Latch needle for loop forming textile machines

摘要

A latch needle for loop forming textile machines includes a steel needle shank and a nonmetallic latch. The steel needle shank has upper and lower edges, a sawslot defined in the needle shank and a needle hook at one end of the needle shank. The needle also includes an axle which extends transversely across the sawslot and contacts the needle shank. The latch is pivotally mounted on the axle and is provided with a noucat at one end. The latch is pivotal between an open and a closed position. When the latch is in the closed position, the noucat rests on the needle hook and when the latch is in the open position, the back surface of the latch contacts part of the needle shank. The nonmetallic material which the latch is composed of is a fiber reinforced thermoplastic homopolymer or copolymer plastic.