Circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like

A needle actuation element for a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, designed to be accommodated in one of the axial slots formed in the lateral surface of the needle cylinder of the machine together with the needle to be actuated, further comprising:

• at least one connecting element, which is provided, on its side designed to be directed toward the outside of the needle cylinder, with at least one movable heel;
• said connecting element being able to oscillate on a radial plane of the needle cylinder for the transfer of said movable heel from an active position, in which said movable heel protrudes radially from the corresponding axial slot of the needle cylinder to engage corresponding actuation cams of the connecting elements which face the lateral surface of the needle cylinder and define paths which can be followed by said movable heel, in the active position, as a consequence of the actuation of the needle cylinder with a rotary motion about its own axis with respect to said connecting element actuation cams, to an inactive position, in which said movable heel is contained in said axial slot of the needle cylinder so as to not engage said connecting element actuation cams, and vice versa;
• and
• a selector which is able to act on said needle actuation element in order to actuate the transfer of said movable heel of the connecting element from said inactive position to said active position, wherein said selector which has a portion designed to protrude between said connecting element and the bottom of the axial slot of the needle cylinder in which it is to be accommodated in any position which can be assumed by said connecting element during the operation of the machine, said selector is able to oscillate on said radial plane of the needle cylinder in order to actuate the transfer of said movable heel of the connecting element from said inactive position to said active position.