Abstract:
The present invention provides a simple assembly easily installable on a specific type of circular knitting machine, with substantially no modification thereof, for actuating a vertically-reciprocable non-rotating fabric-receiving slitter control tube disposed within the needle cylinder of the machine for operating a slitter mechanism at the upper end of the cylinder. The assembly also rotatingly drives a fabric-receiving suction draw-off or accumulator tube coaxially aligned beneath the control tube in synchronism with the needle cylinder for preventing twisting of long lengths of tubular fabrics knitted on the machine.
Abstract:
A mechanical slitting mechanism is provided with first and second cutting elements arranged beneath a dial assembly of a circular knitting machine so as to provide for controlled cutting of a tubular fabric being knitted by the machine. Rack and pinion mechanisms are utilized for imparting controlled reciprocations to the first cutting element relative to the second cutting element. A free end portion of the reciprocating cutting element is shielded from the tubular fabric so as to prevent snagging of the fabric during cutting operations.