US3877255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Needle-control mechanism for circular knitting machine
Assignee: SEMITEX AG
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A rotatable cylinder, carrying on its outer periphery a set of axially reciprocable latch needles, also supports a like number of elongate selector elements each oscillatable in a respective radial plane between two off-normal positions on opposite sides of a normal position. In its off-normal positions the selector element engages either of two links which act upon the associated needle shank to control its operative displacement by a camming mechanism, either by blocking or limiting such displacement or by positively engaging the needle shank with one of two cam followers executing different strokes. The selector element is positionable, by electromagnetic or mechanical programming means, on passing through a presetting station and thereupon retains its position for the following cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Guido Allavena
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:24
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04B; D04B15/00; D04B15/66; D04B15/68; D04B15/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
In a circular knitting machine, in combination: a cylinder mounted for rotation about its axis; a set of needles distributed over a peripheral surface of said cylinder, said needles extending generally in the direction of said axis and being axially oscillatable between a retracted position and an extended position; actuating means on said cylinder individual to each needle for oscillating same between said retracted and extended positions; stationary cam means adjacent said cylinder coacting with said actuating means upon rotation of said cylinder; mechanism on said cylinder individual to each needle for controlling the oscillation thereof by said actuating means, said mechanism including a selector element displaceable between several discrete positions including a first position wherein said actuating means operatively couples the associated needle with said cam means and a second position wherein said actuating means effectively decouples the associated needle from said cam means; and at least one presetting station adjacent said cylinder provided with programming means effective upon passage of said selector element through said station to place the selector element in any of said discrete positions, said presetting station comprising a generator of a steady magnetic field intersecting the path of said selector element, the latter being electrically conductive and connectable at said station in an energizing circuit for the passage of a direct current therethrough under the control of said programming means with resultant displacement of said selector element from one of said discrete positions to another in a sense depending on the polarity of said direct current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
In a circular knitting machine, in combination: a cylinder mounted for rotation about its axis; a set of needles distributed over a peripheral surface of said cylinder, said needles extending generally in the direction of said axis and being axially oscillatable between a retracted position and an extended position; actuating means on said cylinder individual to each needle for oscillating same between said retracted and extended positions; stationary cam means adjacent said cylinder coacting with said actuating means upon rotation of said cylinder; mechanism on said cylinder individual to each needle for controlling the oscillation thereof by said actuating means, said mechanism including a selector element displaceable between several discrete positions including a first position wherein said actuating means operatively couples the associated needle with said cam means and a second position wherein said actuating means effectively decouples the associated needle from said cam means; and at least one presetting station adjacent said cylinder provided with programming means effective upon passage of said selector element through said station to place the selector element in any of said discrete positions, said presetting station comprising a generator of a steady magnetic field intersecting the path of said selector element, the latter being electrically conductive and connectable at said station in an energizing circuit for the passage of a direct current therethrough under the control of said programming means with resultant displacement of said selector element from one of said discrete positions to another in a sense depending on the polarity of said direct current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said axis is vertical, said needle being mounted at the top of said cylinder for elevation into said extended position by said actuating means upon being coupled thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said selector element has a third discrete position, said mechanism including link means effective in its third position to couple the associated needle with said actuating means for oscillation thereby between said retracted position and an intermediate position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said link means comprises a first link operatively engageable by said selector element in said third position thereof and a second link operatively engageable by said selector element in one of the other two positions thereof, said selector element being centered between said links in the remaining position thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said links and said selector element are swingable in a common radial plane of said cylinder also containing the associated needle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said links and said selector element are provided with frictional retaining means for holding same in the positions they occupy upon leaving said presetting station, each needle being reverse-displaceable by said cam means upon approaching said station and being provided with a restoring formation effective upon its reverse displacement to restore said selector element through either of said links to its centered position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said actuating means comprises a spring engaging the associated needle and urging same into its extended position, said second link having a detent engageable with a formation on the needle to prevent its displacement by the spring force from said retracted position thereof, said first link having a detent engageable with a formation on the needle to prevent its displacement by the spring force past said intermediate position thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said actuating means comprises a first cam follower osCillatable by said cam means with a relatively small axial stroke and a second cam follower oscillatable by said cam means with a relatively large axial stroke, said first link being effective to engage the needle with said first cam follower for entrainment thereby between said retracted and intermediate positions, said second link being effective to engage the needle with said second cam follower for entrainment thereby between said retracted and extended positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said presetting station comprises a generator of a steady magnetic field intersecting the path of said selector element, the latter being electrically conductive and connectable at said station in an energizing circuit for the passage of a direct current therethrough under the control of said programming means with resultant displacement of said selector element from a normal position in a sense depending on the polarity of said direct current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said presetting station comprises mechanical deflector means engageable with said selector element for displacing same from a normal position in either sense under the control of said programming means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a circular knitting machine, in combination: a cylinder mounted for rotation about its axis; a set of needles distributed over a peripheral surface of said cylinder, said needles extending generally in the direction of said axis and being axially oscillatable between a retracted position and an extended position; actuating means on said cylinder individual to each needle for oscillating same between said retracted and extended positions; stationary cam means adjacent said cylinder coacting with said actuating means upon rotation of said cylinder; mechanism on said cylinder individual to each needle for controlling the oscillation thereof by said actuating means, said mechanism including a selector element displaceable between several discrete positions including a first position wherein said mechanism operatively couples the associated needle with said cam means for full oscillation between said retracted and extended positions, a second position wherein said mechanism operatively couples said associated needle with said cam means for partial oscillation between said retracted position and an intermediate position, and a third position wherein said mechanism effectively decouples said associated needle from said cam means, said mechanism including a first link engageable by said selector element in one of said discrete positions and a second link engageable by said selector element in another of said discrete positions; and at least one presetting station adjacent said cylinder provided with programming means effective upon passage of said selector element through said station to place the selector element in any of said discrete positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a circular knitting machine, in combination: a cylinder mounted for rotation about its axis; a set of needles distributed over a peripheral surface of said cylinder, said needles extending generally in the direction of said axis and being axially oscillatable between a retracted position and an extended position; actuating means on said cylinder individual to each needle for oscillating same between said retracted and extended positions; stationary cam means adjacent said cylinder coacting with said actuating means upon rotation of said cylinder; mechanism on said cylinder individual to each needle for controlling the oscillation thereof by said actuating means, said mechanism including a selector element displaceable between several discrete positions including a first position wherein said mechanism operatively couples the associated needle with said cam means for full oscillation between said retracted and extended positions, a second position wherein said mechanism operatively couples said associated needle with said cam means for partial oscillation between said retracted position and an intermediate position, and a third position wherein said mechanism effectively decouples said associated needle from said cam means, said mechanism including a first link engageable by said selector element in one of said discrete positions and a second link engageable by said selector element in another of said discrete positions; and at least one presetting station adjacent said cylinder provided with programming means effective upon passage of said selector element through said station to place the selector element in any of said discrete positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
116 words
The combination defined in claim 11 wherein said actuating means comprises a spring engaging the associated needle and urging same into its extended position, said first link being provided with a detent engageable with a formation on the needle upon engagement of said first link by said selector element in said third position thereof to prevent a displacement of the needle by the spring force from said retracted position thereof, said second link being provided with a detent engageable with a formation on the needle upon engagement of said second link with said selector element in said second position thereof to prevent a displacement of the needle by the spring force past said intermediate position thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination defined in claim 12 wherein said links and said selector element are swingable in a common radial plane of said cylinder also containing the associated needle, said first position of said selector element lying between said second and third positions thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |