Knitting tool and method for manufacturing a knitting tool
By using a flexible handle with a bending rigidity and a bending section in the width direction, the problems of dirt accumulation and fluctuations in elastic properties of knitting tools have been solved, enabling low-cost and efficient manufacturing and use of knitting tools.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GROZ BECKERT KG
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing knitting tools suffer from problems such as the accumulation of dirt and fiber abrasive particles, fluctuations in the elastic properties of braking devices, and manufacturing complexity during knitting operations, making it difficult to adapt to elastic properties without increasing costs and wear.
By using a flexible handle material with bending rigidity, combined with a flexible section that bends in the width direction and a braking device, the knitting tool is manufactured through stamping and modification. This avoids thinning and multi-material composites, ensuring that the side area of the flexible section is reduced to reduce friction and wear.
It effectively reduces dirt accumulation, lowers manufacturing costs and elasticity fluctuations, improves the dynamic performance and power efficiency of knitting tools, and simplifies the manufacturing process.
Smart Images
Figure CN118302568B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a knitting tool for a knitting machine. Knitting tools have been known for many years and have an elongated handle adapted for use in the elongated grooves (needle paths) of a knitting machine. Thus, the knitting tool is guided such that it can perform knitting movements in the longitudinal direction of its handle. Typically, a large number of knitting tools are arranged side-by-side in a width direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle in a knitting machine. The knitting tool typically has a loop-forming device that contacts the yarn at least in stages during knitting. The loop-forming device can be, for example, a hook attached to the handle in the longitudinal direction. Different embodiments of the knitting tool are known, which have an elastic braking device to brake the knitting tool in the needle path in the knitting machine. The elastic braking device here is a section of the handle that bends in the width direction. In the knitting machine, the braking device elastically deforms upon contact with the needle path, thus providing an elastic force acting in the width direction. Due to friction at the contact point with the needle path, this friction results in a braking force acting perpendicular to the width direction in the knitting machine. Braking force prevents unintentional movement of the knitting tool, which may be caused by, for example, the gravity or vibration of the knitting machine. However, the braking force must be additionally overcome by the drive of the knitting tool in order to perform intentional knitting movements within the knitting machine. Furthermore, friction causes wear at the knitting tool and in the needle path. Therefore, the elastic force provided by the braking device has a direct impact on the dynamic performance of the knitting tool, the power requirements of the knitting machine, and the wear of both the knitting tool and the knitting machine. Therefore, it is required that the elastic force be set strategically so as to brake the knitting tool on the one hand, and on the other hand, not cause excessive wear and power demands. Background Technology
[0002] US664808A discloses a knitting tool with a braking device as described above. To reduce the elastic force of the braking device, the knitting tool has a shank section that tapers in the width direction. However, this tapering section can only be manufactured in known methods for manufacturing knitting tools by an additional machining step (e.g., by milling), thus increasing manufacturing costs. Another disadvantage (particularly evident in knitting tools with a tapered section milled in the width direction due to manufacturing tolerances) is the fluctuation in elastic properties and therefore elastic force. Thus, even within a production batch, the elastic properties of individual knitting tools may differ. Furthermore, contaminants (such as fiber abrasives) may accumulate in the tapering section and be distributed across the entire height of the needle track. This increases friction in the needle track and wear on the knitting tool.
[0003] EP143890A1 also illustrates a knitting tool with a braking device. The braking device also tapers in the width direction via a notch. However, an attempt is made to prevent dirt accumulation in the notch by filling it with a material that dampens vibrations. Simultaneously, the material dampens vibrations to reduce the risk of handle breakage due to vibrations of the knitting tool. The handle of the knitting tool and the material dampens vibrations form a material composite. However, both the fabrication of the notch and the introduction of the material dampens vibrations require additional manufacturing steps.
[0004] EP496048B1 illustrates a multi-piece knitting tool consisting of a slider component and a needle component, which move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction during knitting operations. Both the needle component and the slider component have braking devices that bend in the width direction. The braking device (#16) of the slider component is not part of the shank (#10). However, it is connected to the shank of the slider component via a connecting device (#13). To improve elasticity, the braking device has an elongated recess that narrows the width of the braking device in the bending region. During knitting operations, dirt may accumulate in this recess. Conversely, the braking device (#4) of the needle component is implemented as part of the shank of the needle component. This braking device does not have a tapering portion in the width direction. However, the height of the braking device decreases in the longitudinal direction with increasing distance from the needle hook (#3), and forms an end of the needle component opposite to the needle hook in the longitudinal direction. This braking device (#4), also known as a tracking part (Nachführung), is widely known in the prior art for multi-piece knitting tools operated via a connecting or selecting part. The tracking part has a height that decreases in the longitudinal direction because otherwise it would extend within the range of motion of the connecting or selecting part of the knitting tool and collide with it during knitting. Therefore, its geometry is preset by the range of motion of the connecting or selecting part and cannot be individually adapted to set the elastic characteristics of the tracking part. Similarly, if it is desired to influence the elastic characteristics of these tracking parts, they are typically made thinner in the width direction.
[0005] Thus, for example, JP2001032154A shows a knitting tool with a tracking section that tapers in the width direction. Figure 3 #28). JP2001032154A Figure 1 The assembly of a multi-piece knitting tool is shown. During knitting, the selected component (#91) can be positioned around the connecting part ( Figure 3 The tracking section with a descent height is pre-set by the pivoting motion of the selection component (#91) during the knitting operation, and cannot be adapted to specifically affect the elastic characteristics of the tracking section.
[0006] US2603958A describes a knitting tool with a hook-shaped loop forming device. The knitting tool is guided in a needle path during knitting operation and has a braking device in the rear shank section. For this purpose, the shank has a slit extending in the longitudinal direction that divides the shank into upper and lower fins in the area of the braking device. The upper and lower fins are curved in opposite directions in the width direction of the knitting tool. Thus, when used in the needle path, one of the two fins abuts against each of the two channel walls of the needle path. This prevents the loop forming device of the knitting tool from laterally deflecting as the knitting tool exits the needle path. The two fins are thinner than the rest of the shank of the knitting tool. Therefore, even in such a knitting tool, dirt can penetrate into the area of the fins, thus causing increased wear.
[0007] US2240761A discloses a knitting tool with a braking device that is intended to hold the knitting tool in place during knitting operations, particularly when passing through friction-transfer loops in the needle path. The knitting tool has a rear shank section that is thinner than the rest of the shank and is oriented by a bend having an angle offset from the longitudinal direction of the shank. In the region of the bend, the knitting tool has a lateral notch. Dirt can accumulate in the region of this lateral notch, increasing wear on the knitting tool during knitting operations. Summary of the Invention
[0008] Against the backdrop of the prior art described above, the objective of this invention is to describe a knitting tool with a braking device that, compared to currently known knitting tools, reduces the accumulation of dirt and fiber abrasive particles during knitting operations. This knitting tool can be suitably manufactured, and the braking device of the knitting tool is adaptable to set the elastic characteristics of the braking device, and the braking device of the knitting tool exhibits minimal fluctuations in elastic characteristics within production batches.
[0009] This task is solved by a knitting tool having the features of claim 1 and a method for manufacturing the knitting tool having the features of claim 10. The knitting tool is adapted for movement in its longitudinal direction within the needle path of a knitting machine. The movement is generally linear or translational. The knitting tool has the following features: a handle, two sides, an upper boundary surface, and a lower boundary surface. The handle extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the knitting tool and is limited by the two sides in a width direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The two sides are adapted to guide the knitting tool during knitting operations by contact with a common needle path of a common knitting machine. The upper and lower boundary surfaces limit the knitting tool in a height direction extending perpendicular to both the longitudinal and width directions. The lower boundary surface is adapted to slide on the bottom of the needle path of the knitting machine during knitting operations. The handle of the knitting tool is made of a flexible, rigid, elastic handle material (e.g., metal, especially steel) and has a braking device. A rigid material is one that can bend elastically under force but provides a restoring force due to its stiffness. When no further force is applied to the material, the restoring force causes a return to the initial state. Bending rigid materials exhibit elastic behavior at least in stages. In these stages, the material behavior can be at least approximately described using Hooke's Law. The handle of the knitting tool is preferably not composed of multiple different materials. Therefore, it is preferably not a material composite. A material composite exists when multiple components made of different materials are joined into one component by a suitable joining method. The knitting tool can advantageously be made of composite materials (e.g., CFK or GFK). Composite materials consist of multiple interconnected materials. Composite materials can be processed and treated as the sole material. The braking device includes an elastic section that bends in the width direction. That is, the elastic section bends at least segmentally. The braking device further has a braking element suspended at the elastic section and deflected at an angle to the longitudinal direction due to the bending of the elastic section. However, if the knitting tool is used in the needle path of a knitting machine during knitting operations, the braking element contacts the needle path in the width direction and is oriented substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction by the elastic bending portion. Here, the elastic force acts in the width direction. At the contact point between the braking device and the needle track, the elastic force generates a braking force acting on the knitting tool in the longitudinal and / or height directions through friction. In the elastic section, the cross-sectional area of the shank material in the plane opened by the width and height directions is smaller than that in adjacent shank sections. That is, only the section of the shank where the cross-sectional area of the shank material is smaller than that in adjacent shank sections can be part of the elastic section.The knitting tool is characterized in that the projection of the side of the elastic section in a plane extended by the height and longitudinal directions of the knitting tool has a smaller area per unit length compared to the projection of the side of at least one adjacent shank section, preferably, at least two adjacent shank sections, in the same plane. The area per unit length is the quotient of the area of the side projection and the length of the side projection in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the two sides in the elastic section have a smaller height in the height direction compared to the shank section adjacent to the elastic section in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, the elastic section has a notch that completely penetrates the shank in the width direction within the elastic section, reducing the projected area of the sides. It has been shown that by reducing the area of the sides, contaminant input into the needle path can be reduced, and manufacturing costs can be lowered. Thus, in such a knitting tool, it is unnecessary to introduce the notch by milling or grinding in an additional process step. Furthermore, it has been shown that the elastic properties of the manufactured knitting tool experience less fluctuation due to tolerances compared to the case in knitting tools with a tapered section milled in the width direction. Moreover, it has been shown that, by this measure, the elastic properties of different knitting tools in a production batch have less dispersion compared to knitting tools that taper in the width direction.
[0010] Advantageously, the width of the handle of the knitting tool at any point in the elastic section is the same as the width of the handle in the section adjacent to the elastic section. In this case, the sides of the elastic section and the sides of the adjacent handle section are substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the sides of the elastic section and the sides of the adjacent handle section are substantially parallel to each other, at least in the straight sections of these sections. These straight sections are sections in which there are no bends. The handle of such a knitting tool does not have a tapering section in the width direction. As a result, less dirt reaches the needle path of the knitting machine than usual.
[0011] Particularly advantageous are knitting tools with a loop-forming device that contacts the yarn during knitting operations, and preferably is hook-shaped. Advantageously, the knitting tool with the hook-shaped loop-forming device additionally has a tongue that can open and close the internal space of the hook surrounded by the loop-forming device by rotational movement about a rotation axis pointing in the width direction. Such knitting tools are known to those skilled in the art as latch needles. Particularly advantageously, the loop-forming device is molded to the shank of the knitting tool such that the knitting tool, the shank, and the loop-forming device are one piece. The loop-forming device of the knitting tool is advantageously arranged in a loop-forming area that is longitudinally connected to the shank of the knitting tool and closes the knitting tool at its front end.
[0012] An additional advantage arises if at least one notch completely penetrates the handle in the width direction within the elastic section and restricts the elastic section on one side in the height direction. Thus, the notch extends across the entire width of the handle within the elastic section. In a plane opened by the longitudinal and height directions, the notch has a boundary line that begins at a first point and ends at a second point not corresponding to the first point. Therefore, it is either restricted on one side or open on one side in the height direction. Using such a notch, the area of the projected side view can be reduced in a simple manner.
[0013] Advantageously, the notch is defined by a surface in the height direction. This surface is the notch surface. Particularly advantageously, the notch surface is a component of the upper boundary surface and / or the lower boundary surface.
[0014] Advantageously, at least one notch in the elastic section that completely penetrates the handle in the width direction is a hole with a closed boundary line, preferably an elongated hole or an oval hole. Oval is a superordinate concept of circular and elliptical, wherein not only oval holes but also elliptical holes are advantageous embodiments of the notch. In a plane extended by the longitudinal and height directions, the notch has a closed boundary line. Therefore, the boundary line does not have a definite start and end point. In a plane extended by the longitudinal and height directions, it completely encloses a surface, wherein the surface corresponds in its shape and size to the surface reduced by the hole in the projection around its side. In other cases, the hole can have any arbitrary shape. However, the hole is preferably an elongated hole having a flat section in the longitudinal direction and two semi-oval ends adjoining the flat section on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Here, semi-oval is a superordinate concept of semi-circular and semi-elliptical (therefore, an elongated hole can also have semi-circular or semi-elliptical ends). Oval holes are particularly preferred, wherein the concept of "oval hole" also includes elliptical or circular holes. Advantageously, the elastic section has at least two notches, preferably at least three. In the notches with closed boundary lines, the lateral aspect of the shank within the elastic section is reduced such that no additional open space is created during knitting operations into which contaminants can enter. Instead, during knitting operations, the lateral openings of the notches pointing in the width direction are covered or closed by the groove walls of the needle track. Therefore, no open space is formed by the notches because the notches are surrounded in all spatial directions by the shank material of the knitting tool or by the groove walls of the needle track during knitting operations. Advantageously, the needle has a notch that restricts the elastic section only on one side in the height direction and a notch with a closed boundary line.
[0015] According to the invention, the elastic section bends in the same direction at at least one location along its longitudinal extension, over the entire height of the handle in the height direction. Thus, during knitting operation, the braking device abuts against only one wall of the needle track on one side, wherein the wall of the needle track restricts the needle track in the width direction.
[0016] Further advantages arise if the drive foot and / or connecting element are arranged longitudinally in front of the elastic section. Here, the longitudinal direction in the knitting tool points along the direction of the loop forming device or along the direction of the loop forming area. Thus, the elastic section is arranged longitudinally between the loop forming device and the drive foot or connecting element. Nevertheless, in an alternative embodiment, the drive foot and / or connecting element may be arranged longitudinally behind the elastic section. The drive foot of the knitting tool is always suitable for transmitting driving force to the knitting tool during knitting operations. It protrudes in the height direction beyond the area adjacent to it on the knitting tool. The connecting element is suitable for connecting individual parts of a multi-piece knitting tool (preferably form-fitting) to each other. It includes a notch into which the mating part of the connecting element can form-fit into the notch. Advantageously, the connecting element includes an undercut, so that there is form fit in all directions, which do not have a directional share in the width direction. The drive foot and / or connecting element are advantageously spaced apart from the resilient section in the longitudinal direction (e.g., through the section of the braking device that is not part of the drive foot and / or connecting element).
[0017] Advantageously, the knitting tool is manufactured as a single piece (i.e., from one component). Therefore, a knitting tool with the aforementioned characteristics consists of a single component and is not connected to each other by a joining method. Such a knitting tool can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively because additional processing steps are eliminated by omitting joining methods. For example, it can be stamped from a metal strip. Additionally, other elements can be incorporated into the one-piece manufactured knitting tool, such as the tongue for opening and closing the internal space of the hook in a knitting tool (latch needle) with a hook-shaped loop forming device. These elements do not necessarily need to be manufactured as a single piece with the rest of the knitting tool. Thus, if only the hook-shaped loop forming device of the latch needle, the shank of the latch needle, and the braking device of the latch needle are manufactured together in a single piece, then the latch needle is also a one-piece manufactured knitting tool in the sense of this patent application.
[0018] Advantageously, the lower and / or upper boundary surfaces of the knitting tool in the region of the braking device and elastic section extend substantially flat in a plane stretched by the width and longitudinal directions. Thus, the upper and / or lower boundary surfaces do not have recesses or notches in the height direction in this region. Otherwise, small amounts of dirt might accumulate in these recesses or notches during knitting operations. Therefore, the accumulation of dirt during knitting operations can be reduced by using flat upper and / or lower boundary surfaces.
[0019] The following describes a method for manufacturing a knitting tool. The knitting tool is suitable for movement in the longitudinal direction within the needle path of a knitting machine. The knitting tool can advantageously possess all possible combinations of the features of the knitting tool described in the preceding paragraphs. In particular, the knitting tool has the features previously described: a shank, two sides, an upper boundary surface, a lower boundary surface, and a bending device with an elastic section and a braking mechanism. Here, the shank is constructed of a bending-rigid shank material. In an advantageous manufacturing method, the sides of the elastic section are machined such that the projection of the sides of the elastic section in a plane opened by the height and longitudinal directions of the knitting tool has a smaller area per unit length compared to the projection of the sides of at least one adjacent shank section in the same plane. Therefore, the area of the projected sides can be reduced by machining. This machining can be achieved particularly cost-effectively because it can be integrated into existing machining steps in the manufacture of knitting tools. For example, this machining can be achieved by stamping.
[0020] Another advantage arises if the cutting edge of the tool used to machine the side of the elastic section points in the width direction during the machining process. The tool here machines the side in such a way that (as described in the preceding paragraphs) the projected area of the side of the elastic section is reduced. Thus, the side of the knitting tool has a smaller area per unit length in the region of the elastic section compared to the shank section adjacent to the elastic section.
[0021] Advantageously, the tool used for machining the side of the elastic section moves primarily in the width direction. This movement ensures that the tool performs a linear motion in the width direction during the machining process. The cutting edge of the tool also performs this linear motion in the width direction. Advantageously, during the machining of the side, the tool does not move in the height direction or the longitudinal direction. Particularly advantageous is that the tool used for machining the side does not rotate (e.g., about its own axis). This results in a very simple, linear tool motion during the machining process. Due to this simplicity, knitting tools can be manufactured cost-effectively.
[0022] Braking devices can be advantageously manufactured by stamping and shaping. The braking device includes an elastic section and a braking element. Advantageously, the geometry of the braking device is manufactured solely by stamping and shaping. However, this should not preclude subsequent finishing processes (such as polishing, surface grinding, deburring). Knitting tools with the above characteristics can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively through stamping and shaping.
[0023] A particular advantage is that the sides of the elastic section are machined in a common working step, causing the elastic section to bend. This machining can advantageously be performed in a single working step using a single tool movement in a single direction. By combining these working steps, cycle time in the manufacture of knitting tools can be reduced, and thus costs can be lowered.
[0024] Currently, knitting tools are typically stamped from metal strips, preferably steel strips. The knitting tool, after being stamped from the metal strip, is also referred to as a needle blank. This needle blank is usually further processed in a subsequent manufacturing step immediately following the stamping. The needle blank essentially has the outer contour of the knitting tool. Advantageously, the braking device of the knitting tool is also manufactured during the stamping of the needle blank. Advantageously, in the working step, the needle blank, having the outer contour of the knitting tool and including the braking device, is stamped from a metal strip (preferably, however, steel strip). The manufacturing of the braking device can be integrated into the existing manufacturing step (the manufacturing of the needle blank) in this way. Thus, the manufacturing time is not extended. For this manufacturing method, it is only necessary to adapt the tool used for needle manufacturing to such a way that it produces the geometry of a needle blank with a braking device. In this way, knitting tools can be manufactured cost-effectively. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 A side view of the knitting tool 1 according to the first embodiment is shown.
[0026] Figure 2 It shows the Figure 1 Top view of knitting tool 1 in the image.
[0027] Figure 3 A side view of the knitting tool 1 according to the second embodiment is shown.
[0028] Figure 4 It shows the Figure 3 Top view of knitting tool 1 in the image.
[0029] Figure 5 This shows the needle path 23 in the knitting machine. Figure 3 and Figure 4 A top view of the knitting tools in the image. Detailed Implementation
[0030] Figure 1A first embodiment of a knitting tool 1 is shown. The knitting tool 1 has a hook 20 at its front end in the longitudinal direction L. The hook 20 is a loop-forming device suitable for forming loops during knitting operations. For this purpose, in knitting operations utilizing the hook 20, the yarn is typically pulled over a previously formed loop that winds around the handle 2 of the knitting tool 1, thereby forming a new loop. The hook 20 is arranged in the loop-forming region 25, contacts the yarn during knitting operations, and directly participates in the loop-forming process as previously described. In the longitudinal direction L, the handle 2 of the knitting tool 1 is connected to the loop-forming region 25. At the rear end of the knitting tool 1, away from the hook 20, the handle 2 has a drive foot 15 that transmits driving force to the knitting tool 1 during knitting operations and drives the knitting tool to perform knitting movements. The drive foot 15 protrudes beyond the surrounding area of the knitting tool 1 in a height direction H perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. In the width direction B, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H, the handle 2 is limited on both sides by a corresponding side surface 3 (i.e., a total of two side surfaces 3). In the drawing, one of these two side surfaces 3 is arranged on the back side of the knitting tool and is therefore not shown. In the height direction H, the handle 2 is limited by an upper boundary surface 18 and a lower boundary surface 17. A portion of the end of the handle 2 away from the rear part pointing to the hook 20 is configured as a braking device 7. The braking device 7 includes an elastic section 5 and a braking element 4, wherein the braking element 4 is directly suspended or adjacent to the elastic section 5 and extends to the rear end of the handle 2. In this embodiment, the braking element 4 also includes a drive foot 15. In the elastic section 5, the handle 2 has two notches 9 that completely penetrate the handle 2 in the width direction B. The notches 9 are arranged such that the notch surface 21 that limits the corresponding notch 9 in the height direction H is part of the upper boundary surface 18 or the lower boundary surface 17. The two notched surfaces 21 have a linear orientation in a plane opened by the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L, which is referred to as the boundary line 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the boundary line 12 has a start point and an end point, which are spaced apart from each other. This means that the start point and the end point are not the same; that is, the boundary line is not closed but open. In this way, the projection of the side surface 3 in the elastic section 5 in the plane opened by the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H has a smaller area per unit length than in the two adjacent handle sections 8. Therefore, the height 19 of the side surface 3 in the elastic section 5 (in the height direction H) is also smaller than in the adjacent handle section 8.
[0031] Figure 2 It shows the Figure 1The diagram shows a top view of the knitting tool. The handle 2 has a curved portion 6 in the elastic section 5, which has a bending direction 14 in the width direction B. At the location of the curved portion 6, the handle 2 is bent or arched with equal intensity over the entire height of the knitting tool 1 in the height direction H. The braking device 4 thus deflects at an angle 22 with respect to the longitudinal direction L. During knitting operation, the braking device maintains constant contact with the wall of the needle track in the knitting machine. The handle 2 has the same width 10 at each point of its longitudinal extension. Therefore, no pockets or cavities where dirt could accumulate are formed between the knitting tool 1 and the needle track in the width direction B of the knitting machine. Thus, the disadvantages of lateral milling known in the prior art for knitting tools are overcome.
[0032] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A second embodiment of the knitting tool 1 is shown. (As in the same...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 Like the knitting tool 1 in the example, it has a hook 20, a handle 2, a side 3, a lower boundary surface 17, an upper boundary surface 18, and a braking device 7 in the loop forming region 25. The braking device includes an elastic section 5 and a braking element 4. However, instead of a drive foot, the handle 2 has a connecting element 16 into which a matching additional knitting tool component can be inserted in a form-fitting manner. For example, a selection component or a connecting component can be connected to the knitting tool 1 via the connecting element 16. The connecting element 16 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the elastic section 5. A hole 11 with a closed boundary line 12 is provided in the elastic section 5 of the knitting tool 1. The hole 11 has an elongated shape. The hole 11 completely penetrates the handle 2 in the width direction B, and thus reduces the size of the side 3. In this embodiment, in the longitudinal direction L, adjacent shank sections 8 are connected not only before but also after the elastic section 5. In these shank sections, the projection of the side surface 3 onto a plane opened by the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H has a larger area per unit length than in the elastic section 5. The shank 2 has the same width 10 at each location. Therefore, during knitting operations in the knitting machine, no cavity is formed between the shank 2 and the needle path where dirt may accumulate. Additionally, the lower boundary surface 17 and the upper boundary surface 18 extend flatly in the region of the braking device in a plane opened by the longitudinal direction L and the width direction B. Therefore, they do not have recesses or indentations in the height direction H where dirt may accumulate during knitting operations. The cavity created by the hole 11 in the shank 2 is surrounded on both sides by the shank material of the shank 2 in the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L, respectively. In the width direction B, this cavity is covered by the adjacent wall 24 of the needle path 23 during knitting operations. Therefore, it is impossible for dirt to accumulate here. Wall 24 and needle track 23 are... Figure 5 As shown in the image.
[0033] Figure 5 It shows the Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows a top view of a knitting tool 1 inserted into a needle path 23 of a knitting machine. The needle path 23 is confined on both sides in the width direction B by a corresponding wall 24. By inserting the knitting tool 1 into the needle path 23, the braking device 4 is advantageously oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction L. However, due to tolerances, a very small angle 22 is typically obtained, which the braking device 4 encloses with the longitudinal direction L. For clarity, this angle 22 is shown enlarged in the diagram. The handle 2 of the knitting tool 1 does not have a laterally tapering portion in the width direction B that reduces the width of the handle 2. In this way, no large intermediate space is created between the handle 2 and the wall 24 of the needle path 23, in which dirt may accumulate. Furthermore, the diagram illustrates that the two walls 24 of the needle path 23 laterally cover the hole 11 of the knitting tool 1 in the width direction B. Of course, due to manufacturing tolerances, a small gap 13 is always obtained between the wall 24 of the needle path 23 and the knitting tool 1. However, in this diagram, the gap 13 is shown strongly enlarged. The size of gap 13 is actually comparable to the size of gap 13 produced in a knitting tool without a braking device or elastic section in the needle path.
[0034] List of reference numerals
[0035] 1. Knitting tools
[0036] 2. Handle
[0037] 3. Side view
[0038] 4. Braking devices
[0039] 5. Flexible Section
[0040] 6. Bending section
[0041] 7. Braking device
[0042] 8. The handle section adjacent to the elastic section (5)
[0043] 9 notches
[0044] 10 Width of the handle (2)
[0045] 11 holes
[0046] 12 Boundary Line
[0047] 13 gaps
[0048] 14. Bending direction
[0049] 15 drive pins
[0050] 16 Connecting elements
[0051] 17 Lower boundary surface
[0052] 18 Upper boundary surface
[0053] 19. Height of the side
[0054] 20 hooks
[0055] 21. Notched surface
[0056] 22 Angle with the longitudinal direction L
[0057] 23 needle paths
[0058] 24 needles 24 wall
[0059] 25. Coil Formation Area
[0060] B Width direction
[0061] H (height direction)
[0062] L (vertical direction)
Claims
1. A knitting tool (1) adapted for movement in its longitudinal direction (L) within the needle path of a knitting machine, said knitting tool having: • A handle (2), which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (L), • Two sides (3) that limit the handle (2) in a width direction (B) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and are adapted to guide the knitting tool (1) during knitting operation by contact with the needle path of the knitting machine. • An upper boundary surface (18) and a lower boundary surface (17) that restrict the knitting tool (1) in a height direction (H) that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and the width direction (B). • in, The handle (2) of the knitting tool (1) is made of a flexible handle material and has a braking device (7) having the following characteristics: • An elastic segment (5) that bends in the width direction (B). • A braking device (4), which is suspended at the elastic section (5) and deflects at an angle to the longitudinal direction (L) due to the curvature (6) of the elastic section (5). • In the plane opened by the width direction (B) and the height direction (H), the cross-sectional area of the handle material in the elastic section (5) is smaller than that in the adjacent handle section (8) of the handle (2). Its features are, • The projection of the side (3) of the elastic section (5) in the plane opened by the height direction (H) and longitudinal direction (L) of the knitting tool (1) has a smaller area per unit length compared to the following: The projection of the side surface (3) of at least one adjacent handle segment (8) onto the same plane; wherein the area per unit length is the quotient of the area of the projection of the side surface (3) and the length of the projection of the side surface (3) in the longitudinal direction (L). • And the elastic section (5) bends in the same direction over the entire height (H) of the handle (2) at at least one location in its longitudinal extension.
2. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 1, Its features are, The width of the handle (2) at any point in the elastic section (5) is the same as the width of the handle (2) in the adjacent handle section (8).
3. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The knitting tool has a loop forming device that comes into contact with the yarn during knitting.
4. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 3, Its features are, The knitting tool has a drive foot (15) and / or a connecting element (16), the drive foot / the connecting element being arranged in the longitudinal direction (L) on the side of the elastic section (5) opposite to the coil forming device, wherein the longitudinal direction points along the direction of the coil forming device.
5. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one notch (9) completely penetrates the handle (2) in the width direction (B) of the elastic section (5). Furthermore, the at least one notch restricts the elastic segment (5) on one side in the height direction (H).
6. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, At least one notch (9) completely penetrates the handle (2) in the width direction (B) of the elastic section (5). And the at least one notch (9) is a hole (11) with a closed boundary line (12).
7. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The knitting tool is manufactured in one piece.
8. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The lower boundary surface (17) and / or upper boundary surface (18) of the handle (2) in the region of the braking device (4) and the elastic section (5) extend substantially flat in a plane opened by the width direction (B) and the longitudinal direction (L).
9. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 3, Its features The coil forming device is hook-shaped.
10. The knitting tool (1) according to claim 6, Its features are, The at least one notch (9) is an elongated hole (13) or an oval hole.
11. A method for manufacturing a knitting tool (1), the knitting tool being adapted for movement in the longitudinal direction (L) within the needle path of a knitting machine, the knitting tool having: • A handle (2), which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (L), • Two sides (3) that limit the handle (2) in a width direction (B) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), and the sides are adapted to guide the knitting tool (1) during knitting operation by contact with the needle path of the knitting machine. • An upper boundary surface (18) and a lower boundary surface (17) that restrict the knitting tool (1) in a height direction (H) that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and the width direction (B). • in, The handle (2) of the knitting tool (1) is made of a flexible handle material and has a braking device (7) having the following characteristics: • An elastic segment (5) that bends in the width direction (B). • A braking device (4), which is suspended at the elastic section (5) and deflects at an angle to the longitudinal direction (L) due to the curvature (6) of the elastic section (5). • In the plane opened up by the width direction (B) and the height direction (H), the cross-sectional area of the elastic section (5) of the handle material is smaller than that of the adjacent handle section (8) of the handle (2). Its features are, • The side surface (3) of the elastic section (5) is processed in such a way that the projection of the side surface (3) of the elastic section (5) in the plane opened by the height direction (H) and longitudinal direction (L) of the knitting tool (1) has a smaller area per unit length compared to the following: The projection of the side surface (3) of at least one adjacent handle segment (8) onto the same plane; wherein the area per unit length is the quotient of the area of the projection of the side surface (3) and the length of the projection of the side surface (3) in the longitudinal direction (L). • Wherein, the elastic segment (5) bends in the same direction over the entire height (H) of the handle (2) at at least one location extending longitudinally.
12. The method according to claim 11, Its features are, The cutting edge of the tool used to process the side (3) of the elastic section (5) points in the width direction (B) during the processing.
13. The method according to claim 12, Its features are, The tool that processes the side (3) of the elastic section (5) moves substantially in the width direction (B).
14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, Its features are, The braking device is manufactured by stamping and reshaping.
15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, Its features are, In a common working step, the side (3) of the elastic segment (5) is processed and the elastic segment (5) is bent.
16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, Its features are, In the working steps, a needle blank having the outer contour of the knitting tool (1) and including the braking device (7) is stamped by a metal strip.
17. The method according to claim 16, Its features are, The needle blank is stamped from steel strip.