US3507130A

US3507130A - Method and apparatus for knitting fabrics

Info

Publication number: US3507130A
Application number: US687540A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald H Marks; Lawrence R Goodman; Luther E Stokes
Original assignee: Enterprise Inc
Current assignee: Enterprise Inc
Priority date: 1967-12-04
Filing date: 1967-12-04
Publication date: 1970-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1987-04-21
Also published as: DE1760613B2; DE1760613A1; DE1760613C3; FI50258C; FI50258B; SE385716B

Description

April 21, 1970 y R. H. MARKS ETAL 3,507,130

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FABRICS Filed Deo. 4, 1967 l 7 sheets-sheet 1.

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April 2l, 1970 v R, H, MARKS ETAL 3,507,130

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FABRICS Filed Dec. 4, 1967 r '7 Sheets-Sheet l QV Rona/of Maf/4J i INVENTORS wir M April 21, 1970 R, H MARKS E TAL 3,507,130

v METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FABRICS -Pied oec. 4. 1967 l 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Rona/d Maf/,415

af/7erl E. Jo/res INVENTORS April 21, A1970 R. H. MARKS ETAL f 3,507,130

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FABRICS I Filed oec. 4. 1967 l 'r sheets-sheet Pona/c/ /l//a/"Af aw/"ence 60cm/marl April 21, 1970 R. H. MARKS ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR` KNITTING FABRICS 'T Sheets-Sheet 5 Fi.' ed Jes. 4. 19"7 INVENTORJ BY g, uw.

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Aprnz'l, 1970 RHMA'RKS ETAL 3,507,130

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING FABRICS Filed Deo. 4. 196'? 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I 42 I 73 72 I' l b I I April 21; v1970 R. H. MARKS ETAL 3,507,130

l METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING' FABRICS Fim JCC. 4, 19e',- l 7 sheets-sheet v @00a/d H. Maf/w45 aw/@nce R @00a/waff; af/fer' f. Jfo/res United States Patent O 3,507,130 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KNITIING FABRICS Ronald H. Marks, Lawrence R. Goodman, and Luther E.

Stokes, Dallas, Tex., assignors to Enterprise Incorporated, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Dec. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 687,540 Int. Cl. D041) 1/100 U.S. Cl. 66-169 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This specification discloses a method and apparatus for producing a fabric wherein knitted yarn or yarn-like elements have a plurality of insert elements interengaged or interlaced in a direction transversely of the courses of the knitted yarn or yarn-like elements to form a composite fabric material having novel and improved characteristics. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured 4by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known, knitted and woven fabrics have different inherent characteristics which result in certain advantages and disadvantages either in manufacture or in the nal fabric product. Knitted fabrics may be produced on a knitting machine at a very substantially faster rate than woven fabrics can be woven on a loom, so that manufacturing procedures -by lthe use of knitting machines are more economical; however, a knitted fabric is capable of stretching to some extent in all directions, which may be undesirable in certain products; also in many instances, knitted fabric requires considerably more material than woven material because in the latter case, elements of larger surface area may be employed. Also a woven fabric has nonstretch characteristics, which are advantageous in some products.

SUMMARY The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing an improved composite fabric consisting of yarn elements and insert elements. As used herein, the term yarn elements or yarn is intended to mean the usual well-known yarn, either twisted or otherwise, as well as any yarn-like element such as a relatively narrow strip capable of being knitted into a fabric on the usual knitting machine. The term insert element, as used herein, is intended to mean an element capable of insertion into a knitted fabric in the manner hereinafter described. If inserted for utilitarian purposes, the element may be of a material having a nonstretch characteristic in at least one direction or it may have a relatively large surface area as compared to the yarn element; in some instances, it may be both nonstretchable and of large surface area. Where used for decorative purposes, it may be stretchable with its surface area subject to vari-ation.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for producing an improved fabric, which fabric includes knitted yarn elements and insert 3,507,130 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 Pice elements interengaged or interlaced with the knitted yarn elements, said interengagement being accomplished somewhat in the manner of an interweaving operation, to form a composite fabric having desired structural characteristics and appearance.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for producing a fabric on a knitting machine, which fabric has a nonstretch characteristic in at least one direction.

Another object is to provide an improved method and apparatus for producing a fabric, which method involves performing the usual knitting operation on yarn elements and simultaneously interengaging with the knitted yarn elements as said knitting operation proceeds, other elements having a relatively large surface area compared to the yarn elements, whereby material costs for the completed fabric are substantially reduced, while the advantage of fast production on the knitting machine is realized.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for producing a composite fabric which has some of the desirable features of both knitted and woven fabrics, not only in manufacturing procedures but in the final product, while eliminating certain undesirable features of each.

A further object is to provide as a new product of manufacture a new and improved knitted fabric having insert elements Which have a nonstretch characteristic incorporated therein in a predetermined manner so that the product has very limited or no stretch in at least one direction.

Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus for producing a composite fabric consisting of knitted yarns and a plurality of insert elements having a relatively largeV surface area compared to the yarns and a limited stretch in at least one direction, so that the fabric includes a minimum amount of material and substantially prevents stretching of the fabric in at least one direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a partial elevation view of the preferred form of apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View of the apparatus taken along line 3 3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of the preferred form of apparatus to illustrate the detail of the structure which feeds the yarns and other elements to the knitting machine, some of said yarn and elements being omitted for the sake of clarity.

FIGURE 5 is a detail sectional view of one of the outer yarn feeding stations taken along line 5 5 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 6 is a detail sectional view of one of the inner yarn feeding stations taken along line 6 6 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 7 is a partial plan view of the control means which positions the insert elements and which illustrates the relationship of the feeding stations to the control means. p

FIGURE 8 is a detail vie-w of the control means at each inner yarn feeding station.

FIGURE 9 is a plan View of the control means shown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a plan View of a modified form of apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings two forms of the n-ovel apparatus, capable of performing the improved method of the present invention are illustrated. The first form is shown in FIGURES 1-9 and includes a circular knitting machine K of the type in which the knitting needles are mounted in a stationary cylinder and the cams for actuating said needles, as well as the yarn supply spindles, are rotated. In the second or modied form of apparatus, which is shown in FIGURES l and 1l, a circular knitting mad chine K has the needles mounted in a rotating cylinder, while the cams for actuating said needles and the yarn supply spindles are stationary. In both forms of the apparatus, the desired fabric, as will be hereinafter described, is produced. f

THE FIRST EMBODIMENT KNITTING MACHINE Referring first to the form shown in FIGURES l-9 and with particular reference to FIGURES 1 and 3, the circular knitting machine K includes a suitable framework 10 which is supported upon legs 11. The framework 10 supports a nonrotatable annular table or base 12 which is clearly illustrated in the partial perspective vie-w in FIGURE 4. The table has an annular cyiinder 13 secured to its inner end and this cylinder has the usual knitting needles 14 mounted to reciprocate vertically therein. The needles are adapted to be reciprocated by the usual cams 15 -which are secured to a rotatable actuating ring 16; the actuating ring is rotatably sup ported in an annular recess 12a formed in the upper surface of the table or base. An upper support ring 17 is secured to the actuating ring in spaced relationship thereabove by means of suitable brackets 13. As will `be described, the support ring 17 carries what will be hereinafter referred to as outer knitting stations A and also has secured thereto other elements to be described later. The actuating ring 16 has a gear ring 19 at the central portion of its bottom surface, which teeth are engageable by a drive gear 20 mounted at one end of a drive shaft 21 (FIGURES 3 and 4); the drive gear is in a fixed position and projects upwardly through a suitable slot 12b formed in the central portion of the table or base 12 (FIGURE 4) so that said gear may impart rotation to the actuating ring 16.

The knitting machine also includes an upper framework generally indicated at 22, and within this framework is a lower spindle supporting platform 23; said platform is supported by the rotatable actuating ring 16 through upright brackets 24, whereby the spindles 25 upon which yarn elements 26 are wound are supported on said platform 23 and will rotate simultaneously with the ring 16.

The foregoing structure is substantially that of the usual standard circular knitting machine which provides a plurality of outer knitting stations A so located as t0 direct 'yarn to the knitting needles to perform the usual knitting operation.

MODIFICATION OF KNITTING MACHINE end of a shaft 28 which extends upwardly through a tubular housing 28a and above the top of the upper framework 22 and carries a pulley 29. A belt 3i) provides a driving connection between pulley 29 and another pulley 31 lmounted on the upper end of a shaft 32. The lower end of shaft 32 carries a bevel gear 33 which is engaged with an angle gear 34 mounted on a shaft 35. The inner end of this shaft carries a gear 36 which projects through a slot 12b (FIGURE l) in the nonrotatable table or base 12 and engages the teeth 19 of the rotatable actuating ring 16.

With such arrangement, when the main power shaft 21 imparts rotation to the ring 16, said ring, by reason of its engagement with the gear 36, will drive shaft 35 and through the

gears

33, 34 and the

pulleys

31 and 29 will impart similar rotation to the central circular plate 27. Obviously, the rotation of the ring 16 will be synchronized with the rotation of the circular plate 27 for purposes to be hereinafter described. The drive shaft 21 is driven by a motor 38 through suitable pulleys on the motor shaft and drive shaft and a connecting drive belt 39.

As has been described, certain spindles 25 are mounted on the platform 23 which is rotatable with the ring 16. Additional spindles 25 are mounted on an upper platform 41 which is connected through a suitable tubular support 42 with the inner circular plate 27. In this way the

platiforms

23 and 41 rotate at the same speed. The upper spindles 25 have their yarn elements 26a directed to what will hereinafter be referred to an an inner knitting station B; the elements extend from their respective spindles through an annular guide area formed between the housing 28a and tubular support 42. The yarn elements 26 are delivered to the knitting needles from the outer knitting stations A, while the yarn elements 26a are delivered to the needles through the inner knitting stations B.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the standard circular knitting machine has been modified to provide the inner knitting stations B which are mounted on the central circular plate 27. The knitting stations A and B are disposed in the same circumferential plane, as shown in FIGURE 7, but are disposed in different radial planes so as to be offset from each other; this forms an open space between the stations A and B with said space being located along the circumferential plane or path in which said stations are disposed.

When the knitting machine is operated, the yarn 26 is directed to the outer knitting station A while the yarn 26a is directed to the inner knitting station B. The knitting needles operating in the usual manner will engage the yarn. to form a knitted fabric in circular form, such knit structure being generally indicated by the letter S in FIGURES 1 and 3; the circular knitted fabric may be subsequently cut along a longitudinal plane to form a flat section of fabric material. As is well known, the circular knit structure is wound upon a roller 43 (FIG- URE 1) and such roller is driven through a pulley 44, belt 45, and a pulley 46 mounted on a stub shaft 47. The stub shaft is driven through a suitable chain or timing belt 48 from the main drive shaft 21 of the machine. The roller 43 functions to apply a downward pull upon the knitted structure, which pull is transmitted to the

yarn elements

26 and 26a to move them through the knitting operation.

With respect to the

yarn elements

26 and 26a, it is pointed out that these elements may be yarn of any type or might even be a narrow strip material capable of a knitting operation. They may be of the same material or, if desired, for pattern design, structural or other purposes they could be of different material. Also the yarn elements may be supplied from any source other than the particular spindles shown.

The major feature of the present invention is the manner of insertion or interengagement of a plurality of insert or strip elements 50 into the knitted structure formed by the

yarn elements

26 and 26a. Each insert element may be of any material but is preferably of a material which either has a nonstretch characteristic so that when it is incorporated into the knitted structure the final fabric will have a nonstretch characteristic or has a relatively large surface area as compared to the

yarn elements

26 and 26a so that a fabric using a minimum amount of small yarn may be produced; the invention contemplates that the insert or strip elements may have both the nonstretch characteristic and the increased surface area if the final fabric is of a type which would make this advantageous. If used solely for decorative purpose, the insert elements may be stretchable and of any size surface area. Materials, such as plastic or paper, have been found satisfactory for use in forming the insert elements.

For supplying the insert elements 50 to the knitting machine, it is preferable to employ an apparatus which consists of three identical devices or units 51, 51a and 51b (FIGURE 2). Each of the devices or units 51, 51a and 51b is arranged to supply the number of insert elements 50 for one-third of the circumference of the knitting cylinder 13; although three supply devices or units are illustrated, this number is subject to variation. Since each device unit is substantially the same, a description of one will suice.

The unit 51 (FIGURE l) includes a suitable frame 52 upon the lower end of which may be supported the motor 3S which imparts rotation to the main drive shaft 21 of the knitting machine, as has been explained. Mounted upon the frame is a supply roll of sheet material 53 and this material is passed upwardly through a slitter mechanism generally indicated at 54. The slitter includes the usual slitter rolls which may be adjustable to vary the width of the strips or insert elements 50 and since it is of well known construction a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary. The slitter rolls are driven by means of a

drive shaft

5,5 having a gear 56 mounted thereon with said gear being connected through a chain or timing belt 57 with the shaft 58 of a gear reducer 59. 'I'he shaft of the gear reducer is driven through a chain or driving belt 60 from the stub shaft 47; as has been explained the stub shaft 47 is operated by the main drive shaft 21 through the chain drive 48. The other supply and slitter units 51a and 51b are preferably driven from the shaft 55 of the unit 51 by elongate drive shafts 55a and universal joints 55b so that all units run at the same speed; however, if desired, each unit could be driven by its own motor.

It is preferable that the driving connections between the main drive shaft 21 and the slitter mechanism 54 of unit 51 be such that there is no slippage and for this reason, timing belts or chains are preferable. Thus, the speed at which the insert elements 50 from all units 51, 51a and 51b are supplied to the knitting machine is coordinated to the speed of the knitting machine so that the insert elements 5t) are delivered to the area of the knitting stations A and B at a rate which is compatible with the rate at which the

yarn elements

26 and 26a are directed to said stations. As Will hereinafter appear, the i11- sert elements 50, as well as the

yarn elements

26 and 26a: are pulled into the machine at the same rate by reason of the rollers 43 (FIGURE l) upon which the finished fabric is wound.

Although the slitter units 51, 51a and 51b are preferable, they are not essential to the invention since any means for supplying the insert elements may be employed. For example, insert elements, previously formed, could be wound on spindles and such spindles could be mounted on the framework of the knitting machine; in such case the pre-formed insert elements would be fed directly from the spindles to the area of the knitting stations. After each insert element 50 has been formed, it is passed through the eye 61 of a resilient finger 62 whereby the elements are maintained separated from each other; the spring fingers -62 also provide suicient flexi- 6 bility to relieve any excessive tension on the insert elements 50 to reduce the possibility of breakage during operation.

Each insert element 50 is thereafter directed upwardly through a guide ring 63 secured to the upper portion of the frame 32 of the knitting machine and is then passed downwardly on the inside of an annular guide ring 64 (FIGURE 3) which guide is suitably secured to a portion of the framework 22 of the knitting machine. Spaced at some distance below the guide ring 64 and located above the circular plate 27 is another stationary ring 65 which is also suitably secured in position within the frame of lthe knitting machine. This ring carries a plurality of flexible guide fingers 66 which are arranged in a circumferential path and which are best shown in FIGURES 4 and 7. Each flexible guide finger has a fiattened guide collar 67 at its lower end and each insert element 50 extends downwardly along the flexible finger 66 and has its end passing through the collar 67 and is then directed to the area adjacent to the knitting stations A and B.

As will be explained, each insert element is directed into the knitting machine while a knitting of the

yarn elements

26 and 26a is being performed and said strips are adapted to be interengaged with the knitted fabric. Insertion of the elements 50 into the fabric is accomplished by disposing the Strips alternately on opposite sides of adjacent courses of the knitted fabric so that the insert elements become a part of the final fabric and are retained in position 4by the actual knitting of the

elements

26 and 26a into the final fabric structure. Preferably the strips are disposed in a position so that each strip extends transversely with respect to the courses of the knitted material.

The knitting stations A and B and the manner in which the

yarn elements

26 and 26a are knitted while the insert elements 50 are interengaged with the knitted structure is best shown in FIGURES 7-9. Each station A includes an annular yarn guide member 68 which is mounted upon the rotatable ring 17 which is secured through the brackets 18 to the main actuating ring 16; thus each of the stations A rotate about the cylinder 13. The guide member 68 has a vertical portion 63a provided with an opening 69 which is so located that the knitting needle 14 will engage the yarn extending from the opening and pull it downwardly to perform a knitting operation. As shown in FIGURE 7, station A is in the same circumferential plane as station B but is offset therefrom by being located in a different radial plane.

Station B is shown in FIGURE 6 and each station includes an angular guide member 70 mounted on the inner circular plate 27 which as previously explained rotates at the same speed as actuating ring 16 which carries stations A. The guide has suitable openings through which a yarn element 26a may extend to locate said yarn element in a position to `be engaged by the reciprocating needle 14. As is well known, the reciprocation of the needles, as controlled 'by the actuating cams 15 performs a knitting operation whereby the

yarns

26 and 26a are knitted into a knitted structure.

For feeding the insert elements 50 into the knitted structure the fiexible guide fingers 66 are located in substantially the same circumferential plane as the needles 14 when the guide fingers are in their normal or relaxed position. Also each guide finger is disposed to deliver each insert element between two adjacent knitting needles (FIGURE 4) and the guide fingers as well as the insert elements carried thereby are nonrotatable. Thus the knitting stations and the yarn elements are rotating with respect to the fingers, insert elements and needles. In order to interengage or interweave the insert elements 14 into the structure during the knitting operation, the fiexible fingers are adapted to be moved laterally with respect to the knitting needles so as to locate each insert element on one side or the other of the knitted structure and also to remove the lower portions of said guide lingers from the path of circumferential movement of the knitting stations A and B.

Referring to FIGURE which shows station A,- when the knitting needle has moved upwardly to engage the yarn element 26, the flexible linger 66 and its insert element 50 have been moved to the left in this ligure thereby locating said insert element out of alignment with the knitting needle. This movement is accomplished by a relatively nonflexible'bowed member 71 (FIGURES 4 and 7); this member may be referred to as a positioning strap and is mounted by means of angle brackets 72 on the rotating upper ring 17. It is so located with respect to the guide member 68 that as the knitting needle 14 moves upwardly to engage the yarn element 26 at station A, the lower portion of the flexible finger 66 engages said strap and is swung inwardly which displaces the insert element 50 carried by the linger out of aligsnment with the needle. This movement also locates the insert element out of circumferential alignment with the guide element 68 and prevents such element from striking or engaging the guide linger. As has been noted, the guide 68 is rotatable while the spring fingers 66 are stationary.

After engagement of the needle with the yarn element 26 at station A, a loop or stitch is formed in the usual manner. After formation of the stitch, the yarn element 26a will be engaged to begin formation of the next loop. At this time it is necessary to move the guide linger 66 and its insert element 50 to the opposite side of the structure being knitted. This position is shown in FIG- UREI 6 and is accomplished by the engagement of the guide finger 66 with a rotatable positioning disc 72. This disc is mounted upon a shaft 73 secured to the rotating circular plate 27 and extends beyond the periphery of the plate a suliicient distance to displace the lower portion of the yguide linger 66 to the position of FIGURE 6. The plate actually carries a number of the discs 72 (FIG- URE 8) and disposed between these discs in radial positions are the positioning straps 71 which are carried by the rotating upper ring 17. As the positioning straps and the discs 27 rotate in a circumferential path, the flexible guide lingers 66 are alternately engaged by said straps and discs; the timing is such that the inward and outward movement of the spring fingers, and the insert elements guided thereby, is coordinated with the knitting operation so that each insert element is placed on one side or the other of the knitted structure in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7. In other words, each insert element is disposed between the loops formed during the knitting operation in what might be referred to as an interweaving or interlacing operation, and as shown, each insert extends transversely of the courses of the fabric when in linal position (FIGURE l2).

Each positioning disc is adjustable with respect to the extent of its peripheral projection beyond the periphery of the circular plate. This adjustment is accomplished by forming an arcuate slot in the circular plate 27 and mounting each disc upon an adjusting arm 74 which is pivoted to the under side of the circular plate 27. By a suitable locknut arrangement each disc may be moved inwardly or outwardly of the periphery of the circular plate so that the extent of outward displacement of the guide lingers 66 may be controlled. Inward displacement of the guide lingers is controlled by the shape of the positioning strap or member 71.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the standard circular knitting machine is modified to the extent of providing a plurality of inner knitting stations B carried by an inner rotatable plate member 27. Additionally the flexible guide fingers 66 are provided to direct the insert elements S0 into the area of the knitting stations A and B. Also the positioning control assemblyfor controlling the positioning of the guide lingers is added; such assembly com-prises plate 27 and the inner discs 72 tor controlling the outward displacement at the proper time of the guide lingers and the outer positioning member or strap 71 for controlling the inward displacement position of the guide fingers 66. With these modifications to the standard circular knitting machine the apparatus functions to practice the improved method to produce the improved fabric consisting of the knitted structure having the insert elements of desired characteristics incorporated therein.

OPERATION The operation of the apparatus and the novel method of forming a fabric is obvious from the foregoing. By providing the outer and inner knitting stations A and B, it is possible to feed the yarn elements 26 to the knitting station A and to also feed the yarn elements 26a to station B, while still providing an area between the stations which permits the insertion of the insert elements 50 into the knitted structure. In an ordinary knitting machine, all yarn elements are fed to knitting stations located on the rotating ring 17, and in such event it would not be possible to insert the elements 50 because the yarn would, at all times, be in the path through which the insert elements would have to be directed into the structure. i,

The knitting stations A and-'B rotate simultaneously to feed the yarn elements to the needles which reciprocate vertically but which are stationary in a circumferential direction. T he insert elements are also nonrotatable and each insert element S0 is located between two needles, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 4. By reason of the insert elements S0 being carried by the exible guide lingers, said insert elements are moved back and forth in a lateral direction, that is, inwardly and outwardly of the machine (FIGURES 5 and 6), so that as the knitting of the material proceeds, the strip is inserted on opposite sides of the knitted structure. The knitting operation may proceed at the usual normal speed of a knitting machine and simultaneously with the knitting operation, the insert elements 50 are directed into position between the loops and placed therein in what might be termed 1an interweaving operation. Thus, the fabric, even though having the insert elements interwoven or interlaced into the struc,

ture, is formed at the speed of the operation of a knitting machine. This greatly reduces the cost of manufacture since production proceeds at a high rate.

The movement of the guide fingers 66, which direct each insert element 50 into its position between two needles, is carried out automatically by the position control assembly consisting of the rotating circular plate and discs 72 and the positioning members 71 which are rotated by ring 17. The spacing between the inner positioning discs 72 and the outer positioning members 71 and their relationship to the yarn knitting stations A and B is such that the flexible lingers are displaced in timed relationship to the forming of each stitch, with the result that the strip is inserted into the knitted structure to form the fabric as shown in FIGURE 10. It is, of course, evident that the discs 72 and the positioning members 71 may be changed in contour and number so that either one or more courses of the structure may be knitted together before movement of the guide finger 66 occurs; therefore, the insert elements S0 may be interengaged or interwoven into the knitted structure in any desired manner and relationship to the yarn and to overall fabric.

Other than the modifications of the knitting machine as previously mentioned, the knitting machine is standard. Therefore, the yarn elements are knitted by the needles in the usual way, as is well known, and the guiding together with the inward and outward movement of the insert elements 50 permits said elements to be properly inserted into the knitted structure.

THE IMPROVED FABRIC through the fabric in a direction transverse to the cross links C between the yarn loops D; the cross links which extend between the rows R of yarn loops form what is sometimes referred to as courses in a knitted structure and said yarn loop rows are sometimes referred to as the wales or ribs of the knitted structure. The yarn elements 26 are those fed into the knitting needles from the outer feed stations A, while the yarn elements 26a are those fed to the knitting needles from the inner feed stations B. In the knitting step or operation, the

yarn elements

26 and 26a are knitted together to form the yarn loops D, said yarn loops being located in the rows R. An insert element 50 is confined between adjacent yarn loop rows or wales and is retained in the structure by the yarn loop rows as well as by the interlacing of said element with the cross links or courses. As shown in FIGURE 12, insert elements are located between all of the rows R of yarn loops but this is not essential. For example, there may be two or more rows R of yarn loops between each insert element and the number of insert elements and their characteristics will depend upon the type of fabric it is desired to produce.

The insert elements are illustrated as relatively wide strips which permit maximumsurface area to be provided with a minimum amount of yarn material; however, as has been noted, the strip may also have a nonstretch characteristic. Where only nonstretching is desired, the insert elements may be relatively narrow and may be another type of yarn, a filament or a strand. If the insert element is primarily for decorative purposes, it need not have either a nonstretching characteristic or a large surface area. It is thus evident that a composite knitted structure having insert elements of preselected characteristics in- .terengaged or interlaced therein in a manner of interweaving may be formed on a knitting machine which permits more production at a faster rate (as compared to a loom) with resultant less manufacturing cost.

The fabric shown in FIGURE 12 illustrates the insert elements 50 as extending in a transverse direction with respect to the courses or cross links and confined by the yarn loop rows R; the elements are interlaced alternately through the courses so as to be positioned inside and outside of the fabric structure, that is, a portion of each element is on one surface of the fabric with the remaining portion being located on the other surface of said fabric. It is noted that the insert elements 50 need not be alternately interlaced with relation to adjacent courses but may be interlaced between every other, every third or any other number of courses; also as explained, any number of yarn loop rows R may be between the insert elements. Thus any preselected relationship is possible to produce the fabric having the desired quality. Additionally, the yarn elements 26 may be of the same material as, or different from, the yarn elements 26a; the same is true as to the insert elements which may be of any size or material to suit the particular need.

The fabric may be used for various purposes. A product may be manufacturedfrom the fabric which will not stretch or elongate in one direction; as an example, a bag may be made of the fabric and such bag would have no stretch in a longitudinal direction and would have only a limited stretch in an annular or circumferential direction. Another example of final product would be a drape or curtain material; in this type of material it would be advantageous to employ insert elements of large surface area in order to reduce the cost and if the element also has the nonstretch characteristic, sagging and deformation of the drapes would be prevented. In other products where the nonstretch characteristic is not required, the insert elements having only large surface area may be used for purposes of economy. Also if the insert element is for decorative or design purpose, it may be stretchable and may be of any surface area.

Attention is called to the prior patent to Marks, et al., No. 3,242,698 issued Mar. 29, 1966, in which a plurality of strips, which form a piling on one surface of the fabric, are made a part of the finished fabric. In such patent, one longitudinal edge of each strip is engaged by the knitting needles during the knitting operation and said edge portion is gathered into and retained between the tightened yarn loops of the fabric. As distinguished from this, the insert elements of this invention are inserted between the adjacent rows of yarn loops which rows confine the elements and also each element is interlaced between the cross links between said rows, which cross links form the courses of the finished fabric. Therefore, the insert elements of this invention are incorporated within and form part of the fabric structure.

SECOND EMBODIMENT The modified form of apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 10 and 11 includes the knitting machine K which is a rotating cylinder type of circular knitting machine. In -this machine, the supply of yarn remains stationary while the supply of insert elements rotates with the rotation of the cylinder and needles. The knitting machine K is provided with suitable structure for supporting the yarn supply at a posi-tion substantially above the rotating cylinder 13a. The yarn elements 2Gb are delivered downwardly through the tube guides 81 to the inner feeding stations B at a position above the central plate 27a and beneath the positioning disc 72a. Additional yarn elements 26C are delivered through the tubes 82 to the outer knitting stations A in a manner similar to that described in relation to the knitting machine K.

Since the supply of insert elements 50a rotates with the rotating cylinder 13a, the means supplying such insert elements or strips 50a includes supply rolls 83, slitter cutters 84 and suitable guide fingers (not shown) which are similar to the guide fingers 66 of the rst form. The supply roll 83 and cutters 84 are suitably mounted on a support ring 85 which is driven by the drive connections 86 from the main drive shaft 21a. Thus, each web of material withdrawn from its roll 83 is divided by the slitter cutters 84 into a plurality of insert elements which may be in strip form. Such strips 50a are directed into the fabric during the knitting operation involving knitting of the yarn elements 26b and 26e. Inner positioning discs and outer positioning members (not shown) which will be similar to positioning discs 72 and members 71 of the first form and which operate in the same manner are employed to properly position the strips outwardly at each inner feeding station and inwardly at each outer feeding station in the manner previously described.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of feeding an insert element into a knitted fabric during the weft knitting of said fabric on a knitting machine, which method comprises,

directing each insert element along a path which is in alignment with the space between adjacent selected wales of the fabric as said fabric is being knitted,

moving each insert element inwardly and outwardly of the fabric as it is being knitted, said movement being in a preselected manner to interengage said element with the knitted fabric and to locate portions of each insert element on opposite sides of the courses of said fabric, and

confining each insert element against displacement fro-m its directed path with respect to said space between selected wales of the fabric during its inward and outward movement relative to the fabric to thereby locate each element between said selected wales in the finished fabric.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein each insert element is of a material having a nonstretch characteristic in a direction longitudinally o-f the insert element whereby the insert elements limit the stretch of the finished fabric in such` direction.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein each insert element is a fiat strip having a surface area which is substantially greater than that of the yarn `being knitted so that the major portion of the surface area of the finished fabric is formed by said insert elements.

4. The method of inserting an insert element into a knitted fabric while said fabric is being weft knitted `by the reciprocating knitting needles of a circular knitting machine, said method including the steps of,

guiding each insert element along a path which is in alignment with the Space between selected adjacent needles, moving each insert element inwardly and outwardly of the fabric 'being knitted in a preselected manner to interengage said element with the fabric and thereby locate portions of each insert element on opposite sides of the courses of the knitted fabric, and

confining each insert element against displacement from its guided path with respect to the space formed between the selected adjacent needles to assure that said element is disposed between the wales of the finished knitted fabric.

5. The -method of feeding insert elements to a circular knitting machine having spaced knitting needles disposed in a circumferential path, said method including the steps of guiding each insert element along a path extending into the space between selected adjacent needles,

moving each insert element in a direction radially of the circular knitting machine and inwardly and outwardly with respect to the knitting needles as the fabric is knitted to thereby position portions of each insert element on opposite sides of the courses of the knitted fabric, and

conning each insert element against displacement in a circumferential direction relative to the needles as the knitting of the fabric and the positioning of the insert elements proceeds.

6. The method of producing a fabric on a circular knitting machine having knitting needles and also having a plurality of outer and inner yarn stations which are circumferentially spaced from each other and further having a plurality of insert element stations, said method including the steps of Ifeeding yarn from each of the outer and inner yarn stations for engagement by the knitting needles, knitting said yarn into a fabric,

simultaneously directing an insert element from at least some of said insert element stations along a path which is in alignment with the space between selected wales of the fabric being knitted and is also between an inner and outer yarn station,

moving each insert element inwardly and outwardly of the fabric as said fabric is being knitted, said movement of the clement being in preselected timed sequence with the knitting operation to interengage said insert element with the fabric in a manner to locate predetermined portions of each insert element on opposite sides of the courses of the finished fabric,

and

confining each insert element against displacement from its directed path with respect to said space between selected wales of the fabric during its inward and outward movement relative to the fabric to thereby position each element between said selected wales in the finished fabric.

7. The method set forth in claim 6, wherein each insert element is of a material having a nonstretch characteristic in a direction longitudinally of said element, whereby said insert clements limit the stretch of the finished fabric in such direction.

8. The method set forth in claim 6, wherein each insert element is a yarn of substantially the same cross-sectional area as the yarns being knitted into a fabric.

9. The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein each insert element is a flat strip having a surface which is substantially greater than that of the yarns being knitted so that the major portion of the surface area of the nished fabric is formed by said insert elements.

10. An apparatus for producing a fabric, comprising a knitting machine having knitting needles and a knitting cylinder, a plurality of inner yarn feed stations, a plurality of outer yarn feed stations, said inner and outer yarn feed stations being alternately disposed in a circumferential path and spaced from each other,

means for delivering yarn to each of said inner and outer yarn feed stations for engagement by the knitting needles,

means for operating said knitting needles to knit said yarns into a fabric,

a plurality of insert elements,

means for directing each insert element along a path extending into the space between selected wales of the fabric being knitted, means for moving each insert element inwardly and outwardly of the fabric being knitted to cause each insert element to interengage the courses of the fabric in a manner which locates portions of the insert element on opposite sides of the finished fabric, and

means preventing displacement of each insert element from its guided path and with respect to the space between the selected wales to assure that said element will be confined between said wales in the' linished fabric.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means for directing each insert element along the desired path comprises a guide member within which said insert element is retained, and the means for moving the element is a cam means coacting with Vthe guide member to cause said guide member and the insert element retained therein to move inwardly and outwardly of the fabric being knitted. 12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means for preventing displacement of each insert element is a guide member which is mounted for movement in a radial direction inwardly and outwardly of the knitting machine but is incapable of movement circumferentially of said machine, and

means on said guide member for retaining an insert element thereon.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the means for directing each insert element, the means for moving said element and the means for preventing displacement of said element comprise,

a flexible guide member along which the element is guided,

retaining means on the member to hold the insert element against lateral displacement therefrom, and cam means engageable and coactng with the exible guide member to flex said member and move its lower portion inwardly and outwardly of the fabric being knitted to move the insert element accordingly.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the guide members, the insert elements and the knitting needles are nonrotatively supported, while the yarn supplied to the inner and outer stations and the cam means are rotatably mounted with respect to the nonrotating parts.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein 8,507,130 13 said inner and outer yarn feed stations are nonrotatively supported, and said insert element stations and knitting needles are rotatable with respect to said inner and outer yarn feed stations.

References Cited 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/ 1872 Ramsdell.

9/ 1879 Chase.

6/ 1903 Nicholls. 10 10/ 1933 Weliens,

14 11/1966 Marks et al 66-202 XR 7/ 1967 Marks et al. 66-202 FOREIGN PATENTS 8/ 1925 Great Britain. 7/1936 Great Britain.

RONALD FELDBAUM, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R.