Patent ID: 8899079
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: D04B

Abstract:
1. A knitting machine configured for knitting a knit component having a first portion and a second portion, the knitting machine comprising: a knitting bed with a plurality of knitting needles that are arranged along a longitudinal direction, the knitting bed defining a first knitting area and a second knitting area that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, the first knitting area configured to form the first portion of the knit component, the second knitting area configured to form the second portion of the knit component; a feeder assembly that feeds a strand toward the knitting bed to be incorporated into the knit component; a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller, the first take-down roller configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to the first portion of the knit component, the second take-down roller configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to the second portion of the knit component; a biasing member that applies a biasing load to the first take-down roller for biasing the first take-down roller generally toward the first portion of the knit component; a first actuator that is operably coupled to the biasing member, the first actuator operable to actuate to selectively adjust the biasing load between a first biasing load and a second biasing load, wherein the first biasing load and the second biasing load are configured to cause the first take-down roller to apply different amounts of tension to the first portion of the knit component; a second actuator that is operably coupled to the second take-down roller, the second actuator operable to actuate to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component; and a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator.