres ent invention comprises stationary cutting means, preferably mounted on a feeder plate having a guide face, a feeder member having an eye for a yarn, support means for supporting the feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which the eye is located at the level of the dial needles of the knitting machine, a second position in which the eye is located below the dial needles so that a yarn passing through the eye is caught by the dial needles and a third position above the dial needles for holding the yarn against a cutting means and the guide surface of the feeder plate whereby the yarn is cut, and control means for the feeder member, for example electromagnetic means mounted on the support means. At the beginning of an operation, the feeder member has a cutoff yarn end in its eye, and is in its first position. The control means move the feeder member, whenever desired, from the first normal position to the second position so that the yarn in the eye of the feeder member is caught by the dial needles. This movement is short, and the feeder member is immediately moved back to the first position so that the caught yarn is knitted by the dial needles and the cylinder needles. When knitting of the yarn is no longer desired, the control means shift the feeder member to the third position in which the yarn is held against the cutting means, and is cut off. Thereupon, the feeder member is moved back to its normal position holding a cutolf yarn end in readiness for the next supply operation.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a clamping means is provided on the support means for clamping the yarn in the eye of the feeder member when the same is in the third position. In this manner, the yarn is tensioned between the portion knitted into the fabric by the needles, and the clamping means and the eye so that the yarn is easily cut by the cutting means. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the cutting means is mounted on a feeder plate, a clamping member is mounted on the feeder plate inter mediate the :cutting means and the feeder member, so that the thread end is clamped under the clamping member after being cut off whereby the yarn is securely held in the eye of the feeder member in the normal first position of the feeder member. During the knitting operation, when the feeder member is also in its normal first position, the knitting needles draw the yarn through the eye, and pull the yarn end out of the clamping member.

It is also possible to supply all yarns through movable feeder members, in which event all yarns can be varied in accordance with the pattern and design.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feeder arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the feeder arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the feeder arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the feeder arrangement taken on ime IV-IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the feeder arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 5a is a sectional view of the feeder support of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary \axial sectional view of a circular knitting machine provided with the feeder arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7 7g, 7h and 7i, are fragmentary perspective views illustrating successive operational positions of the feeder member of the present invention during a knitting operation on the circular knitting machine shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 6, a circular knitting machine has a needle cylinder 53' which rotates about a vertical axis, and is provided with vertical grooves on the outer cylindrical surface thereof. A set of cylinder needles 54 is guided in these grooves, the needles having butts 54a guided in tracks of cam means 55 which are fixed in a cam box 56.

The dial 58 rotates about the same axis, and has radial slots in which the dial needles 57 are guided. Dial needles 57 have butts 57a sliding in the track of the dial cam means 59 which are mounted on the dial cam plate 50. During rotation of the needle cylinder 53-, and of dial 58, the cylinder needles and dial needles will be advanced and retracted in a selected sequence to perform a knitting operation. The dial and knitting needles are of the well known type provided with hooks and latches.

Cams 55 and 59 have adjustable cam parts by which selected cylinder needles and dial needles are moved to knit position. Electromagnetic means 60 and 61 are provided for operating the dial cam means 5 9 for this purpose, The cylinder needles 54 are controlled by conventional pattern wheels.

A feeder arrangement according to the present invention is mounted at each feed station which also has a set of electromagnetic control means 6t 61 for the cams of the dial needles, and a pattern wheel for the cylinder needles. Micro switches are indicated in 6 at 62, 63 and 64 and are controlled by

cams

62a, 63a, 640 which are mounted on the dial 58 for turning movement therewith. Cam followers connect

cams

62a, 63a, 64a with the

switches

62, 63, 6 4 so that the same are operated in a selected sequence determined by the cams. Cams 62a, 63a, 64a are provided in the opening through which the adjustment of the dial cams is effected. The micro switches control electromagnetic means 60, 61 and electromagnetic means 15 for the feeder member 2, as will be described hereinafter.

At each feed station of the machine, a holding means 26 is secured to the dial cam cap 50 and supports a feeder arrangement of the present invention, as better seen in FIG. 5. A shaft 25 is turnable in bearings of holding means 26, and a member 34 is attached by a screw 25a to shaft 25. Screw 25a passes through a slot in member 34, so that the position of member 34 can be longitudinally adjusted on shaft 25. A feeder plate 18 is secured by a screw 118 to the lower end of member 84, while the upper end of member 34 turnably supports a support means 3 3 which can be clamped in adjusted positions by a screw 3 Support means 33 comprises two springy parts surrounding a tubular member 3, so that the same is clamped in support 33 when screw 33a is tightened. Tubular member 3 is part of the support means of the movable feeder member 2 which has an eye 1 for yarn. A clamping member 22, and a cutting means 21 are mounted on the feeder plate 18. Clamping member 22 is a U-shaped wire secured by screw 23 to a projecting part of the feeder plate which permits an adjustment of clamping member 22. The yoke portion of the U-shaped member clamping member 22 is bent outwardly at 212a.

Feeder plate 18-has a pointed end trailing in direction of the movement of the needles and having a sharp edge in the region of the latches of the cylinder needles. At the thicker leading end, an eye 26 for a yarn may be provided, which extends from the front face of feeder plate '18 to the bottom face 13c. A downwardly inclined face 18z is located adjacent bottom face 180, and the cutting edge 2111 of cutting means 21 is located in this region and extends transverse to a fiat guide face 1811. A concave guide face 18d extends from the flat guide face 18h toward the pointed end of feeder plate 18. Clamping member 22 is located on the flat guide face 18h adjacent a shoulder between guide face 1 811 and the face 180 on the leading end 1812 of feeder member 18.

' As is best seen in FIG. 6, the rear face of feeder plate 18 is located in a plane tangential to the circle of the cylinder needles 54, and the feeder member 2 is located in a radial plane passing through the aXis of rotation of the dial 58 and the cylinder 53, and is inclined at an acute angle to the feeder plate 18. The support arrangement for the feeder member 2 is best seen in FIG. a. Tubular member 3, which is clamped in support 33, is closed at its upper end by an end member 80 provided with a bearing bore in which the rod-shaped feeder member 2 is slidably mounted. The other end of tubular member 3 is closed by a conical member 30 in which a sleeve 31 is slidably mounted, sleeve 31 being arrested by a screw 32 in adjusted positions. A projection 14 is provided on the feeder member 2, and engaged by flanged bushings '10 and 11. A pair of

springs

12 and 13 abuts end member 80 and sleeve 31, as well as bushings and '11, so that feeder member 2 is held in a normal position in which the eye 1 is substantially located at the level of the bottom face 180 of the feeder plate and on the level of the dial needles 57.

Projecting part 14 is provided with a longitudinal slot 140 in which a pin 104 is located for preventing turning of feeder member 2. Electromagnetic means including two coils are located in tubular member 3 and surround the projecting portion 14, which is made of a ma netizable material so that energization of one of the coils of electromagnetic means 15 will shift feeder member 2 upwards, while energization-of the other coil will shift feeder member 2 downwards out of its normal position into which it is urged by

springs

12 and 13, and held by arresting means 81.

A wire 51 is connected to electromagnetic means 15 and has at the end thereof a plug 52 which is plugged into a corresponding socket on the machine, as best seen in FIG. 6.

The lower end of feeder member 2 is somewhat thicker as shown at 2a so as .to be slidably guided in the tubular sleeve 31. The end of feeder member 2 is reduced adjacent the eye 1, and a conical part 2b is attached thereto by screw 20 so that the surface of feeder member 2 flares between eye 1 and the end of the feeder member.

When feeder member 2 is moved to its upper position by energization of the electromagnetic means 15, the eye '1 moves into the bore of the tubular sleeve 31 until the conical part 211 prevents further movement. A yarn passing through eye 1 will be clamped in this position between the end of tubular clamping means 3 1 and the end portion of feeder member 2.

Referring again to FIG. 5, it will be seen that clamping member 22 is located between feeder member 2. and cutting means 21, although, of course, feeder member 2 is transversely spaced from the plane in which the fiat surface lfih, clamping member 22, and cutting means 2-1 are located. The operation of the feeding arrangement of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 5, 5a and 6, will be best understood with reference to FIGS. 7a to 7i which illustrate different positions assumed by the feeder member during a knitting operation. Cylinder 53 and dial 538 are only schematically indicated in FIGS. 7a to 7i, and the needles are not shown for the sake 'of clarity, except where required for an understanding of the operation.

FIG. 7a shows feeder member 2 in a first position into which it is urged by

springs

12 and 13. In this normal position, the eye 1 is located substantially at the level of the dial needles. 'In FIG. 7a, the yarn 28 passes through eye 1, is clamped on flat face 1811 by clamping member 22, and has a free end which may slide on cylinder 53, or hang down. 'It is also possible that this free end is cut off by cutting means 21 due to a preceding operation, as will be explained hereinafter. When it is desired to supply yarn 28 to the needles, the electromagnetic means 15 is energized, for example by micro switch 62 under control of cam 62a, so that feeder member 2 is shifted to a lower second position in which the eye 1 is located below the level of the dial needles, as shown in FIG. 7b.

Since feeder member 2 is stationary, and dial 58 moves with dial needles '57 in direction of the arrow 570 in FIG. 70, the dial needles '57 pass feeder member 2 and a dial needle 57 will catch thread 28 since the same extends across the plane of the dial needles from the clamping member 22 to the eye 1 of feeder member 2.

As the dial 58 turns further, successive dial needles 57 catch the thread between dial needle 57 and feeder member 2, as shown in FIGS. 7d and 7e. Between the position shown in FIG. 70 and the position shown in FIG. 7e, the respective coil of electromagnetic means 15 have been deenergized, .so that feeder member 2 returns to its normal position in which eye 1 is located at the level of the dial needles.

The yarn 28 is thus knitted by needles 5% and 57, and it is possible'to knit the fabric only of yarn 28, or to supply another yarn through the eye 20 in the feeder plate 13.

As the dial moves on with the needles 5'7, yarn 28 is drawn through eye 1, and finally the yarn end, which was held under clamping member 22, is pulled out of clamping member 22 so that the position of FIG. 7 is obtained. The knitting of yarn 23 may now be continued in the normal position of feeder member 2 as shown '2? this operation, electromagnetic means is deenergized, and the springs return feeder member 2 to its normal position with the cut off yarn end clamped under clamping member 22 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. The device is now in a position of readiness.

It is again desired to knit yarn 28 into the fabric, the other coil of the electromagnetic means 15 is energized so that feeder member 21 is moved to its lower position in which eye 1' is in the position lb, as indicated in bnoken lines in FIG. 2. The yarn portion between clamping member 22 and the lowered eye 1b extends across the dial needles, substantially as explained with reference to FIGS. 7b and 70, so that yarn 28 is caught by the needles which knit yarn 28 while spring 13 returns feeder member 2 to its normal position in which yarn 28 is guided by the bottom face 180' behind projection 18f, as shown in FIG. 2. During the knitting operation, the yarn is drawn through eye '1, and the clamped yarn end is pulled out of the clamping member 22 as described with reference to FIG. 7

In the illustrated embodiments, the electromagnetic means 15 constitutes operating means for the feeder member, and is controlled by remote control means including cams on the dial '58, and micro switches controlled by cam followers cooperating with the control cams, as shown in FIG. 6. Instead of electromagnetic means, hydraulic operating means may be provided including a piston in tubular member 3. The piston is shifted by fluid supplied under control of control valves which may be operated by cams corresponding to the arrange rent of the micro switches 6-2 to 64 and the cams 62a to 64a. The operating means may also be controlled by electro-hydnaulic program control means in a manner explained in the textbook Hydraulische Antriebe, A. Duerr and O. Wachter, page 185. A mechanically control-led control valve for the hydraulic operating means is described in the same textbook on page 117.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of circular knitting machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a feeder arrangement for circular knitting machines having dial needles and cylinder needles, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; cutting means; a feeder member having a part for guiding a yarn; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said part is located in the region of said dial needles, a second position in which said part is located relative to said dial needles so that a yarn guided by said part is caught by said dial needles, and a third position for holding the yarn at said cutting means so that the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut, and back to said first position for holding the cut yarn end.

2. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut, and back to said first position for holding the cut yarn end.

3. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut, said support means including a clamping means cooperating with said feeder member in said third position for clamping the yarn in the eye of said feeder member so that the yarn is tensioned on said guide surface of said feeder plate between said cutting means and clamping means during the cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut, and back to said first position for holding the cut yarn end.

4. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

5. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut, said support means including a clamping means cooperating with said feeder member in said third position for clamping the yarn in the eye of said feeder member so that the yarn is tensioned on said guide surface of said feeder plate under said clamping member between said cutting means and clamping means during the cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

6. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface and an eye for supplying a yarn to said cylinder and dial needles; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

7. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface and a bottom face formed with a projection adjacent said guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member and above said projection on said bottom face of said feeder plate; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is guided on said bottom face behind said projection while being knitted, to said third position so that the yarn slips over said projection onto said guide face under said clamping member and is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

8. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface and a bottom face formed with a projection adjacent said guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member and above said projection on said bottom face of said feeder plate; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles and at the level of said bottom face of said feeder plate, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut, said support means including a clamping means cooperating with said feeder member in said third position for clamping the yarn in the eye of said feeder member so that the yarn is tensioned on said guide surface of said feeder plate between said cutting means and clamping means during the cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is guided on said bottom face behind said projection while being knitted, to said third position so that the yarn slips over said projection onto said guide face under said clamping member and is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

9. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means mounted on said feeder plate for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holdingthe cut and clamped yarn end.

10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 9' wherein said feeder plate has an upright extension projecting upwardly from the same; and wherein said support means is movably mounted on said extension for adjusting movement toward and away from, and parallel to said guide surface; and means for securing said support means on said extension in adjusted positions whereby the position of said eye of said feeder member in said first normal position is determined.

11. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a dial cam cap; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means mounted on said feeder plate for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; holder means for supporting said feeder plate with said support means and feeder member on said dial cam plate movable between a normal operative position, and a position retracted from the working region of said cylinder and dial needles; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11 wherein said holder means includes a bearing means secured to said dial cam cap, a horizontal shaft turnably mounted in said bearing means, and means for securing said feeder plate to said shaft for turning movement with the same between said normal and retracted positions.

13. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a plurality of feeder members, each feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means for supporting each of said feeder members for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, said eyes of said feeder members being located at the same point when said feeder members are in said first position, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needless for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving selected feeder members holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

14. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4 wherein said feeder plate has a pointed end trailing in direction of the movement of said needles and a sharp edge in the region of said pointed end, wherein said guide surface is concave in the region of said pointed end, has a flat portion in the region of said clamping member, and has a downwardly inclined surface portion in the region of its other end, said cutting means being a cutting blade located in the region of said downwardly inclined surface portion and having a cutting edge closely spaced from said clamping member and extending transversely through the plane of said flat portion of said guide surface so that a yarn held by said clamping member on said fiat portion is guided onto said cutting edge.

15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 14 wherein said clamping member is a substantially U-shaped wire member having leg portions resiliently abutting said fiat portion of said guide surface, and an outwardly bent yoke portion located at the level of the bottom surface of said feeder plate.

16. An arrangement as set forth in claim 15 wherein said feeder plate has between said other end thereof and said fiat portion of said guide surface, a shoulder, one leg of said wire member being located adjacent said shoulder.

17. An arrangement as set forth in claim 15 and including means for adjustably mounting said wire member on said feeder plate.

18. An arrangement as set forth in claim 14 wherein said feeder plate has a fiat substantially horizontal bottom face at said other end thereof merging into said downwardly inclined surface, and a projection on said bottom face adjacent said fiat portion of said guide surface located in the region of said clamping member so that a yarn may be guided on said bottom face behind said proiection and over said downwardly inclined surface, said cutting edge being located above said projection and said bottom face.

19. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a substantially vertical guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member of elongated shape having at one end thereof an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means for supporting said feeder member in a position inclined to said guide face and located in a radial plane with respect to said dial needles, and for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of saidfeeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

20. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder needles; a set of dial needles; a feeder plate located in the working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles so that a yam passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means including remote controlled operating means mounted on said support means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

21. An arrangement as set forth in claim 20 wherein said support means includes a tubular member, a pair of end members at the ends of said tubular member having aligned bearing bores; and wherein said feeder member has a rod-shaped portion passing through said bearing bores; and wherein said operating means is located in said tubular member.

22. An arrangement as set forth in claim 21 and including a projecting portion on said rod-shaped portion; and springs abutting said projecting portion and said end members, respectively, for holding said rod-shaped portion in a position in which said feeder member is in said first normal position so that said feeder member tends to return to said first normal position.

23. An arrangement as set forth in claim 20 wherein said operating means is an electromagnetic means located in said tubuiar member; and wherein said feeder member has a core portion located in said tubular member in the region of said electromagnetic means so that the feeder member is shifted when said electromagnetic means is energized.

24. An arrangement as set forth in claim 20 wherein said support means include a tubular member, and a pair of end members formed with bearing bores; wherein said operating means is a pair of electromagnetic coils; wherein said feeder member has a rod-shaped portion slidably guided in said bearing bores for longitudinal movement, and an electromagnetic core member on said rod-shaped portion located Within said electromagnetic coils so as to be shifted by the same in opposite directions for moving said feeder member to said second and third positions, respecitvely; and a pair of springs abutting said core member and said end members, respectively, for holding said feeder member in said first normal position.

25. An arrangement as set forth in claim 24 and including a tubular clamping means mounted on said support means surrounding and slidably guiding said rodshaped portion of said feeder member in the region of said eye; and wherein said eye is at least partly located in said tubular clamping means in said third position of said feeder member whereby a yarn passing through said 14 eye is clamped between said tubular clamping means and said feeder member.

26. An arrangement as set forth in claim 20 and including a tubular clamping means mounted on said support means surrounding and slidably guiding said feeder member in the region of said eye; and wherein said eye is at least partly located in said tubular clamping means in said third position of said feeder member whereby a yarn passing through said eye is clamped between said tubular clamping means and said feeder member.

27. An arrangement as set forth in claim 26 wherein said feeder member has said eye spaced a short distance from one end thereof, said feeder member having a flaring surface between said eye and said one end for clamping the yarn against said tubular clamping means.

28. An arrangement as set forth in claim 27 wherein said feeder member has a rod-shaped part, and a conical part secured to said one end adjacent said eye and providing said flaring surface.

29. An arrangement as set forth in claim 26 and including means for adjusting the position of said tubular clamping means on said support means and along said feeder member.

30. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a set of cylinder'needles; a set of dial needles; means for rotating said sets of needles about an axis of notation; a feeder plate located in the Working region of said cylinder and dial needles and having a guide surface; cutting means mounted on said feeder plate; a feeder member having an eye for a yarn and being located opposite said guide surface; a clamping member mounted on said feeder plate intermediate said cutting means and said feeder member; support means for supporting said feeder member for movement in a radial plane through said axis of rotation and in a direction inclined at an acute angle to said axis of rotation between a first normal position in which said eye is located substantially at the level of said dial needles, a second position in which said eye is located below the level of said dial needles and closer spaced in radial direction from said cylinder needles than in said first position so that a yarn passing through said eye is caught by said dial needles, and a third position above the level of said dial needles in which said eye is farther spaced in radial direction fnom said cylinder needles than in said first position for holding the yarn under said clamping member on said guide surface of said feeder plate and against said cutting means whereby the yarn is cut; and control means for moving said feeder member holding a cutoff yarn from said first normal position to said second position so that the yarn is caught by said dial needles, back to said first position so that the yarn is knitted, to said third position so that the yarn is cut and has the end thereof clamped by said clamping member on said feeder plate, and back to said first position for holding the cut and clamped yarn end.

No references cited.