Method and apparatus for seaming two edges of a knitted tubular article upon completion thereof

Apparatus for seaming two edges of a knitted tubular article, comprising:

• a cylinder of needles including a plurality of needles for forming a first semirank of stitches and a plurality of needles for forming a second semirank of stitches;
• a sinkers case including sinkers;
• first cam means for lifting and lowering of a predetermined number of said needles of said first and said second semirank of stitches;
• a second cam means for further lifting and lowering of said needles of the first and second semiranks of stitches;
• means for removing stitches of said first semirank and over turning the removed stitches 180.degree. about a horizontal diametral axis (a--a) of said cylinder of needles, including a pair of spikes for each stitch, each spike being provided with a recess located in a proximity of a spike head and being turned downwards in a removal condition, said recess intended to receive and hold therein a stitch, and with one or two corresponding opening and respectively closing pegs for each pair of spikes, which spikes and respective pegs are slidingly housed in corresponding slots of a semicircular sector and so constructed as to be moved on both sides of said sector in relation to its position relative to said cylinder of needles, said sector being rotatively mounted for a 180.degree. angular displacement in both directions about a horizontal diametral axis (a--a) of the cylinder of needles on top of sinkers of said sinkers case;
• means for fixing said sector to said cylinder of needles, with a radial shutter which, in operative mode, is engaged within a corresponding groove of said cylinder of needles upon actuation of a corresponding cam sliding between two positions, one for blocking the support of the sector to the cylinder of needles and another for releasing the support of the sector from said cylinder of needles but spaced apart by a constant and preset length;
• means for blocking said sinkers case during a horizontal rotation of said sector together with the needles cylinder, with two forks supported on the stationary part of the machine and radially sliding with respect to the cylinder, said forks being associated with two corresponding vertical pins fixed to said sinkers case, and with a corresponding actuation cam which is fixed to said means for fixing said sector whereby rotation of said sector at least one of the forks with relevant pin will retain the sinkers case;
• means for carrying out the linking of paired and superimposed stitches fitted on said needles of the second semirank, with a crook-shape linking needle which is fixed at a front end of a rod driven into an alternate rotary motion about an axis of said rod and, respectively, into a reciprocating translatory motion along said axis, with a corresponding crochet disposed outside said cylinder of needle, and with a fabric-holding wheel or slide to hold said stitches in a linked position during the linking said wheel or slide being located on a same side of the linking needle with respect to said needles.