GB2128642A - Knitting machine needles - Google Patents

Abstract

A needle for lateral transfer of yarn loops in a knitting machine comprises a generally flat elongate body 1 having an offset generally parallel portion 2 near its top at which is a yarn retaining hook 6 and a pivotably mounted tongue 7 for forming a closed loop with the hook 6. Projecting from and at right angles to portion 2 is an L-shaped tongue 3 face 3' of which is parallel to the portion 2. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Knitting Machine Needles The present invention relates to a needle which may be used in circular knitting machines for transferring loops of yarn in a lateral direction.

The object of the present invention is to provide such a needle that is inexpensive and sturdy, but can transfer yarn loops one after another without interruption in a lateral direction.

According to the present invention there is provided a knitting machine needle for lateral transfer of yarn loops having near its top an offset portion generally parallel to upper and lower needle portions and projecting from said offset portion a transfer tongue having a face thereof generally parallel to said offset portion.

The tongue is preferably L-shaped and advantageously has its upper edge inclined downwardly away from the needle.

This invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of upper parts of a lateral transferring needle according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view thereof; Figure 3 is a rear elevation thereof; Figure 4 is a front view thereof showing the needle as it may appear while in use; Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 4; Figures 6A to 6D are perspective views showing steps in the lateral transfer of a loop of yarn; and Figure 7 is a general side view of a whole needle.

Referring to the drawings a needle has an elongate generally flat body 1 having a region 2 thereof near its top offset but parallel to upper and lower body parts. Projecting from an edge of portion 2 is an integral generally L-shaped tongue 3 for loop transfer providing a face 3" at right angles to portion 2 and a face 3' at right angles to face 3" and parallel to portion 2. Upper edge 4 of tongue 3 is inclined downwards towards outer edge of face 3'.

The needle body 1 further comprises a yarn retaining hook 6 at its top and a tongue 7 pivotably mounted in the body so as to form a closed loop with the hook portion 6.

In Figure 5 cylinder 9 is shown in which the needles operate and in Figure 7 a whole needle is shown, the lower portion thereof having pads 8 projecting therefrom.

Needles for lateral transfer of yarn loops according to the present invention operate in the foilowing manner as illustrated in Figures 6A to D.

In Figure 6A a loop of yarn t is first retained by the tongue 3 of needle 1 and then as the yarn retaining hook 6 of the subsequent needle 1' is forced to rise upwards between portion 2 and face 3' of needle 1 i.e. internally of transfer tongue 3 (Figure 6B) by the offset portion 2 and the inclined edge 4, and the first needle body 1 is lowered, as shown in Figure 6C, two loops of yarn are retained on needle 1' but the upper loop is still also around needle 1. At the moment two loops are retained, the needle body 1' comes outside the tongue 3 of needle 1 because of the offsetting of portion 2.

When the needle body 1' rises upwards as shown in Figure 6D, its tongue 3 retains both loops whilst needle 1 is freed of the upper loop. Thus a loop of yarn has been transferred laterally from needle 1 to needle 1'. Similarly a loop of yarn is transferred to needle 1" from needle 1' by the similar movement of the subsequent needle 1".

In this way loops of yarn can be completely transferred laterally before the knitting needle comes and thus the entire knitting operation can be extremely smooth.

A particularly important feature of needies of the invention is the possibility of integral construction rendering the needle relatively easy to manufacture and sturdy in construction. In addition the needle can be made with very smooth surfaces which come into direct contact with the knitting machine cylinder (i.e. avoiding uneveness caused by welding needle parts together.

Furthermore, such smooth surfaces can permit the needle body to make up-and-down movements without interruption. The offset portion is also advantageous in aiding retention of the loop by the retaining hook.

1. A knitting machine needle for lateral transfer of yarn loops having near its top an offset portion generally parallel to upper and lower needle portions and projecting from said offset portion a transfer tongue having a face thereof generally parallel to said offset portion.

2. A needle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongue is generally L-shaped.

3. A needle as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said tongue has its upper edge inclined downwardly away from the needle.

4. A knitting machine needle for lateral transfer of yarn loops substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Knitting Machine Needles The present invention relates to a needle which may be used in circular knitting machines for transferring loops of yarn in a lateral direction. The object of the present invention is to provide such a needle that is inexpensive and sturdy, but can transfer yarn loops one after another without interruption in a lateral direction. According to the present invention there is provided a knitting machine needle for lateral transfer of yarn loops having near its top an offset portion generally parallel to upper and lower needle portions and projecting from said offset portion a transfer tongue having a face thereof generally parallel to said offset portion. The tongue is preferably L-shaped and advantageously has its upper edge inclined downwardly away from the needle. This invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of upper parts of a lateral transferring needle according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view thereof; Figure 3 is a rear elevation thereof; Figure 4 is a front view thereof showing the needle as it may appear while in use; Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 4; Figures 6A to 6D are perspective views showing steps in the lateral transfer of a loop of yarn; and Figure 7 is a general side view of a whole needle. Referring to the drawings a needle has an elongate generally flat body 1 having a region 2 thereof near its top offset but parallel to upper and lower body parts. Projecting from an edge of portion 2 is an integral generally L-shaped tongue 3 for loop transfer providing a face 3" at right angles to portion 2 and a face 3' at right angles to face 3" and parallel to portion 2. Upper edge 4 of tongue 3 is inclined downwards towards outer edge of face 3'. The needle body 1 further comprises a yarn retaining hook 6 at its top and a tongue 7 pivotably mounted in the body so as to form a closed loop with the hook portion 6. In Figure 5 cylinder 9 is shown in which the needles operate and in Figure 7 a whole needle is shown, the lower portion thereof having pads 8 projecting therefrom. Needles for lateral transfer of yarn loops according to the present invention operate in the foilowing manner as illustrated in Figures 6A to D. In Figure 6A a loop of yarn t is first retained by the tongue 3 of needle 1 and then as the yarn retaining hook 6 of the subsequent needle 1' is forced to rise upwards between portion 2 and face 3' of needle 1 i.e. internally of transfer tongue 3 (Figure 6B) by the offset portion 2 and the inclined edge 4, and the first needle body 1 is lowered, as shown in Figure 6C, two loops of yarn are retained on needle 1' but the upper loop is still also around needle 1. At the moment two loops are retained, the needle body 1' comes outside the tongue 3 of needle 1 because of the offsetting of portion 2. When the needle body 1' rises upwards as shown in Figure 6D, its tongue 3 retains both loops whilst needle 1 is freed of the upper loop. Thus a loop of yarn has been transferred laterally from needle 1 to needle 1'. Similarly a loop of yarn is transferred to needle 1" from needle 1' by the similar movement of the subsequent needle 1". In this way loops of yarn can be completely transferred laterally before the knitting needle comes and thus the entire knitting operation can be extremely smooth. A particularly important feature of needies of the invention is the possibility of integral construction rendering the needle relatively easy to manufacture and sturdy in construction. In addition the needle can be made with very smooth surfaces which come into direct contact with the knitting machine cylinder (i.e. avoiding uneveness caused by welding needle parts together. Furthermore, such smooth surfaces can permit the needle body to make up-and-down movements without interruption. The offset portion is also advantageous in aiding retention of the loop by the retaining hook. CLAIMS

1. A knitting machine needle for lateral transfer of yarn loops having near its top an offset portion generally parallel to upper and lower needle portions and projecting from said offset portion a transfer tongue having a face thereof generally parallel to said offset portion.

2. A needle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongue is generally L-shaped.

3. A needle as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said tongue has its upper edge inclined downwardly away from the needle.

4. A knitting machine needle for lateral transfer of yarn loops substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.