Combination Feeder For A Knitting Machine

摘要

A knitting machine with multiple feeders may be utilized to knit a knitted component. Feeders may be used to knit the knitted component and a combination feeder may also inlay an inlaid strand within the knitted component. As an example, a combination feeder may include a feeder arm that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position. In manufacturing the knitted component, a 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. A dispensing tip disposed at the end of the feeder arm supplies the strand for inlaying in a location disposed below the intersection of the planes of the needle beds and for one or more of knitting, tucking, and floating in a location disposed above the intersection of the planes of the needle beds.

主权项

1. A knitting machine comprising:
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 a plurality of feeders that are movable along the needle bed, each feeder of the plurality of feeders including a feeder arm with a dispensing tip for supplying a yarn, the dispensing tip being movable from a first location above the intersection of the first plane and the second plane for supplying the yarn for one or more of knitting, tucking, and floating to a second location below the intersection of the first plane and the second plane for inlaying the yarn.