Patent ID: 6122938
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: D04B

Abstract:
A stamped knitting tool receivable for reciprocating motion in a guide groove of a knitting tool carrier forming a component of a knitting machine; the knitting tool comprising(a) a stamped, single-piece shank having a shank length, first and second opposite broad sides having outer faces, a front end, a rearward end opposite said front end, a full shank thickness defined by a distance between the outer face of said first broad side and the outer face of said second broad side, and a guide region having a front end oriented toward said front end of said shank and a rearward end oriented toward said rearward end of said shank; said front end of said guide region being spaced from said front end of said shank and said rearward end of said guide region being situated at said rearward end of said shank; said guide region remaining at all times within the guide groove when the knitting tool reciprocates in said guide groove;(b) at least one butt carried by said shank; said at least one butt being situated in said guide region and being a leading butt as viewed from said front end if more than one butt is present; said one butt having a front end oriented toward said front end of said shank and a rearward end oriented toward said rearward end of said shank; and(c) at least one free surface being provided in at least said first broad side; said free surface being recessed relative to said outer face of said first broad side, whereby a distance between the recessed free surface and the outer face of said second broad side defines a reduced shank thickness which is less than said full shank thickness; said recessed free surface having a first length portion extending within said guide region continuously through said shank on said first broad side from a point situated in a zone extending adjacent said one butt forwardly from said forward end of said one butt to an ending location spaced from said forward end of said guide region; said recessed free surface having a second length portion extending from a point situated in a zone extending adjacent said one butt rearwardly from said rearward end of said one butt toward said rearward end of said shank; said second length portion of said recessed free surface being interrupted solely along a guide region length portion which extends in alignment with any additional butt carried by said shank, whereby said one butt and a guide region length portion extending in alignment therewith and any additional butt and a guide region length portion extending in alignment therewith have said full shank thickness; said shank having first and second longitudinally spaced shank portions of full shank thickness situated within said guide region; said first shank portion comprising said guide region length portion extending in alignment with said one butt and said second shank portion comprising a shank length portion being located between said ending location of said first length portion of said recessed free surface and said front end of said guide region.