US 4,336,697 A · Method of and mechanism for transferring knitted fabric from a knitting machine to a magazine

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of and mechanism for transferring a knitted fabric from the knitting needles (28) of a flat knitting machine (10) to the needles (38) of a magazine bar (21). One of the beds (12) of the machine is dropped slightly and the tips of transfer elements (24) are brought into juxtaposition with the needles (28). The tips of the elements (24) are then engaged in the eyes of the needles (28) which are then withdrawn to transfer the loops of the fabric to the elements (24). The latter are then moved into engagement with the needles (38) of the magazine bar (21) and the loops transferred to the magazine needles by means of teeth (52) of a member (50) which engage and carry the loops from the elements (24) to the needles (38).

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of transferring a knitted fabric from the knitting needles of a flat knitting machine to the needles of a magazine bar comprising the steps of displacing one bed of the knitting machine a preselected distance from a position in which knitting takes place;

moving a plurality of intermediate transfer elements into juxtaposition with the needles of said one bed and engaging each said element with a respective needle and transferring the knitted loops of said knitted fabric from the needles of said one bed to said elements;
removing said elements from adjacent the needles of said one bed and into engagement with the needles of said magazine bar;
and transferring the loops of the knitted fabric from said elements to the needles of said magazine bar.

A mechanism for attachment to a flat knitting machine for transferring knitted fabric from the knitting needles of one bed of the machine to the needles of a magazine bar, the mechanism comprising a frame for supporting the beds of said knitting machine, a plurality of intermediate transfer elements movably supported on said frame below said beds;

first means for raising said intermediate elements into a first position between said beds and into engagement with said knitting needles and subsequently lowering said elements out of engagement with said knitting needles and into a second, lower position below said beds;
a magazine bar movably supported on said frame below said beds, said magazine bar having a plurality of needles thereon;
means for moving said magazine bar between a location remote from said second position and a location adjacent said second position for engaging the needles of said magazine bar with said intermediate transfer elements;
sweep means movably mounted on said frame adjacent said second position;
and means for moving said sweep means along a predetermined path for sweeping the loops of said knitted fabric from said intermediate transfer elements onto the needles of said magazine bar when said elements are engaged with the needles of said magazine bar.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of and mechanism for transferring knitted fabric from a knitting machine to a magazine

Life of this patent

Method of and mechanism for transferring knitted fabric from a knitting machine to a magazine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17