GB1399579A - Method of loop doubling on a double needle bed rib end knitting machine and such a machine operable to carry out a loop doubling operation - Google Patents

Abstract

1399579 Knitting machines FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL SA 27 June 1973 [29 June 1972] 30550/73 Heading D1C In a double-bed flat knitting machine, after the knitting of a rib end on both beds some of the loops are transferred from the first bed 1 to the second bed 2, the beds are racked relative to one another and the remaining loops on the first bed 1 are transferred to needles in the second bed 2 which already carry loops thus producing doubling after which the groups of stitches are lifted on a transfer comb 7 so arranged that the gaps between the groups can be closed so that the stitches are all separated by one needle space only. The needles of bed 1 have long butts apart from those carrying the loops which are to be doubled which have short butts. The U- shaped section catch bar 5 of the needle raising device 3 for needle bed 1 has grooves 11 in its wall at positions corresponding to the positions of the short butt needles while the rib is being knitted so that operation of bar 5 during the first loop transfer does not affect the needles with short butts. When bed 1 has been racked one needle space, the short butt needles can be engaged by the wall of bar 5 away from the grooves so that these needles are then raised. When doubling is completed as shown the loops are arranged on groups of seven needles, one at one end of each group carrying two loops, separated by an empty needle. The transfer comb 7 has sets of seven points carried on blocks 12 slidable between members 14, 15 and connected together by hook members 21, 22 and engaging stop members 24 so that when jack 23 pulls the end member 21, 22 in the direction of the arrow F the blocks 12 move so that the end points 13 of adjacent groups are two needle spaces apart whereas movement of the jack in the opposite direction reduces this separation to one needle space. Needles in bed 2 are raised by catch bar 6 for transfer of the loops to comb 7.