Patent ID: 6158254
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: A41B,D04B,D10B

Abstract:
A double layer sock formed on a circular knitting machine having means to control the stitch density and fitted with a dial plate having hooks and said sock having its toe closed by a sewing machine fitted with a sewing guide and severing means, by a method comprising:(a) knitting a first tubular segment of said sock with stitches of normal density;(b) knitting a second tubular segment of said sock contiguous with said first segment and in which the stitches forming the second segment are less dense than the stitches forming the first segment;(c) knitting a tubular inner layer of said sock that is a contiguous with said second segment;(d) engaging stitches of a first course of said inner layer of said sock on hooks of a dial plate of said knitting machine;(e) while said inner layer first course remains engaged on said hooks, knitting a tubular outer layer of said sock that is contiguous with said inner layer;(f) disengaging said inner layer first course from said hooks;(g) forming knit stitches connecting said inner layer first course to an outer layer last course;(h) knitting a third tubular segment of said sock contiguous with said outer layer and in which the stitches forming the third segment are less dense than the stitches forming the outer layer;(i) knitting a fourth tubular segment of said sock contiguous with said third segment in which the stitches forming the fourth segment are more dense than the stitches forming the third segment;(j) discharging said sock from said knitting machine;(k) engaging said second and third tubular segments of said sock in a slot of a sewing machine sewing guide;(l) while maintaining said second and third tubular segments engaged in said guide, severing said first and fourth tubular segments of said sock from said second and third tubular segments; and(m) sewing said inner and outer layers adjacent said second and third tubular segments to each other while maintaining the wales of said inner land outer ayers proximate the line of sewing in alignment.