WO2021181179A1

WO2021181179A1 - Guide member for threads of a circular knitting machine

Info

Publication number: WO2021181179A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/051183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea LONATI; Lionello SPADA; Stefano Ferrari
Original assignee: Santoni SpA
Current assignee: Santoni SpA
Priority date: 2020-03-12
Filing date: 2021-02-12
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-12
Also published as: CN113388956A; IT202000005383A1

Abstract

A guide member (1) for threads of a circular knitting machine, destined to be mounted on a fixed structure of a circular knitting machine outside a needle-holder cylinder. The guide member comprises a body (2) having at least one operating surface (5), which is configured to be positioned at a point for feeding threads to the needles, such that the latches of the needles are maintained open and the needles are able to receive the respective thread or threads. The guide member (1) comprises an insert (10), separate from the body and mountable thereon, provided with at least one guide surface (4) configured to receive, slidably thereon, at least one feed thread, borne by a thread guide of the knitting machine; the guide surface is configured for guiding and/or directing the feed thread in its path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine.

Description

DESCRIPTION

“GUIDE MEMBER FOR THREADS OF A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE”

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a guide member for threads of a circular knitting machine, in particular for knitted or hosiery items. The invention further relates to a circular knitting machine comprising said guide member.

Background of the invention

The present invention falls into the technical field of circular knitting machines for knitted items, seamless knitted items, hosiery items and the like.

Circular knitting machines are typically equipped with guide members for threads (typically known as “throat plates”). These guide members for threads are placed outside the needle-holder cylinder and facing the latter, typically on a thread feeding point or “feed” of the knitting machine. In further detail, the guide members are usually located on the thread feeding devices of the knitting machine (or “thread guide assemblies”), which supply with threads the needles of the knitting machine. The guide members for threads are placed between the threads feeders and the knitting plane on the cylinder, and exhibit an operating surface facing the cylinder needles. This operating surfaces is apt to restrain the movement of the latches of the needles rotating with the cylinder, so as to prevent these latches from accidentally closing before receiving the thread (or threads) required for stitch formation. As a matter of fact, for stitch formation the needle should exhibit the knitted loop formed during the previous feed wrapped around its stem; during its following rotation the needle begins rising thanks to the needle lifting cams and takes the following thread. During this rising movement, the latch opens and gets over the knitted loop; then the needle, with its latch open, receives a new thread and sinks and during this sinking movement the latch closes (rotating) as a result of the thrust imparted by the knitted loop on the stem of the needle itself. Thus the needle carrying the new thread creates a new knitted loop; the stitch forming cycle can thus be resumed with the needle rising again.

It is manifest that, should the latch be closed for any reason when the needle rises (needle in “high” position), the needle could not take the new thread and then form a new stitch.

The guide member for threads, with its front surface facing the cylinder, prevents the latches from closing: the needles, once ready for receive their thread, can thus surely have their latch correctly open.

The guide members for threads is thus placed in the knitting machine in such as position as to ensure that the latches of the needles (which have unloaded the previous stitch and are rising again) are kept open until the new thread is taken. Then the latch can close and the guide member is no longer required. As a matter of fact, where the needles sink near the stitch forming area, no surface acting upon the latches is present thanks to the action of the knitting cam.

An example of a thread guide member for knitting machines is described in patent document WO2015107406 A1, issued to the same Applicant. This thread guide member is designed to be used in particular for a "vanise” textile processing (also known as "plating”). This processing makes use of two threads at the same time inside the same needle: a first thread, known as "bottom thread”, and a second threads, known as "vanise” thread, each one being fed by a respective thread guide. The result of such processing is a fabric on whose outer side only the bottom thread is visible, whereas on its inner side only the "vanise” thread is visible. Basically, the vanise textile processing combines two distinct threads (typically having different characteristics) into one fabric, which is characterized by two sides with different properties, depending on the thread emerging on each side.

A vanise processing, so that the resulting fabric is correct and the threads are visible on the selected side, requires a precise positioning of the bottom thread and of the vanise threads inside the needle head; this requires in its turn that the two threads, fed by a respective thread guide, take a respective given feeding trajectory from the thread guide to the needle, so as to cause a correct positioning of the threads.

In further detail, it should be considered that a hook-shaped needle head has a "tip”, i.e. the end of the needle itself, that can be opened and closed by the latch, and a "back” on which the head is connected to the needle stem. The head tip is in an outermost position, i.e. farther away from the main cylinder axis, whereas the head back is in an innermost position, i.e. closer to the main cylinder axis.

In this condition the vanise thread (designed to be on the inside of the fabric) should be positioned, inside the needle head, towards the tip of the head itself, whereas the bottom thread (designed to be on the outside of the fabric) should be positioned, again inside the needle head, towards the back of the head itself. Thus the bottom threads is positioned (radially) closer to the cylinder axis, whereas the vanise thread is positioned (radially) farther away from the cylinder axis.

So as to correctly position the threads for vanise processing, it is known about making use of special vanise needles, which are shaped so as to force the positioning of the two threads in the needle head as described above, moreover there is a selection of the respective heights of the thread guides carrying the bottom and vanise threads so as to send both threads into the needle head with a given inclination and position them correctly inside and outside the head.

The solution of patent document W02015107406 A1, conversely, provides the guide member for threads, in addition to an operating surface facing the cylinder needles, also with a guide portion shaped as a "step”, recessing from the operating surface to the outside of the needle-holder cylinder and defining an abutment for radially containing the vanise thread position and sliding thereon.

The step thus allows to correctly position the two threads inside the needle head and to define precise trajectories for the threads used in vanise processing.

Summary

The Applicant has found that known guide members for threads are not without drawbacks and can be improved under various aspects. In particular, the guide members are subject to wear which might compromise their function. In further detail, the front surfaces, facing the needle-holder cylinder, guide the feed threads supplied by the thread guides towards the needles rotating with the cylinder. The feed threads slide over the surfaces of the guide member and push thereon. This continuous effect causes the material of the guide member to be worn, in particular in case of particularly abrasive threads or threads containing synthetic or high hardness fibers.

Material wear can create grooves and compromise the surface of the thread guide member: this can cause an incorrect positioning of the threads, an imprecise or incorrect stitch formation and, more generally, it can lead to mistakes or imperfection in the knitted article, in particular in vanise processing. Known solutions are therefore subjected to wear problems, which can lead to a poorer quality of the knitted fabric manufactured by the knitting machine.

Under these circumstances, the Applicant has found out that known guide members do not offer the performance required for an optimal textile processing.

Under these circumstances, the aim underlying the present invention in its various aspects and/or embodiments is to provide a guide members for the threads of a circular knitting machine and a circular knitting machine comprising such a member, which can obviate one or more of the drawbacks referred to above.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a guide member for the threads of a circular knitting machine which can solve the problems related to wear due to the feed threads sliding and rubbing.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a guide member for the threads of a circular knitting machine which can define the trajectory of one or more feed threads in a precise manner.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a guide member that is suitable for use in vanise textile processing, too.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a guide member which can prevent the presence of bent or crooked needles, if any, from damaging one or more feed threads.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a guide member for the threads of a circular knitting machine and a method for making a textile processing, which allow to obtain a fabric with a high quality and/or without imperfections.

These and other possible aims, which shall appear better from the following description, are basically achieved by a guide member for the threads of a circular knitting machine, and/or by a circular knitting machine comprising such a member, and/or by a method for making a textile processing, according to one or more of the appended claims, each one being considered alone (without those depending on it) or in any combination with the other claims, and according to the following aspects and/or embodiments, variously combined, also with the aforesaid claims.

In a first aspect thereof, the invention relates to a guide member for threads of a circular knitting machine, said guide member being destined to be mounted on a fixed structure of a circular knitting machine, in a manner such to be positioned outside a needle-holder cylinder of the circular knitting machine housing a plurality of needles and rotatable around a main axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the guide member comprises a guide member body having at least one operating surface destined to face the needle-holder cylinder and t be extended around at least one angular portion of the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the operating surface is configured for maintaining the latches of the needles open, the needles being in rotation with the needle-holder cylinder, during the passage of the needles across the operating surface, and for defining the trajectories of the threads.

In one aspect, the operating surface is destined to be positioned at a point for feeding thread to the needles, in a manner such that the latches of the needles are maintained open and the needles are able to receive the respective thread or the respective threads.

In one aspect, the guide member comprises an insert, separate from the body and mountable thereon.

In one aspect, the insert is provided with at least one guide surface configured, during use, for receiving slidably thereon at least one feed thread, carried by a thread guide of the knitting machine.

In one aspect, the guide surface is configured for guiding and/or directing said at least one feed thread in its path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine.

In one aspect, the insert is removably mountable on the body of the guide member.

In one aspect, said at least one thread slides on at least one portion of the guide surface.

In one aspect, the guide surface of the insert is configured for deflecting at least partially, based on a geometry of the guide surface itself, the trajectory of the thread in order to convey it towards the needles.

In one aspect, said sliding of said at least one feed thread on the guide surface occurs with contact of the feed thread on at least one portion of the guide surface.

In one aspect, during use the guide surface is subjected to the passage of one or more feed threads, in order to guide the trajectory thereof from the thread guides to the needles of the knitting machine, said guide surface being the portion of the guide member subjected to wear due to the sliding of the threads, said insert being interchangeable (replaceable) in order to allow providing the guide member with a new guide surface.

In one aspect, said guide surface differs from said operating surface.

In one aspect, the insert is mounted on the body of the guide member in a manner such that the guide surface follows the operating surface with respect to the direction of rotation of the needle-holder cylinder. In one aspect, the guide surface follows the operating surface continuously with respect thereto, in a manner such to not interfere with the passage of the needles and/or of the latches of the needles.

In one aspect, the guide surface is configured for intercepting and guiding the threads dispensed by the thread guides into an intermediate position between an upstream side, from where the threads are dispensed, to a downstream side, where the threads are engaged with the needles, moved by the knitting cams due to the rotation of the needle-holder cylinder. In one aspect, the guide surface comprises a front portion directed towards the needle-holder cylinder and facing the needles.

In one aspect, the front portion is extended entirely (i.e. lies) on a single vertical plane parallel to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder. In one aspect, the front portion is extended from a lower edge to an upper edge, which are vertically placed one above the other.

In one aspect, alternative to the two previous aspects, the front portion is curved or inclined in a manner such that its extension from a lower edge to an upper edge, with respect to the main axis of the needle- holder cylinder, moves progressively away, in a radial direction, from the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the guide surface comprises a lateral portion laterally extended with respect to the front portion and before this with respect to the direction rotation of the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the lateral portion is directed towards the operating surface of the guide member.

In one aspect, the lateral portion of the guide surface is extended continuously from the front portion, and between these a contact edge is defined and shared.

In one aspect, the lateral portion forms an angle with the front portion in a manner such as to be extended, starting from the contact edge, away from the needles and towards a side of origin of the threads dispensed by the thread guides.

In one aspect, the lateral portion is directed towards said upstream side, from where the threads are dispensed.

In one aspect, the guide surface is shaped in a manner such that the threads interact therewith, sliding at least partially in contact on said front portion and/or on said lateral portion and/or on said contact edge.

In one aspect, the guide surface is shaped in a manner such that the threads interact therewith, sliding at least partially in contact on the lateral portion and on the contact edge.

In one aspect, the guide surface is shaped in a manner such that the threads interact therewith, sliding at least partially in contact on the contact edge only.

In one aspect, the threads slide on the front portion and/or on the lateral portion of the guide surface based on the trajectory of the threads and on the position of the thread guides and of the knitting cams.

In one aspect, the guide surface can comprise several lateral portions extended in sequence beside the front portion.

In one aspect, the guide surface is made up of a plurality of portions, so as to be faceted.

In one aspect, the insert comprises an end (lower and/or lateral), preferably with pointed shape. This end can be both a lower end portion and a lateral end portion of the insert.

In one aspect, the lower and/or lateral end is directed towards the operating surface.

In one aspect, at least one portion of the guide surface is defined on the lower and/or lateral end. In one aspect, an initial portion of the guide surface is defined on the lower and/or lateral end along the rotation direction of the needle-holder cylinder (i.e. the first part of the guide surface met by the rotating needles).

In one aspect, the lower and/or lateral end is destined to be side-by-side to the operating surface, in a manner such that the end substantially and continuously follows the operating surface along the rotation direction of the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the lower and/or lateral end is configured for being, with the insert mounted on the body of the guide member for threads, at least partially below the operating surface.

In one aspect, the lower and/or lateral end is configured for being, with the insert mounted on the body of the guide member for threads, at least partially covered, or superimposed, by a portion of the body on which the termination (or terminal part) of the operating surface is defined.

In one aspect, the insert is mountable on the body of the guide member in a manner such that the lower end is (slightly) recessed with respect to the operating surface, moving away from the main axis.

In one aspect, preferably in case the end is pointed shaped, the front portion and/or the lateral portion and/or the contact edge of the guide surface end on, and preferably merge into, the end.

In one aspect, the insert exhibits a front side, on which the guide surface is defined, and a mounting portion, comprising members for the removable mounting of the insert on the body of the guide member.

In one aspect, the mounting portion of the insert is located on a rear side of the insert, opposite the front side.

In one aspect, the insert is a monolithic element, i.e. made as one piece.

In one aspect, the body of the guide member is a monolithic element, i.e. made as one piece.

In one aspect, the body comprises a mounting section configured for at least partially receiving said members for mounting the insert, wherein the mounting of the insert on the body occurs according to a specific positioning, and wherein said mounting section and said members for mounting allow an adjustment of said positioning.

In one aspect, the adjustment of the positioning comprises an adjustment of the radial position of the guide surface, moving away from or approaching the main axis, and/or an adjustment of the lateral position of the guide surface, in a circumferential direction with respect to the distribution of the needles of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or in an axial direction, substantially parallel to the main axis.

In one aspect, the mounting section of the body comprises a mounting seat and the members for mounting the insert comprise a relief, having a tooth or pin shape, configured for being inserted into said mounting seat in order to attain the mounting of the insert on the body according to said specific positioning.

In one aspect, said relief of the insert is integral, or made as one piece, with the whole insert. In one aspect, the mounting seat is configured for allowing, once the relief of the insert has been inserted therein, the adjustment of the position of the relief in order to determine said positioning of the insert with respect to the body.

In one aspect, the adjustment of the positioning of the insert with respect to the body determines the position of the guide surface with respect to the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the mounting seat is recessed with respect to a front side of the body, on which side the operating surface is defined.

In one aspect, the mounting seat has a cavity or slot shape.

In one aspect, the mounting seat is radially extended between a front abutment, directed towards the needle-holder cylinder, and a rear abutment, radially moved away from the front abutment.

In one aspect, the front abutment and the rear abutment are parallel to one another and oriented orthogonally to a radial direction with respect to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the relief is extended between a front edge, directed towards the needle-holder cylinder, and a rear edge, radially moved away from the front abutment.

In one aspect, the front edge and the rear edge are parallel to one another.

In one aspect, the (radial) distance between the front abutment and the rear abutment of the mounting seat, i.e. the length of a segment orthogonal to both abutments, is greater than the distance between the front edge and the rear edge of the relief of the insert.

In one aspect, with the relief inserted into the mounting seat, a free space is present which can be between the front edge and the front abutment and/or between the rear edge and the rear abutment.

In one aspect, the radial extension of the mounting seat is greater than the radial extension of the relief, and the difference between the radial extension of the mounting seat and the radial extension of the relief is equal to said free space.

In one aspect, the free space has a radial extension equal to the sum of the (radial) distance between the front edge and the front abutment and the (radial) distance between the rear edge and the rear abutment.

In one aspect, the relief can be positioned in the mounting seat in a radial position as desired, comprised between an advanced position, in which the front edge is in abutment against the front abutment, and a recessed position, in which the rear edge is in abutment against the rear abutment.

In one aspect, in the advanced position, the free space is only present between the rear edge and the rear abutment, and coincides with the (radial) distance between the rear edge and the rear abutment, while in the recessed position the free space is only present between the front edge and the front abutment, and coincides with the (radial) distance between the front edge and the front abutment.

In one aspect, in an intermediate mounting position between the advanced position and the recessed position, the relief is inserted into the mounting seat without the front edge being in contact with the front abutment and without the rear edge being in contact with the rear abutment, in such a manner a (front) free space being present between the front edge and the front abutment and a respective (rear) free space being present between the rear edge and the rear abutment, the sum of such two free spaces being equal to the difference between the radial extension of the mounting seat and the radial extension of the relief.

In one aspect, the insert can be mounted on the body in a position as desired, with the relief of the insert located in the mounting seat in a position between the advanced position and the recessed position (both included).

In one aspect, the relief of the insert and the mounting seat are configured for allowing an adjustment of the mounting of the insert on the body of the guide member, in particular along a radial direction (directed towards and across main axis of the needle-holder cylinder).

In one aspect, the profile of the relief of the insert and the respective profile of the mounting seat of the body are globally countershaped one to another, though with a free space in radial direction.

In one aspect, the body of the guide member comprises a fixing hole for the insert and the insert comprises a fixing member, preferably of threaded type (e.g. a screw), configured for being inserted into the fixing hole and fixing the position of the insert with respect to the body, with the relief in the mounting seat.

In one aspect, the insert comprises a slot for the passage of the fixing member, the slot being extended along a radial direction for enabling the mounting of the insert in a position as desired comprised between the advanced position and the recessed position.

In one aspect, the longitudinal extension of the slot, in radial direction, is equal at least to the radial size of said free space.

In one aspect, the body of the guide member is made of metallic material, preferably steel.

In one aspect, the insert is made of a material resistant to wear of sliding threads, preferably a material with a high hardness.

In one aspect, the insert is made of metallic material, preferably steel.

In one aspect, the insert is made of zirconium.

In one aspect, the insert is made of ceramic material.

In one aspect, the insert is made of a material, e.g. steel, coated with a film of wear-resistant material, wherein the film is applied to the insert by means of a physical vapor deposition process (PVD).

In one aspect, said film is made of titanium nitride or chromium nitride.

In one aspect, the outer surface of the insert, in particular said guide surface, exhibits a surface finish characterized by a low roughness.

In one aspect, the guide surface of the insert is shaped as a function of specific characteristics of the textile processing to be made with the knitting machine.

In one aspect, the guide surface of the insert is shaped as a function of the characteristics of the feed threads which the insert is designed to guide during textile processing. In one independent aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a knitting machine, in particular to a circular knitting machine for knitted or hosiery or similar items, comprising:

- a fixed structure;

- at least one needle-holder cylinder rotatably mounted in said load-bearing structure;

- a plurality of needles supported by said needle-holder cylinder and movable parallel to a rotation axis of the needle-holder cylinder in order to produce a knit fabric;

- at least one guide member according to one or more of the aspects and/or of the appended claims, mounted on the fixed structure in a manner such as to be positioned outside the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, said fixed structure comprises a supporting ring extended circumferentially around said needle-holder cylinder, the guide member being mounted to said supporting ring.

In one aspect, the knitting machine comprises a plurality of guide members distributed, preferably in a uniform manner, on said supporting ring and placed each on a respective feeding point or feed of the knitting machine.

In one independent aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a method for making a textile processing, the method comprising the steps of:

- arranging a knitting machine, preferably a circular knitting machine;

- arranging at least one guide member according to any one of the preceding claims;

- arranging at least one feed thread, dispensed by a thread guide of the knitting machine;

- supplying the needles of the knitting machine with said feed thread and making knitted stitches.

In one aspect, the method comprises, during the step of supplying the needles of the knitting machine, a step of guiding or directing the thread, through the guide surface of the guide member, in its path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine.

Each one of the aforesaid aspects of the invention can be considered alone or in combination with any one of the claims or of the other aspects as described.

Further characteristics and advantages shall be more evident from the detailed description of some embodiments, among which also a preferred embodiment, which are exemplary though not exclusive, of a guide member for the threads of a circular knitting machine according to the present invention, and of a method for making a textile processing, according to the present invention.

Description of the drawings This description shall be made below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided to a merely indicative and therefore non-limiting purpose, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a guide member for the threads of a circular knitting machine according to the present invention,

- Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of the guide member of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a front view of the guide member of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows a magnified view of a portion of Figure 1; - Figure 4A is a further magnified view of a portion of Figure 4;

- Figure 5 is a perspective, exploded view of the guide member of Figure 1;

- Figure 6 is a sectioned view of the guide member of Figure 2, sectioned along plane VI -VI;

- Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the guide member of Figure 1, with some parts removed;

- Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of a possible embodiment of an insert of a guide member according to the present invention;

- Figure 9 is a further rear perspective view of the insert of Figure 8;

- Figure 10 is a perspective view of a further possible embodiment of an insert of a guide member according to the present invention, alternative to the embodiment of Figure 8.

Detailed description

With reference to the mentioned figures, the numeral 1 globally designates a guide member for the threads of a circular knitting machine, according to the present invention. Generally, the same numeral is used for identical or similar elements, if applicable in their variants of embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a guide member for the threads of a knitting machine according to the present invention. The knitting machine and its components (needle-holder cylinder, control members, processing unit, etc.) are not shown in detail in the figures, since they are known per se and of conventional type. From the point of view of knitting technology, the operation of the whole knitting machine (e.g. the interaction of thread guides and needles, the cooperation between needles and threads, etc.) is not described in detail since it is known in the technical field of the present invention. See also the specification of patent document WO2015107406 A1 issued to the same Applicant.

The guide member 1 is destined to be mounted on a fixed structure of a circular knitting machine, in a manner such as to be positioned outside a needle-holder cylinder of the circular knitting machine, which houses a plurality of needles and can rotate around a main axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

The needle-holder cylinder can have a variable diameter depending on textile needs; for example, the diameter can be of 4 inches, 8 inches, 16 inches, 24 inches, etc. The needle-holder cylinder can also be a needle-holder plate.

In the context of the present description, the use of terms such as "front”, "rear”, "radial”, "upper”, "lower”, "horizontal”, "vertical”, "frontal” and similar words relates, unless otherwise specified, to a spatial orientation which the object of the invention can normally take in operating or use conditions (in particular with the guide member in use, i.e. mounted in a knitting machine in its correct position with respect to the needle-holder cylinder). For instance, the radial direction is always considered with reference to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, around which the guide members are mounted.

The guide member 1 comprises a body 2 having at least one operating surface 5 destined to face the needle-holder cylinder and t be extended around at least one angular portion of the needle-holder cylinder. The operating surface 5 is configured for maintaining the latches of the needles open, the needles being in rotation with the needle-holder cylinder, during the passage of the needles across the operating surface, and for defining the trajectories of the feed threads.

The operating surface 5 is destined to be positioned at a point for feeding thread to the needles, or "feed”, in a manner such that the latches of the needles are maintained open and the needles are able to receive the respective feed thread or threads.

The guide member 1 further comprises an insert 10, separate from the body 2 and mountable thereon. The insert 10 is provided with at least one guide surface 4 configured, during use, for receiving slidably thereon at least one feed thread, carried by a thread guide of the knitting machine. The guide surface 4 is configured for guiding and/or directing one or more feed threads in their path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine.

Preferably, the insert 10 is removably mountable on the body 2 of the guide member.

Preferably said at least one thread slides on at least one portion of the guide surface 4.

Preferably, the guide surface 4 of the insert 10 is configured for deflecting at least partially, based on a geometry of the guide surface itself, the trajectory of the thread in order to convey it towards the needles. Preferably, the aforesaid sliding of said at least one feed thread on the guide surface 4 occurs with contact of the feed thread on at least one portion of the guide surface.

Preferably, during use the guide surface 4 is subjected to the passage of one or more feed threads, in order to guide the trajectory thereof from the thread guides to the needles of the knitting machine, and the guide surface 4 is the portion of the guide member 1 subjected to wear due to the sliding of the threads. The insert 10 is interchangeable (i.e. replaceable) in order to allow providing the guide member with a new guide surface, if required.

Preferably, the guide surface 4 differs from the operating surface 5.

Preferably, the insert 10 is mounted on the body 2 of the guide member 1 in a manner such that the guide surface 4 follows the operating surface 5 along the direction of rotation of the needle-holder cylinder (this direction of rotation is indicated by arrow "R” in Figure 1).

Preferably, the guide surface 4 follows the operating surface 5 continuously with respect thereto, in a manner such to not interfere with the passage of the needles and/or of the latches of the needles. Preferably, the guide surface 4 is configured for intercepting and guiding the threads dispensed by the thread guides into an intermediate position between an upstream side, from where the threads are dispensed, to a downstream side, where the threads are engaged with the needles, the latter being moved by the knitting cams due to the rotation of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the guide surface 4 comprises a front portion 11 directed towards the needle-holder cylinder and facing the needles.

Preferably, the front portion 11 is extended entirely (i.e. lies) on a single vertical plane parallel to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder. In this case the front portion 11 is extended from a lower edge 11a to an upper edge 11b, which are vertically placed one above the other. As an alternative, the front portion 11 is curved or inclined in a manner such that its extension from a lower edge 11a to an upper edge 11b, with respect to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, moves progressively away, in a radial direction, from the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the guide surface 4 comprises a lateral portion 12 laterally extended with respect to the front portion 11 and before this with respect to the direction rotation of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the lateral portion 12 is directed towards the operating surface of the guide member.

Preferably, the lateral portion 12 of the guide surface 4 is extended continuously from the front portion 11, and between these a contact edge 13 is defined and shared.

Preferably, the lateral portion 12 forms an angle with the front portion 11 in a manner such as to be extended, starting from the contact edge 13, away from the needles and towards a side of origin of the threads dispensed by the thread guides.

Preferably, the lateral portion 12 is directed towards the aforesaid upstream side, from where the threads are dispensed.

Preferably, the guide surface 4 is shaped in a manner such that the threads interact therewith, sliding at least partially in contact on the front portion 11 and/or on the lateral portion 12.

Preferably, the threads can interact with the guide surface 4 sliding at least partially in contact on the lateral portion 12 and on the contact edge 13, or possibly also on the contact edge 13 only.

Preferably, the threads slide on the front portion 11 and/or on the lateral portion 12 of the guide surface 4 based on the trajectory of the threads and on the position of the thread guides and of the knitting cams. Preferably, the guide surface 4 can comprise several lateral portions extended in sequence beside the front portion. In one possible embodiment, the guide surface can be made up of a plurality of portions, so as to be faceted.

In one possible embodiment, shown by way of example in the figures, the insert 10 comprises a lower (and/or lateral) end, preferably with a point shape, directed towards the operating surface 5. At least one portion of the guide surface is defined on the lower end, in particular an initial portion of the guide surface 4 is defined along the rotation direction of the needle-holder cylinder (i.e. the first part of the guide surface 4 met by the rotating needles).

Preferably, the lower end is comprised in an outermost lateral portion of the insert, destined to be side-by- side to the operating surface 5, so that said outermost lateral portion of the insert follows substantially continuously the operating surface 5 along the rotation direction of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the lower end is configured for being, with the insert mounted on the body of the guide member for threads, at least partially below the operating surface 5, in particular below the terminal part of the operating surface. In other words, the lower end is preferably configured for being, with the insert mounted on the body of the guide member for threads, at least partially covered, or superimposed, by a portion of the body 2 on which the termination of the operating surface 5 is defined. It is thus possible to obtain a continuity between the operating surface 5 and the guide surface 4; as a matter of fact, following the rotation direction of the needle-holder cylinder, the needles first meet the operating surface 5 and then continue to the guide surface 4 of the insert 10. The positioning of the lower end of the insert below the termination of the operating surface 5 minimizes the discontinuity between operating surface 5 and guide surface 4, thus ensuring an optimal operation and avoiding problems involving misalignment or protrusion of parts of the insert 10. This prevents the needles and/or the latches from hitting the guide member 1 during rotation.

This solution can be seen e.g. in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4a, which show the lower, point-shaped end of the insert 10 located, with the insert 10 mounted on the body 2, below the terminal part of the guide surface 5. Preferably, the insert 10 can be mounted on the guide member in a manner such that the lower end, beyond being partially below the operating surface 5, is also (slightly) recessed with respect to the latter, moving away from the main axis.

Preferably, for instance in the embodiment of the figures, in which it is pointed shaped, the front portion 11 and/or the lateral portion 12 and/or the contact edge 13 of the guide surface 4 end on, and preferably merge into, the lower end.

The end can be both a lower end portion and a lateral end portion of the insert, as shown by way of example in the figures. In this case the end is basically an "angular portion” of the insert.

Note that, preferably though not exclusively, the function of the guide surface is to guide the threads dispensed by the thread guides that are the closest to the knitting cam (often referred to as thread guide 1 and thread guide 2 according to the numbering of a plurality of thread guides of a knitting feed). These threads are typically referred to as "vanise” threads.

Preferably, the insert 10 exhibits a front side 14, on which the guide surface 4 is defined, and a mounting portion 16, comprising members for the removable mounting of the insert 10 on the body 2 of the guide member.

Preferably, the mounting portion 16 of the insert is located on a rear side 15 of the insert, opposite the front side.

Preferably, the insert 10 is a monolithic element, i.e. made as one piece.

Preferably, the body 2 of the guide member is a monolithic element, i.e. made as one piece.

Preferably, the body comprises a mounting section 20 configured for at least partially receiving said members for mounting the insert 10, wherein the mounting of the insert 10 on the body 2 occurs according to a specific positioning, and wherein the mounting section 20 and the members for mounting allow an adjustment of said positioning. "Adjustment” means a tuning or calibration of the aforesaid specific positioning.

Preferably, the adjustment of the positioning comprises an adjustment of the radial position of the guide surface 4, moving away from or approaching the main axis, and/or an adjustment of the lateral position of the guide surface 4, in a circumferential direction with respect to the distribution of the needles of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or in an axial direction, substantially parallel to the main axis.

Preferably, the mounting section 20 of the body comprises a mounting seat 21 and the members for mounting the insert comprise a relief 17, having a tooth or pin shape, configured for being inserted into the mounting seat 21 in order to attain the mounting of the insert 10 on the body 2 according to the aforesaid specific positioning.

Preferably, the relief 17 of the insert 10 is integral, or made as one piece, with the whole insert.

Preferably, the mounting seat 21 is configured for allowing, once the relief 17 of the insert has been inserted therein, the adjustment of the position of the relief 17 in order to determine the positioning of the insert 10 with respect to the body 2.

Preferably, the adjustment of the positioning of the insert 10 with respect to the body 2 determines the position of the guide surface 4 with respect to the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the mounting seat 21 is recessed with respect to a front side of the body, on which side the operating surface 5 is defined.

Preferably, the mounting seat 21 has a cavity or slot shape.

Preferably, the mounting seat 21 is radially extended between a front abutment A, directed towards the needle-holder cylinder, and a rear abutment B, radially moved away from the front abutment A.

Preferably, the front abutment A and the rear abutment B are parallel to one another and oriented orthogonally to a radial direction with respect to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the relief 17 is extended between a front edge 18, directed towards the needle-holder cylinder, and a rear edge 19, radially moved away from the front abutment.

Preferably, the front edge 18 and the rear edge 19 are parallel to one another.

Preferably, the distance between the front abutment A and the rear abutment B of the mounting seat 21, i.e. the length of a segment orthogonal to both abutments, is greater than the distance between the front edge 18 and the rear edge 19 of the relief of the insert 17.

In one aspect, with the relief 17 inserted into the mounting seat 21, a free space 22 is present which can be between the front edge 18 and the front abutment A and/or between the rear edge 19 and the rear abutment B.

Preferably, the radial extension of the mounting seat 21 is greater than the radial extension of the relief 17, and the difference between the radial extension of the mounting seat and the radial extension of the relief is equal to the free space 22.

Preferably, with the relief 17 inserted into the mounting seat 21, the free space 22 has a radial extension that is equal to the sum of the distance between the front edge 18 and the front abutment A and the distance between the rear edge 19 and the rear abutment B.

Preferably, the relief 17 can be positioned in the mounting seat 21 in a radial position as desired, comprised between an advanced position, in which the front edge 18 is in abutment against the front abutment A, and a recessed position, in which the rear edge 19 is in abutment against the rear abutment B.

Preferably, in the advanced position, the free space 22 is only present between the rear edge 19 and the rear abutment B, and coincides with the distance between the rear edge and the rear abutment, while in the recessed position the free space is only present between the front edge 18 and the front abutment A, and coincides with the distance between the front edge and the front abutment.

Preferably, in an intermediate mounting position between the advanced position and the recessed position, the relief 17 is inserted into the mounting seat 21 without the front edge 18 being in contact with the front abutment A and without the rear edge 19 being in contact with the rear abutment B, in such a manner a (front) free space 22 being present between the front edge 18 and the front abutment A and a respective (rear) free space 22 being present between the rear edge 19 and the rear abutment B, the sum of such two free spaces is equal to the difference between the (radial) extension of the mounting seat 21 and the (radial) extension of the relief 17.

Preferably, the insert 10 can be mounted on the body in a position as desired, with the relief 17 of the insert 10 located in the mounting seat 21 in a position between the advanced position and the recessed position (both included).

Preferably, the relief 17 of the insert 10 and the mounting seat 21 are configured for allowing an adjustment of the mounting of the insert 10 on the body 2 of the guide member 1, in particular along a radial direction (directed towards and across main axis of the needle-holder cylinder).

Preferably, as shown by way of example in the figures, the profile of the relief 17 of the insert 10 and the respective profile of the mounting seat 21 of the body 2 are globally countershaped one to another, though with a free space 22 in radial direction.

Preferably, the body 2 of the guide member 1 comprises a fixing hole 25 for the insert and the insert 10 comprises a fixing member 26, preferably of threaded type (e.g. a screw 26), configured for being inserted into the fixing hole 25 and fixing the position of the insert 10 with respect to the body 2, with the relief 17 in the mounting seat 21.

Preferably, the insert 10 comprises a slot 27 for the passage of the fixing member 26 (which thus vertically crosses the insert), the slot 27 being extended along a radial direction for enabling the mounting of the insert 10 in a position as desired comprised between the advanced position and the recessed position. The slot 27 is a through slot, between an upper surface and a lower surface of the insert 10.

Preferably, the longitudinal extension of the slot 27, in radial direction, is equal at least to the radial size of the free space 22.

The present invention further comprises a method for adjusting/calibrating the guide member 1.

This method can be advantageously implemented with a guide member as described above and as shown by way of example in Figures 1-10. The method, based on the desired position for the insert with respect to the body, i.e. based on how the position of the guide surface 4 is to be adjusted, includes the execution of different operations:

- in order to mount the insert in a (fully) advanced position, the relief 17 can be introduced into the mounting seat 21, the front edge 18 can be moved against the front abutment A, and then the fixing member 26 can be inserted through the slot 27 and tightened into the fixing hole 25 of the body 2;

- in order to mount the insert in a (fully) recessed position, the relief 17 can be introduced into the mounting seat 21, the rear edge 19 can be moved against the rear abutment B, and then the fixing member 26 can be inserted through the slot 27 and tightened into the fixing hole 25 of the body 2;

- in order to mount the insert in an intermediate mounting position between the advanced position and the recessed position (i.e. with a front free space between the front edge 18 and the front abutment A and a respective rear free space 22 between the rear edge 19 and the rear abutment B), the relief 17 can be introduced into the mounting seat 21, moved as desired in the mounting seat (using the free space 22), and then the fixing member 26 can be inserted through the slot 27 and tightened into the fixing hole 25 of the body 2.

In addition, in order to mount the insert in an intermediate mounting position between the advanced position and the recessed position, further modes can be implemented. As a matter of fact, in the guide member 1 as disclosed above the radial extension of the mounting seat 21 and the respective radial extension of the relief 17 are known; moreover, the radial extension of the mounting seat 21 is greater than the radial extension of the relief 17 of a value that corresponds exactly to the free space 22.

Therefore, if the insert 10 is to be mounted on the body 2 in an intermediate mounting position in which the relief 17 is at a distance X from the abutment A, a suitable shim can be temporarily inserted between the rear edge 19 and the rear abutment B, with a size, in radial direction with respect to the seat 21, having a value Y, wherein “Y = size of free space - X”.

Then the rear edge is pressed against the shim and the fixing member 26 is tightened into the fixing hole 25.

For instance, if the free space between seat 21 and relief 17 is of 1 mm and the relief is to be recessed in the seat of 0.3 mm (X) from the front abutment A, a shim of 0.7 mm (Y = 1 mm - 0.3 mm = 0.7 mm) can be inserted between rear edge 19 and rear abutment B, then the rear edge can be moved against the shim and the latter against the rear abutment B, and then the insert can be blocked.

In a further mounting mode in an advanced position, alternative to pressing the front edge 18 of the relief against the front abutment A of the mounting seat, a shim having a size Y that is equal to the size of the free space 22 is temporarily inserted between the rear edge 19 and the rear abutment B. Thus the front edge 18 will be automatically against the front abutment A and the position can be fixed.

The use of a shim allows to obtain a more accurate adjustment of the position of the insert and avoids operator's mistakes or mounting inaccuracies. A set of shims, each one characterized by a respective size Y, can be provided for creating different mounting conditions, each one with a specific retraction of the relief 17 in the seat 21 and therefore a specific positioning of the guide surface 4 of the threads by the insert 10.

Preferably, the body 2 of the guide member 1 is made of metallic material, preferably steel.

Preferably, the insert 10 is made of a material resistant to wear of sliding threads, preferably a material with a high hardness.

By way of example, the insert is made of metallic material, preferably steel.

A hardened steel allows to obtain an insert with a hardness of 700 HV.

As an alternative, the insert can be made of zirconium.

Zirconium allows to obtain an insert with a hardness of 1500 HV.

As an alternative, the insert can be made of ceramic material.

As an alternative, the insert can be made of a material, e.g. steel, coated with a film of wear-resistant material, wherein the film is applied to the insert by means of a physical vapor deposition process (PVD).

It is thus possible to obtain an insert with a hardness e.g. of 2000-3000 HV. Preferably, the film is made of titanium nitride or chromium nitride.

Preferably, the outer surface of the insert 10, in particular the guide surface 4, exhibits a surface finish characterized by a low roughness.

Preferably, the guide surface 4 of the insert is shaped as a function of specific characteristics of the textile processing to be made with the knitting machine. For instance, the shape and/or inclination of the guide surface 4 can be configured for manufacturing terrycloth knitted fabric or openwork knitted fabric or a vanise processing.

Preferably, the guide surface of the insert can be shaped as a function of the characteristics of the feed threads which the insert is designed to guide during textile processing.

Preferably, as shown in the embodiment shown by way of example in Figures 1-9, the guide surface 4 also comprises a vanise sector 7 configured for guiding a vanise thread, borne by a thread guide of the knitting machine, said vanise thread sliding on the vanise sector in order to form, together with a bottom thread, a vanise textile processing.

Preferably, the operating surface 5 has a curvilinear progress and is extended concentrically to the needle-holder cylinder, the operating surface having a curvature center located on the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder. Preferably, the operating surface 5 lies substantially on a cylinder surface concentric with respect to the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, as shown by way of example in the figures, the vanise sector 7 is defined by a step 8 recessing from the guide surface 4 (preferably from the front portion 11) away from the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the vanise sector 7 is positioned, in the guide member, in a manner such as to be, with guide member 1 mounted on the knitting machine, close to a thread guide bearing the vanise thread. Preferably, the vanise sector 7 is oriented transversally to the front portion of the guide surface.

Preferably, the vanise sector 7 is obtained by means of a beveling (or groove), defining the aforesaid step 8, recessing from the guide surface towards the outside of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the step 8 defining the vanise sector 7 defines an abutment surface 9 configured for radially containing the vanise thread that is positioned and slidable on the vanise sector 7.

Preferably, the vanise sector 7 and the abutment surface 9 cooperate so as to guide said vanise thread. Preferably, the vanise sector 7 has an extension, in radial direction with respect to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, such as to contain at least a thickness portion of a vanise thread, preferably the whole thickness of a vanise thread, thus preventing this thread from coming off from the insert approaching the main axis.

Preferably, the vanise sector 7 ends in the front part on a front edge 7a and on the rear part on a rear edge 7b.

Preferably, the vanise sector 7 is extended longitudinally between an initial end 7c, corresponding to the point in which the vanise thread, in the feeding direction from the thread guide to the needles, begins sliding on the vanise sector, and a final end 7d, corresponding to the point in which the vanise thread, in the feeding direction from the thread guide to the needles, gets out of and past the vanise sector. Preferably, the vanise sector 7 is inclined downwards, the initial end 7c being at a higher level than the final end 7d.

Preferably, the initial end of the vanise sector is positioned, in the guide member, at the same or at a higher level than the vertical height of a point in which the trajectory of the heads of the rotating needles in the withdrawn position and the thread intersect.

Preferably, the initial end 7c of the vanise sector is destined to represent the initial contact point between the vanise thread and the guide member, and the final end 7d of the vanise sector is destined to represent the terminal contact point between the vanise thread and the guide member.

Preferably, the vanise sector 7, on which the vanise thread is destined to slide, is configured for preventing the heads of the rotating needles from contacting and/or interfering from outside with the vanise thread. Preferably, the step 8 is configured for containing, in radial direction with respect to the main axis, a vanise thread, thus preventing it from reaching the operating surface 5 or from moving radially away beyond the abutment surface 9.

Preferably, the operating surface is configured for radially restraining the motion of the needles of the needle-holder cylinder, in particular possible radial movements, towards the outside of the needle-holder cylinder, of the rotating needles.

Preferably, the operating surface 5 is destined to be positioned, when the guide member is mounted to the knitting machine, at a level corresponding to the maximum height achieved by the latches of the rotating needles with the needle-holder cylinder, and/or to the maximum height achieved by the latches of the needles when they get out of the "knitting plane”. Preferably, the operating surface 5 is configured for being positioned on the diameter crossed by the latches of the needles during the rotation of the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the insert 10 is configured for directing the vanise thread to the needles according to a specific configuration, in order to obtain a correct textile vanise processing by means of the vanise thread and the bottom thread.

Preferably, the hook-shaped head of a needle exhibits a "tip”, i.e. the end of the needle itself that can be opened and closed by the latch, and a "back”, on which the head is connected to the needle stem, the head tip being in an outermost position, i.e. farther away from the main cylinder axis, whereas the head back is in an innermost position, i.e. closer to the main cylinder axis.

Preferably, the vanise textile processing includes the insertion of a pair of threads, i.e. a bottom thread and a vanise thread, into the head of a needle, the bottom thread being positioned towards the back of the needle head and the vanise thread being positioned towards the tip of the needle head, so that the bottom thread is radially closer to the axis of the needle-holder cylinder and the vanise thread is radially distanced from the cylinder axis.

Preferably, the vanise textile processing allows to obtain a fabric characterized by an outer side and an inner side.

Preferably, in the vanise textile processing the bottom thread (positioned towards the back of the needle head) is destined to be on the outer side of the fabric obtained, whereas the vanise thread (positioned towards the tip of the needle head) is destined to be on the inner side of the fabric obtained.

Preferably, the vanise sector 7 is shaped, oriented and adapted so as to guide the vanise thread in a manner such that it reaches the needle and is positioned, inside the needle head, towards the tip of the head itself, i.e. in a radially outer position with respect to the position taken by the bottom thread in the head of the same needle, the bottom thread being positioned towards the back of the head itself, i.e. in a radially closer position to the axis of the needle-holder cylinder.

In one aspect, the vanise sector, on which the vanise thread slides, being recessed in the guide member with respect to the operating surface and being at a greater diameter than the operating surface, is configured for preventing the needles in rotation (in particular the needles heads) from contacting (and/or interfering or interacting with) the vanise thread.

Preferably, the operating surface is configured for radially restraining the motion of the latches of the needles of the needle-holder cylinder.

Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the insert 10 according to the present invention, which differs from the embodiment of Figures 1-9 in that it does not have the vanise sector on the guide surface 4. The insert of the embodiment of Figure 10 is thus provided with a front portion 11 of the guide surface 4, which is extended vertically without bevels or interruptions from the lower edge 11a to the upper edge 11b. Preferably, the body 2 of the thread guide member 1 comprises: - a fastening portion 28 configured for allowing the guide member to be fastened to a fixed structure of a circular knitting machine;

- an operating portion 29 on which the operating surface 5 and the mounting section 20 for the insert are defined, the operating portion 29 being destined to face frontally a portion of the needle-holder cylinder. Preferably, the fastening portion 28 and the operating portion 29 are integral to one another. Preferably, the body 2 of the guide member is a monolithic body, i.e. made as one piece.

Preferably, the guide member 1 comprises fastening means (not shown), e.g. one or more screws, configured for mounting the fastening portion 28 to the circular knitting machine. In a possible embodiment, the fastening portion 28 can be fasted, preferably in a removable manner, to a thread guide assembly of a knitting machine.

During use, the guide member of the present invention is preferably adjusted both in height, i.e. along a direction parallel to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, and radially, i.e. in terms of distance from the main axis.

The present invention further relates to a "kit” (i.e. an equipment) for knitting machines comprising:

- a single body 2 of a guide member 1 ;

- a plurality of inserts 10; wherein each insert 10 of the plurality of inserts has at least the guide surface 4 thereof shaped as a function of the characteristics of the textile processing that one intends to attain with the knitting machine and/or as a function of the characteristics of the feed threads that the insert is destined to guide during the textile processing.

The kit is configured for allowing the selection of a specific insert 10 among the plurality of inserts, to be mounted on the single body 2 in order to attain a guide member 1 having specific characteristics based on the selected insert.

Basically, the kit provides for a body and a set of inserts, all of them being interchangeable and mountable on the body, and each having its own characteristics (e.g. shape of guide surface, material, etc.); based on the various needs it is thus possible to decide during use which insert 10 is to be mounted to the body 2 so as to operate the guide member 10.

The present invention further relates to a further "kit” for knitting machines comprising:

- a plurality of bodies 2 for thread guide members;

- a single insert 10; wherein each body 2 of the plurality of bodies has specific size characteristics related to specific specifications of the knitting machine for which it is destined, wherein said specifications can be e.g. the model of the knitting machine and/or the diameter of the knitting machine and/or the type of thread feeding of the knitting machine.

The kit is configured for allowing selection of a specific body 2 among the plurality of bodies, and the insert

10 is the same for the whole plurality of bodies. The insert can be mounted in a universal manner to each one of the bodies, so as to obtain a guide member 1 having specific characteristics based on the selected body.

A knitting machine according to the present invention, in particular a circular knitting machine for knitwear, hosiery or the like, will now be described. The knitting machine comprises:

- a fixed structure;

- at least one needle-holder cylinder rotatably mounted in the load-bearing structure;

- a plurality of needles supported by the needle-holder cylinder and movable parallel to a rotation axis of the needle-holder cylinder in order to produce a knit fabric;

- at least one guide member 1 according to the present invention, mounted on the fixed structure in a manner such as to be positioned outside the needle-holder cylinder.

Preferably, the fixed structure comprises a supporting ring extended circumferentially around the needle- holder cylinder (i.e. arranged around the needle-holder cylinder and concentric thereto), the guide member being mounted to this supporting ring. Preferably, the supporting ring is part of the knitting head of the knitting machine.

Preferably, the knitting machine comprises a plurality of guide members distributed, preferably in a uniform manner, on the supporting ring and placed each on a respective feeding point or "feed” of the knitting machine.

Preferably, the knitting machine comprises a plurality of devices for supplying the needles with thread, or "thread guide assemblies”, each comprising a plurality of thread feed members, or "thread guides”, these feed guides being configured for providing the needles of the knitting machine with the threads required for stitch formation. Each thread guide assembly is mounted to the supporting ring on a respective feeding point, or feed, of the knitting machine. Preferably, each guide member is mounted to a respective thread guide assembly.

The present invention further relates to a method for making a textile processing. This method comprises the following steps:

- arranging a knitting machine, preferably a circular knitting machine;

- arranging one or more feed threads, dispensed by thread guides of the knitting machine;

- arranging at least one thread guide member 1 according to the present invention;

- supplying the needles of the knitting machine with said one or more feed threads;

- making knitted stitches.

Preferably, the step of supplying the needles of the knitting machine comprises a step of guiding or directing the thread or threads, through the guide surface of the guide member 1, in their path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine.

The present invention encompasses alternative embodiments, differing from the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, in terms of size, shape and/or orientation of the guide surface, all of them having in common the thread guide function. The size, shape and/or orientation of the guide surface may vary depending on application, e.g. based on cylinder size, needle fineness, machine fineness (number of needles per inch of needlebed) and/or as a function of the thread guides supplying the threads.

The invention achieves important advantages. First of all, the invention allows to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of prior art.

The thread guide member 1 forming the object of the present invention allows to guide the threads in a manner such that they correctly reach the needle heads and produce an optimal fabric. Moreover, the guide member 1 of the present invention allows to protect threads from any bent or crooked needles.

The guide member of the present invention integrates into one device the traditional function of maintaining the needle latches open with the innovating function of guiding and directing the trajectories of the threads from the thread guides and pointing to the needles. The present invention allows to find a precise reference, represented by the guide surface, which is used to correctly guide the threads being fed.

Moreover, a basic advantage achieved with the present invention is having an element, the insert, which guides/defined the trajectories of the threads and which is at the same time interchangeable and easily replaceable. This leads to several advantages from a technical point of view.

First of all, it should be noted that the portion of the guide member guiding the trajectories of the threads is the one most heavily subjected to wear. Wear is undesired since it compromises or damages the guide member, which in prior art requires the whole guide member to be replaced, at a high cost, and further leads to additional expenses due to complex replacement operations and subsequent downtime. The pressure of the threads on the guide member is present and necessary for correctly directing the threads and for allowing them to get down with the needles when the latter sink as a result of the knitting cams: in prior art this causes a continuous wear and a subsequent damage to the needle-holder member. Another cause for wear is due to the abrasive properties of some yarns, e.g. technical yarns, and to high speeds at which the machine operates, and therefore threads slide.

All these issues are solved by the guide member with insert according to the present invention, which allows an easy replacement of the portion guiding the threads only. Thus, in case of wear, only the insert can be easily replaced and no operation is required on the body of the guide member. This means less time and lower costs.

More to the point, the replacement of the insert only does not require a new adjustment of the whole guide member, but is limited to a calibration of the portion of the insert itself, which as shown above is particularly fast and easy thanks to the mounting seat and of the elements for mounting the insert to this seat.

Moreover, the possibility of replacing an insert only allows to select it among a range of possible inserts, each with specific characteristics of the guide surface making it suitable for particular textile operations or yarns to be used. For instance, when preparing the knitting machine for manufacturing a specific item, the guide members can be provided with specific inserts based on the type of knitted fabric to be obtained. In addition, the present invention can be best used for improving operating costs for items and warehouse related to the operation and use of knitting machines. Indeed, consider that there can be dozens of different knitting machines, each destined to particular textile processings or items, as well as different versions thereof; moreover, there can be different diameters of the needle-holder cylinder for each machine. Each type of machine or catalog version requires its own guide members, and replacing traditional guide members, e.g. due to wear of guide surface, means that spare parts must be available for each machine. Conversely, with the present invention a single type of insert can be substantially universal and be mounted to a series of bodies of different guide members. Basically, the insert of the present invention is interchangeable and easily replaceable, even for dozens of different guide members. The cost related to materials or surface finishes required to increase hardness is also highly reduced: as a matter of fact, in prior art the whole guide member has to be made with specific characteristics in terms of material or finish, whereas with the present invention only the insert can be acted upon (which the part in contact with the threads and which therefore must comply with particular technical specifications), which represents from a dimensional point of view a small portion of the whole guide member. The present invention allows to reduce setup and maintenance times of the knitting machine and to increase productivity. Moreover, positioning errors can be limited and maintenance operations can be simplified.

Globally, a more efficient textile processing is obtained, and in particular fabrics with high quality and uniformity can be obtained. Finally, the thread guide member of the present invention is characterized by a competitive cost and by a simple and rational structure.

Claims

1. Guide member (1) for threads of a circular knitting machine, said guide member (1) being destined to be mounted on a fixed structure of a circular knitting machine, in a manner such to be positioned outside a needle-holder cylinder of the circular knitting machine housing a plurality of needles and rotatable around a main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, the guide member (1) comprising a body (2) of the guide member having at least one operating surface (5) destined to face the needle-holder cylinder and to be extended around at least one angular portion of the needle-holder cylinder, said operating surface (5) being configured for maintaining the latches of the needles open, the needle being in rotation with the needle-holder cylinder, during the passage of the needles across from the operating surface, and in order to define the trajectory of the threads, said operating surface (5) being destined to be positioned at a point for feeding thread to the needles, in a manner such that the latches of the needles are maintained open and the needles are able to receive the respective thread or the respective threads, the guide member (1) also comprising an insert (10), separate from said body (2) and mountable thereon, said insert (10) being provided with at least one guide surface (4) configured - during use - to receive, slidably thereon, at least one feed thread, borne by a thread guide of the knitting machine, said guide surface (4) being configured for guiding and/or directing said at least one feed thread in its path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine.

2. Guide member (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insert (10) is removably mountable on the body of the guide member (1), and/or wherein said at least one thread slides on at least one portion of the guide surface (4), and/or wherein the guide surface (4) of the insert is configured for at least partially deflecting, based on a geometry of the guide surface itself, the trajectory of the thread in order to convey it towards the needles.

3. Guide member (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sliding of said at least one feed thread on the guide surface (4) occurs with contact of the feed thread on at least one portion of the guide surface (4), and/or wherein during use the guide surface is subjected to the passage of one or more feed threads, in order to guide the trajectory thereof from the thread guides to the needles of the knitting machine, said guide surface (4) being the portion of the guide member (1) subjected to wear due to the sliding of the threads, said insert (10) being interchangeable and substitutable in order to allow providing the guide member (1) with a new guide surface (4).

4. Guide member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide surface (4) is configured for intercepting and guiding the threads dispensed by the thread guides into an intermediate position between an upstream side, from where the threads are dispensed, to a downstream side, where the threads are engaged with the needles, moved by the knitting cams due to the rotation of the needle- holder cylinder, and/or wherein the insert (10) is mounted on the body (2) of the guide member in a manner such that the guide surface (4) follows the operating surface (5) with respect to the direction of rotation of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein the guide surface (4) follows the operating surface (5) continuously with respect thereto, in a manner such to not interfere with the passage of the needles and/or of the latches of the needles, and/or wherein the insert (10) comprises a lower and/or lateral end, preferably with pointed shape, on which at least one initial portion of said guide surface (4) is defined, said end being destined to be side-by-side, and directed towards, said operating surface (5), in a manner such that the end substantially and continuously follows the operating surface (5) along the rotation direction of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein said end is configured for being, with insert (10) mounted on the body (2) of the guide member, at least partially below the operating surface (5), and/or wherein said end is configured for being, with insert (10) mounted on the body (2) of the guide member, at least partially covered, or superimposed, by a portion of the body (2) on which a termination of the operating surface (5) is defined, in order to obtain a continuity between the operating surface (5) and the guide surface (4).

5. Guide member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide surface (4) of the insert (10) is shaped as a function of specific characteristics of the textile processing that one intends to attain with the knitting machine and/or as a function of the characteristics of the feed threads that the insert is destined to guide during the textile processing.

6. Guide member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide surface (4) comprises a front portion (11) directed towards the needle-holder cylinder and facing the needles, and/or wherein the front portion (11) is extended entirely on a single vertical plane parallel to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein the guide surface (4) comprises a lateral portion (12) laterally extended with respect to the front portion (11) and before this with respect to the rotation direction of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein the lateral portion (12) of the guide surface (4) is extended continuously from the front portion (11), and between these a contact edge (13) is defined and shared, the lateral portion (12) forming an angle with the front portion (11) in a manner such to be extended, starting from the contact edge (13), away from the needles and towards a side of origin of the threads dispensed by the thread guides, and/or wherein the lateral portion (12) is directed towards said upstream side, from where the threads are dispensed, and/or wherein the guide surface (4) is shaped in a manner such that the threads interact therewith, sliding at least partially in contact on said front portion (11) and/or on said lateral portion (12), and/or wherein the threads slide on the front portion (11) and/or on the lateral portion (12) of the guide surface based on the trajectory of the threads and on the position of the thread guides and of the knitting cams.

7. Guide member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (10) has a front side (14), at which the guide surface (4) is defined, and a mounting portion (16), preferably placed at a rear side (15) of the insert, comprising members for the removable mounting of the insert (10) on the body (2) of the guide member, and/or wherein the body (2) comprises a mounting section (20) configured for at least partially receiving said members for mounting the insert, wherein the mounting of the insert (10) on the body (2) occurs according to a specific positioning, and wherein said mounting section (20) and said members for mounting allow an adjustment of said positioning, and/or wherein the adjustment of the positioning comprises an adjustment of the radial position of the guide surface (4), moving away from or approaching the main axis, and/or an adjustment of the lateral position of the guide surface (4), in a circumferential direction with respect to the distribution of the needles of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or in an axial direction, substantially parallel to the main axis.

8. Guide member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting section (20) of the body (2) comprises a mounting seat (21) and the members for mounting the insert (10) comprise a relief (17), having tooth or pin shape, configured for being inserted in said mounting seat (21) in order to attain the mounting of the insert on the body according to said specific positioning, and wherein the mounting seat (21) is configured for allowing, once the relief of the insert has been inserted therein, the adjustment of the position of the relief (17) in order to determine said positioning of the insert (10) with respect to the body (2), and/or wherein the adjustment of the positioning of the insert (10) with respect to the body (2) determines the position of the guide surface (4) with respect to the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein the mounting seat (21) has a cavity or slot shape and is radially extended between a front abutment (A), directed towards the needle-holder cylinder, and a rear abutment (B), radially moved away from the front abutment.

9. Guide member (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the relief (17) is extended between a front edge (18), directed towards the needle-holder cylinder, and a rear edge (19), radially moved away from the front abutment, and/or wherein the distance between the front abutment (A) and the rear abutment (B) of the mounting seat (21) is greater than the distance between the front edge (18) and the rear edge (19) of the relief (17) of the insert, and/or wherein, with relief (17) inserted in the mounting seat (21), a free space (22) is present which can be between the front edge (18) and the front abutment (A) and/or between the rear edge (19) and the rear abutment (B), and/or wherein the radial extension of the mounting seat (21) is greater than the radial extension of the relief (17), and the difference between the radial extension of the mounting seat (21) and the radial extension of the relief (17) is equal to said free space (22).

10. Guide member (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the free space (22) has a radial extension equal to the sum of the distance between the front edge (18) and the front abutment (A) and the distance between the rear edge (19) and the rear abutment (B), and wherein the relief (17) can be positioned in the mounting seat (21) in a radial position as desired, comprised between an advanced position, in which the front edge is in abutment against the front abutment, and a retreated position, in which the rear edge is in abutment against the rear abutment, and/or wherein in the advanced position, the free space (22) is only present between the rear edge (19) and the rear abutment (B), and coincides with the distance between the rear edge and the rear abutment, while in the retreated position the free space (22) is only present between the front edge (18) and the front abutment (A), and coincides with the distance between the front edge and the front abutment, and/or wherein in an intermediate mounting position between the advanced position and the retreated position, the relief (17) is inserted in the mounting seat (21) without the front edge (18) being in contact with the front abutment (A) and without the rear edge (19) being in contact with the rear abutment (B), in such a manner a free space being present between the front edge and the front abutment and a respective free space being present between the rear edge and the rear abutment, the sum of such two free spaces being equal to the difference between the extension of the mounting seat and the extension of the relief.

11. Guide member (1) according to any one of the claims 8 to 10, wherein the insert (10) can be mounted on the body (2) in a position as desired, with the relief (17) of the insert situated in the mounting seat (21) in a position comprised between the advanced position and the retreated position, or coinciding with one of these, and/or wherein the relief (17) of the insert (10) and the mounting seat (21) are configured for allowing an adjustment of the mounting of the insert on the body of the guide member, in particular along a radial direction with respect to the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein the body (2) of the guide member (1) comprises a fixing hole (25) for the insert and the insert (10) comprises a fixing member (26), preferably of threaded type, configured for being inserted in the fixing hole and fixing the position of the insert with respect to the body, with the relief (17) in the mounting seat (21).

12. Guide member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) of the guide member is made of metal material, preferably steel, and wherein the insert (10) is made of a material resistant to the wear of the sliding threads, preferably a material with high hardness, and/or wherein the insert (10) is made of metal material, preferably steel, or zirconium, or ceramic material, or of a material coated with a film made of wear-resistant material, wherein the film is applied on the insert by means of a physical vapor deposition process (PVD).

13. Guide member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide surface (4) of the insert (10) comprises a vanise sector (7) configured for guiding a vanise thread, borne by a thread guide of the knitting machine, said vanise thread sliding on the vanise sector (7) in order to form, together with a bottom thread, a vanise textile processing, and/or wherein the vanise sector (7) is defined by a step (8) recessing from the guide surface away from the main axis of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein the vanise sector (7) is positioned, in the guide member, in a manner such to be, with guide member (1) mounted on the knitting machine, close to a thread guide bearing a vanise thread, and/or wherein the vanise sector (7) is attained by means of a beveling, defining said step (8), recessing from the guide surface towards the exterior of the needle-holder cylinder, and/or wherein the step (8) defining the vanise sector (7) defines an abutment surface (9) configured for radially containing the vanise thread that is positioned and slidable on said vanise sector.

14. Kit for knitting machines comprising:

- a single body (2) for a guide member (1), the body having at least one operating surface (5) destined to face the needle-holder cylinder and to be extended around at least one angular portion of the needle- holder cylinder, said operating surface (5) being configured for maintaining open the latches of the needles, in rotation with the needle-holder cylinder, during the passage of the needles across from the operating surface, and for defining the trajectories of the threads, said operating surface (5) being destined to be positioned at a point for feeding thread to the needles, in a manner such that the latches of the needles are maintained open and the needles are capable of receiving the respective thread or the respective threads;

- a plurality of inserts (10) for guide members (1), separate from said body (2) and mountable thereon, wherein each insert (10) is provided with at least one guide surface (4) configured - during use - for receiving, slidably thereon, at least one feed thread, borne by a thread guide of the knitting machine, said guide surface (4) being configured for guiding and/or directing said at least one feed thread in its path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine; wherein each insert (10) of said plurality of inserts has at least the guide surface (4) thereof shaped as a function of the characteristics of the textile processing that one intends to attain with the knitting machine and/or as a function of the characteristics of the feed threads that the insert is destined to guide during the textile processing; wherein the kit is configured for allowing the selection of a specific insert (10) in said plurality of inserts, to be mounted on said single body (2) in order to attain a guide member (1) having specific characteristics based on the selected insert (10).

15. Kit for knitting machines comprising:

- a plurality of bodies (2) for guide members, wherein each body (2) is provided with at least one operating surface (5) destined to face the needle-holder cylinder and to be extended around at least one angular portion of the needle-holder cylinder, said operating surface (5) being configured for maintaining open the latches of the needles, in rotation with the needle-holder cylinder, during the passage of the needles across from the operating surface, and for defining the trajectories of the threads, said operating surface (5) being destined to be positioned at a point for feeding thread to the needles, in a manner such that the latches of the needles are maintained open and the needles are able to receive the respective thread or the respective threads;

- a single insert (10) for guide members (1), separate from said bodies (2) and configured for being mounted on each of these, the insert (10) being provided with at least one guide surface (4) configured - during use - for slidably receiving at least one feed thread thereon, borne by a thread guide of the knitting machine, said guide surface (4) being configured for guiding and/or directing said at least one feed thread in its path from the thread guide to the needles of the knitting machine; wherein each body (2) of said plurality of bodies has specific size characteristics tied to specific specifications of the knitting machine for which it is destined, said specifications able to be the model of the knitting machine and/or the diameter of the knitting machine and/or the type of thread feeding of the knitting machine; wherein the kit is configured for allowing the selection of a specific body (2) in said plurality of bodies, said insert (10) being unique for the entire plurality of bodies and being mountable in an all-purpose manner on each of these, in order to make a guide member (1) having specific characteristics based on the selected body.

16. Knitting machine, in particular of circular type for knitwear, hosiery or the like, comprising:

- a fixed structure;

- a plurality of needles supported by said needle-holder cylinder and movable parallel to a rotation axis of the needle-holder cylinder in order to produce a knit fabric; - at least one guide member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or a guide member (1) made with a kit for knitting machines according to claim 14 or 15, mounted on the fixed structure in a manner such to be positioned outside the needle-holder cylinder.