WO2009095362A1

WO2009095362A1 - Needle for transferring stitches from the needle itself to adjacent needles for knitting machines for hosiery or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2009095362A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/050808
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ettore Lonati; Tiberio Lonati; Fausto Lonati
Original assignee: Santoni S.P.A.
Priority date: 2008-01-28
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Also published as: CN101939475B; KR20100117599A; ATE523620T1; CN101939475A; EP2240636B1; EP2240636A1; ITMI20080123A1

Abstract

A needle for transferring stitches from said needle to adjacent needles for knitting machines for hosiery or the like, the needle (1) comprising a shank (2), a hooked head (3) that is arranged at a longitudinal or upper end of the shank (2), and a latch (4), pivoted to the shank (2) proximate to the head (3), for rotation in order to open or close the head (3), the needle (1) comprising at least one lamina (6a, 6b) connected to the shank (2) and having a portion (8a, 8b) elastically flexible from an inactive position to an active position; in the active position, this portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) widens the loop (9) of knitting fitted onto the shank (2) at the elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina, and the head (3) of an adjacent needle (Ia, Ib) can be inserted in the space comprised between the portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b), in the active position, and the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of the shank (2), to pick up the loop (9) of knitting, the lamina (6a, 6b) has at least one actuation region (31 a, 31b) that can be engaged by an actuation means to transfer or keep its elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) in the inactive position or to transfer or keep its elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) in the active position.

Description

NEEDLE FOR TRANSFERRING STITCFIES FROM THE NEEDLE ITSELF TO ADJACENT NEEDLES FOR KNITTING MACHINES FOR HOSIERY OR THE LIKE Technical Field The present invention relates to a needle for transferring stitches from said needle to adjacent needles for knitting machines for hosiery or the like. Background Art

In the field of knitting machines for hosiery or the like, needles are known which are provided in order to allow to transfer a stitch or loop of knitting from one needle to an adjacent needle arranged in the same bed.

One of these needles is shown, for example, in WO-02/070799. A needle of this kind allows to transfer the stitch exclusively onto the needle that is arranged on one side of the needle that has to release the stitch.

WO2007/057041 by the same Applicant, assumed included herein as reference, illustrates a needle that is capable of transferring, according to the requirements, the stitch onto the needle that is arranged on one side or to the needle that is arranged on the opposite side of the needle that has to release the stitch.

Substantially, the needle according to WO2007/057041 comprises: a shank, a head arranged at a longitudinal or upper end of the shank, and a latch that is hinged to the shank proximate to the head, about a pivoting axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank and rotatable about said pivoting axis in order to open or close the head. The needle comprises at least one elastically flexible lamina, which is associated with the shank and defines, on the two opposite sides of the shank, below the latch, two receptacles, one for each side of the shank. It is possible to insert in each of these receptacles the head of an adjacent needle in order to transfer the loop of knitting, carried by the shank and arranged at the receptacles, from said needle to the adjacent needle. More particularly, the lamina has, on each side of the needle, a portion that can flex elastically from an inactive position, in which it is flattened against the corresponding side of the shank of the needle, to an active position, in which it is spaced from the corresponding side of the shank of the needle, so as to define the receptacle in which the needle designed to receive the stitch or loop of knitting must be inserted.

The transition of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina from the inactive position to the active position, in this type of needle, is obtained simply by means of the elastic reaction of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina, which in the absence of forces that act thereon are shaped so as to be in the active position. Substantially, the transition to the active position of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina occurs as a consequence of the elastic reaction of the elastically flexible portions when the needle is in such a position that the sides of the slots of the needle holder that accommodate the needle or the sinkers do not hinder the free passage of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina into the active position. The passage of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina from the active position to the inactive position occurs as a consequence of the movement of the needle along its longitudinal axis with respect to said slots of the machine, whose sides, by engaging the elastically flexible portions, cause their flexing toward the corresponding side of the shank of the needle.

Such needle, during testing, has proved to be susceptible of improvements aimed mainly at increasing its possibilities of actuation as regards the transition of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina from the inactive position to the active position or vice versa and the reduction of the stresses of the lamina and of the loop of knitting to be transferred. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a needle for transferring stitches from said needle to adjacent needles for knitting machines for hosiery or the like in which it is possible to actuate, according to the requirements, the transition of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina from the inactive position to the active position or vice versa even independently of the adjacent elements of the machine.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a needle that reduces the stresses on the stitch or loop of knitting to be transferred and on the portions of the needle that actuate the transfer of the stitch or loop of knitting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a needle that ensures high reliability in transferring the stitch or loop of knitting.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a needle that is highly versatile in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a needle that can have a reduced thickness, so as to allow its use on high-fineness machines, particularly in machines with more than 12 needles per inch.

This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a needle for transferring stitches from said needle to adjacent needles for knitting machines for hosiery or the like, comprising a shank, a head that is arranged at a longitudinal or upper end of said shank and is contoured like a hook that is open toward the front side of said shank, and a latch, which is pivoted to said shank proximate to said head, about a pivoting axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank, and can rotate about said pivoting axis in order to open or close said head, characterized in that it comprises at least one lamina that is connected to said shank and has, on each of the two opposite sides of said shank, below said latch, a portion that can flex elastically from an inactive position, in which it is closer to the corresponding side of the shank, to an active position, in which it is spaced from the corresponding side of the shank; in said active position, said elastically flexible portion of the lamina widening the loop of knitting that is fitted onto said shank at said elastically flexible portion of the lamina, the head of an adjacent needle being insertable in the space comprised between said elastically flexible portion of the lamina, in said active position, and the corresponding side of said shank, in order to pick up said loop of knitting by means of said adjacent needle; said lamina having at least one actuation region that can be engaged by actuation means to transfer or keep said elastically flexible portions of the lamina in said inactive position or to transfer or keep said elastically flexible portions of the lamina in said active position. Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the needle according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the needle according to the invention, with the elastically flexible portions of the lamina in the active position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the needle according to the invention, with the elastically flexible portions of the lamina in the inactive position;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a portion of the needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine, extended flat and equipped with needles according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the release of a loop of knitting from one needle to the adjacent needle;

Figure 5 is a front elevation view of the release of a loop of knitting from one needle to an adjacent needle. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the needle according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , comprises: a shank 2, which has an elongated shape, a head 3, and a latch 4. The head 3 is arranged at a longitudinal end or upper end of the shank 2 and is shaped like a hook that is open toward the front side of the shank 2, in a manner similar to known types of needles.

The latch 4 is hinged to the shank 2 proximate to the head 3, about a pivoting axis 4a that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2, and rotatable about the pivoting axis 4a to open or close the head 3, as in known types of needles.

The shank 2 has, along its extension, on its front side and proximate to its longitudinal end, or lower end, that lies opposite with respect to the head 3, at least one heel 5, which protrudes from its front side and can engage, in a per se known manner, the needle actuation cams provided in the knitting machine for hosiery or the like on which the needle 1 is to be fitted.

The needle according to the invention comprises at least one lamina 6a, 6b, which is connected to the shank 2 and has, on each of the two opposite sides 7a, 7b of the shank 2, below the latch 4, a portion 8a, 8b, which is elastically flexible from an inactive position, in which it is close to the corresponding side 7a or 7b of the shank 2, as shown in particular in Figure 2, to an active position, in which it is spaced from the corresponding side 7a or 7b of the shank 2, as shown in particular in Figure 1. In the active position, said portion 8a, 8b widens the loop of knitting 9 fitted on the shank 2 at said portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b and, in the space comprised between the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b and the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2, when the portion 8a, 8b is in the active position, it is possible to insert the head 3 of an adjacent needle Ib to pick up the loop of knitting 9 by means of said adjacent needle Ib, as will become better apparent hereinafter.

The lamina 6a, 6b has at least one actuation region 31a, 31b, which can be engaged by actuation means to transfer or maintain the elastically flexible portions 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b in the inactive position or transfer or keep the elastically flexible portions 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b in the active position.

More particularly, the lamina 6a, 6b is preferably fixed, by means of a portion thereof that is arranged externally with respect to the elastically flexible portion 8a, 8b, to the shank 2 and the actuation region 31 a, 31b can move with respect to the shank 2 in order to actuate or allow the passage of the elastically flexible portions 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b from the active position to the inactive position or vice versa.

Preferably, the lamina 6a, 6b is fixed, at its longitudinal end directed toward the head 3, to the shank 2, and the actuation region 31a, 31b can move with respect to the shank 2, along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2, for actuating the transfer of the elastically flexible portions 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b from the active position to the inactive position or vice versa.

Conveniently, the longitudinal end of the lamina 6a, 6b that is directed toward the head 3 is fixed to the shank 2 in a region that is located forward with respect to the head 3. Substantially, the upper end of the lamina 6a, 6b is fixed to the shank 2 in a region that is shifted forward with respect to the position of the head 3.

The actuation region 31a, 31b comprises at least one heel 32a, 32b, which lies proximate to the longitudinal end of the lamina 6a, 6b that lies opposite the one that is fixed to the shank 2 and protrudes from the front side of the shank 2.

The actuation means comprise at least one cam 33, which can face the needle holder 40 of the machine that must be equipped with the needles according to the invention. Said cam 33 defines a path that can be engaged by the heel 32a, 32b and is contoured so as to move the heel 32a, 32b along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2 with respect to the shank 2.

The lamina 6a, 6b can be constituted by a single lamina, which is fixed, at its upper end directed toward the head 3, to the shank 2 and splits in two on the two sides 7a, 7b of the shank 2, forming the two elastically flexible portions 8a, 8b.

Preferably, instead of a single lamina there are two separate laminas 6a, 6b arranged side by side which have, on each side 7a, 7b of the shank 2, a corresponding portion 8a, 8b that can flex elastically toward or away from the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2. Each one of the two laminas 6a, 6b is fixed, at its upper end 12a, 12b, to the shank 2 and has, proximate to its opposite longitudinal end, or lower end, a corresponding heel 32a, 32b, which protrudes from the front side of the shank 2 and can engage the cam 33.

Each portion 8a, 8b can flex elastically toward the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2 in contrast with its elastic reaction so as to move, in the absence of forces acting thereon, into the active position.

More particularly, each lamina 6a, 6b comprises: a lower region 20a, 20b, which lies on a plane that is parallel to the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2; an intermediate region, which constitutes the portion 8a, 8b; and an upper region, which constitutes the upper end 12a, 12b of the lamina 6a, 6b and is fixed to the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2.

The lower region 20a, 20b of the laminas 6a, 6b is accommodated, so that it can slide along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2, in a longitudinal slot 34 that is formed in the shank 2 and is open at the front to allow the exit of the heels 32a, 32b.

The heel 32a of a lower region 20a of the lamina 6a is spaced from the heel 32b of the lower region 20b of the other lamina 6b along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2.

The intermediate region, which constitutes the portion 8a, 8b that can flex elastically toward and away from the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2, is preferably constituted, starting from its lower end connected to the lower region 20a, 20b of the corresponding lamina 6a, 6b and in the absence of forces acting thereon: by a first segment 13a, 13b, which is folded away from the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2; by a second segment 14a, 14b, which is substantially parallel to the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2; and by a third segment 15a, 15b, which is folded toward the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2 and is connected to the upper region or end 12a, 12b of the lamina 6a, 6b.

Each portion 8a, 8b has, on its front side, a front protrusion 16a, 16b that defines, with its upper profile, a supporting shoulder 17a, 17b for the loop of knitting 9. Preferably, said front protrusion 16a, 16b is provided on the front side of the second segment 14a, 14b of the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b proximate to the third segment 15a, 15b.

Advantageously, each portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b has a region that can be superimposed laterally, on the opposite side with respect to its corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2, on the head 3 of an adjacent needle Ia, Ib inserted in the space comprises between the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b, in the active position, and the corresponding side 7a, 7b of the shank 2. Preferably, said region is constituted by a rear protrusion 18a, 18b, which extends from the rear side of the second segment 14a, 14b of the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b. Said rear protrusion 18a, 18b can engage by resting against the head 3 of the adjacent needle Ia, Ib. Conveniently, the first segment 13a, 13b of the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b, at least proximate to the second segment 14a, 14b of the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b, is located forward with respect to the head 3, so as to define an abutment for the latch of an adjacent needle during the transfer of the loop of knitting 9, as will become better apparent hereinafter.

The third segment 15a, 15b, at least proximate to the upper end 12a, 12b of the corresponding lamina 6a, 6b, fixed to the corresponding side of the shank 2, is located in front of the head 3.

The region of the needle 1 that is occupied by the portions 8a, 8b of the laminas 6a, 6b has, along the anteroposterior direction, an increased space occupation toward the front side of the needle with respect to the contiguous regions of the shank 2.

Advantageously, the shank 2, between the latch 4 and the end of the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a, 6b that is directed toward the head 3, has a region 10 for blending the shank 2 with the portion 8a, 8b of the lamina 6a,

6b.

The blending region 10 is shaped like a wedge that tapers toward the head 3.

The blending region 10 has a front face 10c, which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2 so as to blend the region occupied by the portions 8a, 8b of the laminas 6a, 6b with the segment of the shank 2 that is arranged above.

Said front face 10c of the blending region 10 has a curved lower segment that blends it with its base side. Moreover, the blending region 10 is delimited laterally by sides 10a,

10b that are shaped, at least for a segment starting from their upper end, like a plane that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2 and move mutually closer progressively toward the head 3.

Conveniently, the lower end of the blending region 10 is wider than the distance between the two opposite sides 7a, 7b of the shank 2 in regions that are contiguous to the blending region 10.

The upper end 12a, 12b of each lamina 6a, 6b, i.e., the end that is directed toward the head 3, is fixed to the blending region 10 proximate its base. Preferably, the cam 33 can engage selectively the heel 32a or the heel

32b, so as to cause the transition from the active position to the inactive position of the portion 8a or of the portion 8b of the lamina 6a or 6b, which is located on the opposite side 7a or 7b of the shank 2 with respect to the side directed toward the adjacent needle to which the loop of knitting is to be released, independently of the position of the portion 8b or 8a of the other lamina 6b, or 6a.

This can be achieved by providing two separate cams 33, which are arranged so that one engages only the heel 32a and the other one engages only the heel 32b and are located in two different regions of the machine and can be used depending on whether one wishes to transfer the loop of knitting to a needle arranged on one side or to a needle arranged on the opposite side of the needle that carries said loop of knitting.

As an alternative, as shown, it is possible to provide a single cam 33 that faces the side of the needle holder 40 of the machine from which the heels 32a, 32b protrude and can move on command along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shank 2 with respect to the needle 1 , so as to engage the heel 32a or the heel 32b. In Figure 3, the cam 33 has been shown in solid lines in the position in which it can engage the heel 32a and in dashed lines in the position in which it can engage the heel 32b. Also as an alternative, it is possible to provide two cams 33 arranged in the two positions that can be occupied by the single cam described above and can move on command toward or away from the needle holder 40 to engage or respectively not engage the heel 32a or the heel 32b, so as to use only the cam that produce the transition from the active position to the inactive position of the portion 8a or 8b of the lamina 6a or of the lamina 6b that is located toward the adjacent needle that must not receive the loop of knitting.

The profile of the cam or cams 33 is contoured in relation to the profile of the needle actuation cams that engage the heel 5 of the needles so as to cause, during the process for the release of the loop of knitting from the needle 1 to an adjacent needle, a movement of the heel 32a or 32b toward the longitudinal end of the shank 2 that lies opposite the head 3 with respect to the shank 2. This can occur both while the needle 1 is stationary and while it is being moved longitudinally with respect to the needle holder 40. By equipping a knitting machine for hosiery or the like with needles according to the invention and by providing for them an actuation as described hereafter, it is possible to transfer directly stitches or loops of knitting 9 from one needle 1 to a needle Ia or Ib that is adjacent and arranged laterally, on either side, with respect to the needle 1 , without requiring additional elements that pick up the stitch or loop of knitting 9.

For the sake of greater clarity, the needles that are adjacent to the needle 1, which must release the stitch or loop of knitting 9, have been designated by the reference numerals Ia, Ib, but can be provided, as shown, like the needle 1 described up to now.

The description of the execution of the transfer of a loop of knitting 9 from a needle 1 to an adjacent needle Ib is given, for the sake of greater clarity, with reference to a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, assuming that the needles between which the loop of knitting 9 is transferred are located in the needle cylinder that constitutes the needle holder 40 of the machine, without altering the fact that the needle according to the invention can also be used in the dial of circular machines with cylinder and dial, or, more generally, on single- and two-bed rectilinear and circular machines. In the description that follows, which will reference Figures 3, 4 and

5, it is assumed that the needle 1 , arranged between the needles Ib, Ia, is the needle that carries the loop of knitting 9 and must release it to the adjacent needle Ib, while the other needle Ia, arranged on the opposite side with respect to the needle Ib relative to the needle 1 , is not affected by the release of the loop of knitting 9. The needle 1 is referenced hereinafter also as "releasing needle", the needle Ib is also referenced as "receiving needle" and the needle Ia is also referenced as "inactive needle".

To transfer the loop of knitting 9 from one needle 1 to an adjacent needle Ib, the needle 1 , after forming the loop of knitting 9 and after knocking over the loop of knitting formed previously, is raised, by means of the needle actuation cams with which its heel 5 engages, so as to protrude for a segment above the knitting formation plane 21 , which, as is known, is formed by the sinkers, not shown for the sake of simplicity, which retain the loops of knitting 9 that have just been foπned. The extent of the lifting of the needle 1 , which must release the loop of knitting 9, is such as to bring the portion 8a, 8b of the laminas 6a, 6b at the knitting formation plane 21 and extract the portion 8a, 8b completely from the region that is occupied by the so-called "strips" that delimit laterally the seats, constituted by axial slots of the lateral surface of the needle cylinder 40, in which the needles slide. In this manner, the laminas 6a, 6b, first pressed against the shank 2 of the releasing needle 1 by the presence of the strips, can move away by elastic reaction from the shank 2 with their portion 8a, 8b. The heel 32a of the lamina 6a, which is the lamina directed toward the inactive needle Ia, engages the cam 33, which by causing a movement of said heel 32a toward the end of the shank 2 that lies opposite the head 3 with respect to said shank 2, causes the passage of the portion 8a of the lamina 6a from the active position to the inactive position, if the portion 8a has previously moved into the active position, or prevents the portion 8a of the lamina 6a from reaching the active position. In this manner, when the releasing needle 1 arranges itself with the supporting shoulder 17a, 17b proximate to the knitting formation plane 21 , only the portion 8b is in the active position. As a consequence of the lifting of the releasing needle 1 , the shank 2 of the needle 1 slides within the loop of knitting 9, which, being crossed first by the blending region 10 and then by the portion 8a, 8b of the laminas 6a, 6b up to the supporting shoulder 17a, 17b, is widened progressively in a manner suitable to be crossed by the receiving needle I b. In this step, the presence of the blended region 10 ensures a gradual widening of the loop of knitting 9, avoiding excessive stresses both of the loop and of the laminas 6a, 6b. Moreover, by virtue of the fact that only the portion 8b of the lamina 6b passes into the active position, the widening of the loop of knitting 9 is reduced to the minimum extent indispensable to allow it to be crossed by the receiving needle 1 b and therefore the excessive stresses of the knitting and of the laminas 6a, 6b are reduced further. At this point, the receiving needle Ib, onto which the loop of knitting

9 is to be transferred, is moved upwardly with respect to the releasing needle 1 , so as to insert its open head 3 in the space comprised between the portion 8b and the shank 2 of the releasing needle 1. It should be noted that the receiving needle Ib, in this lifting, is arranged with its head 3 between the rear protrusion 18b and the side 7b of the shank 2 of the releasing needle 1. By virtue of this fact, the receiving needle Ib prevents the portion 8b of the lamina 6b from being flattened completely by the loop of knitting 9 against the side 7b of the shank 2 of the releasing needle 1 and the first segment 13b defines a front abutment that prevents the latch 4 of the receiving needle Ib from rotating about the axis 4a, assuredly keeping open the latch 4 of the receiving needle Ib.

Subsequently, after completing the lifting of the receiving needle Ib until its head 3 lies above the knitting formation plane 21 and therefore above the loop of knitting 9 to be engaged, the releasing needle 1 is lowered and the receiving needle Ib is lifted, preferably to the position that corresponds to the held-stitch position.

The descent of the releasing needle 1 moves the receiving needle Ib so that it protrudes with its head upwardly from the portion 8b of the lamina 6b. Moreover, the descent of the needle 1 causes the loop of knitting 9, arranged around the laminas 6a, 6b, to slide along the third segment 15b of the portion 8b, moving it toward the shank 2 and bringing it into the head of the receiving needle Ib.

It should be noted that since the upper end 12b of the lamina 6b is fixed to the shank 2 of the releasing needle 1 in a region located in front of the head 3, the head 3 of the receiving needle Ib can protrude upwardly from the portion 8b of the lamina 6b without interfering with the upper end 12b of the lamina 6b of the releasing needle 1. In this manner, the wear of the head 3 of the receiving needle Ib and of the lamina 6b of the releasing needle 1 is also reduced significantly. When, in its descent, the releasing needle 1 has moved with its latch 4 beyond the loop of knitting 9, which is in the head 3 of the receiving needle Ib and causes the closure of the head 3 of the releasing needle 1 by the latch 4, the two needles 1 and Ib can be lowered together below the knitting formation plane 21. During this lowering, the portion 8b of the lamina 6b, by engaging the side of the slots of the needle holder 40 that accommodate the needle 1 , is returned to the inactive position.

Figure 3 shows the actuation sequence, in the direction indicated by the arrow 30, of groups of two needles 1 , Ib. In this figure, for the sake of simplicity, the needles have been all shown with the corresponding latch 4 open, without altering the fact that the latch 4 will be open or closed on the head 3 of the needles depending on the operating conditions of the needles.

It should be noted that the presence of the supporting shoulder 17a, 17b allows to transfer loops of knitting 9 also above the knitting formation plane 21 , since said supporting shoulder 17a, 17b achieves by itself the correct positioning of the loop of knitting 9 to transferred, avoiding its descent along the shank 2 of the releasing needle 1.

In this case, the passage of the portion 8b of the lamina 6b from the active position to the inactive position after the transfer of the loop of knitting 9 can be achieved following the descent of the releasing needle 1 with respect to the receiving needle Ib, since the first segment 13b of the portion 8b of the lamina 6b engages the side 10a of the blending region 10 of the receiving needle Ib.

In order to transfer the loop of knitting 9 not to the adjacent needle Ib arranged to the right of the needle 1 but to the adjacent needle arranged to the left, in the figures, it is sufficient to actuate said needle arranged to the left as described above with reference to the receiving needle Ib and reverse the actuation of the laminas 6a, 6b by means of the action of the cam 33.

Of course, if the needles according to the invention are used in a dial of a machine with cylinder and dial, the needles are moved radially outward instead of being raised and radially inward instead of being lowered.

The adaptation of the movements to be imparted to the needles according to the invention with reference to the machine on which they are mounted can be derived in any case straightforwardly on the basis of the explanation given above with reference to a single-bed circular machine. The particular structure of the needle according to the invention allows to provide said needle with a reduced thickness, such as to allow its use in machines with high fineness (higher than 18 needles per inch).

Moreover, the use of needles according to the invention with the possibility to transfer the stitches on either side of the needles on machines that can be actuated with an alternating motion allows to produce items of knitting with knitted regions of any shape with increasing or decreasing stitches, increasing their quality and degree of finish.

In practice it has been found that the needle according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since by allowing to actuate, according to the requirements, the passage of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina from the active position to the inactive position or vice versa, it makes its actuation more versatile.

In particular, the possibility to actuate individually the passage of the elastically flexible portions of the lamina from the active position to the inactive position allows to limit the widening of the loop of knitting to be transferred, allowing to reduce the stresses on the loop of knitting and on the parts of the needle that actuate the transfer of the loop of knitting.

The needle thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. MI2008A000123, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A needle for transferring stitches therefrom to adjacent needles for knitting machines for hosiery or the like, comprising a shank (2), a head (3) that is arranged at a longitudinal or upper end of said shank (2) and is contoured like a hook that is open toward the front side of said shank (2), and a latch (4), which is pivoted to said shank (2) proximate to said head, about a pivoting axis (4a) that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank (2), and rotatable about said pivoting axis (4a) in order to open or close said head (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one lamina (6a, 6b) that is connected to said shank (2) and has, on each of the two opposite sides (7a, 7b) of said shank (2), below said latch (4), a portion (8a, 8b) that can flex elastically from an inactive position, in which it is closer to the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of the shank (2), to an active position, in which it is spaced from the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of the shank (2); in said active position, said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) widening the loop (9) of knitting that is fitted onto said shank (2) at said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b), the head (3) of an adjacent needle (Ib) being insertable in the space comprised between said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b), in said active position, and the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2), in order to pick up said loop of knitting (9) by means of said adjacent needle (Ib); said lamina (6a, 6b) having at least one actuation region (31a, 31b) that can be engaged by actuation means to transfer or maintain said elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) in said inactive position or to transfer or keep said elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) in said active position.

2. The needle according to claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one lamina (6a, 6b) is fixed to said shank (2) with a portion thereof that is arranged externally to said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b); said at least one actuation region (31a, 31b) being movable with respect to said shank (2) for the passage of said elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) from said active position to said inactive position or vice versa.

3. The needle according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said lamina (6a, 6b) is fixed to said shank (2) at one of its longitudinal ends directed toward said head (3); said at least one actuation region (31 a, 31b) being movable with respect to said shank (2), parallel to its longitudinal axis, for the passage of said elastically flexible portions (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) from said active position to said inactive position or vice versa.

4. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal end of said lamina (6a, 6b) that is directed toward said head (3) is fixed to said shank (2) in a region located forward with respect to said head (3).

5. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one actuation region (31 a, 31b) comprises at least one heel (32a, 32b) that protrudes proximate to the longitudinal end of the lamina (6a, 6b) that lies opposite its longitudinal end that is fixed to said shank (2) and protrudes from the front side of said shank (2); said actuation means comprising at least one cam (33) that can face the needle holder (40) of the machine and forms a path for said heel (32a, 32b); said path being contoured to move said heel (32a, 32b) parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shank (2) with respect to said shank (2).

6. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) has a region that can be superimposed laterally, on the opposite side with respect to the corresponding side of said shank (2), on the head (3) of said adjacent needle (Ia, Ib) inserted in the space comprised between said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b), in said active position, and the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2).

7. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one lamina (6a, 6b) comprises two laminas arranged side by side, each of which has a corresponding portion that can flex elastically toward or away from a corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2); each one of said two laminas (6a, 6b) being fixed at its end directed toward said head (3) to said shank (2) and being provided, proximate to its opposite longitudinal end, with a corresponding heel (32a, 32b) that protrudes from the front side of said shank (2) and can engage said cam (33).

8. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cam (33) can engage selectively the heel (32a, 32b) of one or the other of said laminas (6a, 6b) for the transition of the elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of one lamina (6a, 6b) from the active position to the inactive position or vice versa, independently of the position of the elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the other lamina (6a, 6b).

9. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said laminas (6a, 6b) comprises: a lower region (20a, 20b), which lies on a plane that is parallel to the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2); an intermediate region, which constitutes said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b); and an upper region (12a, 12b), which is fixed to the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2); said lower region (20a, 20b) being provided with said heel (32a, 32b).

10. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower region (20a, 20b) of the laminas (6a, 6b) is accommodated, so that it can slide along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shank (2), in a longitudinal slot (34) that is formed in said shank (2) and is open at the front for the protrusion of the corresponding heel (32a, 32b).

1 1. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel (32a, 32b) of a lower region (20a, 20b) of one lamina (6a) of said two laminas (6a, 6b) is spaced from the heel (32a, 32b) of the lower region (20a, 20b) of the other lamina (6b) of said two laminas (6a, 6b) along a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shank (2).

12. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one cam (33) can move on command parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shank (2) in order to engage the heel (32a, 32b) of one lamina (6a, 6b) or the heel (32a, 32b) of the other lamina (6a, 6b).

13. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one cam (33) can move on command toward or away from said heel (32a, 32b) in order to engage or not engage said heel (32a, 32b).

14. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) is constituted, starting from its lower end connected to said lower region (20a, 20b) of the corresponding lamina (6a, 6b) and in the absence of forces acting thereon: by a first segment (13a, 13b), which is folded away from the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2); by a second segment (14a, 14b), which is substantially parallel to the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2); and by a third segment (15a, 15b), which is folded toward the corresponding side (7a, 7b) of said shank (2); said third segment (15a, 15b), at least proximate to said upper region of the lamina (6a, 6b), being arranged forward with respect to said head (3).

15. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) has, on its front side, a supporting shoulder ( 17a, 17b) for the loop (9) of knitting.

16. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting shoulder (17a, 17b) is defined by the upper side of a front protrusion (16a, 16b) of said second segment (14a, 14b) of the elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina.

17. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said region that can be superimposed laterally on the head (3) of said adjacent needle (I a, Ib) is formed by a rear protrusion (18a, 18b) of said second segment (14a, 14b) of the elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b).

18. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shank (2) has, between said latch (4) and the end of said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b) that is directed toward said head (3), a region (10) where said shank is blended with said elastically flexible portion (8a, 8b) of the lamina (6a, 6b).

19. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said blending region (10) is shaped like a wedge that tapers toward said head (3) of the needle (1).

20. The needle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper end (12a, 12b), directed toward said head (3), of each one of said laminas (6a, 6b) is fixed to said blending region (10) proximate to its base.