Patent GB-1393172-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for controlling a knitting machine
IPC: D04B15/78
Filed: 1972-03-30
Abstract: 1393172 Knitting machines UNIVERSAL MASCHINENFABRIK DR RUDOLF SCHIEBERKG 30 March 1972 [28 April 1971] 15048/72 Heading D1C Patterning and working width in a flat-bed knitting machine with reciprocating or circulating carriages is controlled by separate data carriers storing non-erasable data respectively for basic kinds of knitting, working width, edge needles and jacquard patterning from which signals are called to control the machine, the signals representing jacquard patterning being fed to erasable temporary storage means from which it is fed adjusted by limit switches for the working width and adjusted for the number of edge stitches without the stored pattern data being affected. The machine carriage 163 is moved on rails 164 by a drive chain 172 and moves thread guides 173 on rails 165. Notches on a ledge 166, corresponding to the divisions of the needle bed 164, each cause an impulse generator on carriage 163 to transmt a pulse to a storage arrangement 162. This includes storage means 3 for selection of a type of knitting from storage means 4, storage means 31 for selection of the needle division, storage means 38 for selection of edge needles, an erasable temporary storage 50 and a magnetic tape storage means or a disc memory 55, counters 85, 86, 93, 97, storage means 57, 67, 68, 80, 92, 98 and a distributor and amplification unit. Eaoh storage unit has a fixed storage part 4 and a part 5 with exchangeable plug-in units in which particular combinations are stored e.g. short repetitions of basic types of knitting in units of storage means 4. In each storage means either of the two parts is interrogated and delivers pulses through the same outputs. On each carriage return, the tape memory 55 delivers the data for a knitted course to temporary storage means 50 which is interrogated and erased by master clock 1 and the impulses delivered to outputs. The memory 38 selects a given number of edge needles-fixed members in unit 39 and plug-in exchangeable numbers in unit 40 and the data from units 39, 40 when interrogated by master clock 1 passes as blocking pulses to the appropriate out-puts. Master clock I continuously steps staggered counters 85, 86, 93, 97 in steps from 1'-36' jumping directly from 36' to 1'. Electromagnets 206 placed side-by-side behind the needle bed have cores 207 which attract retaining springs 208 when the magnet is energized which otherwise block springs 209. When the carriage passes along the bed, if an electromagnet is energized, the corresponding spring 209 holds the associated jack 210 so that its butt 212 engages cam 211  and the jack is pushed forward so that its associated needle 213 engages cam 215 and knits. Spring 208 may carry a permanent magnet and be either attracted or repelled according to the direction of current in the electromagnet. Adjustable mountings 216, 217, which can be secured in positions determined by notched ledge 166, comprise plates 218, 220 carrying respectively staggered permanent magnets 198' to 201' and one magnet 203'. Alternatively, mountings 216, 217 can be fastened on by the automatic thread guide adjustment. These magnets actuate limit switches carried on the carriage 163.