EP0179072B1 - Process for manufacturing a patterned warp-knitted material and a warp knitting machine for its use - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/CH85/00019 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 19, 1985 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 19, 1985 PCT Filed Feb. 6, 1985 PCT Pub. No. WO85/04911 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 7, 1985.In a warp knitting machine, warp stitch rows are formed from warp threads which are held together at least by a weft thread. Patterned threads are applied to the warp rows and are fed in a manner similar to the warp threads. For this purpose, a warp thread guide (18) and pattern thread guides (24) are positioned in front of the knitting needles and are moved over the knitting needles. At the sections of the knitting which are to receive a pattern, the pattern threads are applied on top of the warp threads resting in the needles and are knitted together. At the locations where no pattern is desired, controlled thread retainers prevent the insertion or threading of the pattern threads into the knitting needles and hence the knitting of the pattern threads in with the warp threads does not take place. At the pattern-free locations, the pattern threads are simply inserted into the warp stitch rows.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a patterned warp knitted fabric according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a warp knitting machine for executing the method according to the preamble of claim 6.

US Pat. No. 3,999,407 describes a method for producing a patterned warp-knitted fabric of the type mentioned at the beginning. The pattern threads are each introduced into only one slip stitch. This has the disadvantage that such a pattern is very narrowly limited to the slip stitch and that a relatively large amount of non-patterned basic knitted fabric of the warp knitted fabric appears between adjacent patterned slip stitches, which adversely affects the pattern. In addition, such a warp knitted fabric has the disadvantage that the warp knitted fabric tends to unravel when a stitch is destroyed. Furthermore, this patterned fabric has the disadvantage that the pattern from row of stitches to row of stitches must always be the same for all stitches, i.e. all slip stitches that have a pattern thread can only be patterned together or not in a row of stitches. As a result, the pattern of the warp knitted fabric has narrow limits.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a warp knitting machine with which patterned warp knitted fabrics can be produced, in which the pattern threads enable better coverage of the basic knitted fabric, in particular between patterned slip stitch stitches, and which moreover has a lower tendency to rub when a stitch is destroyed.

The stated object is achieved by the method having the characterizing features of claim 1 and the warp knitting machine, such as a crochet galloon machine, having the characterizing features of claim 6.

The fact that the pattern thread in the case of the pattern is placed over at least two, possibly also three or more knitting needles creates a connection between two, possibly also three and more patterned slip stitches, which provides better coverage of the basic fabric of the patterned warp knitted fabric. By knitting the pattern thread over at least two slip stitch sticks there is the further advantage that the tendency of the warp knit to unravel, i.e. Dissolving when a stitch is destroyed is reduced. Because the thread retainers can be individually controlled in groups and / or individually, a greater variety of patterns can be achieved in particular. Since the pattern threads, like the warp threads, are fed and processed continuously and the patterning is done only by means of the controllable thread retainer, a particularly simple method and a correspondingly simple warp knitting machine, e.g. Crochet gallon machine that can deliver high performance accordingly.

Advantageous embodiments of the method are described in claims 2 to 5 and the warp knitting machine in claims 7 to 17.

It is possible to run the pattern threads per knitting process simultaneously over at least two knitting needles and to knit them with the warp threads. However, a procedure according to claim 2 is particularly advantageous, whereby on the one hand the action is facilitated and on the other hand the mesh strength is improved.

As such, the process can be carried out with various knitting needles, such as latch needles or sliding needles. In such cases, the laying direction of the warp threads and the pattern threads can be selected and changed as desired. However, a method according to claim 3 which allows very high production speeds is particularly advantageous.

The thread retainer can optionally be arranged over the extended knitting needles. However, an embodiment according to claim 4 is particularly advantageous since the thread retainer is then outside both the knitting needles and the thread guide for the warp threads and the pattern threads, and is therefore not hindered by these components and, conversely, does not hinder their functions.

A wide variety of devices can be used to control the thread retainer. An electronic pattern control device is particularly simple.

The pattern thread guide can be guided simultaneously over at least two knitting needles per knitting process and cause simultaneous action in at least two slip stitches. However, an embodiment according to claim 7 is more advantageous which effects an action in only one slip stitch per knitting process, the slip stitches changing from knitting to knitting.

The pattern thread guides can have any configuration, for example tube thread guides. However, an embodiment according to claim 8 is particularly advantageous.

Claim 9 describes a particularly expedient embodiment of the warp knitting machine. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for tongue-less knitting needles according to claim 10.

A warp knitting machine enables particularly operationally reliable conditions. The position of the thread retainers can be as desired, but a design according to claim 12 is particularly preferred. The thread retainer can be arranged directly in the area of the knitting needles and can be moved up and down. An embodiment according to claim 13 is more expedient, however, since here the individual components do not interfere with one another and, moreover, the thread retainer can be made more stable. This configuration also allows the thread retainer to be moved laterally if this should be necessary.

• Fig. 1 eine Kettenwirkmaschine im schematischer Darstellung, im Ausschnitt und im Vertikalschnitt;
• Fig. 2 die Anstriebs- und Steuervorrichtung für die Fadenrückhalter in einer bezüglich Fig. 1 um 90° gedrehten Ansicht;
• Fig. 3 einen Teil eines abgewandelten Antriebes der Fadenrückhalter in der Ansicht gemäss Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 einen Ausschnitt aus einem gemusterten Kettengewirk;
• Figuren 5a - 5f verschiedene Wirkphasen beim Einlegen des Musterfadens in eine Wirknadel; und
• Figuren 6a - 6e verschiedene Wirkphasen bei der Verhinderung des Einlegens des Musterfadens in eine Wirknadel.

According to claim 15, the thread retainer is coupled to a pattern control device. The thread retainer can be arranged in groups on lifting and lowering rods. However, an embodiment according to claim 17 is particularly advantageous since this ensures the greatest variety in the patterning of the warp knitted fabric.
Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a warp knitting machine in a schematic representation, in detail and in vertical section.
• Figure 2 shows the drive and control device for the thread retainer in a view rotated by 90 ° with respect to Figure 1;
• 3 shows a part of a modified drive of the thread retainer in the view according to FIG. 1;
• 4 shows a detail from a patterned warp knitted fabric;
• Figures 5a - 5f different phases of action when inserting the pattern thread in a knitting needle; and
• Figures 6a - 6e different phases of action in preventing the insertion of the pattern thread in a knitting needle.

The warp knitting machine shown schematically in Fig. 1 e.g. Crochet gallon machine has a knitting needle bar 2, in which a row of knitting needles 4 are arranged in parallel. The knitting needle bar 2 moves the knitting needle 4 back and forth in its longitudinal direction. The knitting needles 4 are guided in a knock-over comb 6. The knock-off comb 6 is preceded by a guide plate 8, which forms a guide gap 10 with the knock-off comb 6, through which the finished warp knit 12 is guided to a take-off roller 14, around which it is guided by means of a pressure roller 16.

In front of the knitting needles 2 are warp thread guides 18, which are designed as perforated needles and are fastened to a warp rod 20. The warp thread guides 18 carry out a back-and-forth movement in the direction of the kettle rod 20 as well as a swiveling movement from a high position above the knitting needle plane (FIG. 1) to a low position below the knitting needle plane by means of the kettle rod 20. The warp thread guide 18 can thus insert a warp thread 22 into the knitting needle 4 in a movement encircling the knitting needle 4. Pattern thread guides 24 are arranged above the warp thread guides 18 and are also designed as perforated needles. The pattern thread guide 24 is fastened to a pattern thread laying rod 26 which, like the warp thread laying rod 20, carries out an axial movement over at least two knitting needles and a pivoting movement, so that the pattern thread guide 24 is brought from a high position above the knitting needle plane (FIG. 1) to a low position below the knitting needle plane can be. Each pattern thread guide 24 serves to feed and insert a pattern thread 28 into the knitting needles 4.

Between the foremost position of the knitting needle 4 (FIG. 1) and the warp thread guides 18 and the pattern thread guides 24, thread retainers 30 are arranged, which can be moved back and forth from a high position shown in FIG. 1 above the knitting needle plane to a lower position indicated by dash-dotted lines. The thread retainers 30 are fastened to guide rods 34 by means of clamping members 32. Such a guide rod 34 is shown excellently in FIG. 1, further guide rods are indicated by dash-dotted lines. A plurality of thread retainers 30 can be arranged on each guide rod and moved up and down in each case by the distance X. In the high position, the thread retainers 30 enable a pattern thread 28 to be inserted into the knitting needle 4. In the down position, the thread retainers 30 prevent the pattern thread 28 from being inserted into the knitting needle 4, as will be explained in more detail below. The thread retainers 30 are guided up and down in a fixed guide 36.

The pattern control device 38 shown in FIG. 2 is used to control the thread retainer 30. FIG. 2 also shows a guide bar 40 in which the guides 36 for the thread retainer 30 are arranged. The guide rod 34 is held via tension members 42 and connected to a control box 44 which, according to a predetermined program, pulls or releases the tension members 42 so that the guide rod 34 can be moved up and down against the force of prestressing springs 46.

A front weft guide 48 and a rear weft guide 50 can also be seen in FIG. 1, between which a further thread guide 52 for inserting a rubber thread can be seen.

3 shows a further pattern control device 54, in which thread retainers 56 are axially displaceably mounted in a guide rod 58. A biasing spring 60 holds the thread retainer 56 against a stop 52 in the illustrated high position. A rocker 66 is connected to the thread retainer 56 via a bolt 64 and is pivotably mounted in the machine frame 68 on an axis 70. A harness cord 72 is attached to the side facing away from the thread retainer 56 and leads to a programmable control device 73, e.g. a jacquard device is guided. As a result, each individual thread retainer 56 can be individually controlled, which results in optimal patterning options.

4 shows a section of a warp knitted fabric which can be produced with a warp knitting machine of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The warp knitted fabric consists of individual slip stitches 74 ₁ to 74 ₈ , which are each formed from a warp thread 22. The individual slip stitches in each row of stitches are connected to one another by weft threads 76, which are inserted into the stitches of the slip stitches. The slip stitches can also contain inserted rubber threads 78, as is shown for the slip sticks 74 _i , 74 ₂ , 74 ₃ , 74 ₇ , and 74 ₈ . The warp knitted fabric includes a patterned area 79 and unpatterned areas. Pattern threads 28 are used for the patterning, which are inserted into the stitches of a slip stitch where they should not appear, and are therefore covered by the warp stitch stitches, as is shown, for example, for the non-patterned section 80 of the slip stitch 74 ₄ in FIG. 4 .

In the example shown in Fig. 4 patterned portion 82 of the Kettmaschenstäbchens 74 _4, the individual pattern threads 28 between two Kettmaschenstäbchen such departures are 74 ₄ and 74 ₅ and brought hither and each acting in the Kettmaschenstäbchen. The individual stitches of the pattern thread 28 lie above the stitches of the warp thread 22 and thus appear as a pattern on the surface of the warp knitted fabric. On the slip stitch 74 ₄ , the pattern thread 28 forms a stitch 84 and on the slip stitch 74 ₅ a stitch 86. In the warp knitted fabric shown in FIG. 4, the knitted threads are always guided in the same direction around the knitting needle 4, which is particularly important in the manufacture of the warp knitted fabric with tongue-less knitting needles, such as crochet needles in particular, is required.

The manufacture of the warp knitted fabric is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5a to 5f and 6a to 6e. FIGS. 5a to 5f show the action of a pattern thread that should be visible on the front of the warp knit, and FIGS. 6a to 6e show the insertion of the pattern thread if it should not be visible in the warp knit.

5a shows the knitting phase in which the knitting needle 4a has been withdrawn and a stitch 88 has knocked off. The thread retainers 30a and 30b are in the up position and the warp thread guide 18 and the pattern thread guide 24 are in the down position below the knitting needle level. In the next knitting phase, the knitting needle 4a is advanced and the warp thread guide 18 and the pattern thread guide 24 move into the high position above the knitting needle level and over the knitting needle 4a and on the other side (in the figures on the right side) again into the low position, as in FIGS Figures 5b and 5c emerges. The thread retainer 30, which is in the high position, does not hinder the overlaying of the pattern thread 28, so that both the warp thread 22 and the pattern thread 28 are inserted into the knitting needle 4a, the pattern thread 28 lying over the warp thread 22. The warp thread 22 and the pattern thread 28 are pulled through the stitch 88, i.e. knitted into the warp knit. The pattern thread 28 is then visible on the front 90 of the warp knit 12.

In the next knitting phase, the warp thread guide 18 again circles around the knitting needle 4a, while the pattern thread guide 24 is shifted to the right to the knitting needle 4b and circles around this knitting needle, as can be seen in FIGS. 5e and 5f. The pattern thread 28 is now inserted into the knitting egg 4b, in which the warp thread 22 (not shown) of the adjacent slip stitch is also located. While the knitting needles are being pulled back and the stitches are knocked off, the pattern thread guide 24 is moved back to the first knitting needle 4a in the lower position and a new knitting phase cycle can begin.

FIGS. 6a to 6e show how insertion of the pattern thread 28 into the knitting needles 4a and 4b is prevented. Figures 6a and 6b initially correspond to the active phases of Figures 5a and 5b. As soon as the warp thread guide 18 and the pattern thread guide 24 are in the high position shown in FIG. 5b, the thread retainer 30a is lowered and thus prevents the pattern thread 28 from being superimposed on the knitting needle when the warp thread guide 18 and the pattern thread guide 24 are placed around the knitting needle 4a and are brought into the low position, as can be seen from FIG. 6c.

The superior movement of the pattern thread guide 24 compared to the movement of the warp thread guide 18 can be delayed, as indicated in FIG. 6b. During the retraction of the knitting needles 4a, 4b, the thread retainer 30a is held in the low position shown in FIG. 6c. Then the warp thread guide 18 is again brought from below around the knitting needle 4a to the left and further into the high position, the pattern thread 28 being inserted into the stitch 88 on the back of the warp knit 12. The pattern thread guide 24 is simultaneously moved to the right to the knot 4b and into the up position, as can be seen in FIG. 6b. In order to prevent the pattern thread 28 from being inserted into the knitting needle 4b, the thread retainer 30b is lowered below the knitting needle plane, so that the pattern thread cannot move into the knitting area of the knitting needle 4b when the pattern thread guide 24 moves further around the knitting needle 4b, as shown in FIG. 6e emerges. Since the pattern thread 28 is not gripped by the knitting needle 4b, the pattern thread 28 is also not bound into the slip stitch, which is formed by the knitting needle 4b. When the pattern thread guide 24 returns, the pattern thread 28 is tightened again and guided to the slip stitch, which is formed by the knitting needle 4a, as is indicated for the unpatterned section 80 of the slip stitch 74 ₄ of FIG. 4.

The two knitting cards of FIGS. 5a to 5f and 6a to 6e are combined with one another on the wheels of the patterned area 79, it then being possible for the pattern thread 28 to act on the knitting needle 4a, as shown in FIGS. 5a to 5d. However, an action of the pattern thread on the knitting needle 4b can be prevented if the warp knitting machine or pattern control device is controlled according to FIGS. 6d and 6e, ie the thread retainer 30b is to be lowered, so that insertion of the pattern thread 28 on the knitting needle 4b is prevented. This then results in a yarn path, as shown for the Kettmaschenstäbchen 74 ₇ in the 92nd Analogously, the action of the pattern thread 28 on the knitting needle 4a can also be prevented and brought about on the knitting needle 4b, and a stitch pattern then results, as is shown in section 94 for the slip stitch sticks 74 ₂ and 74 ₃ .

Numerous modifications of the exemplary embodiments are possible. In this way, the pattern thread can be laid one after the other over three or more knitting needles. It is also possible to guide the pattern thread per knitting process simultaneously over two or more knitting needles and to act in the slip stitches in the pattern areas. In particular, features of individual exemplary embodiments can also be interchanged and combined with one another.

Reference symbol list

• 2 knitting needle bar
• 4 knitting needles
• 6 tee comb
• 8 guide plate
• 10 guide gap
• 12 warp knit
• 14 take-off roller
• 16 pressure roller
• 18 warp thread guides
• 20 chain links
• 22 warp threads
• 24 sample thread guides
• 26 pattern thread laying bar
• 28 pattern thread
• 30 thread retainer
• 32 clamping member
• 34 guide rod
• 36 leadership
• 38 pattern control device
• 40 guide bars
• 42 tension member
• 44 control box
• 46 preload spring
• 48 weft guides, front
• 50 weft guides, rear
• 52 thread guides
• 54 pattern control device
• 56 thread retainer
• 58 guide rod
• 60 preload spring
• 62 stop
• 64 bolts
• 66 seesaw
• 68 machine frame
• 70 axis
• 72 harness cord
• 73 control device
• 74 ₁ - ₈ slip stitches
• 76 weft
• 78 rubber threads
• 79 patterned area
• 80 unpatterned section
• 82 patterned section
• 84 open stitches
• 86 closed stitches
• 88 stitches
• 90 front
• 92 section
• 94 section

Claims (18)

1. Method for the manufacture of a patterned warp knit fabric, at least one weft thread being inserted during the formation of warp loop rows from warp threads into the stitches of the warp loop rows and, further, a pattern thread being introduced into warp loop rows that are to be patterned, this pattern thread being knitted, lying on top, into the stitches of the warp loop rows in sections that are to be patterned and being inserted into the stitches of the warp loop rows in the unpatterned sections, characterised in that the pattern threads (28) are supplied in each case in the manner of warp threads (22) and are guided over at least two knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b), insertion of the pattern threads (28) into the knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b) in the sections (80) of the warp loop rows (74₂ to 74₇) that are not to be patterned being prevented by means of thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56) controllable in groups and/or individually.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that per knitting operation the pattern threads (28) are guided in turn over one of at least two knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that especially when using latchless knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b) the warp threads (22) and the pattern threads (28) are always supplied from the same side by way of the knitting needles.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56) are arranged upstream of the extended knitting needle heads and in order to insert the pattern threads (28) into the knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b) are held in an elevated position above the plane of the knitting needles and in order to prevent insertion of the pattern threads are guided into a low position below the plane of the knitting needles.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56) are controlled by means of an electronic pattern-control device (38, 54).

6. Warp knitting machine for carrying out the process according to claim 1, having at least the following components, such as knitting needles, warp thread guides, weft thread layers, pattern thread guides and a pattern-control device, characterised in that the pattern thread guides (24) are arranged analogously to the warp thread guides (18) and can be moved sideways over at least two knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b) and can be moved up and, down from an elevated position above the plane of the knitting needles into a low position below the plane of the knitting needles and that thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56), which can be controlled in groups or individually, are provided for the pattern threads (28), which thread retainers in an elevated position above the plane of the knitting needles allow the pattern threads (28) to be inserted into the knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b) and in a low position prevent their insertion.

7. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that per knitting operation the pattern thread guide (24) can be moved sideways step by step over one of at least two knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b).

8. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the pattern thread guides (24) are needles with eyes arranged on a common pattern thread laying rod (26).

9. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the pattern thread guides (24) and the warp thread guides (18) are always movable around the knitting needles (4,4a, 4b) from the same side.

10. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the knitting needles (4, 4a, 4b) are of latchless construction, preferably crochet needles.

11. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that in the low position the thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56) extend to below the plane of the knitting needles.

12. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56) are inclined obliquely towards the pattern thread guides (24).

13. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56) are arranged in the region between the knit- tin needles (4, 4a, 4b) and the pattern thread guides (24).

14. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the thread retainers (30) can be moved sideways.

15. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b, 56) are coupled to a pattern-control device (38, 54).

16. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the thread retainers (30, 30a, 30b) are arranged in groups on guide rods (34) that can be raised and lowered.

17. Warp knitting machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the thread retainers (56) can be controlled individually and are preferably connected by way of a harness thread (72) to the pattern-control device (54).

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