Patent GB-1368035-A (GB)
Title: Method of and apparatus for running-on fabric pieces
IPC: D04B15/00
Filed: 1972-04-24
Abstract: 1368035 Knitting-machines SCHUBERT & SALZER MASCHINENFABRIK AG 24 April 1972 [22 April 1971] 18955/72 Heading D1C A point bar for receiving fabric knit on one machine, e.g. rib borders, before being placed on transfer bar, includes needles that can be raised successively to penetrate the loops. One may be straight or circular and can receive wale or course loops. The loops 10, 11 of the fabric are stretched above the points 2, and once the first loop 102 has been penetrated, the running-on proceeds automatically. Points may start to rise once the loop reaches the widest part of the previous point. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the points are controlled by slides 21 on opposite sides of a bed 23 alternately. The slides 21 are raised by a cam 40 movable along the bed and lifted under each slide. The cam is carried by a nut 410 and moved longitudinally by rotation of a threaded spindle 41. The nut moves inside a slotted hollow shaft 400 which is rotated periodically to raise the cam 40 and lift the slides successively. The slides are prevented from falling by a retaining member 24 biassed by a Spring 25. When the traverse direction of the cam is reversed by a foot pedal control, roller 403 releases the retaining members 24 so that the slides and needles can be depressed by a rocker 26. The speed of traverse of the cam is also controlled by the foot pedal. The cam may comprise two lifting faces 420, 421-see right-hand sideso that the needles are lifted in two stages. A stransfer bar may be suspended on the housing 3 above the point bar to receive the fabric mechanically or manually. The spacing of the points may be varied by relatively movable toothed or notched plates to suit various stitch spacings, e.g. various rib repeats. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 6, the points are raised by successively operated electromagnets 43, 430 and may be retained by members 27. The retaining members can be released by a bar 433. Rubber blocks 602, 603 are provided to engage and tension the fabric above the points they are attached to a lever 604 pivoted on a movable arm 606, and urged into contact with the fabric by a spring 607 so that fabrics of different thickness may be accommodated. The blocks are moved pligrim stepwise by a spindle. nut and hollow shaft arrangement 61, 610, 62. The fabric is held on suspension systems (7, 7', Figs. 10, 11 not shown) one of which is stationary while the other is movable. Each system comprises a series of loop engaging hooks. Alternatively the fabric may be impaled on spikes (714, 715, Fig. 13, not shown). The position of the edge of the fabric, or the make-up courses which may be of a different coloured yarn, relative to the points is determined by photoelectric devices. Any misalignment will light an alarm and may operate a toothed or friction wheel to restore the correct disposition of the fabric. If the points are arranged in a circle they may be controlled by holders 90, Fig. 16, which are raised by a cam 92. The points can be flexed towards the points 323 of a transfer bar by cam 920.