US3292393A

US3292393A - Pattern control arrangement for circular knitting machines

Info

Publication number: US3292393A
Application number: US361310A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ribler Erich
Original assignee: MORAT KG FRANZ
Current assignee: FRANZ MORAT K G; MORAT KG FRANZ
Priority date: 1963-04-20
Filing date: 1964-04-20
Publication date: 1966-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-20
Also published as: AT275002B; NL141253B; NL6403624A; LU45889A1; CH433568A; GB992564A; SE309646B; BE646782A; DE1223984B

Description

E. RIBLER` PATTERN CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FORl CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 20, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l FVG. zo

PATTERN CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR .CIRCULAR KNITTIN MACHINES Filed April 20, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 5

I l 9 ig s Ach a l v l 7b 77a 9' 180 78 77 R PATTERN CONTROL ARRANCEMENT FCR CIRCULAR KNITTINC MACHINES Filed April 2o. 1964 Dec. 20, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 u NNN f) n n Dec. 20, 1966 l E, RlBLER 3,292,393

PATTERN CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES n Filed April 20, 1964 5 SheeZS-Shee(l 4 Y Dec. 20, 1966 E. RIBLER 3,292,393

PATTERN CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 20, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F/GIO l A1h' al 216 217 2g 1 i 213m f5 \27g 215 bd 11. 20,6 f'

Q15 1 i t 2720 20731 l 1 l I,

United States Patent O M 20 Claims. (Cl. 66-50) The present invention relates to a pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, and more pa-rticularly to a program controlled apparatus provided at one or several knitting stations of a circular knitting machine for placing selected needle-influencing elements in an operative position for the purpose of shifting correlated needles to the knit position.

Other non-selected needles are not shifted, or are shifted, for example, to the tuck position so that a predetermined pattern is knitted by the needles of the machine.

In one known construction, a pattern wheel is provided at each knitting station and mounted for rotation about an axis inclined at a small acute angle to the axis of the kniting machine so that needle-influencing elements, commonly termed jacks raise the cylinder needles while moving in a plane slanted to the direction of movement of the cylinder needles.

In other known constructions, needle inuencing elements or jacks are mounted in the pattern wheels .for movement in axial direction and abut the knitting needles and shift the same directly to the advanced position when moving to the operative position.

Other known constructions provide needle-inuencing elements in the grooves of the needle cylinder in which the needles are mounted, and the movement of the needleinfluencing elements to an operative position effects shifting of selected needles.

Pattern wheels with needle-induencing elements moving in the direction of the needles can also be provided for the dial of a circular knitting machine for operating the dial needles in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

It is known to effect zthe movement of the needle-iniluencing elements to an operative position by electromagnetic means which .are energized and deenergized in accordance with a predetermined pattern and act on intermediate resilient members which cooperate with a needle-influencing element to shift the same. The resilient members are engaged by a cam after a slight displacement, and the cam moves the resilient members such a distance that vthe respective needle-influencing elements are shifted to the operative position. Pattern wheels of this type are disclosed in our U.S. Patent 3,079,775.

It is one object of the invention to improve known program controlled pattern wheels, and to provide a pattern wheel which can be operated at very high speed and eiects very rapid and reliable shifting of the needle-iniluencing elements to the -operative position in which they are adapted to influence the needle movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pattern wheel in which program controlled electro-magnetic means select or reject the needle-influencing elements.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a pattern control arrangement in which the movement of needle-induencing elements to an operative position is rapidly accomplished by stored energy.

A related object of the invention is to tension a spring acting on each needle-inuencing element before the respective element arrives at a select station, and to release the spring at the selecting station so that the movement ice of the element toward the operative position is accomplished by the released spring force.

Another object of the invention is to lock each springloaded element before the same arrives at a selecting station, and to unlock or release selected elements at the selecting station for movement toward the operative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pattern control arrangement in which selected Vlocked springloaded elements are unlocked and released at a selecting station by electromagnetic means which are energized and de-energized in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a pattern control arrangement for `a knitting machine, preferably a circular knitting machine having a cylinder with Vcylinder needles, and a dial with dial needles. One embodiment comprises rotary carrier means, which may be part of a pattern wheel or part of the knitting cylinder of the machine; a set of needle-induencing elements supported on the carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selectingvstation, and for movement thereon between an inoperative position, and an operative position adapted to displace a correlated needle either after turning to an operating station, or directly by moving in the same direction as the needle; biasing means, preferably 'a set of independent springs, biasing the needleinuencing elements to move toward the operative position; locking means, preferably a set of locking springs respectively cooperating with the needle-inlluencing elements for locking non-selected elements in the inoperative position, and for releasing selected elements for movement toward the operative position; and control means, preferably a program controlled electromagnetic means located at the selecting station for moving the locking means between the releasing and locking position in accordance with the predetermined program causing energization Iand de-energization of the electromagnetic means.

Cam means are provided on the stationary support of the carrier means for moving the needle-influencing elements to the inoperative position .before each element arrives at the selecting station so that the respective locking spring can lock the element in the inoperative position. In one embodiment of the invention, a stationary cam moves the locking springs to the releasing position before the selecting station where the electromagnetic means hol-d locking springs-cooperating with selected needleinfluencing elements in the releasing position but permit the locking -springs of non-selected elements to remain in the locking position holding the respective needleinfluencing element in the inoperative position while passing through the selecting station.

While the operation of the locking springs by electromagnetic means is preferred, mechanical means or Huid operated means may be provided at the selecting station for operating the locking means. However, in accordance With the invention the movement of the needle-influencing elements toward the operative position is accomplished by the energy stored in biasing means before each needleinfluencing element arrives at the selecting station.

In order to achieve a very rapid selection, the stored force of the biasing means is used for moving the respective needle-influencing element to an intermediate position only, and a stationary cam effects movement of needle-inuencing elements from the intermediate position, to the operative position, which is particularly advantageous if the needle-induencing elements shift correlated needles directly durin-g movement Ifrom the intermediate position to the operative position so that the :biasing means do not produce the vforce required for `shifting the needles.

In another embodiment of the invention in which the needles are shifted by needle-influencing elements in the operative position due to the fact that the axi-s of the pattern wheel is inclined to the axis of the needle cylinder, the stored force of the biasing means is advantageously used for moving the needle-influencing elements all the way to the operative position. i

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 under-stood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side view, and FIG. la is a fragmentary schematic front view illustrating a circular knitting machine with a pattern wheel arrangement to which the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. to 7 is applied;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating a circular knitting machine with a pattern wheel arrangement to which the embodiment of the invention v illustrated in FIG. 10 is advantageously applied;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic side view of a circular knitting machine provided with a pattern control arrangement to which the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is advantageously applied;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view of a circular knitting machine provided with a pattern control arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view illustrating a pattern Carrier member 7 has a set of radially extending grooves in which needle-inuencing elements or jacks 1 are mounted for radial movement. Carrier member 7 has projecting teeth 7 which are arranged alternating with and staggered to the needle-influencing element 1 and mesh with butts, not shown, of cylinder needles 2 so that the carrier With the needle-influencing elements 1 rotates in synchronism with the needle cylinder. A locking spring 9 is correlated with each 'needle-influencing element 1, each locking spring 9 registering in a radial plane with the corresponding needle-influencing element 1. The ends 9a of locking springs 9 are clamped between the

annular plates

10a and 10, while the locking end portion 9b of each locking spring 9 has a projection located opposi-te a recess 1c in the respective element 1. recess 1c and the corresponding locking portion 9b are slanted.

A set of biasing springs 11 is disposed on the lower side of carrier 7, each biasing spring 11 registering with a needle inuencing element in a radial plane and having a curved end portion engaging a recess 1a in the correlated element 1. The inner ends of the biasing springs 11 are secured to carrier member 7 by the annular shielding plate 12.

` located under the lbutts 2a of the correlated cylinder wheel according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary developed sectional view taken on line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary developed plan view taken on line VII in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 comprises a series of fragmentary axial sectional views 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E taken in angularly spaced radial planes passing through the axis of the needle cylinder of a circular knitting Imachine constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary developed view taken in the direction of the arrow 9 in FIG. 8 and illustrating the shape of the cams on the cam cylinder of the machine; and

FIG. 10 is an axial sectional view illustrating a pattern wheel according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and la, as well yas FIG. 5, illustrate a circularl knitting machine with a needle cylinder 3 turnable about a vertical axis Y--Y and having axially extending grooves in which cylinder needles 2 are guided for vertical movement. At` each knitting station around the needle cylinder, a pattern wheel is mounted vfor turning movement about an axis X-X which is inclined at an acute angle to the axis of the needle cylinder, as best seen in FIG. 1a, so that radially shiftable needle-influencing elements 1 move upward in a slanted plane during rotation of the pattern wheel whereby elements 1 in operative positions located under butts 2a of associated needles 2, raise the respective needles to the knit position, whereas ,radially retracted elements 1 will not engage lbutts 2a, and consequently be inoperative to raise the needles. A force P urges the needle influencing elements 1 toward the operative position, as will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

A support includes a xed axle 6 whose axis X is inclined to the axis of the needle cylinder and to the needles 2, as explained with reference to FIG. 1a. A carrier means includes a hub 8 turnable about axle 6, a carrier member 7 xed to hub portion 8, a lower plate 12 secured by screws 12a to carrier member 7, and two upper

annular plate members

10 and 10a secured by screws 10b to lcarrier member 7.

needles 2. Each element 1 can be shifted to an inner position in which end portions 1b are spaced from butts 2a, and in this inoperative position, the locking portions 9b are located opposite recesses 1c, and biasing springs 11 are tensioned and store energy so that the respective element 1 tends to move from the inner inoperative position to the outer operative position. Each locking spring 9b has a locking position in which locking portion 9b is located in the recess 1c of the correlated element 1 and holds the same in the inoperative position, but each locking spring 9 can be moved to a releasing position illustrated in FIG. 5 in which the biasing spring 11 of the respective element 1 is free to shift the respective element 1 to the -outer operative position. Locking springs 9 are tensioned in the illustrated releasing position and tend to move the locking position in which locking portion 9b is located in recess 1c.

A fixed annular member 13 is secured to the supporting axle 6 and covers the upper surface of rotary carrier means. Member 13 is for-med with a peripheral cutout 14 in which electromagnetic means 15 is mounted which includes two outer continuously energized magnets 15a and 15e, and an electromagnetic selector means 15b whose core cooperates with the outer end portion of each locking spring 9 when the locking springs successively pass electromagnetic means 15b during rotation of the carrier means about axis X relative to the fixed member 1-3. Cutout 14 is closed by a member 14a, and a ring-shaped support 16 is secured to member 13 and member 14a by screws l16a and has an inner lian'ge with two

cams

17 and 18.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, cam 18 is located under the end portions of locking springs 9 and has a raised portion 18a before the selecting station S.S. where the electromagnetic means 15 is located. During rotation of the canier means with locking springs 9, each locking spring, sliding along the raised portion 18a of cam 18 will Ibe pressed to the tensioned releasing position illustrated v in FIG. 5. The end of the camtrack of cam portion 'end of cam portion 18a it is still held :by the magnetic means 15a, sliding on the same, until arriving at the electromagnetic selector means 15b which is energized and deenergized in vaccordance with a program. In the event that electromagnetic means 15b is energized, the respective locking spring 9 will slide on the armature of electromagnetic means 15 until arriving at magnetic means 15o, which is permanently energized, and holds such a locking spring 9 in the position 9 until the respective locking springs moves to a position located under a portion of lixed member 13 where it is released and assumes its normal lower position. If the respective correlated needle-inuencing element 1 is in the outwardly advanced operative position, docking portion 9b cannot snap into recess 1c, but will abut the upper edge of the respective needle-influencing element 1. However, if the respective needle-influencing element 1 is in the inner inoperative position, locking portion 9b will fall into recess 1c and lock the respective needle-influencing element in the retracted inoperative position.

As best seen in FIG. 7, cam 17 has a raised inwardly projecting portion preceding the selecting station S.S., and since during rotation of the carrier means all needleinfluencing elements 1 will engage cam 17 with shoulders of recesses 1d, all elements 1 are moved inwardly to the retracted inoperative position before arriving at t-he selecting station S.S.

Since a locking spring 9' which moved onto the lower surface of electromagnetic selector .means 15b when the same was yde-energized, resiliently moves to the lower position, it must fall into recess 1c 'of the correlated needle-iniluencing element 1, since all elements 1 are retracted to the inner inoperative position in which recess 1c registers with the locking projection 9b of the respective locking spring.

Cam 17 has a slanted end face 17a so that each needleinuencing element 1" whic-h was not locked in the inoperative position -by a :locking spring in the position 9 is free to rapidly move in outward direction under the action of the respective biasing spring 11 which was tensioned when the respective needle-iniiuencing element 1 was inwardly pushed by cam 17 in the region before the selecting station S.S. where the electromagnetic selector means 15b is located.

The carrier means of the pattern wheel turns further beyond the selecting station with elements 1 arranged in operative and inoperative positions in accordance with the predetermined pattern. The thus arranged elements 1 move along a plane slanted to the direction the cylinder needles 2, as best seen in FIG. la, and, consequently, the operative needle elements 1 raise the respectivecorrelated needles to the knit position. Elements 1 locked in the retracted inoperative position by the respective locking springs 9 at the selecting station, lare located too far inward to engage butts 2a, and consequently `cannot raise the needles, which may be operated by a cam in the cam cylinder of the machine to rise to the tuck position.

Selected locking springs 9" in operative positions will be released by magnetic means 15C after further turning movement and will assume a position in which locking portion 9b abuts the upper edge of the correlated element 1. Locking springs 9 of needle-influencing elements in operative position will remain in this position until the respective element 1 has turned with the carrier means almost one revolution and is again engaged by cam 17 and pressed to the retracted inoperative position so that locking portion 9b can snap into the recess 1c before arriving at the selecting station.

The electromagnetic selector means 15b is energized by command impulses received from a program means which is controlled .by a tape or by a Jacquard device. The speed of the tape, and the spacing of the control marks on the tape or card are selected in such a manner that a command signal can be given, or not given, whenever a needle inuencing element 1 and the correlated locking spring 9 passes the selecting station with electromagnetic selector means 15b. This arrangement is known and corresponds to t-he manner in which the electromagnetic selector means of the U.S. Patent 3,079,775 is controlled. However, while in the arrangement of the patent, the force of the electromagnetic selector means is used for shifting the needle-influencing elements, in the present invention the force for shifting the needle-inluencing element is provided by biasing spring means 11, and the force for returning the elements to the inner inoperative position is provided by earn 18, while the electromagnetic means are used for controlling locking springs 9. FIGS. 5 to 7 disclose an arrangement in which biasing springs 11 shift selected needle-inuencing elements 1 all the way to the operative position, but it is possible to modify the arrangement by permitting the biasing springs to shift the needle-influencing elements only to an intermediate position where selected elements 1 are engaged by a cam which gradually moves selected elements outward to the operative position, similar to the arrangement which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, which, is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, the carrier means for needleinuencing elements 1i forms part of needle cylinder 3 which has axially extending peripherally spaced grooves 3'a in which cylinder needles 2 are mounted for axial movement. A cam cylinder 230 carries inner

stationary cams

130 and 121 cooperating with butts 2 of needles 2 and located at a higher level, and

cams

122 and 120 cooperating with projections or butts 1i of needle-influencing elements 11' and located at a lower level. It will be nderstood that the cams extend substantially around the inner surface of the cam cylinder 231), and that the butts of the needles and the needle-inlinencing elements move along the cams during the rotation of needle cylinder 3'.

Since elements 11' are located in the same axially extending grooves as cylinder needles 2, they can directly cooperate with the same to shift the cylinder needles in axial direction to a knit position. Section 8A shows an element 1i in an inoperative position, while being urged by a biasing spring 111 to move upwards toward the foot end 2" of the correlated needle 2 whose butt 2' rests on cam 130, as also shown at A in FIG. 9. Each element 1i cooperates with a locking spring 199 whose lower end is ixed to the carrier portion of the needle cylinder by a ring-shaped member 131. The upper locking portion 109b of each locking spring 109, abuts one edge of the correlated element 1i while being resiliently tensioned. Consequently, when a needle-influencing element 1i moves under the action of its biasing spring 111 to an intermediate position shown in section 8B of FIG. 8, locking projection 1G9b can snap into recess lic. In this locked position, the upper end of element 1i is spaced from the foot 2" of needle 2 whose butt 2 rides on cam 130. In the position shown in section 8C, the respective biasing spring 111 has moved a selected element 1i, which is not locked, to a higher position in which its upper end abuts the foot 2" of a needle 2. In the next following position shown in section 8D, cam 120 has moved element 1i to an even higher operative position, and since element 11' engages needle 2, needle 2 is shifted simultaneously to the knit position while its butt engages the lower face of stitch cam 121 which, as best seen in FIG. 9 lowers the needle until the same slides again on cam 130 in the lower cast olf position. At the same time, as shown in section 8E and in FIG. 9 at E, a return cam portion 122a of cam 122 engages projection 1i of element 1i to move the same downwardly to a retracted inoperative position, and since cam 122a merges into cam 122 which extends around the entire circumference of the cam cylinder, all needleinfluencing elements 1i will arrive at A in FIG. 9 in the position shown in section 8A.

Region B of FIG. 9 corresponding to section 8B, is a selecting station where an electromagnetic means is provided. Electromagnetic means 115 includes two continuously energized magnetic means 115a and 115e, and an electromagnetic selector means 11Sb having an armature cooperating with locking portion 109b of each locking spring 109 which passes electromagnetic selector means 11Sb at a selecting station. While only one selecting station is illustrated in FIG. 9, it will be understood that several selecting stations may be provided around the circumference of the needle cylinder, each selecting station being provided on a knitting station of the circular knitting machine. The configuration of

cams

122, 122a, 130 and 121 will correspond at each knitting station and selecting station to the configuration shown in FIG. 9.

Cam 122 extends around the inner surface of the cam cylinder in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the needle cylinder 3, but in the region of the selecting station S.S., cam 122 has an upwardly slanted cam portion 122', followed by a gap 132 between cam portion 122' and a raising cam 120 which has a rising portion between points C and D in FIG. 9. Cam 120 terminates after point D and is followed by the return cam 122a at point E.

Cam 130 extends also in a plane .perpendicular to the axis of the needle cy'linder to point C and has between points C and D a rising cam portion 130:1 which is designed to raise a needle whose butt 2 slides thereon to the tuck posi-tion. Needles passing over the end of cam -portion 13011 will be engaged by the lower face of stitch cam 121 and guided to a position in wlhioh the butts thereof slidingly rest on the horizontal cam 130.

During rotation of the needle cylinder in a direction ofthe arrow in FIG. 9, t-he lower ends of needles returned by stitch cam 121 will push corresponding needleinfluencing elements 1i in the regions between points D and E in FIG. 9 to a |lower position so that the projections 1i `assume a lower position engaging the lower face of the slanted cam portion 122a so that all elements 1i are .moved downwardly to the inoperative position shown in section 8A in FIG. 8. During such movement from the position shown in section 8E to the position s'hown in section 8A, the locking portion 109b of the respective vlocking spring 109 passes into the slanted recess lic of the respective element, but since the element moves downward, the slanted shoulders of recess lic .press the locking portion 10911 again out of the recess so that the locking portion rests on the outer edge of the respective element 1i in the position shown at A in FIG. '9, and in section 8A.

As will 'become apparent from the following description, non-selected elements 1i lwill reach return cam portion 122a in the locking position shown in section 8B in which locking portion 109b is Ilocated in the corresponding recess lic in a locking position, as shown in section 8B. The downward slanting cam portion 122a will push elements 1i in this position downwardly to the position shown in section 8A so that the slanted shoulders of the -respective recess lic will also push the `locking portion 109b out of the recess and to a position slidingly engaging the edge of the respective element 1, as shown i n section 8A.

All needle-inuencing elements 1i arrive in the region of the selecting station at point B in the position shown -in section 8A, and since the biasing springs 111 are tensioned in this lower inoperative position of elements 11', project-ions 1i' press against the 'lower cam 'face of cam 122, and all elements 1i Amove upward to an intermediate position while the projections 1i' slide along the short upwardly slanting cam portion 122'.

Magnetic means 115:1v is a permanent magnet which acts on all locking springs 109 to hold the same in the position shown in section 8A, or to lbend 'locking spring 109 away from element 1i and to a position slidingly abutting magnet 11511. Immediately thereafter, the locking spring moves with the rotating needle cylinder to a position located opposite electromagnetic selector means 11Sb, and a selection is now made according to whether electromagnetic means b is energize-d, or not energized from the ,program control device of the machine. Assuming that electromagnetic selector means 115b is energized, it will hold the respective llocking spring 109 slid- .ing thereon so that the respective needle-iniluencing element 11' =is free to move upward when arriving at the gap 132, and such upward movement is caused by the expansion of the biasing spring 111.Y

Other needle-intluencing elements, which are not selected, pass electromagnetic selector means 115b while the same is de-energized, and resiliently snap into the recess lic of the respective correlate-d element 1i and assume the position shown in section 8B.

The non-selected elements 1i remain in the locked condition shown in section 8B while the needle cylinder As explained above, the locking spring 109 of a selected element 1i lis Iheld by the energized electromagnetic selector means 115b, so that a selected e-leme-nt 1i is moved Iby its biasing spring 111 in upward direction until its upper end engages the lfoot portion of the corresponding needle 2 while projection 1i' moves through gap 132.

Even if the biasing spring 111 does not move the respeci tive element 1i so high, projection 1i' is immediately engaged =by the pointed end of cam and moves along the upper surface of the' same first in a horizontal plane and then along the rising cam portion between points C and `D in FIG. 9 so that the ncedle-iniiuenc-ing element lis Igradually moved to the lhighest operative position by calm 120 as shown Iin sections 8C and 8D of FIG. 8. In the regionD, the needle is in the knit position, and its butt 2 is engage-d by the lower surface of the downwardly slanted stitch cam 121 so that the needle is lowered positively runtil butt 2' rests on the upper surface of the horizontal cam portion 130, remaining .in this position until approaching the next selecting station. As explained above, llocking portion 109b momentarily snaps into the corresponding recess lic during the downward movement of the previously selected element 1i, but is pushed out again 'by the slanted shoulders of the recess to assume the .position shown in section 8A.

During the movement of a selected element 1i lin gap 132 onto the pointed end of cam 120, its locking spring 109 is held lby the permanent magnet 115C, and when the respective selected element is positively guided on cam 120, locking spring 109 passes with the rotating carlrier beyond the permanent magnet 115C and drops with its locking portion 109b onto the edge of the selected element 1i, as shown lin sections 8D and 8E.

One selecting station provided with electromagnetic means 115 is illustrated, and corresponding selecting stations are provided along the periphery of the needle cylinder, the number of the selected and knitting stations depending on the type of machine. Circular knitting machines .for knitting hosiery will have fewer knitting stations requiring selection than very large machines having a great needle cylinder diameter. In machines of this type 600 selections per second are carried out, Vand consequently it is of particular importance that the force of springs used rfor moving selected needle-inuencing elements toward the operative positions since it is diicult to obtain lby electromagnetic means the required very rapid acceleration of the needle-induencing elements.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 10, the cylinder needles are not raised to the knit position due to the inclination of the pattern wheel axis to the axis of the needle cylinder, as described with reference to FIGS. 1,

la 'and 5, but the needles are shifted in axial direction by needle-influencing elements 1h moving in axial direction while rotating with the rotary carrier means of a pattern wheel whose axis is parallel to the axis of the needle cylinder. Referring particularly to FIG. l0, support means include a stationary cylindrical member 213 which is secured to a stationary member 206 mounted on the frame of the knitting machine. Cylindrical member 213 defines an axis of rotation Z about which annular carrier means 207 rotate. Member 213 and the carrier means can be together removed from the cylindrical support 206 if it is desired to replace or repair the pattern wheel. Cylindrical member 213 has a cutout 213:1 in which electromagnetic means 215 are mounted. Electromagnetic means 215 include an electromagnetic selector means 215b, and two permanently magnetized electromagnetic means 215a arranged on opposite sides of electromagnetic selector means 215b in circumferential direction, substantially as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9. An annular member 216 is secured `to cylinder member 213, and has two

cams

217 and 218 performing the functions of

cams

17 and 18 described with reference to FIG. 5.

Cams

217 and 213 are located in horizontal planes extending perpendicularly to the axis Z of the rotary carrier means 207, cam 217 having a downwardly slanting cam `portion ending in the region of the selecting station represented by electromagnetic selector means 215 corresponding to the shape of

cam

17, 17a in FIG. 7, and cam 218 has an inwardly rising radial cam portion terminating in a circular cam track concentric with axis C so that the shape of cam 4218 corresponds to the shape of cam 18 shown in FIG. 6, cam 218 ending corresponding to the end 18a of cam 18, in the region of one of the magnetic means 215a before theselecting station represented by electromagnetic selector means b.

Carrier 207 and its outer annular portion 20741 are connected by a circular shield plate 212 secured by screws 212a to the carrier means, and clamping a set of biasing spring 211 whose curved upper ends engage, respectively, recesses in correlated needle-inlinencing elements 1h. The needle-influencing elements are mounted in axially extending grooves of carrier means 207, 207a for movement in axial direction between a lower inoperative position in which the respective bi-asing spring 211 is tensioned, and the higher operative position in which its horizontal projection 1h engages butt 2g of the correlated cylinder needle 2 from below to shift the same upward to the knit position. When any needle-influencing element 1h is in the lower inoperative position, not shown, the respective biasing spring 211 is tensioned and stores energy which is released when the respective needle-influencing element 1h is moved upward to t'he operative position.

Annular members

210 and 210a clamp the lower portions of locking springs 209 to carrier 207 so that locking springs 209 rotate with the needle-inuencing elements 1h in positions registering with the same in radial planes passing through the axis Z. In the illustrated position of element 1h, the locking portion 209b is located opposite the edge of element 1h, but in the lower inoperative position of element 1h, locking portion 209b is located opposite recess 201e and can snap into the same to lock the respective correlated element 1h in the inoperative position.

As long as cam 218 engages the end portion of a locking spring 209, the same is held in the releasing position shown in FIG. l() and cannot move to a position engaging the correlated element 1h.

A gear portion 207i) on carrier 207 meshes with a corresponding gear portion 3b on needle cylinder 3 so that the carrier, the needle-influencing elements 1h, the locking springs 209, and biasing springs 211 rotate in synchronism with the needle cylinder in such a manner that the horizontal projections 1h' and the butts 2g of needles 2 are located in a common plane passing through 10 the axes of the pattern Wheel and of the needle cylinder.

The angular spacing between elements 1h is the same as the angular spacing of needles 2 of the needle cylinder so that successive needles and needle-inueucing elements assume the position shown in FIG. 10 for the common axial plane, and the electromagnetic selecting means 215b are located in the same plane.

During rotation of the needle cylinder and carrier means, the locking springs 209 `approaching the selecting station are pressed inwardly by cam 218 so that each locking spring is in the releasing position shown in FIG. l0 and irst slides along the core of the parmanently magnetic means 215a and is held by the same after passing lbeyond the end of the raised cam portion 218, similar as explained with reference to FIG. 6. The turning carrier moves the thus held locking springs 209 onto the electromagnetic selector means 15b which are energized and de-energized in accordance with a predetermined pattern by pattern control means responding to a control tape or card. Assuming that electromagnetic selector means 213b is energized when a locking spring slides thereon in circumferential direction, the locking spring is held in the releasing yposition when the respective needle-influencing element 1h passes through the selecting station.

While approaching the selecting station, each needleinuencing element, and more particularly a shoulder of a recess therein, is engaged by cam 217 whose downwardly projecting oam portion presses all elements 1h to the lower inoperative position while tensioning therespective biasing springs 211. The shape of cam 217 corresponds to the shape of cam 17 shown in FIG. 7, and cam 217 terminates in the region of the selecting station, but behind electromagnetic selecting means 215b so that selected elements 1h whose locking springs 209 are held by electromagnetic selector means 215b in the releasing position shown in FIG. l0, move rapidly upward to the operative position when released by the free end of cam 217, and during such upward movement, the horizontal projection 1h engaging butt 2g of the correlated needle 2, raises needle 2 to the knit position.

However, if electromagnetic selector means 215b is not energized when a non-selected element 1h passes the selecting station, then the corresponding locking means 209 passing from the leading permanent magnet 215:1 onto electromagnetic selector means 21513, is not held by the same and moves dueto its resilient .tension to a locking position in which locking portion 209b projects into the recess 201C of the correlated element 1h and locks the same in the inoperative position while the same is still held in this position by the projecting cam portion of cam 217. Of course, element 1h thus locked by the locking spring 209 cannot move upward when passing with the rotating carrier beyond the end of cam 217, but remain locked in the inoperative position while .travelling with the rotating carrier one revolution until again arriving in the region of cam 218 which operates all locking springs 209 to at least temporarily release the corresponding elements 1h.

The selected elements 1h which are in the operative position when passing beyond the selecting station are pushed back in the inoperative position by cam 217 before arriving at .the selecting station. Locking springs 209 of selected elements 2h slide rst along electromagnetic selector means 215b, and then along the permanent magnet 215:1 on the other side of electromagnetic means 215b and corresponding to the permanent magnet 15e in FIG. 6. After a locking spring 209 has been turned by the rotating carrier beyond the second permanent magnet, it is released and moves ydue to its resilient tension toward the corresponding element 1h, ibut since the same is in the higher operative position, looking portion 209b abuts thhe edge of the element in the region below recess 201C. When cam 217 moves the respective element 1h back -to the lower inoperative position, recess 201C is moved to a position in which locking portion 209b can snap into the same, if locking spring 209 is not held by electromagnetic selector means 215b. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the force of the released biasing spring 211 is used for shifting the respective selected element 1h, and for raising the corresponding selected needle 2 to the knit position. However, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a cam corresponding to cam 120 may be provided following the selecting station, and positioned in relation to cam 217 as is cam 120 to

cam

122 and 122 in FIG. 9, so that the force of the -biasing 211 is used for moving the selected element 1h through a gap whereupon the Y further movement of the selected element is accomplished by a rising cam, corresponding to cam 120, whereby the lforoe for raising the needle is not provided 'by biasing spring 211, but by the drive means which rotate the pattern wheel with the needle-influencing elements since the needle-influencing elements are forced to travel upward along the above-mentioned cam along `which they are carried by the rotary driven carrier of the pattern wheel.

As noted above, the energizing and de-energizing of electromagnetic selector means is carried out in all ernbodiments of the invention by program controlled means which sense Jacquard cards or program tapes, preferably film tapes. Due to the high speed of operation, which may lbe 600 impulses and selection per second, electronic control of the electromagnetic selector means is preferred, and, for example, a film tape, driven from the needle cylinder, may have control marks in the form of small transparent rectangles forming a plurality of program tracks respectively sensed by sensing means associated with the several knitting stations and corresponding electromagnetic selector means. The sensing means preferably include an optical sensing system including a source of light projecting a beam toward the respective sensed track, and a photocell producing an impulse when light passes through a transparent mark of the respective program track. Any electric impulse is amplied in a transistor amplier, and supplied to the electromagnetic selector means at the respective knitting and selection station. This arrangement is not an object of the invention, and consequently not illustrated.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 10, the needle cylinder rotates about an axis Y--Y, and the pattern wheel rotates about an axis Z--Z parallel to the axis of the needle cylinder so that the axially moving needleinfluencing elements 1h can directly shift the cylinder needles to the desired knit position.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, the needleinfluencing elements 1i are not mounted in a pattern wheel, but in an annular carrier which rotates about the axis Y-Y so that the needle-influencing elements 1i can 'be disposed in the same axial grooves as the cylinder needles 2 for directly shifting the same.

In the same manner as the cylinder needles are shifted in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, selected dial .needles can be shifted in accordance with al predetermined pattern, and such an arrangement is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. The dial 4 rotates about the axis Y--Y in synchronism with the needle cylinder 3, and has radial grooves in which the dial needles 5 are mounted for radial movement between inner and outer positions. Needle-influencing elements 1K are vmovable in radial grooves of a rotary carrier, and at a selecting station through which every needle-influencing element 1K passes, a selection is made so that the needle-influencing elements 1K of selected dial needles 5 move in radial direction to engage the butt of the respective dial needle 5 and to shift the same outwardly. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates by arrow P the force of the biasing springs described with reference to the other embodiments.

If the principle of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 10 is applied, at least one pattern wheel is provided with a carrier rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis Y-Y, but the construction of FIG. 5 is used. The

needle-influencing elements are mounted in radial grooves of a rotary carrier, associated with locking springs, con` tl'olled by cams, and held by the locking springs in the inoperative inner position unless released under control of electromagnetic selecting means to move in radial direction under the action of the biasing spring thereof. Each selected needle-influencing element moves in radial ydirection in the radial plane of the selecting station, and shifts the corresponding needle 5 outwardly by engaging its butt.

If the principle of FIG. 3 is applied, a ring-shaped carrier is secured to the dial 4 and rotates about the axis Y-Y in synchronism with the same. However, a construction corresponding to FIG. 5 is used for moving se-k lected needle-influencing elements in radial direction when passing at a selecting station through a radial plane, so

that selected elements engage the butts of the correspondt ing dial needles 5 and shift the same outwardly. These constructions are not illustrated in detail, since those skilled in the art will know how to adapt the construction of FIG. 5 for the purpose of operating the dial needles by direct radial shifting by selected needle-influencing elements which are urged outwardly by biasing springs, and are unlocked at the selecting station to shift the corresponding dial needles.

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 pattern control arrangement differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a pattern control arrangement including needle-influencing elements in which energy is stored which is released at a selectingstation to move selected elements to an operative position, 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. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, carrier means mounted for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; biasing means for biasing said needle-influencing elements to move toward said operative position; means for moving said needle-influencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; locking means mounted on said carrier means movable between a locking position for locking non-selected needle-influencing elements in said inoperative position, and a releasing position re,

leasing selected needle-influencing elements for movement toward said operative position; and control means located at said selecting station for moving said locking means between said releasing and locking positions in accordance with a predetermined program.

2. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting rna-` chine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; biasing means disposed on said carrier means and biasing said needle-inuencing elements to move toward said operative position; means for moving said needle-influencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of locking means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-inuencing elements, respectively, each locking means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needle-influencing element in said inoperative position, and a releasing position releasing the respective needle-influencing element for movement toward said operative position; and control means located at said selecting station for moving said locking means individually between said releasing and locking positions in accordance with a predetermined program.

3. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, carrier means mounted for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; biasing means for biasing said needle-intluencing elements to move toward said operative position; means for moving said needle-influencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; locking means mounted on said carrier means movable between a locking position for locking non-selected needle-inuencing elements in said inoperative position, and a releasing position releasing selected needle-inuencing elements for movement tov ward said operative position; and control means including electromagnetic selector means located at said selecting station for moving said locking means between said releasing and locking positions, said electromagnetic selector means being adapted to be energized and deenergized in accordance with a predetermined program.

4. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; biasing means disposed on said carrier means and biasing said needle-inuencing elements to move toward said operative position; means for moving said needle-inuencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of locking means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements, respectively, each locking means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needleinfluencing element in said inoperative position, and a releasing position releasing the respective needle-iniiuencing element for movement toward said operative position; and control means including electromagnetic selector means located at said selecting station for moving said locking means individually between said releasing and locking positions, said electromagnetic selector means being adapted to be energized and deenergized in accordance with a predetermined program.

5. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; a set of biasing spring means secured to said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements and respectively individually biasing said needle-inuencing elements to move toward said operative position; stationary cam means disposed on said support means for moving said needle-induencing elements before-said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of locking means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements, respectively, each locking means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needle-inuencing element in said inoperative position, and a releasing position releasing the respective needle-inuencing element for movement toward said operative position; and control means located at said selecting station for moving said locking means individually between said releasing and locking positions in accordance with a predetermined program.

6. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; biasing means disposed on said carrier means and biasing said needle-influencing elements to move toward said operative position; means for moving said needle-influencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of locking spring means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements, respectively, each locking `spring means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needle-iniiuencing element in said inoperative position, and a releasing position releasing the respective needleinfluencing element for movement toward said operative position, said locking spring means being tensioned in one of said positions thereof and tending to assume the other position; and control means located at said selecting station for moving selected locking spring means individually to said one position so that non-selected locking spring means move to said other position thereof in accordance with a predetermined program.

7. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-inuencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting stationl and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement .of a correlated needle; biasing means disposed on said carrier means and biasing said needleinuencing elements to move toward said operative position; means for moving said needle-iniiuencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of locking spring means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements, respectively, each locking spring means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needle-influencing element in said inoperative position, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective needle-influencing element for movement toward said operative position, said locking spring means tending to assume said locking position; and control means located at said selecting station for moving selected locking spring means only to said releasing position so that non-selected locking spring means move to said locking position thereof in accordance with a predetermined program.

8. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; biasing means disposed on said carrier means and biasing said needle-influencing elements to move toward said operative position; means for moving said needle-influencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of lock- 15 ing spring means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-inuencing elements, respectively, each locking spring means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needle-inuencing element in said inoperative position, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective needle-influencing element for movement toward said operative position, said locking spring means tending to assume said locking position; and control means including cam means for moving each locking spring means successively to said releasing position before arriving at said selecting station, and electromagnetic means located at said selecting station for holding selected locking spring means only to said releasing position so that non-selected locking spring means move to said locking position thereof, said electromagnetic means being adapted to be energized and deenergized in accordance with a predetermined program.

9. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; aset of biasing spring means secured to said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements and respectively individually biasing said needle-influencing elements to move toward said operative position; stationary ca-m means disposed on said support means for moving said needle-influencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of locking spring means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements, respectively, each locking spring means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needle-inuencing element in said inoperative position, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the Irespective needle-influencing element for movement toward said operative position, said locking spring means tending to assume said locking position; and control means including cam means for moving each locking spring means successively to said releasing position before arriving at said selecting station, and electromagnetic means located at said selecting station for holding selected locking spring means only to said releasing position so that non-selected locking spring means move to said locking position thereof, said electromagnetic means being adapted to be energized and deenergized in accordance with a predetermined program.

10. A pattern control arrangement for a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, support means; carrier means mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier means for rotation therewith past at least one selecting station and for movement thereon between an inoperative position and an operative position adapted to cause displacement of a correlated needle; a set of biasing spring means secured to said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements and respectively individually biasing said needle-inuencing elements to move toward said operative position; stationary cam means disposed on said support means for moving said needle-influencing elements before said selecting station to said inoperative position; a set of locking spring means mounted on said carrier means in positions registering with said needle-influencing elements, respectively, each locking spring means being movable between a locking position for locking the respective needle-influencing element in said inoperative position, and a tensioned releasing position releasingthe respective needle-intiuencing element for movement toward said operative position, said locking spring means tending to assume said locking position; and control means including cam means for moving each locking spring means successively to Said releasing position before arriving at said selecting station, and electromagnetic means located at said selecting station for holding selected locking spring means only to said releasing position so that non-selected locking spring means move to said locking position thereof, said electromagnetic means being adapted to -be energized and deenergized in accordance with a predetermined program, said control means including two magnetic means disposed at said selecting station before and behind said electromagnetic means adjacent to the same for holding all said locking spring means and only said selected locking spring means in said releasing position.

11. A pattern wheel arrangement for a knitting machine having needles, comprising, in combination, support means including a fixed member; selector means mounted on said support means and being operable between a selecting condition and an inoperative condition; a carrier mounted on said support means for rotation; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier for rotation therewith past said selector means, and for movement on said carrier between an inoperative position and an operative position for displac-` region of said selector means; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and second cam means secured to said member for moving said locking portions of said locking springs successively to said releasing position before arriving at said selector means during rotation of said carrier, said selector means holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needle-inuencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

12. A pattern wheel arrangement foria knitting machine having needles rotatable about an axis, comprising, in combination, support means including a fixed member and mounted at a knitting station of the machine; electromagnetic selector means mounted on said support means and being operable between an energized selecting condition and a de-ene-rgized inoperative condition; a car-rier mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis extending at an acute angle to said axis; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier for rotation therewith past said selector means, and for radial movement on said carrier between an inoperative position and an operative position yfor displacing a correlated needle while turning with said carrier; biasing means for biasing said needle-infinencing elements to move to said operative position; first partly circular cam means secured to said member vfor moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to said operative position in the region of said selector means; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, Irespectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and second partly circular cam means secured to said member for moving said locking portions 17 of said locking springs successively to said releasing position before arriving at said selector means during rotation of said carrier, said electromagnetic selector means holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needle-influencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

13. A pattern wheel arrangement for a knitting machine having needles rotatable about an axis, comprising, in combination, support means including a iixed plate and mounted at -a knitting station of the machine; electromagnetic selector means mounted on said plate and being operable :between an energized selecting condition and a de-energized inoperative condition; a carrier mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis extending at an acute angle to said axis; a set of needleinuencing elements supported on said carrier for rotation therewith past said selector means, and for radial movement on said carrier between an inoperative position and an operative position for displacing a correlated needle while turning with said carrier, said elements having recesses; a set of biasing spring means for biasing said needle-induencing elements to move to said operative position; first partly circular cam means secured to said plate located in said recesses for moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to said operative position in the region of said selector means; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position engaging other recesses of said recesses for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and second partly circular cam means secured to said plate for moving said locking portions of said locking springs successively to said releasing position before arriving at said selector means during rotation of said carrier, said electromagnetic selector means holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needle-inuencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

14. A pattern wheel arrangement for a knitting machine having needles rotatable about an axis, comprising, in combination, support means including a xed member and mounted at a knitting station of the machine; electromagnetic selector means mounted on said support means and being operable between an energized selecting condition and a fle-energized inoperative condition; a carrier mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis extending parallel to said axis; a set of needle-influencing elements supported on said carrier for rotation therewith past said selector means, and for radial movement on said carrier between an inoperative position and operative position for displacing a correlated needle in axial direction; biasing means for :biasing said needleinuencing elements to move to said operative position; first cam means secured to said member for moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to said operative position in the region of said selector means; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensionedrreleasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and second cam means secured to said member for moving said locking portions of said locking springs successively to said releasing positionl before arriving at said selector means during rotation of said carrier, said electromagnetic selector means holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needle-inuencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

15. A pattern wheel arrangement for a knitting machine having a needle cylinder and cylinder needles rotatable about an axis, comprising in combination, support means including a fixed cylinder member having an axis parallel to said axis and mounted at a knitting station of the machine; electromagnetic selector means mounted on said cylinder mem-ber and lbeing operable between an energized selecting condition and a de-energized inoperative condition; a carrier =of annular shape surrounding said cylindrical member and mounted on said support means for rotation, said selector means being located in a plane passing through said axes; a set of needle-inhuencing elements supported on said carrier for rotation therewith past said selector means, and for parallel movement on said carrier between an inoperative position and an operative position for displacing a correlated needle, said elements having recesses, and radial projections outwardly projecting beyond said carrier for cooperation with the needles; biasing means for biasing said needleinuencing elements to move to said operative position; iirst cam means secured to said cylindrical member located in said recesses for moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to said operative position in the region of said selector means; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position engaging other recesses of said recesses for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and second cam means secured to said cylindrical member for moving said locking portion of said locking springs successively to said releasing position before arriving at said selector means during rotation of said carrier, said electromagnetic means holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needle-influencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

16. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, support means including a cam cylinder; selector means mounted on said cam cylinder at at least one knitting station and being operable between a selecting condition and an inoperative condition; a needle cylinder mounted on said support means for rotation and having axially extending grooves; needles guided in said grooves for axial movement and for rotation with said needle cylinder; a set of needle-influencing elements mounted in said grooves for rotation with said needle cylinder, and for axial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position for shifting the correlated needle in the respective groove; biasing means for biasing said needle-influencing elements to move to said operative position; cam means secured to said cam cylinder for moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to said operative position in the region of said selector means; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioued releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and said selector means moving and holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of'passing selected needle-inuencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passin-g locking sprin-gs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

v17. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, support means including a cam cylinder; selector means mounted on said cam cylinder at at least one knitting station and being operable between a selecting condition and an inoperative condition; a needle cylinder mounted on said support means for rotation and having axially extending grooves; needles guided in said grooves for axial movement and for rotation with said needle cylinder; a set of needle-intluencin-g elements mounted in said grooves for rotation with said needle cylinder, and for axial movementbetween an inoperative position and an operative position for shifting the correlated needle in the respective groove; biasing means for biasing said needle-influencing elements to move `to said operative position; cam means secured to said cam cylinder for moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to an intermediate position in the region of said selector means so that an element in said intermediate position abuts a correlated needle; other cam means secured to said cam cylinder following said region and shaped to move said elements from said intermediate position to an operative position for shifting the correlated needles to a knit position; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and said selector means moving and holding in said-selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needle-influencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

18. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, support means including a cam cylinder; electromagnetic means mounted on said cam cylinder at at least one knitting station and being operable between an energized condition and an inoperative condition; a needle cylinder mounted on said support means for rotation and having axially extending grooves; needles guided in -said grooves rfor axial movement and for rotation with said needle cylinder; a set of needle-infinencing elements mounted in said grooves for rotation with said needle cylinder, and f or axial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position for shifting the correlated needle in the respective groove; a set of biasing spring means for biasing said needle-inuencing elements to move to said operative position; cam means secured to said cam cylinder for moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to an intermediate position in correlated needles to a knit position; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a xed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and said selector means moving and holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needleinfluencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.`

19. A machine as set forth in claim 18 and including two magnetic means located before and behind said electromagnetic means in the direction of rotation of said carrier adjacent the same and being continuously energized.

20. A pattern wheel arrangement for a knitting machine having a dial with dial needles rotatable about an axis, comprising, in combination, support means including a fixed member; selector means mounted on said support means and being operable between a selecting condition and an inoperative condition; a carrier mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis extending in the direction of said axis; a set of needle-induencing elements supported on said carrier for rotation therewith past said selector means, and for radial movement on said carrier between an inoperative position and an operative position for displacing a correlated needle; ybiasing means for biasing said needle-infinencing elements to move to said operative position; first cam means secured to said member for moving said elements to said inoperative position before passing said selector means and shaped to permit movement of said elements to said operative position in the region of said selector means; a set of locking springs mounted on said carrier in positions registering with said elements, respectively, each locking spring having a fixed end portion secured to said carrier end and a locking portion and having a normal locking position for locking the respective element by said locking portion, and a tensioned releasing position releasing the respective element for movement to said operative position; and second cam means secured to said member for moving -said locking i portions of said locking springs successively to said releasing position before arriving at said selector means during rotation of said carrier, said selector means holding in said selecting condition passing locking springs in said releasing position so as to permit movement of passing selected needle-influencing elements to said operative position, and permitting in said inoperative position passing locking springs to move to said locking position to lock non-selected elements in said inoperative position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,173,488 9/1939 Tandler et a1 66-50 3,079,775 3/1963 Schaeder et al. 66-50 3,170,312 2/1965 stock 66-50 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

R. FELDBAUM, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A PATTERN CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR A KNITTING MACHINE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, CARRIER MEANS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION; A SET OF NEEDLE-INFLUENCING ELEMENTS SUPPORTED ON SAID CARRIER MEANS FOR ROTATION THEREWITH PAST AT LEAST ONE SELECTING STATION AND FOR MOVEMENT THEREON BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN OPERATIVE POSITION ADAPTED TO CAUSE DISPLACEMENT OF A CORRELATED NEEDLE; BIASING MEANS FOR BIASING SAID NEEDLE-INFLUENCING ELEMENTS TO MOVE TOWARD SAID OPERATIVE POSITION; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID NEEDLE-INFLUENCING ELEMENTS BEFORE SAID SELECTING STATION TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION; LOCKING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN A LOCKING POSITION FOR LOCKING NON-SELECTED NEEDLE-INFLUENCING ELEMENTS IN SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION, AND A RELEASING POSITION RELEASING SELECTED NEEDLE-INFLUENCING ELEMENTS FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD SAID OPERATIVE POSITION; AND CONTROL MEANS LOCATED AT SAID SELECTING STATION FOR MOVING SAID LOCKING MEANS BETWEEN SAID RELEASING AND LOCKING POSITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PREDETERMINED PROGRAM.