Combination feeder for a knitting machine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A feeder for a knitting machine, the feeder comprising:
- a carrier that includes an attachment mechanism for securing the feeder to the knitting machine such that the carrier is configured to move along a first axis relative to the knitting machine; and
a feeder arm extending outward from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area for supplying a strand to the knitting machine, the dispensing area being spaced away from the carrier, the feeder arm being configured to move along a second axis between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the carrier, the second axis being substantially normal to the first axis, the dispensing area being closer to the carrier in the retracted position than in the extended position, andwherein the dispensing area is fixed against rotation relative to the carrier about a third axis that is substantially normal to the first axis and the second axis.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A knitted component may incorporate an inlaid strand. A combination feeder may be utilized to inlay the strand within the knitted component. As an example, the combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, the feeder inlays the strand when the feeder arm is in the extended position, and the strand is absent from the knitted component when the feeder arm is in the retracted position.
130 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A feeder for a knitting machine, the feeder comprising:
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a carrier that includes an attachment mechanism for securing the feeder to the knitting machine such that the carrier is configured to move along a first axis relative to the knitting machine; and a feeder arm extending outward from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area for supplying a strand to the knitting machine, the dispensing area being spaced away from the carrier, the feeder arm being configured to move along a second axis between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the carrier, the second axis being substantially normal to the first axis, the dispensing area being closer to the carrier in the retracted position than in the extended position, and wherein the dispensing area is fixed against rotation relative to the carrier about a third axis that is substantially normal to the first axis and the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 24, 25, 26)
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5. A feeder for a knitting machine having a needle bed, the feeder comprising:
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a carrier that includes an attachment mechanism for securing the feeder to the knitting machine such that the carrier is configured to move in a first direction along the needle bed; at least one actuation member at least partially located exterior of the carrier, the at least one actuation member having a first end and a second end; and a feeder arm extending outward from the second side of the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area for supplying a strand to the knitting machine, the feeder arm being coupled to the carrier and configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position along a second direction, the dispensing area being closer to the carrier in the retracted position than in the extended position, and wherein the first end is configured to receive a first input force from the knitting machine to cause the carrier to move in the first direction, and wherein the second end is configured to receive a second input force to cause the feeder arm to move between the retracted position and the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 27, 28, 29)
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8. A feeder for a knitting machine, the feeder comprising:
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a carrier that includes an attachment mechanism for securing the feeder to the knitting machine such that the carrier is configured to move in a first direction relative to the knitting machine, the carrier having a first side and an opposite second side; a pair of actuation arms located at the first side of the carrier, each of the actuation arms having an outside end and an opposite inside end, the actuation arms being positioned to define a space between the inside ends; and a feeder arm extending outward from the second side of the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing tip for supplying a strand to the knitting machine, wherein a first input force from the knitting machine upon one of the inside ends and directed away from the space causes the carrier to move in the first direction relative to the knitting machine, and wherein a second input force from the knitting machine upon one of the outside ends and directed toward the space causes the feeder arm to translate from a retracted position to an extended position, the dispensing tip being closer to the carrier in the retracted position than in the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A knitting machine comprising:
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a rail that includes a first part of an attachment mechanism; a needle bed positioned parallel to the rail and including a plurality of needles, a first portion of the needles being located on a first plane, and a second portion of the needles being located on a second plane, the first plane and the second plane intersecting each other at an intersection; and a feeder that includes (a) a carrier with a second part of the attachment mechanism for securing the feeder to the first part of the attachment mechanism and (b) a feeder arm extending outward from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing tip for supplying a strand to the needles, the feeder arm operable to translate relative to the carrier between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a distance between the first part of the attachment mechanism and the intersection is greater than a distance between the second part of the attachment mechanism and the dispensing tip when the feeder arm is in the retracted position, and a distance between the first part of the attachment mechanism and the intersection is less than a distance between the second part of the attachment mechanism and the dispensing tip when the feeder arm is in the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A knitting machine comprising:
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a needle bed that includes a plurality of needles, a first portion of the needles being located on a first plane, and a second portion of the needles being located on a second plane, the needles being movable from a first position to a second position, the needles being spaced from an intersection of the first plane and the second plane when in the first position, and the needles passing through the intersection of the first plane and the second plane when in the second position; and at least one feeder that is movable along the needle bed, the feeder including a feeder arm with a dispensing tip for supplying a strand, the dispensing tip being movable from a retracted position that is located above the intersection of the first plane and the second plane to an extended position that is located below the intersection of the first plane and the second plane. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A knitting machine comprising:
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a needle bed that includes a plurality of needles, a first portion of the needles being located on a first plane, and a second portion of the needles being located on a second plane, the needles being movable from a first position to a second position, the needles being spaced from an intersection of the first plane and the second plane when in the first position, and the needles passing through the intersection of the first plane and the second plane when in the second position; a first feeder that is movable along the needle bed, the first feeder including a first feeder arm with a first dispensing tip for supplying a yarn, the first dispensing tip being located above the intersection of the first plane and the second plane; and a second feeder that is movable along the needle bed, the second feeder including a second feeder arm with a second dispensing tip for supplying a strand, the second dispensing tip being movable from a retracted position that is located above the intersection of the first plane and the second plane to an extended position that is located below the intersection of the first plane and the second plane. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification