Sewing – Method of sewing – Stitch forming
Reexamination Certificate
2003-06-12
2004-03-23
Nerbun, Peter (Department: 3765)
Sewing
Method of sewing
Stitch forming
C112S027000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06708633
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sewing method, and more particularly to a sewing method that is capable of reliably sewing linking loops formed on knitted fabrics such as a circular knitted fabric and a flat knitted fabric.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Knitted fabric, or material of knitted articles, is provided with a loose course made of linking loops for the sake of proper linking to a predetermined size and shape. For linking, machine seaming is performed by utilizing a guide groove of point needles which are inserted through the linking loops. The linking has been performed by an operator checking the linking loops visually and inserting the point needles of the linking machine through the linking loops before machine seaming. This method, however, has required a lot of skills to insert the point needles through the linking loops. There are not many operators who are capable of performing such a high skill operation. Moreover, even those operators that are highly skilled sometimes make an insertion through the wrong loops, with the result of linking with some loops dropped. In view of the foregoing problems, linking apparatuses have been invented as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications Nos. Hei 11-207061 and Hei 11-207062. In such apparatuses, the knitted fabric is stretched in its course direction and wale direction to extend the linking loops, and images of the linking loops are captured and processed to detect the linking loops so that point needles are inserted therethrough for automatic linking.
In such linking apparatuses, however, the detection of the linking loops consumes much time. Besides, inserting the point needles through the linking loops requires successive adjustments to the relative position between the linking loops and the point needles. Quick linking has thus been impossible.
Moreover, linking loops lying near the ends of the course direction are difficult to detect since the linking loops are often stretched askew under uneven stretching tensions. This problem becomes noticeable particularly in the case of circular knitted fabric since the knitted fabric having a cylindrical shape is rendered flat. Furthermore, when the circular knitted fabric is a stocking, a toe gore line is formed near the linking loops. Since the knit loops which are larger than the linking loops are arranged in the vicinity of the linking loops, the detection has been extremely difficult. Thus, the operator has had to check the positions of the linking loops on both sides of the knitted fabric visually and insert fixing pins which are provided in addition to the point needles. It has therefore been impossible to fully automate the linking operation.
In the cases of linking by manual operation or by using the linking apparatuses described above, there will occur the problems of a raveling thread from the ends and a loosening seam since the starting portion and end portion of the seam are not terminated firmly due to the linking technique of threading the linking loops. On the other hand, if this problem is dealt with by means of Rosso seaming, a method of overlooking, then the thread-seamed part can form a ridge which causes deterioration in the fit of the garment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a sewing method in which firm seaming can be performed without inserting point needles through linking loops that are formed near the ends of the course direction, and the other linking loops can be automatically linked with efficiency.
According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sewing method for seaming knitted fabrics having linking loops on their top courses, the knitted fabrics being stretched in a course direction with point needles inserted through some successive ones of the linking loops, includes the steps of holding the knitted fabrics in a vicinity of the linking loops across the course direction, pulling out the point needles with the knitted fabrics being held, seaming linking loops that have not been pierced with the point needles at intervals that are smaller than the intervals at which the linking loops that have not been pierced with the point needles are provided, and seaming the linking loops that have been pierced with the point needles by linking. In this method, the knitted fabric is seamed with no point needle being inserted through the linking loops. This prevents interference between the needles of the sewing machine and the point needles. As a result, the linking loops that have not been pierced with the point needles can be seamed finer than the intervals of the knitted loops, regardless of the pitches. In addition, the linking loops that have been pierced with the point needles stand so that ones to be linked are extended in alignment with each other even after the point needles are pulled out. The linking loops can thus be seamed by linking.
It is also preferred that the method described above includes the steps of arranging the knitted fabrics between holding members for holding the knitted fabrics therebetween and locking the point needles to end surfaces of the holding members. As a result, the knitted fabric is sandwiched and held in the vicinity of the linking loops. The linking loops are thus prevented from falling easily. This also facilitates linking the linking loops.
At least one of the holding members preferably has, on the end surface thereof, a plurality of projections for making contact with a knitting yarn constituting the linking loops. The projections make contact with the knitting yarn constituting the linking loops, and thereby support the linking loops. In addition, the knitted fabric can be surely arranged in a predetermined position. This further prevents the linking loops from falling, thereby ensuring the linking of the linking loops.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5487281 (1996-01-01), Frullini et al.
patent: 6397121 (2002-05-01), Kawamura et al.
Mori Ryosuke
Ochi Naomasa
Dan Co., Ltd.
Keating & Bennett LLP
Nerbun Peter
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