Latch needle for knitting machines
United States Patent 11 1 1111 3, Mayer et al. Apr. 1, 1975 LATCH NEEDLE FOR KNITTING 3.842.626 10/1974 Stivers 61 al. 66/123 MACHINES FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnventorsl Harald y Hardo Berentlen, 1,327,453 4/1963 France 66/123 both of Ebingen, urttembe g, 23,728 lO/l883 Germany 66/120 Germany l5,345 1885 United Kingdom 66/123 1 1 Assignm Theodor 9m &amp; some; Ernst 52:232 133? 8332323233211111113:2215i Becker! Nadelfabrik 1,145,150 3/1969 United Kingdom 66/123 Commandlt-Gesellschaft, both of 509,779 1/1955 Italy 66/123 Wurttemberg, Germany 22 Filed; June 11 1973 Primary ExaminerWm. Carter Reynolds Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Allison C. Collard [2l] Appl. No.: 368,918  
  [57] ABSTRACT [30] Forelgn Apphcatwn pnomy Data A doublefoot latch needle for knitting machines is June 19, l972 Germany 2229858 disclosed that is made f a f ip SteeL T duce shocks and vibrations of the latch end of the nee- [52] U.S. Cl. 66/121, 66/123 die Caused by movement of the two foot portions as [5]] lift. Cl D04b 35/04 they engage Cam tracks of the knitting machine, these [58] Field of Search 66/123, 121, 124, 120 portions are Separated by a shank part of reduced width. The shank is further reduced by recesses {56] References C&#39;ted formed in the edge of the shank opposite from the UNITED STATES PATENTS foot portions, 3,464,237 9/1969 Kohorn 66/123 X 3,699,784 10/1972 Berentzen 66/123 4 Clams? 2 Drawmg Fgures LATCH NEEDLE FOR KNITTING MACHINES The invention relates to a latch needle for knitting machines, and more particularly to a latch needle with A a double foot. The needle is stamped out of flat band steel.  
  A double foot gives a needle, the foot of which requires a relatively large width of at least 5mm, better shock-damping characteristics than a single needle foot construction of corresponding width.  
  Accordingly, the present invention provides means to efficiently dampen or possibly to completely suppress the propagation of shocks during needle control movements, shocks movement that can extend as far as the hook portion of the latch needle. Thus, metal fatigue and premature breakage of the foot will not occur at weak hook portions, even if shock waves are superimposed.  
  According to important features of the present invention there is provided a latch needle for knitting machines that is stamped out of flat band steel and com prises a double foot. A zone of separation between the two foot portions extends to below the level of the adjacent edge of the needle shank. This results in a construction of the cross-section of the needle shank between the foot portions which, together with an extension of these portions, at least on their opposed edges, yield increased elasticity in conjunction with a change in the mechanical structure of the needle shank. And, it dampens the propagation of shocks that might travel to the hook end of the needle shank portion.  
  These effects can be further improved in that, according to a further feature of the present invention, the needle shank is provided with recesses in the edge areas opposite to the foot portions. Furthermore, the opposing edges of the two foot portions extend, according to a yet another feature of the present invention, at an incline inwardly towards each other. This combines good strength properties with different widths of the foot portions, and involves changes of cross-section in the direction of the propagation of shocks.  
  Finally, it is optionally suggested that the two foot portions be terminated at their respective outer edges by recesses extending below the outer level of the needle shank edge, to form a cut-outs. This provides optimum reduction in the rigidity of the broad stamped-out flat band steel foot such as many known knitting machine needles require.  
  The latch needles of the present invention may be made in a single stamping process, and thus involve little extra cost as compared with known needle forms.  
  It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a double-foot latch needle for knitting machines that is capable of reducing shocks and vibrations from the associated knitting machine hardware.  
  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a double-foot latch needle for knitting machines that is simple in design and easy to manufacture.  
  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing which discloses an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is to be understood however that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration only and is not a definition of the limits of the invention.  
  A preferred, exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of the flat side of a latch needle according to the invention; and  
 FIG. 2 is a side view of one edge thereof.  
  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,. a latch needle is shown stamped out of a flat steel band, having a needle shank 1 which merges into a cross-sectionally reduced hookcarrying portion 3 terminating in a hook means 2. The portion 3 extends from the hook means 2 substantially half the distance to the double foot. Shank l carries a latch 4 co-operating hook 2 at one end, and a double foot having parts 5 to 9, including two foot portions 5 on the opposite end of the shank 1. The longitudinal axes of the portions 5 are substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise or main axis of the needle. The longitudinal edges of the shank are substantially parallel.  
  A zone of separation or gap 6 between the two foot portions extends to below or within the outer level of the adjacent edge of the needle shank 1. In both edge areas opposite to the foot portions 5, the needle shank is provided with a recess 7. Adjacent or opposing edges 8 of the two foot portions 5 extend at an angle, inwardly narrowing towards each other. The outer tennination edges of the foot portions 5 are provided with respective recesses 9 extending below the lengthwise edge of the needle shank 1, as shown.  
  While only an exemplary embodiment of the inventive double-foot latch needle has been shown and described, it will be apparent that many changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
 What is clamed is:  
  1. A latch needle for knitting machines stamped from flat steel strip comprising;  
 a planar elongated needle shank having hook means disposed on one end;  
 closely spaced parallel planar foot portions integrally formed with said needle shank adjacent the opposite end of said shank and projecting from one edge of the latter, engageable by cams of the knitting machine; a cap defined between said parallel foot portions; said shank further including a pair of recesses in an edge opposite to that which carries said foot portions, said recesses being disposed substantially opposite to and in line with the longitudinal axes of said foot portions, the axes being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of said shank, said foot portions having respective outer termination edges, and wherein further recesses are provided in said needle shank at said termination edges, said further recesses extending below said one edge ofthe shank.  
  2. The latch needle as defined in claim 1, wherein opposing edges of said foot portions extend inwardly from the outer ends thereof and are angled toward each other with an outwardly opening taper.  
  3. The latch needle as defined in claim 1, wherein said hook means opens toward said one edge of the needle shank, from which said foot portions project.  
  4. The latch needle as defined in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal edges of said needle shank are substantially parallel.