Patent ID: 8443633

Claim:
A transfer apparatus for transferring a stocking from a knitting machine to a stitching apparatus to close an open-end of the stocking, the knitting machine including a needle extending vertically and axially and having a hook for forming a loop at the open-end of the stocking, and a latch that is pivotal upward and downward to move to or away from the hook, said transfer apparatus comprising: a strip member extending horizontally and movable axially upward and downward and radially towards and away from the needle, said strip member contacting the loop on the needle when moved toward the needle to push the loop toward or away from the hook of the needle; and a transfer member disposed horizontally above said strip member and movable axially upward and downward and radially toward and away from the needle, said transfer member including a tip region for receiving the loop from the hook of the needle when said strip member pushes the loop to the hook.