US3901050A - Automatic knitting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic knitting machine including improved needle actuator mechanisms is provided. The actuator mechanisms are particularly useful for operating the cylinder and dial needles of a circular knitting machine. The cylinder needle actuator mechanism includes a plurality of selectively operable actuators, each operatively associated with a corresponding cylinder needle, and a plurality of solenoids for selectively operating the actuators to select desired cylinder needles to be operated. The cylinder needle actuator mechanism reciprocates to move the selected cylinder needles longitudinally relative to a cylindrical needle support. The dial needle actuator mechanism includes a plurality of actuator members arranged in a circular configuration and slidably mounted for movement radially outward and inward relative to a circular needle support to simultaneously operate the dial needles. The machine also includes a pair of circular guide bars mounted for rotation relative to the needle supports and operated by stepping motors for receiving and guiding strands of yarn to the cylinder and dial needles.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Schur et al.

[4 1 Aug. 26, 1975 1 1 AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Paul E. Schur, New York, N.Y.;

Peter E. Gallotello, Danbury, Conn.; Joseph F. Keuler, Long Island City,

[73] Assignee: Rome Knitting Mills, Inc., New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Apr. 2, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 347,076

[52] US. Cl 66/5; 66/81; 66/149 R; 66/166 [51 Int. Cl. ...D04B 25/02; D04B 27/08; D04B 35/20 [58] Field of Search 66/81, 79, 5, 6, 8, 86 R, 66/166,151,149 R, 82 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,353 6/1898 Lindner 66/81 670,497 3/1901 Hill 66/81 1,855,033 4/1932 Spiers 66/5 2,166,494 7/1939 Hiller 66/81 3,345,836 10/1967 Fertig et al. 66/166 3,370,443 2/1968 Bentley et al..... 66/5 UX 3,566,618 3/1971 Merritt 66/81 3,762,184 10/1973 Schur et a1 66/86 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 148,863 3/1937 Austria 66/5 623,504 12/1935 Germany 66/8 807,535 7/1951 Germany 66/81 1,008,438 5/1957 Germany 66/8 5/1957 Germany ..66/8 5/1969 Germany ..66/5

[5 7 ABSTRACT An automatic knitting machine including improved needle actuator mechanisms is provided. The actuator mechanisms are particularly useful for operating the cylinder and dial needles of a circular knitting machine. The cylinder needle actuator mechanism includes a plurality of selectively operable actuators, each operatively associated with a corresponding cylinder needle, and a plurality of solenoids for selectively operating the actuators to select desired cylinder needles to be operated. The cylinder needle actuator mechanism reciprocates to move the selected cylinder needles longitudinally relative to a cylindrical needle support. Thedial needle actuator mechanism includes a plurality of actuator members arranged in a circular configuration and slidably mounted for movement radially outward and inward relative to a circular needle support to simultaneously operate the dial needles. The machine also includes a pair of circular guide bars mounted for rotation relative to the needle supports and operated by stepping motors for receiving and guiding strands of yarn to the cylinder and dial needles.

34 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEI] AUG 2 6 I975 pmmmmczsms SHEET mmm vmm hmm SHEET PATENTED M182 81975 ems PATLNTEU SHEET 5 PATENTED AUG 2 6 [975 SHEET v W wt SHEET mmm 3.8611 ,O'SO

PATENTED mezsms AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE The present invention relates to knitting machines and, more particularly, to improved actuator mechanisms for operating the needles of automatic knitting machines to produce a circular knit fabric, a warp knit fabric, or both. The improved actuator mechanisms can be employed in a circular knitting machine for operating the cylinder needles and dial needles of the machine to produce a circular fabric in a desired knit pattern. The actuator mechanisms can also be used to operate the needles of a flat-bed warp machine to produce a warp knit fabric. The mechanisms are suitable for use in both single knit and double knit machines.

In the prior art, circular knitting machines have been developed which include a cylindrical needle support provided with a plurality of grooves or needle tricks formed in its periphery for receiving cylinder needles and a circular needle support or dial mounted coaxially with the cylindrical support and provided with a plurality of radial grooves or needle tricks for receiving dial needles. The circular knitting machines have employed either revolving cylinders or stationary cylinders.

In stationary cylinder machines, the cylindrical needle support remains stationary during knitting operations and a cam box, including a plurality of selectively operable camming devices, rotates about the cylindrical needle support to operate the cylinder needles. In revolving cylinder machines, the cylindrical needle support is revolved relative to a plurality of stationary camming devices to selectively operate the cylinder needles. Alternately, the revolving cylinder machines employ pattern wheels or drums to control the operation of the cylinder needles.

The prior art mechanisms for operating the cylinder needles of circular knitting machines have required substantial manual operation to set the mechanisms for different knit patterns. For example, the camming mechanisms of the prior art have been extremely cumbersome and complicated in structure including numerous adjustable cams requiring manual adjustment by an operator. Similarly, in the case of pattern wheels, it has been necessary for an operator to manually fill slots in the wheels to achieve desire needle movement, while in the case of pattern drums, the operator has been required to manually set up control elements, e.g., pegs, to control needle movement. The required manual operation provides a substantial opportunity for error in the setting of the cams, wheels or drums and the resulting knit fabric design. In addition, the substantial amount of manual labor required to change the control mechanisms makes it difficult and expensive to achieve complicated variations in knit fabric design, or to change the knitting operation from one fabric design to another. Further, the cam, wheel and drum mechanisms have only provided simultaneous control of cylinder needles spaced uniformly around the cylinder and have not provided individual control of each cylinder needle at the same time.

The prior art has also developed electronic needle control mechanisms which have been used in knitting machines known as Morat machines. These electronic needle control mechanisms, like the cam, wheel and drum mechanisms described above, have only been capable of simultaneous control of needles spaced uniformly around the machine, e.g., every 36th needle,

and have not been capable of simultaneous, individual control of all needles.

The present invention comtemplates a knitting machine in which it is possible to individually control every knitting needle and to easily and rapidly vary the combination of knitting needles selected for operation. The invention provides a needle control mechanism which can be electronically programmed to carry out desired knitting operations. The control mechanism is particularly useful for operating the cylinder needles of a circular knitting machine, but it can also be used to operate the dial needles of a circular machine or the needles of a flat-bed warp machine. In a circular machine, the needle control mechanism allows each cylinder needle to be moved to its knit, tuck or welt 'positions according to an external program which can select every possible combination of cylinder needles for operation to achieve desired knitting results. The invention also provides a dial needle control mechanism for simultaneously operating the dial needles.

In accordance with the invention, a knitting machine for producing knit fabric from strands of material comprises a first group of knitting needles mounted for longitudinal movement parallel to a common direction; a second group of knitting needles mounted adjacent to the first group of needles for longitudinal movement transversely relative to the common direction; first actuator means for selectively operating the first group of knitting needles to move the needles parallel to the common direction, the first actuator means including a plurality of selectively operable actuators, each of the actuators being operatively associated with a corresponding knitting needle of the first group, and means for selectively operating the actuators to select desired knitting needles of the first group to be operated; second actuator means for operating the second group of knitting needles to move the needles transversely relative to the common direction; and means for supplying the strands of material to the first and second groups of knitting needles to be knit together in a desired pattern determined by the selected knitting needles of the first group.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, e.g., a circular knitting machine, the first group of needles is mounted in a circular configuration for longitudinal movement parallel to a common axis and the second group of knitting needles is mounted in a circular configuration adjacent to the first group of needles for radial movement relative to the common axis. The first actuator means selectively operates the knitting needles of the first group to move the needles parallel to the common axis, and the second actuator means operates the knitting needles of the second group to move the needles alternately outward and inward relative to the common axis.

A preferred embodiment of the circular knitting machine includes a cylindrical needle support on which the first group of knitting needles (cylinder needles) is slidably mounted for movement parallel to its axis. The first actuator means includes a frame surrounding the cylindrical support for supporting the actuators in alignment with the corresponding needles on the cylindrical support, and means for reciprocating the frame in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical support to slide selected needles on the cylindrical support engaged by the actuators. In the preferred embodiment, the means for selectively operating the actuators comprises a plurality of solenoids mounted on the frame, each of which isoperatively' associated with a single actuator. The knitting machine can be provided with a programmable control device, e.g., a plurality of switches under the control of a punched paper tape reader, for selecting various combinations of solenoids to be operated. The programmable feature of the knitting machine permits the knit fabric design to be easily and inexpensively varied.

The preferred embodiment of the circular knitting machine also includes a circular needle support on which the second group of knitting needles (dial needles) is slidably mounted for radial movement relative to its axis. The circular needle support is mounted adjacent to one end of the cylindrical needle support with itsaxis coincident with the axis of the cylindrical support. The second actuator means includes a plurality of actuator members arranged in a circular configuration on the circular needle support and slidably mounted for radial movement relative to the circular support, each of the-actuator members engaging a group of needles on the circular support, and means for simultaneously reciprocating the actuator members radially relative to the circular support to slide the needles alternately outward and inward relative to the circular support.

In the preferred embodiment of the circular knitting machine, a pair of guide bars is mounted adjacent to the cylindrical support for receiving and guiding strands of yarn intov the path of movement of the needles on the cylindrical and circular supports. Preferably, both guide bars are substantially circular in shape with axes coincident with the common axis of the cylindrical support and circular support. The guide bars are mounted for rotation about the common axis to permit the strands of yarn to be moved laterally relative to the needles on the cylindrical and circular supports.

The preferred embodiment also includes stepping motors for controlling the operation of the guide bars. Each guide bar is provided with its own stepping motor which responds to separate programming instructions to move the guide bars independently to desired positions. Control signals for the stepping motors and the cylinder needle actuating mechanism can be derived from the same program, e.g., via a punched paper tape reader. Thus, the stepping motors and cylinder needle actuating mechanism can operate jointly or independently of each other.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a circular knitting machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention illustrating a yarn supply section, a knitting section including a cylindrical needle support and a circular needle support, and a fabric take-up mechanism for winding the knit fabric into a roll.

. FIGS. 2A and 2B, when taken together, constitute a vertical section of the cylindrical needle support and circular n'eedle support of the knitting section and illustrate an annular frame surrounding the cylindrical support for supporting a plurality of needle actuating devices in alignment with corresponding knitting needles mounted on the cylindrical support and a sensing device for examining the fabric produced by the machine to locate flaws in the material.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the cylindrical support, circular support, and annular frame of FIG. 2A illustrating a plurality of solenoids for operating actuator members to select desired needles on the cylindrical support for operation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cylindrical support, circular support, and annular frame of FIG. 3 illustrating the arrangement of the solenoids on the annular frame.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the cylindrical needle support and circular needle support illustrating the positions of first and second circular guide bars mounted adjacent to the cylindrical and circular needle supports.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a roller mechanism used to support the yarn supply section of the knitting machine for rotation relative to the machine frame.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an actuating mechanism for the knitting needles mounted on the circular needle support. I

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the circular support and actuating mechanism of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a reciprocating mechanism provided to impart reciprocating movement to the annular frame and actuators.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the reciprocating mechanism of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an end view taken along line ll1l of FIG. 9 of a rotatable cam of the reciprocating mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control circuit for controlling the operation of the cylinder needles and guide bars of the circular knitting machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, a circular knitting machine, which embodies the principles of the present invention, includes a knitting section 20, a yarn supply section 22 for supplying a plurality of strands of yarn to the knitting section, and a fabric take-up section 24 which winds knit fabric produced by the knitting section into aroll. The knitting machine includes a main frame comprising a plurality of legs 26 and a plurality of vertical supports 28 mounted on the legs for supporting knitting section 20. A circular track 30 is secured to the upper ends of vertical supports 28. The circular track supports yarn supply section 22 for rotation about a vertical axis of the knitting machine.

Yarn supply section 22 comprises a generally circular support plate 32, a plurality of arms 33 extending upward from plate 32, and a plurality of yarn supply spools 34 rotatably mounted on brackets 35 secured to arms 33. Each supply spool 34 is divided into a plurality of sections for feeding individual strands of yarn to the knitting section. The supply spool sections can be provided with individual tension devices, e.g., tension rollers (not shown), to maintain all of the yarn strands at a uniform tension. As the machine performs knitting operations, each supply spool section feeds the desired amount of yarn and the tension rollers maintains the same tension in each yarn strand, unless the particular knitting operation requires strands at different tension.

As shown in FIG. 1, support plate 32 is provided with a plurality of roller mechanisms 36 for supporting the plate for rotation on track 30. Referring to FIG. 6, each roller mechanism 36 includes a body 37 secured to the underside of support plate 32 and provided with a horizontal slot 38 for receiving the inner edge of track 30. Body 37 rotatably supports a first roller 39 for engaging the upper surface of track 30 and a second roller 40 for engaging the lower surface of the track. In addition, the body is provided with a third roller 41 rotatably mounted in slot 38 for engaging the inner edge of track 30. The rollers permit supply section 22 to be rotated relative to the vertical axis of the knitting machine by a motor 43 (FIG. 1).

The main frame of the knitting machine includes a plurality of inclined support arms 42 which extend upwardly and outwardly from vertical supports 28 and terminate in vertical portions 44. A pair of horizontal members 46, arranged at right angles, is secured to the upper ends of vertical portions 44. The horizontal members permit, if necessary, an additional yarn supply section (not shown) to be mounted above yarn supply section 22 to supply additional strands of yarn to the knitting section of the machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, knitting section includes a cylindrical needle support 50 and a circular needle support or dial ring 52 mounted coaxially with the vertical axis of the knitting machine. Both needle supports are stationary relative to the main frame of the machine. Cylindrical needle support 50 is supported by an upper ring plate 54 secured to vertical supports 28. Circular needle support 52 is supported by a plurality of rigid arms 56 extending downward from circular track 30. A lower ring plate 58 is supported by legs 26.

In accordance with the invention, the knitting machine includes a first group of knitting needles mounted for longitudinal movement parallel to a common direction. In the preferred embodiment, this first group of knitting needles comprises a plurality of cylinder needles 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4) slidably mounted in a circular configuration on cylindrical support 50 for movement parallel to the axis of the cylindrical support. As shown in FIG. 4, cylinder needles 60 are mounted in a plurality of spaced, vertical grooves or needle tricks 61 formed in the outer periphery of cylindrical support 50. Each cylinder needle includes a pair of needle butts projecting laterally from the shank of the needle. As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of needle butts is located either in a lower position, illustrated by needle butts 62 and 63, or in an upper position, illustrated by needle butts 64 and 65, on the cylinder needle. The arrangement of the pairs of needle butts in lower and upper positions permits alignment of the needle butts with corresponding actuators described below.

In addition, each cylinder needle 60 includes a projection 66 located near the top of its shank. Altematively, the cylinder needle can be provided with an indentation in place of projection 66. The purpose of the projection or indentation is explained below.

The present embodiment includes 1881 cylinder needles slidably mounted in corresponding vertical grooves on the cylindrical support. It is understood, however, that the number of cylinder needles can be varied to produce knit fabrics of various cuts or guages which require difi'erent numbers of needles.

In addition, the knitting machine includes a second group of knitting needles mounted adjacent to the first group of needles for longitudinal movement transversely relative to the common direction. In the preferred embodiment, the second group of needles is mounted in a circular configuration and comprises a plurality of dial needles 68 (FIGS. 3 and 4) slidably mounted in a plurality of radial grooves or needle tricks 69 formed at the periphery of circular support 52 for movement radially outward and inward relative to the common axis of the cylindrical and circular supports. Each dial needle 68 includes a needle butt 70 (FIG. 3) extending upward from its shank.

In accordance with the invention, the knitting machine is provided with first actuator means for selectively operating the first group of knitting needles to move the needles parallel to the common direction. This first actuator means includes a plurality of selectively operable actuators, each of which is operatively associated with a corresponding knitting needle of the first group, and means for selectively operating the actuators to selectdesired knitting needles of the first group to be operated. In the preferred embodiment, this first actuator means comprises a frame surrounding the cylindrical needle support, a plurality of actuator rods mounted on the frame in alignment with corresponding needles on cylindrical support, each actuator rod being movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage its corresponding needle, and a plurality of solenoids mounted on the frame, each solenoid being operatively associated with one of the actuator rods for moving the actuator rod between its retracted and extended positions.

Referring to FIG. 1, the circular knitting machine includes an annular frame 72 surrounding cylindrical support 50. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, frame 72 comprises an annular platform 73 which supports an inner vertical wall 74 and an outer curved wall 75. A plurality of solenoids (FIG. 1) is arranged in groups of nine on outer curved wall 75 of actuator frame 72. Each group of solenoids is located along an inclined row on the outer curved wall to provide sufficient spacing for the solenoids. The solenoids of each group are operatively associated with alternate cylinder needles on cylindrical needle support 50.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, for example, a first group of nine solenoids 76 is arranged in an inclined row on outer wall 75 of actuator frame 72. The outer wall includes a plurality of openings 77 (FIG. 3) for receiving threaded collars 78 of solenoids 76. A threaded clamp nut 79 is provided to hold each solenoid in its opening 77. Each solenoid 76 operates a corresponding actuator rod 80 in response to actuating signals from a control circuit (FIG. 12). Similarly, a second group of nine solenoids 81 is arranged in an inclined row on outer wall 75 of the activator frame to the left of the first group of solenoids 76. Solenoids 81 include threaded collars 82 received in openings 83 provided in outer wall 80 and secured by threaded clamp nuts 84. Each solenoid 81 operates a corresponding actuator rod 85 in response to actuating signals from the same control circuit (FIG. 12). In addition, a third group of nine solenoids 86 is located to the right of solenoids 76 to operate corresponding actuator rods (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 4, inner vertical wall 74 of actuator frame 72 is located adjacent to cylindrical support 50 and includes a plurality of apertures aligned with corresponding grooves or needle tricks 61 in the cylindrical support for receiving the actuator rods. For example, actuator rods 80 are slidably received in a set of nine apertures 88 for movement into registration with selected cylinder needles upon operation of corresponding solenoids 76. The set of nine apertures 88 is formed in inner wall 74 of the actuator frame at positions in alignment with alternate needle tricks 62 of cylindrical support 50. This set of apertures consists of a first, lower group of four apertures 88 for receiving the actuator rods 80 extending from the bottom four solenoids in the corresponding row of solenoids 76 and a second, upper group of five apertures 88 for receiving the actuator rods 80 extending from the top five solenoids in the row.

Similarly, adjacent sets of nine apertures are provided in inner wall 74 of the actuator frame for receiving actuator rods extending from the adjacent rows of solenoids. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, a set of apertures 89 is located generally to the left of apertures 88. The set of apertures 89 is similarly divided into an upper group of five apertures 89 and a lower group of four apertures (not shown). The lower group of four apertures 88 is interspaced with the upper group of five apertures 89. Thus, the actuator rods 80 projecting from the bottom four solenoids 76 and the actuator rods 85 projecting from the top five solenoids 81 are operatively associated with a group of nine adjacent cylinder needles 60. Similarly, the apertures (not shown) corresponding to the bottom four solenoids of the group of solenoids 86 located to the right of solenoids 76 are interspaced with the apertures (not shown) corresponding to the top five solenoids 76 to operate the next adjacent group of nine cylinder needles. The interspacing of adjacent sets of apertures is continued around the actuator frame so that each solenoid is operatively associated with a single cylinder needle.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower group of four apertures 88 is located at appropriate positions on inner wall 74 of actuator frame 72 to align actuator rods 80 of the bottom four solenoids 76 with the lower pairs of needle butts 62 and 63 of corresponding cylinder needles 60. Each aperture 88 extends through inner wall 74 at a slightly different angle because of the variation in the angle of inclination of the corresponding row of solenoids 76. FIG. 3 illustrates one of the actuator rods 80 in its retracted position relative to actuator frame 72. Upon actuation of its corresponding solenoid 76, actuator rod 80 is moved to its extended position beneath needle butt 62 of corresponding cylinder needle 60. The upper group of five apertures 88 is similarly formed at appropriate locations on inner wall 74 to align actuator rods 80 of the top five solenoids 76 with the upper pairs of needle butts 64 and 65 of corresponding cylinder needles 60.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper group of five apertures 89 is similarly located at appropriate positions on inner wall 74 to align actuator rods 85 of the top five solenoids 81 with the upper pairs of needle butts 64 and 65 of corresponding cylinder needles 60. Each aperture 89 extends through the inner wall at a slightly different angle because of the variation in the angle of inclination of the corresponding row of solenoids 81. Upon actuation of corresponding solenoids 81, actuator rods 85 move from retracted to extended positions beneath needle butts 64 of corresponding cylinder needles 60.

The preferred embodiment includes 209 groups of solenoids to operate the 1881 cylinder needles. The solenoids can be selectively operated by a control circuit (FIG. 12) to permit every possible combination of cylinder needles to be selected for operation. For example, it is possible to use a control circuit incorporating a paper tape reader under the control of a punched paper tape to define an operating sequence of different combinations of solenoids and corresponding cylinder needles for knitting a desired fabric pattern.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, platform 73 of actuator frame 72 is supported by an annular plate which rests on a plurality of inner support rods 92 and a plurality of outer support rods 94 slidably received in vertical bores 96 provided in upper ring plate 54. Referring to FIG. 9, each inner support rod 92 is secured by a set of brackets 98 to its corresponding outer support rod 94. Plate 90 and support rods 92 and 94 transmit motion from a reciprocating mechanism 99 (FIGS. 9 and 10) to actuator support frame 72.

Referring to FIG. 1, legs 26 of the main frame of the knitting machine support a plurality of bridging members 100 which intersect at the vertical axis of the machine. The bridging members support a plurality of brackets 102 (FIGS. 9 and 10) which, in turn, support bearing elements 104 for slidably receiving the lower ends of support rods 94. In addition, lower ring plate 58 includes a plurality of vertical bores 106 for receiving outer support rods 94. A plurality of brackets 108 is mounted on ring plate 58 above vertical bores 106, and each bracket supports a vertically oriented bearing 110 in which the corresponding outer support rod is slidably received. Similarly, upper ring plate 54 is also provided with a plurality of vertical bores for receiving outer support rods 94. A plurality of bearing elements (not shown), similar to bearings 110 (FIG. 9), can be provided on the lower surface of ring plate 54 for slidably receiving outer support rods 94.

As shown in FIG. 9, the lowerend of each outer support rod 94 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 112 by a first pivot pin 114. Each link is pivotally connected at its lower end to a lever 116 by a second pivot pin 118. Each lever 116 is mounted for movement about a fulcrum 120 supported by a bracket 122 mounted on each bridging member 100.

As shown in FIG. 10, each lever 116 extends toward the vertical axis of the machine and is pivotally attached to a rectangular block 124 provided on a shaft 126 of reciprocating mechanism 99. Shaft 126 is slidably received in a first bearing element 128 located in a central opening provided at the intersection of bridging members 100 and in a second bearing element 130 located in an opening provided in a horizontal support bar 132 mounted at its opposite ends on a pair of vertical struts 134 and 136 secured to bridging members 100.

The reciprocating mechanism also includes a shaft 138 rotatably mounted in bearings 140 and 142 provided at the lower ends of support bars 144 and 146, respectively, which extend vertically downward from horizontal support bar 132. A disc or flywheel 148 is fixed to one end of the shaft. The disc is provided with an eccentric cam 150 (FIG. 11) for engaging a pin or cam follower 152 secured to shaft 126. The pin extends completely through an opening formed in shaft 126 and is received in an elongated vertical slot 154 formed in a guide 156 extending vertically downward from support bar 132.

An electric motor 158 (FIG. 9) is mounted underneath bridging members 100 by a bracket 160 secured to one of the bridging members. The motor includes an output shaft 162 coupled to shaft 138 via a first gear 164 fixed to output shaft 162, a second gear 166 fixed to shaft 138, and a chain 168 interconnecting the first and second gears. When shaft 138 is rotated by operation of motor 158, eccentric cam 150 imparts vertical movement to shaft 126 through pin 152. Shaft 126 is driven upward and downward by cam 150 once for every revolution of shaft 138 to pivot levers 116 about fulcrums 120. Links 112 and levers 116 impart reciprocating movement to support rods 92 and 94. The movement of the support rods is transmittd to actuator frame 72 to reciprocate a combination of cylinder needles selected by the solenoids longitudinally relative to cylindrical needle support 50.

The actuator frame of the preferred embodiment is provided with means for engaging the cylinder needles upon its downward movement to return each of the cylinder needles selected for operation to its initial position on the cylindrical support. Referring to FIG. 3, this means is embodied as an inwardly projecting ledge 169. located at the top of inner wall 74 of actuator frame 72. Ledge 169 cooperates with projections 66 of cylinder needles 60 to move any raised cylinder needle downward during downward movement of the actuator frame. Alternatively, the ledge can be received in indentations (not shown) provided in the cylinder needles to drive the needles downward.

The cylinder needle actuator mechanism selectively controls movement of each cylinder needle 60 to its knit, tuck, or welt position in response to signals from an external program applied to a control circuit (FIG. 12). When, for example, it is desired to move a particular cylinder needle to its knit position (full needle stroke), the corresponding solenoid is operated with actuator frame 72 in its lowermost position (FIG. 3) to move the corresponding actuator rod beneath needle butt 62 or needle butt 64 of the cylinder needle. Subsequently,'when actuator frame 72 is moved upward by operation of the reciprocating mechanism, the appropriate needle butt is engaged by the extending end of the actuator rod to move the cylinder needle upward by a full needle stroke. When actuator frame 72 is returned to its initial position, ledge 169 of the actuator frame engages projection 66 to positively return the cylinder needle from its knit position to its initial downward position.

If, however, it is only desired to move the cylinder needle to its tuck position (partial needle stroke), the operation of the corresponding solenoid is delayed until actuator frame 72 moves upwardly a sufficient distance to align the corresponding actuator rod between needle butts 62 and 63 or needle butts 64 and 65 of the cylinder needle. At this time, the solenoid is operated to move the corresponding actuator rod from its retracted position to its extended position beneath needle butt 63 or needle butt 65. Upon further upward movement of actuator frame 72, the extended end of the actuator rod engages the appropriate needle butt to move the cylinder needle upward from the desired partial needle stroke. The cylinder needle is returned from its tuck position to its initial downward position upon subsequent downward movement of actuator frame 72 whereby ledge 169 of the actuator frame engages projection 66 to move the needle downward.

Finally, if it is desired to move the cylinder needle to its welt position (no needle stroke), the corresponding solenoid is not operated. Thus, upon reciprocation of actuator frame 72, the corresponding cylinder needle remains stationary. Thus, by appropriate programming of the control circuit, the cylinder needles can be selectively moved to knit, tuck and welt positions by the cylinder needle actuator mechanism of the present invention.

In accordance with the invention, second actuator means is provided for operating the second group of knitting needles to move the needles transversely relative to the common direction. In the preferred embodiment of the circular knitting machine, this actuator means drives the dial needles alternately outward and inward relative to the common axis of the cylindrical and circular needle supports.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a preferred embodiment of the second actuator means includes a plurality of actuator members arranged in a circular configuration on circular needle support 52. Each actuator member is secured to a rod 172 slidably mounted in a pair of brackets 174 on circular needle support 52 for radial movement relative to the circular support. Each rod 172 is reciprocated radially outward and inward by an eccentric mechanism comprising a rotatable disc 176 and a link 178. The link is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to rod 172 and to a pin 180 eccentrically mounted on disc 176. As shown in FIG. 8, each disc 176 is secured to the upper end of a shaft 182 rotatably received in a bearing 184 supported by a bracket 186 attached to the underside of circular needle support 52. The lower end of each shaft 182 is provided with a gear wheel 188 (FIGS. 2A and 2B). The gear wheel is operatively coupled to a common drive gear 190 by a chain 192.

A stepping motor 194 (FIG. 1) is mounted on the vertical portion an L-shaped bracket 195 (FIG. 8) mounted on a plate 196 supported by a plurality of columns 197 extending upward from a platform 198. The

platform is secured to brackets 186 on opposite sides of circular needle support 52 by a plurality of plates 199 and extends across the center of the circular needle support. Motor 194 is provided with an output shaft 200. A first pulley 202 is secured to the lower end of output shaft 200 and a second pulley 204 is secured to the upper end of a shaft assembly 206 rotatably mounted in an opening provided in plate 196. A belt 207 is provided for coupling pulleys 202 and 204. As shown in FIG. 2, drive gear 190 is secured to the lower end of shaft assembly 206.

In operation of the dial needle actuator mechanism, when stepping motor 194 is actuated to rotate by a single revolution, assembly 206'and drive gear 190 are also rotated by a single revolution. The rotation of drive gear 190 is transmitted to gears 188 by chain 192 to rotate shafts 182 and discs 176. The rotation of discs 176 results in reciprocation of rods 172 and actuator members 170 outward and inward relative to the axis of circular needle support 52.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, each actuator member 170 is arcuate in shape and provided with an arcuate groove 208 formed in its lower surface. Upwardly extending projection 70 of each dial needle 68 is received in the groove formed in its corresponding actuator member. Each actuator member 170 thus engages a separate group of dial needles on circular needle support 52 and slides the group of needles radially outward and inward relative to the circular support upon actua tion of stepping motor 194.

When actuator members 170 are moved radially outward relative to dial ring 52, the spaces between adjacent actuator members become enlarged with the possibility that the actuator members will move out of engagement with one or more of the dial needles located in the spaces. The disengagement occurs when dial needle butt 70 (FIG. 3) moves out of groove 208 of its corresponding actuator member 170. To avoid this disengagement of the dial needle butts from the actuator members, compensating devices (not shown) can be provided between adjacent actuator members 170 to permit the actuator members to move apart without loss of engagement with the dial needles. For example, an elongated, channel-shaped member can be inserted into grooves 208 of adjacent actuator members 170 which will engage dial needle butts 70 in the spaces be tween the actuator members as the members separate during movement radially outward along the dial ring. Alternatively, a set of outer actuator members 210 (FIGS. 3 and 7), which overlap the spaces between adjacent actuator members 170, can be provided on actuator rods 172. Each actuator member 210 includes an arcuate groove 212 for engaging needle butts formed at outer positions on the dial needles located near the ends of inner actuator members 170 to insure that any dial needle which moves out of engagement with one of the inner actuator members 170 is still under control of the dial needle actuator mechanism.

In accordance with the invention, means is provided for supplying strands of material to the first and second groups of knitting needles. In the preferred embodiment, this means includes a pair of guide bars mounted adjacent to the cylindrical and circular supports for receiving and guiding strands of yarn into the path of movement of the cylinder and dial needles. Each guide bar is capable of feeding either the cylinder needles or the dial needles, or both consecutively. Thus, the circular machine can be considered equivalent to a two bar warp knit machine. The advantage of the circular machine is, however, that it is capable of 100 percent full atlasing.

Referring to FIG. 1, the knitting machine includes a first guide bar 230 which is substantially circular in shape with its axis coincident to the vertical axis of the machine. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 23, a plurality of guide arms 231 is mounted on a downwardly and inwardly sloping surface of the guide bar and is provided with openings for receiving strands of yarn from supply spools 34 (FIG. 1). The upper surface of guide bar 230 is secured to an annular plate 232. Referring to FIG. 5, the plate is supported by a plurality of pairs of rollers 234 rotatably mounted on a plurality of roller supports 235. Each roller support is mounted on a bracket 236 (FIG. 1) secured to the outer edge of upper ring plate 54. In addition, each roller support 235 is provided with a roller 237 rotatably mounted in a notch 238 formed in the face of the support for engaging the periphery of annular plate 232. Rollers 234 and 237 allow guide bar 230 and annular plate 232 to be rotated about the vertical axis of the machine to move the strands of yarn received by guide arms 231 laterally relative to the cylinder and dial needles.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a gear belt 240 is mounted at the outer edge of guide bar 230. The gear belt engages a gear 242 mounted on an output shaft 244 of a stepping motor 246. The stepping motor is mounted on a support 248 secured to the main machine frame. Stepping motor 246 is capable of imparting rotation to its output shaft 244 and gear 242 in uniform annular increments. The rotation of gear 242 results in rotation of guide bar 230 by an amount determined by the operation of stepping motor 276. When guide bar 230 is rotated, guide arms 231 effectively move the strands of yarn laterally relative to the cylinder and dial needles to produce a desired knit fabric design.

Similarly, the knitting machine includes a second guide bar 250 (FIG. 1) annular in shape with its axis co-' incident with the vertical axis of the machine. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of guide arms 251 is mounted at the periphery of the guide bar and is provided with openings for receiving strands of yarn from yarn supply spools 36 (FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the upper surface of guide bar 250 is secured to an annular plate 252. The annular plate is supported for rotation by a plurality of pairs of rollers 254. Referring to FIG. 5, the rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the annular plate and rotatably mounted on a plurality of roller supports 255 spaced equidistantly about the circular needle support 52. Each roller support 255 is provided with a roller 256 rotatably mounted in a notch 257 formed in the face of the support for engaging the periphery of annular plate 252. Rollers 254 and 256 allow guide bar 250 and annular plate 252 to be rotated about the vertical axis of the machine to move the strands of yarn received by guides 251 laterally relative to the cylinder and dial needles.

A gear belt 258 (FIG. 5) is secured to the inner edge of guide bar 250, and a gear 260 (FIG. 2A) is rotatably mounted adjacent to the guide bar for engagement with the gear belt. Gear 260 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 262 supported by a pair of arms 264 which are secured to a bracket 266 mounted on circular support needle 52. Gear 260 is coupled to a pulley 268 mounted for rotation with the gear on shaft 262. Pulley 268 is coupled by a belt 270 to a pulley 272 mounted on an output shaft 274 of a stepping motor 276. The stepping motor is mounted on a platform 278 supported above circular needle support 52 on one or more columns 279. Stepping motor 276, like stepping motor 246, is capable of imparting rotation to its output shaft 274 and pulley 272 in uniform angular increments. The rotation of pulley 272 is transmitted by belt 270 to pulley 268 to rotate gear 260. The rotation of the gear results in rotation of guide bar 250 by an amount determined by the operation of stepping motor 276. When guide bar 250 is rotated, guide arms 251 effectively move the strands of yarn laterally relative to the cylinder and dial needles to produce a desired knit fabric design.

In accordance with the invention, the circular knitting machine includes sensing means for examining the knit material produced by the machine to locate flaws in the material. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sens ing means of the preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of sensors 280 mounted on arms 282 extending in radially opposite directions from a rotatable support 284 mounted beneath circular needle support 52 along the vertical axis of the machine. Rotatable support 284 is mounted in an opening 286 (FIG. 28) provided in a horizontal support 288. The horizontal support is secured underneath circular needle support 52 by a vertical support 290 extending downwardly from the circular needle support.

Rotatable support 284 includes a collar 292, an annular spacer 293 and a gear 294 coupled by a plurality of bolts 296 and rotatably mounted on a shaft assembly 298 located in opening 286. Each arm 282 is secured at diametrically opposite positions on collar 292. A gear 300 for engaging gear 294 is mounted on a shaft 302 rotatably received in an opening provided in horizontal support 288 and driven by a continuously operating motor 304. Gears 294 and 300 impart continuous rotary movement to rotatable support 284, arms 282, and sensors 280.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each sensor is located adjacent to an annular reflecting surface 306 provided at the inner edge of upper ring plate 54. Each sensor includes a light source (not shown) and a photosensitive element (not shown) for detecting light reflected from annular reflecting surface 306.

In operation of the knitting machine, the knit material passes downward through the verge between circular needle support 52 and cylindrical needle support 50, along the inner annular surface of cylindrical needle support 50, and through the spaces between sensors 280 and annular reflecting surface 306. The sensors are continuously rotated by motor 304. If the knit material contains no flaws, i.e., gaps or openings, the photosensitive element of each sensor 280 will not detect any reflected light from annular surface 306. If, on the other hand, a flaw occurs, the photosensitive element will detect reflected light and produce an output signal which can be applied to a warning circuit to indicate the occurrence of the flaw.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the circular knitting machine includes means for winding the knit material produced by the machine into a roll. In the preferred embodiment, this means comprises fabric take-up section 24 (FIG. 1). The fabric take-up mechanism comprises a frame 310 coupled to the main machine frame by a pair of arms 311 secured to bridging members 100. Frame 310 includes a pair of vertical supports 312 on which a horizontal take-up roller 314 is rotatably mounted. Take-up roller 314 is driven by a motor (not shown) to wind knit fabric produced by the machine into a roll. The knit fabric passes downward through the circular knitting machine, outward between adjacent legs 26 of the machine frame, and through a guide 316 located at the front of frame 310 to the take-up roller.

The take-up mechanism also includes a sensing roller 318 rotatably mounted on a pair of arms 320 pivotally connected to a pair of supports 322 extending vertically upward from frame 310. Sensing roller 318 is urged into contact with the roll of knit fabric wound on take-up roller 314. As the roll of fabric increases in size, sensing roller 318 and arms 322 pivot away from the take-up roller. A cut-off switch (not shown) terminates operation of the motor for driving take-up roller 314 when the roll of knit fabric reaches a predetermined size.

Referring to FIG. 12, a control circuit for controlling the operation of the cylinder and dial needles and guide bars of the circular knitting machine is shown. The control circuit includes a paper tape reader 330' for reading control information on a punched paper tape (not shown). The control information defines the desired combinations of cylinder needles to be operated and the desired movement of the guide bars. The control information read from the punched paper tape is applied through a data buffer 332, under the control of a memory load control circuit 334, to a core memory 336. A memory address counter 338 is interposed between paper tape reader 330 and core memory 336 to count the number of control signals applied to the core memory. A memory read control circuit 340 is provided to transfer the control information stored in the core memory into a memory address register 342.

The control circuit of FIG. 12 also includes first and second shift registers 344 and 346, respectively, for receiving cylinder needle control information. First shift register 344 receives knit control information from core memory 336 and second shift register 346 receives tuck control information from the core memory. Each shift register includes a plurality of register stages corresponding in number to the cylinder needles on cylindrical needle support 50. In the preferred embodiment, each shift register has 1881 register stages,

Knit control information from the core memory is applied to shift register 344 through a first input circuit comprising a pair of AND gates 348 and 350 and a NOR gate 352. The outputs of AND gates 348 and 350 are applied to NOR gate 352, and the NOR gate output is applied to shift register 344. Similarly, tuck control information from the core memory is applied to shift register 346 through a second input circuit comprising a pair of AND gates 354 and 356 and a NOR gate 358. The outputs of AND gates 354 and 356 are applied to NOR gate 358, and the NOR gate output is applied to shift register 346. AND gates 348 and 354 include first inputs for receiving control information from memory address register 342 and second inputs gated by memory read control circuit 340. AND gate 350 includes a first input responsive to the output of the last register stage of shift register 344 and, similarly, AND gate 356 includes a first input responsive to the output of the last register stage of shift register 346. In addition, AND gates 350 and 356 include second inputs responsive to a common recirculate input signal.

When knit control information is read from core memory 336 into memory address register 342, memory read control circuit 340 opens AND gate 348 to permit the knit control information to be applied to shift register 344. The shift register receives knit control information front memory address register 342 until its last register stage produces an output signal to indicate that the shift register is completely full. This output signal is applied to AND gate 350 which, in turn, applies an inhibit signal to NOR gate 352 to prevent entry of further control information into shift register 344.

When, on the other-hand, tuck control information is read from core memory 336 into memory address register 342, memory read control circuit 340 opens AND gate 354 to permit the tuck control information to be applied to shift register 346. The shift register receives tuck control information from memory address register 342 until its last register stage produces an output signal to indicate that the shift register is completely full. This output signal is applied to AND gate 356 which, in turn, applies an inhibit signal to NOR gate 358 to prevent entry of further control information into shift register 346.

The control circuit is provided with 1881 output circuits for operating the solenoids of the cylinder needle actuator mechanism in response to knit and tuck control information from shift registers 344 and 346. FIG. 12 illustrates one output circuit 360 comprising a pair of AND gates 362 and 364, a NOR gate 366, and a solenoid driver 368. The outputs of AND gates 362 and 364 are applied to NOR gate 366. The NOR gate output is applied to solenoid driver 368 which controls a corresponding solenoid of the cylinder needle actuator mechanism. AND gate 362 is responsive to the output of the first register stage of shift register 344 and, similarly, AND gate 364 is responsive to the first register stage of shift register 346. It is understood that the remaining output circuits (not shown) for operating the solenoids of the cylinder needle actuator mechanism are substantially identical in structure to output circuit 360 and respond to control information from corresponding register stages of shift registers 344 and 346.

Further, the control circuit includes a source of timing pulses for gating AND gates 362 and 364 of the output circuits. The source of timing pulses includes a timing wheel 370 driven by motor 158 (FIG. 9) and a timing and logic circuit 372 for generating pulses in response to rotation of the timing wheel. Timing and logic circuit 372 includes an output 374 for applying knit timing signals to AND gate 362 and an output 376 for applying tuck timing signals to AND gate 364. The timing and logic circuit includes additional outputs, e.g., output 378 for producing stepper pulses and output 380 for producing direction control signals, to operate the stepping motors of the knitting machine.

In the operation of the control circuit, knit control signals and tuck control signals from core memory 336 are applied to shift registers 344 and 346, respectively. A binary 1 signal in any register stage of shift register 344 constitutes a knit command, while a binary 1 signal in any register stage of shift register 346 constitutes a tuck command. Binary signals in corresponding register stages of both shift registers constitute a welt command. Timing circuit 372 first produces a knit timing signal at its output 374 which is applied to AND gate 362. If the first register stage of shift register 344 applies a knit command, i.e., a binary 1, to AND gate 362, the AND gate produces a binay 1 output which switches the output of NOR gate 366 from a binary l to a binary 0 to actuate solenoid driver 368 and its corresponding solenoid. If, on the other hand, the first register stage of shift register 344 contains a binary 0, AND gate 362 is not actuated. Subsequently, timing circuit 372 produces a tuck timing signal at its output 376 which is applied to AND gate 364. If the first register stage of shift register 346 applies a tuck command, i.e., a binay l, to AND gate 364, the AND gate produces a binary 1 output which switches the output of NOR gate 366 from a binary 1 to a binary 0 to actuate solenoid driver 368 and its corresponding solenoid.

The orientation of timing wheel 370 is arranged so that timing and logic circuit 372 produces a knit timing signal to its output 374 when actuator frame 72 (FIG. 3) is located in its lowermost position. Thus, in the event of the actuation of any solenoid in response to a knit command from shift register 344, its corresponding actuator rod moves beneath needle butt 62 or needle butt 64 of the corresponding cylinder needle. As explained above, upon reciprocation of the actuator frame, the cylinder needle is reciprocated by a full needle stroke to advance the needle to its knit position and to return the needle to its original position. The tuck timing signal at output 376 of the timing circuit is produced at a predetermined time after the knit timing pulse when actuator frame 72 is partially raised from its lowermost position. Thus, in the event of the actuation of any solenoid in response to a tuck command from shift register 346, its corresponding actuator rod moves beneath needle butt 63 or needle butt 65 of the corresponding cylinder needle. Reciprocation of the actuator frame results in reciprocation of the cylinder needle through a partial needle stroke to advance the needle to its tuck position and to return the needle to its original position. If any solenoid is not actuated by either a knit command or a tuck command, the corresponding cylinder needle remains stationary and is not affected by reciprocation of the actuator frame. The cylinder needle thus remains in its welt position. In addition, the timing and logic circuit produces control signals for stepping motor 194 (FIG. 1) to synchronize operation of the dial needles and cylinder needles.

After the actuator frame is reciprocated to operate selected cylinder needles, the control circuit enters new knit control information and new tuck control information into shift registers 344 and 346, respectively, to define the next combination of cylinder needles to be operated by reciprocation of the actuator frame. The control circuit enables a different combination of cylinder needles to be selected for operation during each reciprocation of the actuator frame.

As shown in FIG. 12, timing and logic circuit 372 receives control information from the core memory via memory address register 342 which defines the desired direction and amount of movement of the guide bars of the knitting machine. The timing and logic circuit produces corresponding control signals to actuate stepping motors 246 and 276 (FIG. 2A) to operate guide bars 230 and 250, respectively.

The improved cylinder needle and dial needle actuator mechanisms of the present invention enable the circular knitting machine to produce complicated fabric designs. In addition, the operation of the circular knitting machine can be easily adjusted to produce different knit fabrics.

The invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and modifications may be made in the details of the circular knitting machine without departing from the principles of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A knitting machine for producing a knit fabric from strands of material, comprising:

a first group of knitting needles mounted for longitudinal movement parallel to a common direction;

a second group of knitting needles mounted adjacent to said first group of needles for longitudinal movement transversely relative to the common direction;

a frame located adjacent to said first group of knitting needles and mounted for reciprocation in a direction parallel to the common direction;

first actuator means mounted on said frame for selectively operating said first group of knitting needles to move the needles parallel to the common direction, said first actuator means including a plurality of selectively operable actuators on said frame, each of said actuators being operatively associated with a corresponding knitting needle of said first group, and control means including a plurality of solenoids on said frame for selectively operating said actuators to select desired knitting needles of said first group to be operated;

means for reciprocating said frame in a direction parallel to the common direction to move the needles

Claims (34)

1. A knitting machine for producing a knit fabric from strands of material, comprising: a first group of knitting needles mounted for longitudinal movement parallel to a common direction; a second group of knitting needles mounted adjacent to said first group of needles for longitudinal movement transversely relative to the common direction; a frame located adjacent to said first group of knitting needles and mounted for reciprocation in a direction parallel to the common direction; first actuator means mounted on said frame for selectively operating said first group of knitting needles to move the needles parallel to the common direction, said first actuator means including a plurality of selectively operable actuators on said frame, each of said actuators being operatively associated with a corresponding knitting needle of said first group, and control means including a plurality of solenoids on said frame for selectively operating said actuators to select desired knitting needles of said first group to be operated; means for reciprocating said frame in a direction parallel to the common direction to move the needles of said first group selected by said control means in a direction parallel to the common direction; second actuator means for operating said second group of knitting needles to move the needles transversely relative to the common direction; and means for supplying the strands of material to said first and second groups of knitting needles to be knit together in a desired pattern determined by the selected knitting needles of said first group.

2. A kniting machine for producing a knit fabric from strands of material, comprising: a first needle support; a first group of knitting needles slidably mounted on said first needle support for movement parallel to a common direction; a second needle support mounted adjacent to said first support; a second group of knitting needles slidably mounted on said second needle support for transverse movement relative to the common direction; a frame located adjacent to said first needle support and mounted for reciprocation in a direction parallel to the common direction; first actuator means mounted on said frame for selectively operating said first group of knitting needles to move the needles parallel to the common direction, said first actuator means including a plurality of selectively operable actuators on said frame, each of said actuators being operatively associated with a corresponding knitting needle of said first group and being movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage the corresponding needle, and a plurality of solenoids mounted on said frame, each of said solenoids being operatively associated with one of said actuators for moving the actuator between its retracted and extended positions; means for reciprocating said frame in a direction parallel to the common direction to slide the needles on said first needle support engaged by the actuators in extended positions; second actuator means for operating said second group of knitting needles to move the needles transversely relative to the common direction; and means for supplying the strands of material to said first and second groups of knitting needles to be knit together in a desired pattern determined by the selective knitting needles of said first group.

3. The knitting machine of claim 2, wherein: said frame comprises an outer wall including a plurality of openings for receiving said solenoids and an inner wall adjacent to said first needle support including a plurality of apertures aligned with the corresponding needles on said first support; and said actuators comprise a plurality of rods connected to said solenoids and slidably mounted in said apertures for movement into engagement with selected needles on said first needle support upon operation of said solenoids.

4. The knitting machine of claim 2, wherein said means for supplying strands of yarn to the knitting needles includes: a pair of guide bars mounted adjacent to said needle supports for receiving and guiding strands of yarn into the path of movement of the needles on said needle supports.

5. The knitting machine of claim 2, wherein said second actuator means includes: a plurality of actuator members slidably mounted on said second needle support for transverse movement relative to the common direction, each of said actuator members engaging a group of needles on said second needle support; and means for simultaneously reciprocating said actuator members transversely relative to the common direction to slide the needles alternately outward and inward relative to said second needle support.

6. A knitting machine for producing a circular knit fabric from strands of material, comprising: a first group of knitting needles mounted in a circular configuration for longitudinal movement parallel to a common axis; a second group of knitting needles mounted in a circular configuration adjacent to said first group of needles for radial movement relative to the common axis; a frame surrounding the circular configuration of said first group of knitting needles and mounted for reciprocation in a direction parallel to the common axis; first actuator means mounted on said frame for selectively operating said first group of knitting needles to move the needles parallel to the common axis, said first actuator means including a plurality of selectively operable actuators on said frame, each of said actuators being operatively associated with a corresponding knitting needle of said first group, and control means including a plurality of solenoids on said frame for selectively operating said actuators to select desired knitting needles of said first group to be operated; means for reciprocating said frame in a direction parallel to the common axis to move the knitting needles of said first group selected for operation by said control means; second actuator means for operating said second group of knitting needles to move the needles alternately outward and inward relative to the common axis; and means for supplying the strands of material to said first and second groups of knitting needles to be knit together in a desired pattern determined by the selected knitting needles of said first group.

7. A knitting machine for producing a circular knit fabric from strands of material, comprising: a cylindrical needle support; a first group of knitting needles slidably mounted on said cylindrical support for movement parallel to the axis of said cylindrical support; a circular needle support mounted adjacent to one end of said cylindrical support with its axis coincident with the axis of said cylindrical support; a second group of knitting needles slidably mounted on said circular support for radial movement relative to the axis of said circular support; a frame surrounding said cylindrical support and mounted for reciprocation in a direction parallel to the axis of said cylindrical support; first actuator means mounted on said frame for selectively operating said first group of knitting needles to move the needles parallel to the axis of said cylindrical support, said first actuator means including a plurality of selectively operable actuators on said frame, each of said actuators being operatively associated with a corresponding knitting needle of said first group and being movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage its corresponding needle, and a plurality of solenoids mounted on said frame, each of the solenoids being operatively associated with one of said actuators for moving the actuator between its retracted and extended positions; means for reciprocating said frame in a direction parallel to the axis of said cylindrical support to slide the needles on said cylindrical support engaged by the actuators in extended positions; second actuator means for operating said second group of knitting needles to move the needles alternately outward and inward relative to the common axis; and means for supplying the strands of material to said first and second groups of knitting needles to be knit together in a desired pattern determined by the selected knitting needles of said first group.

8. The knitting machine of claim 7, wherein: said frame comprises an outer wall including a plurality of openings for receiving said solenoids and an inner wall adjacent to said cylindrical support including a plurality of apertures aligned with the corresponding needles on said cylindrical support; and said actuators comprise a plurality of rods connected to said solenoids and slidably mounted in said apertures for movement into engagement with selected needles on said cylindrical support upon operation of said solenoids.

9. The knitting machine of claim 7, wherein said means for supplying strands of yarn to the knitting needles includes: first and second guide bars mounted adjacent to said cylindrical and circular supports for receiving and guiding strands of yarn into the path of movement of the needles on said supports.

10. The knitting machine of claim 9, wherein: each guide bar is substantially circular in shape with its axis coincident with the axes of said cylindrical support and said circular support and mounted for rotation about its axis to permit strands of yarn to be moved laterally relative to the needles on said supports.

11. The knitting machine of claim 7, wherein said second actuator means includes: a plurality of actuator members arranged in a circular configuration on said circular support and slidably mounted for radial movement relative to said circular support, each of said actuator members engaging a group of needles on said circular support; and means for simultaneously reciprocating said actuator members radially relative to said circular support to slide the needles alternately outward and inward relative to said circular support.

12. A circular knitting machine, comprising: a frame; a cylindrical needle support mounted on said frame, said cylindrical needle support including a plurality of spaced parallel grooves formed at its periphery and extending parallel to its axis; a plurality of cylinder needles slidably mounted in the grooves on said cylindrical support; a dial mounted on said frame adjacent to one end of said cylindrical support with its axis coincident with the axis of said cylindrical support, said dial including a plurality of spaced grooves formed at its periphery and extending radially relative to its axis; a plurality of dial needles slidably mounted in the grooves on said dial; first actuator means for selectively operating said cylinder needles to reciprocate said cylinder needles parallel to the axis of said cylindrical support, said first actuator means including an annular actuator frame surrounding said cylindrical support, a plurality of selectively operable actuators mounted on said annular actuator frame in alignment with corresponding cylinder needles, each of said actuators being movable from a retracted poSition to an extended position to engage its corresondinng cylinder needle, control means including a plurality of solenoids mounted on said annular frame for selectively operating said actuators to move said actuators into engagement with desired cylinder needles to be operated, and means for reciprocating said annular actuator frame in a direction parallel to the axis of said cylindrical support to slide the cylinder needles engaged by the actuators in extended positions; second actuator means for operating said dial needles to slide said dial needles alternately outward and inward relative to said dial; and means for supplying strands of yarn to said cylinder needles and said dial needles to be knit together in a desired pattern determined by the cylinder needles selected to be operated.

13. The circular knitting machine of claim 12, wherein each of said solenoids is operatively associated with one of said actuators for moving the actuator between its retracted and extended positions.

14. The circular knitting machine of claim 13, wherein: said annular actuator frame comprises an outer wall including a plurality of openings for receiving said solenoids and an inner wall adjacent to said cylindrical support including a plurality of apertures aligned with the corresponding needles on said cylindrical support; and said actuators comprise a plurality of rods connected to said solenoids and slidably mounted in said apertures for movement into engagement with selected needles on said cylindrical support upon operation of said solenoids.

15. The circular knitting machine of claim 14, wherein: said solenoids are arranged in groups located along inclined rows on said outer wall of said annular actuator frame.

16. The circular knitting machine of claim 15, wherein: the solenoids of each group are operatively associated with alternate cylinder needles on said cylindrical support.

17. The circular knitting machine of claim 12, wherein said means for supplying strands of yarn to the cylinder and dial needles includes: first and second guide bars mounted adjacent to said cylindrical support and said dial for receiving and guiding strands of yarn into the path of movement of said cylinder and dial needles.

18. The circular knitting machine of claim 17, wherein: each guide bar is substantially circular in shape with its axis coincident with the axes of said cylindrical support and said dial and mounted for rotation about its axis to permit its strands of yarn to be moved laterally relative to said cylinder and dial needles.

19. The circular knitting machine of claim 12, wherein said second actuator means includes: a plurality of actuator members arranged in a circular configuration on said dial and slidably mounted for radial movement relative to said dial, each of said actuator members engaging a different group of dial needles; and means for simultaneously reciprocating said actuator members radially relative to said dial to slide the needles alternately outward and inward relative to said dial.

20. The circular knitting machine of claim 13, wherein, each of said cylinder needles includes at least one projection extending outwardly relative to said cylindrical support to be engaged by its corresponding actuator upon movement of the actuator to its extended position.

21. The circular knitting machine of claim 12, wherein said annular actuator frame includes: means for engaging said cylinder needles upon downward movement of said annular actuator frame to return each of the cylinder needles selected for operation to its initial position on said cylindrical support.

22. The circular knitting machine of claim 18, which includes: a first stepping motor for selectively rotating said first guide bar in desired incremental steps; and a second stepping motor for selectively rotating said second guide bar in desired incremental steps to control the knit pattern of the machine.

23. The circular knitting machine of claim 12, which includes: sensing means for examining the knit material produced by the machine to locate flaws in the material.

24. The circular knitting machine of claim 12, which includes: means for winding the knit material produced by the machine into a roll.

25. In a knitting machine including a plurality of knitting needles slidably mounted on a needle support for movement parallel to a common direction, actuator means for selectively operating the knitting needles, comprising: a frame mounted adjacent to the needle support; a plurality of actuators mounted on said frame in alignment with corresponding needles on the needle support, each of said actuators being movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage its corresponding needle; control means including a plurality of solenoids mounted on said frame for selectively operating said actuators, each of said solenoids being operatively associated with one of said actuators for moving the actuator between its retracted and extended positions into engagement with the corresponding knitting needle to be operated; and means for reciprocating the frame in a direction parallel to the common direction to slide the needles on the needle support engaged by the actuators in extended positions.

26. The knitting machine of claim 25, wherein: said frame comprises an outer wall including a plurality of openings for receiving said solenoids and an inner wall adjacent to the needle support including a plurality of apertures aligned with the corresponding needles on the needle support; and said actuators comprise a plurality of rods connected to said solenoids and slidably mounted in said apertures for movement into engagement with selected needles on the needle support upon operation of said solenoids.

27. In a circular knitting machine including a plurality of knitting needles slidably mounted on a cylindrical needle support for movement parallel to the axis of the cylindrical support, actuator means for selectively operating the knitting needles, comprising: a frame surrounding the cylindrical support; a plurality of actuators mounted on said frame in alignment with corresponding needles on the cylindrical support, each of said actuators being movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage its corresponding needle; control means including a plurality of solenoids mounted on said frame for selectively operating said actuators to move said actuators into extended positions and engagement with desired knitting needles to be operated; and means for reciprocating the frame in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical support to slide the needles on the cylindrical support engaged by the actuators in extended positions.

28. The knitting machine of claim 27, wherein each of said solenoids is operatively associated with one of said actuators for moving the actuator between its retracted and extended positions.

29. The knitting machine of claim 28, wherein: said frame comprises an outer wall including a plurality of openings for receiving said solenoids and an inner wall adjacent to the cylindrical support including a plurality of apertures aligned with the corresponding needles on the cylindrical support; and said actuators comprise a plurality of rods connected to said solenoids and slidably mounted in said apertures for movement into engagement with selected needles on the cylindrical support upon operation of said solenoids.

30. The knitting machine of claim 29, wherein: said solenoids are arranged in groups along inclined rows on said outer wall of said frame.

31. The knitting machine of claim 30, wherein: the solenoids of each group are operatively associated with alternate cylinder needles on the cylindrical needle support.

32. The knitting machine of claim 27, which includes: a circular needle support mounted adjacent to one end oF said cylindrical needle support with its axis coincident with the axis of said cylindrical needle support; a plurality of knitting needles slidably mounted on said circular needle support for radial movement relative to the axis of said circular needle support; a plurality of arcuate actuator members arranged in a circular configuration on said circular needle support and slidably mounted for radial movement relative to said circular needle support, each of said arcuate actuator members engaging a group of needles on said circular needle support; and means for simultaneously reciprocating said arcuate actuator members radially relative to said circular needle support to slide the respective groups of needles alternatively outward and inward relative to said circular needle support.

33. The knitting machine of claim 32, which includes: a plurality of rods slidably mounted on said circular needle support for reciprocation radially outward and inward relative to the axis of said circular needle support, each rod being secured at its outer end to one of said arcuate actuator members; a plurality of eccentric mechanisms coupled to the inner ends of said rods for reciprocating said rods and arcuate actuator members radially outward and inward relative to the axis of said circular support; each eccentric mechanism comprising an eccentric rotatably mounted adjacent to the inner end of one of said rods and a link pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the inner end of the rod and to the eccentric for converting rotary motion of the eccentric into reciprocating motion of the rods; and means for simultaneously rotating the eccentrics to the reciprocate said arcuate actuator members radially outward and inward relative to said circular support.

34. The knitting machine of claim 33, wherein said means for simultaneously rotating said eccentrics comprises a stepping motor.

Images