JP7103557B2 - Knitting machine and knitting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a knitting machine and a knitting method for knitting a knitted fabric.

Conventionally, various techniques related to knitting machines and knitting methods for knitting knitted fabrics have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique relating to a knitting machine and a knitting method for knitting a knitted fabric made of a three-dimensional knitted fabric bent in a tubular shape, which is a knitted fabric used for a pipe cover or the like. .. Further, Patent Document 2 describes a technique relating to a knitting machine and a knitting method for knitting a knitted fabric made of a knitted fabric into which an inlay wire is inserted.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-132109 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-003176

In the technical field related to knitting machines and knitting methods, there is a history that knitting machines and knitting methods of new modes have been provided with the times, and knitting machines and knitting methods for knitting knitting machines of new modes are always required.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a knitting machine and a knitting method capable of knitting a knitting of a novel aspect.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the knitting machine according to the present invention has a knitting mechanism for knitting a knitted fabric by stacking knitted fabrics in a plurality of layers. The knitting mechanism retains the loop formed at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer (however, N is an integer of 2 or more) even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed, and the Nth layer When knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the layer, the loop already formed in the Nth layer is held and held, and the loop already formed in the Nth layer and the loop related to the holding N-1th layer are held. Of these, a stitch is knitted through a new knitting yarn in both the loop at the position corresponding to the position of the loop already formed in the Nth layer, and the holding of the loop at the corresponding position is released according to the knitting of the stitch. On the other hand, the retention of the loop already formed in the Nth layer is continued even after the knitting of the Nth layer knitted fabric is completed.

According to the present invention configured as described above, in knitting the stitches of the Nth layer, both the loop already formed in the Nth layer and the loop formed at the corresponding positions in the N-1 layer are formed. A stitch is formed by passing the knitting yarn. For this reason, the knitted fabric is composed of a plurality of layers of knitted fabric, and the knitted fabrics of two layers adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are connected by connecting loops existing at positions corresponding to each other. You can organize things. The knitted fabric thus knitted is a knitted fabric having a novel form of a three-dimensional knitted fabric having a solid content composed of a plurality of layers of knitted fabric, and according to the present invention, such a knitted fabric is used. A knitting machine and a knitting method capable of knitting a knitting of a new aspect can be provided.

It is a figure which shows an example of the knitting which is knitted by the knitting machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the knitting mechanism which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure used for the explanation of the knitting needle. It is a figure used for the explanation of the knitting needle cover. It is a figure used for the explanation of a cam member. It is a figure used for the explanation of the opening / closing member. It is a figure used to explain the mechanism which raises a holding member block by a pusher. It is a perspective view of the holding member state changing member and a holding member. It is a figure which shows the holding member state changing member, and the holding piece on the curved groove side. It is a figure used for explaining the state of a holding member, and the change of a state. It is a figure which shows the state which the main gear meshed with the driven gear. It is a schematic diagram of the knitting needle and the holding member in the knitting mechanism. It is a schematic diagram of the knitting needle and the holding member in the knitting mechanism. It is a schematic diagram of the knitting needle and the holding member in the knitting mechanism. It is a schematic diagram of the knitting needle and the holding member in the knitting mechanism. It is a schematic diagram of the knitting needle and the holding member in the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view of the knitting mechanism. It is a figure used for the explanation of the locking member used for handling the knitting yarn. It is a figure used to explain the handling of a knitting yarn and the related operation. It is a figure used to explain the handling of a knitting yarn and the related operation. It is a figure which shows the state of the stitch of the knitted fabric knitted by the knitting mechanism. It is a figure which shows another example of the knitting needle. The perspective view of the knitting mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the top view and the side view of the knitting mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the anti-knitting needle. It is a figure which shows the holding part forming member. It is a figure which shows the rear holding plate group. It is a figure which shows the state that the knitting is knitting. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is a perspective view and a side view of a knitting mechanism. It is the figure which simplifies the appearance which the rear holding plate group was viewed from the front. It is a side view of the knitting mechanism. It is a side view of the knitting mechanism. It is a figure which shows the modification of the anti-knitting needle. It is a side view of the knitting mechanism.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a knitting machine 2 knitted by the knitting machine 1 (FIG. 2) according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the knitting body 2 is a three-dimensional shape. The inside of the knitted fabric 2 is not hollow, but the inside is clogged with the knitting yarns 3 constituting the knitted fabric 2. Therefore, even when an external force is applied to the knitting body 2 (for example, when a force is applied to crush the knitting body 2 while the knitting body 2 is placed on a table), the inside is hollow. Compared to the case, the shape is less likely to be deformed. The knitting machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a three-dimensional shape rather than a two-dimensional shape composed of one knitted fabric as in the knitting body 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, and the inside is internally formed by the knitting yarn 3. It is a device for knitting a knitting piece 2 in a clogged state. In the present embodiment, in the knitted fabric, a state in which one loop passes through another loop in the so-called wale direction is expressed as a "knit". In addition, passing the knitting yarn through one loop that has already been formed is expressed as "knitting a stitch". When the stitches are knitted, a new loop will be formed. Further, a loop-shaped knitting yarn that is a target through which another loop passes is called a "loop". A loop that does not have a new loop and a loop that has already passed is equivalent to a "loop".

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the knitting machine 1. In FIG. 2, the structure of the members is simplified and drawn in consideration of convenience of explanation and readability of the drawings, and some members are omitted. In the following description of the knitting machine 1, as shown by the double-headed arrow Y1 in FIG. The direction opposite to the front is the rear. Further, as shown by the double-headed arrow Y2 in FIG. 2, the direction in which the holding member block 6 (described later) moves up and down is the vertical direction, which is the direction intersecting the front-back direction. The vertical direction corresponds to the vertical direction when the knitting machine 1 is used in a normal mode, and the direction toward the vertical upward in the vertical direction is upward, and the direction toward the vertical downward in the vertical direction is downward. Further, as shown by the double arrow Y3 in FIG. 2, on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction is the left-right direction, and the right direction is the right direction and the front direction in the left-right direction. The left direction is to the left.

As shown in FIG. 2, the knitting machine 1 has a knitting mechanism 7, and the knitting mechanism 7 includes a first knitting needle unit 8, a second knitting needle unit 9 provided behind the first knitting needle unit 8, and a second knitting needle unit 9. It is configured to include a holding member unit 10 provided between the 1 knitting needle unit 8 and the 2nd knitting needle unit 9.

Hereinafter, the first knitting needle unit 8 will be described first. As shown in FIG. 2, the first knitting needle unit 8 has a flat knitting needle mounting plate 12. The knitting needle mounting plate 12 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction within a predetermined range. On the upper surface of the knitting needle mounting plate 12, five knitting needles 4 are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged perspective view of the knitting needle 4. As shown in FIG. 3A, the knitting needle 4 has two knitting needle extending portions 5 extending opposite to each other, and these pair of knitting needle extending portions 5 pass through a curved portion 13 at the base end thereof. Is connected. A hook 14 is provided at the tip of each of the two knitting needle extending portions 5. That is, the knitting needle 4 has a bifurcated hook 14. As shown in FIG. 3A, one hook 14 extends so that the tips of two opposing claws approach each other, an entrance is formed between the two claws, and the hook 14 is surrounded by the two claws. It has a shape in which a storage space that communicates with the entrance is formed in the area. The pair of hooks 14 of the knitting needle 4 can be locked so as to straddle the knitting yarn 3 (loop). Further, of the two knitting needle extending portions 5, one knitting needle extending portion 5 is provided with a band portion 15 projecting in a direction orthogonal to the knitting needle extending portion 5. The band portion 15 is integrally formed with the knitting needle extending portion 5 by bending a member constituting the knitting needle extending portion 5. The shape of the knitting needle 4 illustrated in FIG. 3A is merely an example. As long as the tip of the knitting needle 4 can be opened and closed like tweezers (thus, the state can be changed between the gap forming state and the non-gap forming state described later) and the member corresponding to the band portion 15 is connected, whichever It may have such a shape. A modified example of the knitting needle 4 will be described later with reference to FIG.

3 (B) and 3 (C) are views schematically showing a state in which the knitting needle 4 is viewed from above is simplified in a manner suitable for explanation. FIG. 3B shows the knitting needle 4 in the gap forming state (described later), and FIG. 3C shows the knitting needle 4 in the non-gap forming state (described later). As shown in FIG. 3B, in a state where no external force is applied to the knitting needle 4, a gap of length T1 is formed between the pair of hooks 14 due to the elastic force of the curved portion 13 and the knitting needle extending portion 5. The formed gap is formed. This length T1 is sufficiently larger than the width of the holding member 16 described later, and the holding member 16 can enter between the pair of hooks 14 in the gap-forming state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3C, the knitting needle 4 has a gap between the pair of hooks 14 by applying an external force to the pair of knitting needle extending portions 5 so that these members approach each other. It is also possible to make a non-gap formation state in which no gap is formed or almost no gap is formed.

Although omitted in FIG. 2, a knitting needle cover 18 is provided on the knitting needle mounting plate 12 of the first knitting needle unit 8. FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the knitting needle cover 18 of the first knitting needle unit 8 is viewed from above in a manner suitable for explanation. In the situation where the knitting needle cover 18 is attached to the knitting needle mounting plate 12, the knitting needle 4 is not visible from the outside, but in FIG. 4A, the knitting needle 4 is drawn with a solid line. In FIG. 4A, the knitting needle 4 is in a pulled-back state (described later). As shown in FIG. 4A, the knitting needle cover 18 is formed with a knitting needle groove 19 corresponding to the position of the knitting needle 4 on the knitting needle mounting plate 12. The knitting needle groove 19 extends in the front-rear direction, and is formed above the first groove portion 20 and the first groove portion 20 in which the main body of the knitting needle 4 excluding the band portion 15 is accommodated so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The band portion 15 has a second groove portion 21 that is accommodated so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The second groove portion 21 extends along the first groove portion 20.

The width of the first groove portion 20 is formed to be about the same as or slightly larger than the width of the knitting needle 4 in the gap-formed state. Further, the height of the first groove portion 20 is formed to be the same as or slightly larger than the height of the knitting needle extending portion 5 of the knitting needle 4. The second groove portion 21 is formed at a position corresponding to the position of the band portion 15 when the knitting needle 4 is accommodated in the first groove portion 20, and when the knitting needle 4 is accommodated in the knitting needle groove 19, the band portion 15 becomes the second. It is in a state of projecting to the outside of the knitting needle cover 18 through the groove portion 21. The knitting needle 4 housed in the knitting needle groove 19 in the knitting needle cover 18 can move in the front-rear direction in a state where the movement in the left-right direction and the up-down direction is restricted. Further, by applying a force for moving the knitting needle 4 in the front-rear direction to the band portion 15 projecting to the outside of the knitting needle cover 18, the knitting needle 4 accommodated in the knitting needle groove 19 can be moved in the front-rear direction. ..

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view when the knitting needle cover 18 and related members are cut at the position of the second groove portion 21. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a columnar protective member 22 is attached to the band portion 15 projecting to the outside of the knitting needle cover 18 via the second groove portion 21. The protective member 22 is not always necessary. As shown in FIG. 4A, a first regulating member 23 and a second regulating member 24 are provided on the upper surface of the knitting needle cover 18. The first regulating member 23 comes into contact with the protective member 22 attached to the band portion 15 of the knitting needle 4 at a predetermined position, and restricts the knitting needle 4 from moving backward. The second regulating member 24 comes into contact with the protective member 22 at a predetermined position and restricts the knitting needle 4 from moving forward.

Although omitted in FIG. 2, a cam member 26 is provided on the upper side of the knitting needle cover 18 of the first knitting needle unit 8. FIG. 5A is suitable for explaining a state in which the knitting needle cover 18 of the first knitting needle unit 8 on which the cam member 26, the second groove portion 21, and the protective member 22 are drawn is viewed from above in order to explain the cam member 26. It is a figure which simplifies and shows typically in this aspect. The cam member 26 has a first cam member position 27 (see FIG. 5 (A)) located further to the left than the second groove 21 located on the leftmost side, and a second cam member 26 located on the rightmost side. It can be moved to and from the second cam member position 28 (see FIG. 5C) located further to the right of the groove portion 21. In FIG. 5A, the cam member 26 is located at the first cam member position 27.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the cam member 26 is formed with a cam member groove 29 that is inclined toward the front toward the right. In FIG. 5 (A) (the same applies to FIGS. 5 (B) and 5 (C) described later), the cam member groove 29 is clearly indicated on the cam member 26 for convenience of explanation, but in reality, The cam member groove 29 is formed on the lower surface side surface of the cam member 26 (the surface facing the upper surface of the knitting needle cover 18), and the cam member groove 29 cannot be seen when the cam member 26 is viewed from above.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the cam member 26 is located at the first cam member position 27, all the knitting needles 4 are in the pulled-back state. From this state, when the cam member 26 moves to the right, it is taken into the cam member groove 29 in order from the protective member 22 located on the leftmost side to the right, and moves to the right side of the cam member 26. As it moves toward it, it is guided by the cam member groove 29 and moves backward, and then is discharged from the cam member groove 29. With the movement of the protective member 22, the knitting needle 4 in the pulled-back state moves rearward and becomes an extruded state. FIG. 5B shows the positional relationship between the protective member 22 and the cam member 26 when the cam member 26 is located substantially in the middle between the first cam member position 27 and the second cam member position 28. There is. FIG. 5C shows the positional relationship between the protective member 22 and the cam member 26 when the cam member 26 is located at the second cam member position 28. As described above, by moving the cam member 26 from the first cam member position 27 to the second cam member position 28, the five knitting needles 4 in the pulled back state are sequentially moved backward, and all the knitting needles are 4 can be in the extruded state.

On the other hand, when the cam member 26 is located at the second cam member position 28, all the knitting needles 4 are in the extruded state. From this state, when the cam member 26 moves to the left until it reaches the first cam member position 27, the protective member 22 is guided to the cam member groove 29, so that the five knitting needles 4 in the extruded state are in order. It moves forward and all the knitting needles 4 are pulled back.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plate-shaped opening / closing member 30 is provided on the rear surface of the knitting needle cover 18 so as to cover the rear surface. Note that the opening / closing member 30 is not shown in FIG. FIG. 6A is a view showing a perspective view of the opening / closing member 30 of the first knitting needle unit 8 together with the knitting needle cover 18. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the opening / closing member 30 located at the first opening / closing member position (described later) and the knitting needle cover 18, and FIG. 6C is a diagram showing the second opening / closing member position (described later). It is a figure which simplifies and schematically shows the positional relationship between the opening / closing member 30 located in, and the knitting needle cover 18. The opening / closing member 30 of FIG. 6A is located at the position of the first opening / closing member. In FIGS. 6A to 6C, all the knitting needles 4 are in the extruded state.

As shown in FIG. 6A, five notches 31 penetrating the opening / closing member 30 in the front-rear direction are formed side by side at the lower end of the opening / closing member 30 at intervals in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the opening / closing member 30 is located at the first opening / closing member position, each of the five notch portions 31 is positioned corresponding to the opening of the first groove portion 20 of the knitting needle cover 18. Located in. That is, the first opening / closing member position is a state in which each of the five notch portions 31 of the opening / closing member 30 exists at a position corresponding to each position of the opening of the first groove portion 20. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the opening / closing member 30 is located at the position of the first opening / closing member, no external force is applied to the knitting needle 4 in the extruded state, and the knitting needle in the extruded state is not applied. 4 is in a gap forming state.

The opening / closing member 30 is movable between the first opening / closing member position (FIGS. 6A and 6B) and the second opening / closing member position (FIG. 6C). When the opening / closing member 30 moves to the left from the position of the first opening / closing member and reaches the position of the second opening / closing member, as shown in FIG. The portion 5 is pressed to the left by the inner circumference of the notch portion 31, and the opening / closing member 30 in the extruded state shifts from the gap forming state to the non-gap forming state. As described above, by displacing the position of the opening / closing member 30 to either the position of the first opening / closing member or the position of the second opening / closing member, the state of the knitting needle 4 in the extruded state can be changed to the gap forming state and the non-gap forming state. It can be in either state.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of main gear support members 33 projecting upward are provided at two corners on the rear side of the knitting needle mounting plate 12 of the first knitting needle unit 8. On the right side of the main gear support member 33 located on the right side, the main gear 34 (the axial center of the main gear 34) is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Similarly, on the left side of the main gear support member 33 located on the left side, the main gear 34 (the axial center of the main gear 34) is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The axis of the pair of main gears 34 is connected to the drive shaft of a motor (which may be a different motor for each pair of main gears 34 or a common motor) via a power transmission mechanism. The pair of main gears 34 can be rotated by driving a motor. The pair of main gears 34 rotate synchronously in the same rotation direction at the same rotation speed. Further, the axial centers of the pair of main gears 34 are configured to be movable in the vertical direction in synchronization with the gear upper limit position and the gear lower limit position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first knitting needle unit 8 is provided with a pair of pushers 35. The pusher 35 on the right side has a plate-shaped push-up portion 36 extending along the horizontal plane and a plate-shaped attachment plate portion 37 connected to the right side of the push-up portion 36 and extending in the vertical direction. Similarly, the left pusher 35 has a push-up portion 36 and a side plate portion 37 connected to the left end of the push-up portion 36. The pair of pushers 35 are configured to be synchronously movable in the front-rear direction. Further, the push-up portion 36 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction in synchronization with the pusher upper limit position and the pusher lower limit position with respect to the attachment plate portion 37. The pair of pushers 35 are members for selectively raising or lowering the holding member block 6 (details will be described later). The operation of the pair of pushers 35 when raising and lowering the holding member block 6 will be described later.

Although omitted in FIG. 2, the first knitting needle unit 8 of the knitting mechanism 7 is mounted on the first drive mechanism. The first drive mechanism is a cam member drive mechanism that (1) moves the cam member 26 between the first cam member position 27 and the second cam member position 28, and (2) first opens / closes the position of the opening / closing member 30. An opening / closing member drive mechanism that displaces either the member position or the second opening / closing member position, (3) Moves the axial center of the pair of main gears 34 in the vertical direction in synchronization with the gear upper limit position and the gear lower limit position. A main gear-related drive mechanism that simultaneously rotates a pair of main gears 34, (4) a pair of pushers 35 that are moved synchronously in the front-rear direction, and a pair of push-up portions 36 of the pair of pushers 35. It has at least a pusher drive mechanism for synchronously moving the knitting needle mounting plate 12 in the vertical direction, and (5) a knitting needle mounting plate driving mechanism for moving the knitting needle mounting plate 12 in the front-rear direction within a predetermined range. For example, the cam member drive mechanism includes a carriage on which the cam member 26 is mounted, a drive unit that scans the carriage on the carriage shaft, a motor that drives the drive unit, a motor driver that controls the motor, and the like. .. Other mechanisms are also configured to include a drive unit for driving each mechanism, a motor for driving the drive unit, a motor driver for controlling the motor, and the like. Further, the knitting mechanism 7 of the knitting machine 1 has a control unit 38 configured to include a microcontroller. The control unit 38 controls each part of the first drive mechanism. The mechanisms (1) to (5) do not have to be mounted on a single first drive mechanism, and may be arranged in a dispersed manner. Further, each mechanism can be driven independently according to the control of the control unit 38, instead of being driven synchronously in a predetermined manner.

The first knitting needle unit 8 has been described above. The second knitting needle unit 9 has the same configuration as the first knitting needle unit 8, and the elements having the same functions as the elements of the first knitting needle unit 8 are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first knitting needle unit 8, and the description thereof will be described. Is omitted. The second knitting needle unit 9 is mounted on a second driving mechanism having at least a cam member driving mechanism, an opening / closing member driving mechanism, a main gear related driving mechanism, a pusher driving mechanism, and a knitting needle mounting plate driving mechanism. Each mechanism of the second drive mechanism is controlled by the control unit 38.

Next, the holding member unit 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the holding member unit 10 includes five holding member blocks 6 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. One holding member block 6 has a pair of refracting members 40 arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction. Of the pair of refracting members 40, the refracting member 40 on the right side has a rising portion 41 extending in the vertical direction and a contacted portion 42 extending from the upper end portion of the rising portion 41 toward the right. Have. Similarly, of the pair of refracting members 40, the refracting member 40 on the left side has a rising portion 41 and a contacted portion 42 extending from the upper end portion of the rising portion 41 toward the left.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of refracting members 40 are supported by holding member support rods 43 extending in the left-right direction. The holding member support rod 43 is a rod-shaped member, and both ends thereof are supported by a pair of rising portions 41 of a pair of refracting members 40. A pair of holding member state changing members 44 are provided at each of the left and right end portions of the holding member support rod 43, and five holding member 16s are provided in the left-right direction between the pair of holding member state changing members 44. They are arranged side by side at intervals.

When no external force is applied, the holding member block 6 is urged downward by the urging force of a spring (not shown) and is located at the lower limit position of the block. By applying a force to move the holding member block 6 upward to the holding member block 6 in this state, the holding member block 6 is moved in the vertical direction in a state where the movement in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is restricted. It is possible to move it.

The pair of pushers 35 can raise and lower any one or two holding member blocks 6 out of the five holding member blocks 6. To elaborate on the raising and lowering of one holding member block 6, as described above, the pair of pushers 35 can move synchronously in the front-rear direction, and the pair of push-up portions 36 of the pair of pushers 35 move in the vertical direction. It can be moved in synchronization with. For example, when raising one holding member block 6, the control unit 38 controls the pusher drive mechanism to form a pair of pushers 35 (either the first knitting needle unit 8 or the second knitting needle unit 9). The positions of the pair of pushers 35 in the front-rear direction are adjusted so that the upper surfaces of the push-up portions 36 and the lower surfaces of the pair of contacted portions 42 of the one holding member block 6 face each other. do. FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the pair of refracting members 40 and the pair of pushers 35 of the one holding member block 6 in this state.

After this state is reached, the control unit 38 controls the pusher drive mechanism to raise the pair of push-up portions 36 upward with respect to the pair of attachment plate portions 37. In response to the upward movement of the pair of push-up portions 36, the upper surfaces of the push-up portions 36 of the pair of pushers 35 and the pair of contacted portions 42 of the one holding member block 6 respectively at predetermined timings. Is in contact with the lower surface of the. FIG. 7B is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the pair of refracting members 40 and the pair of pushers 35 of the one holding member block 6 in this state. After this state, when the pair of push-up portions 36 further moves upward, the pair of refracting members 40 are lifted upward by the pair of push-up portions 36, whereby the one holding member block 6 Moves upwards. By locating the pusher 35 between the two refracting members 40 that are continuous in the front-rear direction, it is possible to raise the two holding member blocks 6 at the same time by the pair of pushers 35.

As described above, the holding member unit 10 includes five holding member blocks 6 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, and the holding member blocks 6 are a pair of holding members provided at both ends of the holding member support rod 43. It has a member state changing member 44 and five holding members 16 provided between the pair of holding member state changing members 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the knitting needle 4A provided on the leftmost side of the first knitting needle unit 8 and the knitting needle 4B provided on the leftmost side of the second knitting needle unit 9 are arranged on substantially the same straight line. The five holding members 16 of the five different holding member blocks 6 are arranged side by side on the straight line so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction. In this way, when the front-rear direction is set to the "row direction", the knitting mechanism 7 arranges the pair of knitting needles 4 facing each other in the row direction and the pair of knitting needles 4 in five steps in the row direction on substantially the same straight line. It has a row group including a holding member 16. The knitting mechanism 7 is provided with five row groups at intervals in the left-right direction.

FIG. 8A shows the closest to the holding member state changing member 44 provided on the left side and the holding member state changing member 44 among the pair of holding member state changing members 44 of one holding member block 6. It is a perspective view when the holding member 16 provided at a position is seen from a predetermined viewpoint. FIG. 8B is a perspective view when the holding member state changing member 44 and the holding member 16 are viewed from a different viewpoint from that of FIG. 8A. In FIGS. 8A and 8B (also shown in FIGS. 10 to be described later), the members are cut at positions separated to the right by a predetermined distance from the holding member 16. Further, in FIG. 8B, some members are transparently drawn. In addition, in FIGS. 8A and 8B (also in each figure of FIG. 10 described later), the distance between the holding member state changing member 44 and the holding member 16 is larger than that in FIG. 2 for convenience of explanation. It's getting closer. However, the distance between the holding member state changing member 44 and the holding member 16 does not affect the operation of the holding member state changing member 44 and the holding member 16. Hereinafter, using the respective views of FIG. 8, FIG. 9 described later, and FIG. 10 described later, the holding member state changing member 44 provided on the left side of the pair of holding member state changing members 44 of one holding member block 6 will be used. The member 44 and related members will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the holding member state changing member 44 is a substantially cylindrical member, and a driven gear 45 is provided at an end on the left side. Although the gears of the driven gear 45 are not drawn in FIGS. 8A and 8B (also shown in FIGS. 10 to be described later), the outer circumference of the driven gear 45 is actually as shown in FIG. A gear is formed in. The driven gear 45 is a part of the holding member state changing member 44, and by rotating the driven gear 45, the holding member state changing member 44 can be rotated around the holding member support rod 43. As will be described later, the main gear 34 meshes with the driven gear 45, and the driven gear 45 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the main gear 34.

A through hole 44a is formed in the central axis of the holding member state changing member 44, and the through hole 44a is supported by the holding member in a state where the outer circumference of the holding member support rod 43 is in contact with the inner circumference of the through hole 44a. The rod 43 penetrates. Due to such a configuration, when no external force is applied to the holding member state changing member 44, the frictional force acting between the inner circumference of the through hole 44a and the outer circumference of the holding member support rod 43 causes the frictional force. The posture of the holding member state changing member 44 with respect to the holding member support rod 43 is maintained. On the other hand, when a force for rotating the holding member state changing member 44 against the frictional force is applied to the holding member state changing member 44 from the outside, the holding member state changing member 44 presses the holding member support rod 43. It rotates as a center.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B (particularly FIG. 8A), on the holding member support rod 43, on the right side of the right side surface 46 of the holding member state changing member 44, A cylindrical intervening member 47 having a predetermined length is provided, and a holding member 16 (detailed structure will be described later) is provided on the right side of the intervening member 47, and the right side of the holding member 16. An intervening member 48 is provided on the side. The holding member 16 is sandwiched between the intervening member 47 and the intervening member 48, and the position of the holding member 16 in the left-right direction on the holding member support rod 43 is positioned by these members. The other holding member 16 provided on the holding member support rod 43 is also held by an intervening member interposed between the holding member 16 and the holding member 16 and between the holding member 16 and the holding member state changing member 44. The position on the support rod 43 is positioned.

9 (A) shows a front view of the right side surface 46 of the holding member state changing member 44 in the state of FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B) (hereinafter, referred to as “normal state” for convenience). It is a figure which shows the state schematically. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, the surface 46 on the right side of the holding member state changing member 44 in the normal state is gentle to the right side of the center when the surface 46 is viewed from the front. A curved opening is formed in the holding member, and a curved groove 50 communicating with the opening is formed in the holding member state changing member 44. A curved groove insertion rod 52 is inserted into the curved groove 50.

The curved groove insertion rod 52 will be described in detail. The curved groove insertion rod 52 is supported by the curved groove side holding piece 54 (described later) of the holding member 16, and the tip portion thereof is inserted into the curved groove 50. ing. As will be described later, the position of the curved groove side holding piece 54 with respect to the holding member support rod 43 is maintained by the frictional force acting with the holding member support rod 43.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, a circle is formed on the right side surface 46 of the holding member state changing member 44 in the normal state on the left side of the center when the surface 46 is viewed from the front. A shape-shaped opening is formed, and the holding member state changing member 44 is formed with a holding hole 51 communicating with the opening. A holding hole insertion rod 53 is inserted into the holding hole 51. The size of the inner circumference of the holding hole 51 is substantially the same as the size of the outer circumference of the holding hole insertion rod 53, and the holding hole insertion rod 53 is in a state where the relative position with respect to the holding member state changing member 44 is fixed. It is inserted into the holding hole 51 and supported.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the holding member 16 has a curved groove side holding piece 54 and a holding hole side holding piece 55. The shape of the curved groove side holding piece 54 and the shape of the holding hole side holding piece 55 are substantially the same. FIG. 9B is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the curved groove side holding piece 54 is viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 9B, the curved groove side holding piece 54 has an outer circumference on an arc, and a central extending portion 56 projects from the central portion thereof. A through hole 57 through which the holding member support rod 43 penetrates is formed at the tip of the central extending portion 56, and a through hole 58 through which the curved groove insertion rod 52 penetrates is formed at the base end. Two claw portions 59 are formed on both sides of the central extending portion 56, and a recess is formed between the claw portion 59 and the central extending portion 56. Since the holding hole side holding piece 55 has substantially the same shape as the curved groove side holding piece 54, the same elements as the curved groove side holding piece 54 are designated by the same reference numerals as the curved groove side holding piece 54. The explanation is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the holding member support rod 43 penetrates through the through hole 57 (FIG. 9B) of the central extending portion 56 of the curved groove side holding piece 54. The curved groove side holding piece 54 is a holding member due to the frictional force acting between the outer circumference of the holding member support rod 43 and the inner circumference of the through hole 57 unless an external force is applied to the curved groove side holding piece 54. The position with respect to the support rod 43 is maintained. Further, the curved groove insertion rod 52 penetrates through the through hole 58 (FIG. 9B). As described above, the curved groove side holding piece 54 supports the curved groove insertion rod 52. Similarly, in the holding hole side holding piece 55, the holding member support rod 43 penetrates through the through hole 57 of the central extending portion 56, and the holding hole insertion rod 53 penetrates through the through hole 58. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, one claw portion 59 of the curved groove side holding piece 54 and one claw portion 59 of the holding hole side holding piece 55 are located at corresponding positions. , One holding portion 60 is formed by these claw portions 59. Further, the other claw portion 59 of the curved groove side holding piece 54 and the other claw portion 59 of the holding hole side holding piece 55 are located at corresponding positions, and one holding portion 60 is formed by these claw portions 59. It is formed. As described above, the holding member 16 has two holding portions 60. The two holding portions 60 are arranged at symmetrical positions about the holding member support rod 43 (point of symmetry). The holding member 16 can rotate about the holding member support rod 43 (point of symmetry) while maintaining a state in which the two holding portions 60 are symmetrical with respect to the holding member support rod 43 (point of symmetry). be.

The holding member state changing member 44 can set the holding member 16 to either a downward closed state, a both closed state, or an upward closed state. FIG. 10 is a diagram used for explaining each state of the holding member 16 and the first rotation operation, the second rotation operation, and the third rotation operation, which will be described later. FIG. 10A shows a holding member 16 in a downwardly closed state. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the downward closed state, one holding portion 60 is located above the holding member support rod 43, and the other holding portion 60 is located below. In the following description, when one holding portion 60 is located above the holding member support rod 43 and the other holding portion 60 is located below, the holding portion 60 on the upper side is held upward. The lower holding portion 60 is referred to as a portion 60U, and the lower holding portion 60 is referred to as a lower holding portion 60D. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the downward closed state, the tip of the claw portion 59 of the curved groove side holding piece 54 and the tip of the claw portion 59 of the holding hole side holding piece 55 are separated from each other in the upper holding portion 60U. The accommodation space 61 surrounded by the claws 59 is opened through the entrance formed between the claws 59. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as an "open state".

On the other hand, in the downward closed state, with respect to the lower holding portion 60D, the tip of the claw portion 59 of the curved groove side holding piece 54 and the tip of the claw portion 59 of the holding hole side holding piece 55 intersect and are surrounded by these claw portions 59. The outer periphery of the accommodation space 61 is closed. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a "holding state". If the holding portion 60 is held in a state where the loop of the knitting yarn 3 is inserted through the accommodating space 61, the loop does not come out from the accommodating space 61 and the loop can be held by the holding portion 60. When the holding portion 60 is in the gripping state, the loop can be held regardless of the position of the holding portion 60. FIG. 10B shows a holding member 16 in a closed state. As shown in FIG. 10B, when both are closed, both the upper holding portion 60U and the lower holding portion 60D are in the gripping state. FIG. 10C shows a holding member 16 in an upwardly closed state. As shown in FIG. 10C, in the upward closed state, the upper holding portion 60U is in the holding state and the lower holding portion 60D is in the open state.

The holding member state changing member 44 can change the state of the holding member 16 in a predetermined mode by performing a first rotation operation, a second rotation operation, or a third rotation operation. Hereinafter, the first rotation operation, the second rotation operation, and the third rotation operation will be described. Now, it is assumed that the state of the holding member 16 and the holding member state changing member 44 is the state shown in FIG. 10 (B). In FIG. 10B, both the holding members 16 are in the closed state, and the curved groove insertion rod 52, the holding hole insertion rod 53, and the holding member support rod 43 are located on substantially the same horizontal plane. When the holding member state changing member 44 rotates about 30 ° toward the rotation direction KD1 from the state of FIG. 10B, the states of the holding member 16 and the holding member state changing member 44 are changed to FIG. 10A. It becomes the state of. In FIG. 10A, the holding member 16 is in a downwardly closed state. That is, when the holding member state changing member 44 is rotated about 30 ° from the state shown in FIG. 10B toward the rotation direction KD1, both holding members 16 shift from the closed state to the downward closed state. This is due to the following reasons.

That is, when the holding member state changing member 44 rotates in the rotation direction KD1 from the state of FIG. 10B, the holding hole side holding piece corresponds to the rotation of the holding member state changing member 44 in the rotation direction KD1. The 55 rotates by the same amount as the rotation amount of the holding member state changing member 44. The holding hole insertion rod 53 inserted into the holding hole 51 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the holding member state changing member 44, and the holding hole side holding piece 55 rotates with the rotation of the holding hole insertion rod 53. This is because it rotates around the support rod 43. On the other hand, the curved groove side holding piece 54 does not rotate in response to the rotation of the holding member state changing member 44 in the rotation direction KD1. While the holding member state changing member 44 is rotating, the curved groove insertion rod 52 moves inside the curved groove 50 without contacting the inner circumference of the curved groove 50, and is external to the curved groove insertion rod 52. This is because no force is applied. When no external force is applied to the curved groove insertion rod 52, no external force is applied to the curved groove side holding piece 54, and the position of the curved groove side holding piece 54 does not change. As described above, the holding hole side holding piece 55 rotates, but the curved groove side holding piece 54 does not rotate in response to the rotation of the holding member state changing member 44 in the rotation direction KD1 by about 30 °. Therefore, the holding member 16 shifts from the both open state shown in FIG. 10 (B) to the downward closed state shown in FIG. 10 (A).

Then, from the state of FIG. 10 (A), the holding member state changing member 44 rotates about 210 ° in the rotation direction KD2, and the state of the holding member 16 is changed from FIG. 10 (A) to FIG. 10 (B) to FIG. The operation of changing from 10 (C) to FIG. 10 (D) to FIG. 10 (E) is the first rotation operation. More specifically, when the holding member state changing member 44 rotates in the rotation direction KD2 by about 30 ° from the state of FIG. 10A, both holding members 16 are closed as shown in FIG. 10B. .. This is because the holding hole side holding piece 55 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the holding member state changing member 44, while the curved groove side holding piece 54 does not rotate. When the holding member state changing member 44 further rotates in the rotation direction KD2 by about 30 ° from the state of FIG. 10B, the holding member 16 is closed upward as shown in FIG. 10C. This is because the holding hole side holding piece 55 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the holding member state changing member 44, while the curved groove side holding piece 54 does not rotate. In the state of FIG. 10C, the curved groove insertion rod 52 is in contact with the inner circumference of the end portion of the curved groove 50 (or is slightly separated from the inner circumference).

When the holding member state changing member 44 further rotates in the rotation direction KD2 from the state of FIG. 10C, not only the holding hole side holding piece 55 but also the curved groove side holding piece 54 synchronizes with the holding member state changing member 44. Will rotate. The inner circumference of the end of the curved groove 50 comes into contact with the curved groove insertion rod 52, and the curved groove insertion rod 52 is brought into contact with the curved groove insertion rod 52 in synchronization with the rotation of the holding member state changing member 44. This is because a rotating force is applied from the outside. Therefore, in FIG. 10C, the upper holding portion 60U in the gripped state moves in the rotation direction KD2 while maintaining the gripped state. On the other hand, in FIG. 10C, the lower holding portion 60D in the open state moves in the rotation direction KD2 while maintaining the open state. FIG. 10 (D) shows the state of the holding member 16 and the holding member state changing member 44 when rotating in the rotation direction KD2 by about 15 ° from the state of FIG. 10 (C).

When the rotation from the state of FIG. 10 (D) further progresses in the rotation direction KD2, as shown in FIG. 10 (E), the holding portion 60 which was the upper holding portion 60U in FIG. 10 (C) is gripped. The lower holding portion 60D is maintained while maintaining the holding state, and the holding portion 60, which was the lower holding portion 60D in FIG. 10C, becomes the upper holding portion 60U while maintaining the open state. The operation of changing the state of the holding member 16 from the state of FIG. 10 (A) to the state of FIG. 10 (E) is the first rotation operation. As described above, when the holding member state changing member 44 performs the first rotation operation, the state changes from the downward closed state to the both closed state to the upward closed state, and then the upper holding portion 60U in the holding state grips. The lower holding portion 60D becomes the lower holding portion 60D while maintaining the state, and the lower holding portion 60D in the open state becomes the upper holding portion 60U while maintaining the open state.

In the second rotation operation, the holding member state changing member 44 rotates about 30 ° in the rotation direction KD1 from the state shown in FIG. 10 (E), and as shown in FIG. 10 (F), the upper holding portion 60U Is an operation in which the lower holding portion 60D shifts from the holding state to the holding state, and the lower holding portion 60D shifts from the holding state to the open state.

The third rotation operation is an operation in which the holding member state changing member 44 rotates in the rotation direction KD1 by about 150 ° from the state shown in FIG. 10 (F) to change the state of the holding member 16 in the following modes. Is. That is, in the state of FIG. 10 (F), the upper holding portion 60U of the holding member 16 is in the holding state, and the lower holding portion 60D is in the open state. When the third rotation operation is performed by the holding member state changing member 44, the upper holding portion 60U in the holding state becomes the lower holding portion 60D while maintaining the holding state, while the lower holding portion 60D in the open state. Becomes the upper holding portion 60U while maintaining the open state.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of holding member state changing members 44 are provided at both ends of the holding member support rod 43. The pair of holding member state changing members 44 have a symmetrical structure when viewed from the front, and the curved groove 50 of one holding member state changing member 44 and the curved groove 50 of the other holding member state changing member 44. And the holding hole 51 of one holding member state changing member 44 and the holding hole 51 of the other holding member state changing member 44 face each other. A common curved groove insertion rod 52 is inserted into the pair of curved grooves 50 of the pair of holding member state changing members 44, and a common holding is inserted into the pair of holding holes 51 of the pair of holding member state changing members 44. The hole insertion rod 53 is inserted.

The control unit 38 can control the main gear-related drive mechanism and the pusher drive mechanism to rotate the holding member state changing member 44 to change the state of the holding member 16, and in particular, the holding member state changing member 44. Can perform the first rotation operation, the second rotation operation, or the third rotation operation. More specifically, the control unit 38 moves the one holding member block 6 for which the state of the holding member 16 is changed upward by a predetermined amount by a pair of pushers 35 of the first knitting needle unit 8 or the second knitting needle unit 9. Move towards. Further, the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle mounting plate 12 of the first knitting needle unit 8 or the second knitting needle unit 9 forward by a predetermined amount, and adjusts the vertical positions of the axes of the pair of main gears 34. , The pair of main gears 34 are meshed with the pair of driven gears 45 of the one holding member block 6.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how the driven gear 45 and the main gear 34 are engaged with each other. In FIG. 11, the holding member unit 10 from which the refracting member 40 on the left side has been removed is viewed from the left side to the right. After engaging the pair of driven gears 45 and the pair of main gears 34, the control unit 38 rotates the holding member 16 in an appropriate rotation direction by the amount of rotation required to change the holding member 16 from the current state to the target state. A pair of main gears 34 are rotated. Along with the rotation of the pair of main gears 34, the pair of holding member state changing members 44, together with the pair of driven gears 45, rotate synchronously in an appropriate rotation direction by an appropriate amount of rotation, and the one holding member block. The states of the five holding members 16 provided in 6 change synchronously.

In addition, the holding member unit 10 has a locking member drive mechanism (not shown) which will be described later. As will be described later, the control unit 38 controls the locking member drive mechanism at the time of knitting the knitting body 2 to handle the knitting yarn 3. Further, the knitting mechanism 7 of the knitting machine 1 has a yarn feeding mechanism that accommodates the bobbin around which the knitting yarn 3 is wound and supplies the knitting yarn 3 to the knitting mechanism 7. In FIG. 2, the state of the knitting yarn 3 wound around the bobbin is drawn.

Next, the operation when the knitting mechanism 7 of the knitting machine 1 knits the knitting body 2 will be described. In the following, the flow of the basic operation of the knitting machine 1 will be described using a schematic diagram schematically showing the knitting needle 4, the holding member 16, and the knitting yarn 3, and the knitting machine 1 will be concretely described by using a perspective view as appropriate. Clarify the state. 12 to 16 show a schematic diagram of the flow of operations when the knitting mechanism 7 knits a knitting object. 17 to 25 are perspective views of the knitting mechanism 7. In FIGS. 12 to 16 and 17 to 25, the directions follow the directions indicated by the arrows in the drawings.

In the schematic views of FIGS. 12 to 16, for example, as shown in FIG. 12 (A), the knitting needle 4A (the leftmost knitting needle 4) of the first knitting needle unit 8 of FIG. 2 and the second knitting needle unit 9 A side view of the row group including the knitting needle 4B (the knitting needle 4 on the leftmost side) is schematically shown. In this row group, five steps from the first step to the fifth step are formed from the knitting needle 4B to the knitting needle 4A in the row direction (front-back direction), and the holding member H1 is provided in the first step. The holding member H2 is provided in the second stage, the holding member H3 is provided in the third stage, the holding member H4 is provided in the fourth stage, and the holding member H5 is provided in the fifth stage. In the perspective view, reference numerals H1 to H5 are attached only to FIG. 17 (A).

Further, the holding member block 6 having the holding member H1 is referred to as the holding member block B1, the holding member block 6 having the holding member H2 is referred to as the holding member block B2, and the holding member block 6 having the holding member H3 is referred to as the holding member block B3. The holding member block 6 having the holding member H4 is referred to as a holding member block B4, and the holding member block 6 having the holding member H5 is referred to as a holding member block B5. In the perspective view, reference numerals B1 to B5 are attached only to FIG. 17 (A). As described above, the knitting mechanism 7 includes five column groups, but the column groups other than the column groups represented by the schematic diagram also perform the same operations as the column groups represented by the schematic diagram.

17 to 25 are perspective views of the knitting mechanism 7 of the knitting machine 1 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the diagonally rear left side toward the holding member unit 10, with some exceptions. .. However, for the sake of readability of the drawings, the five refracting members 40 arranged on the left side of the holding member unit 10, all the pushers 35, and the main gear support member 33 (and the main gear supporting member 33) arranged on the left side. Related members) are not shown. In the following description, when the term "state of FIG. ○" is used, it means a combination of the state of the knitting mechanism 7 and the state of the knitting yarn 3 held by the knitting mechanism 7. Further, when it is expressed that "FIG. ○ (however, any of FIGS. 17 to 25) corresponds to FIG. Δ (however, any of FIGS. 12 to 16)", FIG. It means that it is a perspective view concretely showing the state of the knitting mechanism 7 shown in FIG.

Further, in the following description, when the control unit 38 moves the member or changes the state of the member, a detailed description of the specific operation performed by each mechanism may be omitted. For example, the control unit 38 controls the pusher drive mechanism and other related mechanisms to move the pusher 35 and raise (lower) the holding member 16 simply by saying "the control unit 38 raises the holding member 16 (lowers). It is expressed as "to descend)". Further, for example, the control unit 38 controls the knitting needle mounting plate driving mechanism and other related mechanisms to move the knitting needle mounting plate 12 forward (or backward), thereby causing the knitting needle 4 (for example, the knitting needle 4A). Is simply expressed as "the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4 forward".

Here, before explaining the details of the operation of the knitting mechanism 7, a rough flow when the knitting mechanism 7 knits the knitting body 2 will be described. The knitting mechanism 7 knits the knitted fabric of the first layer (the knitted fabric of a plurality of stages is knitted for a plurality of rows), and the knitted fabric of the second layer is overlapped above the knitted fabric of the first layer. Organize. The knitting mechanism 7 stacks knitted fabrics above the second layer to knit the knitted fabric 2 in which the knitted fabrics are overlapped in a plurality of layers.

First, the knitting mechanism 7 is in the state shown in FIG. 12 (A). FIG. 17 (A) corresponds to FIG. 12 (A). As shown in FIG. 17 (A), in the state of FIG. 12 (A), the so-called seam loop is held by the lower holding portion 60D in the holding state of the holding member H1. However, in the schematic view including FIG. 12A, the loop of the stitches held by the holding member H1 is not shown for the sake of legibility of the drawing. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 (A) and 17 (A), in the state of FIG. 12 (A), the lower holding portion 60D in the holding state of the holding member H2 passes through the loop held by the holding member H1. The loop is retained. In this example, the knitting yarn 3 supplied by the yarn feeding mechanism is manually wound to obtain the state shown in FIG. 12 (A). However, it may be partially automated to bring it to the state shown in FIG. 12 (A). In the state of FIG. 12A, the vertical positions of all the holding members 16 are lower than the vertical positions of the knitting needles 4A and 4B. Hereinafter, the position of the holding member 16 in the vertical direction in FIG. 12A is referred to as a “holding member lower limit position”.

From the state of FIG. 12 (A), the control unit 38 raises the holding member H2 to the state of FIG. 12 (B). FIG. 17B corresponds to FIG. 12B. The vertical position of the holding member H2 in FIG. 12B is located above the vertical positions of the knitting needle 4A and the knitting needle 4B. Hereinafter, the vertical position of the holding member H2 in FIG. 12B is referred to as a “holding member upper limit position”.

After that, the knitting yarn 3 is routed. FIG. 18A is a perspective view showing the knitting mechanism 7 after the knitting yarn 3 has been routed. As shown in FIG. 18A, in the handling of the knitting yarn 3, the knitting yarn 3 is pulled out from the yarn feeding mechanism, and of the knitting yarns 3 drawn out, the rightmost side of the holding member block B2. The routing portion 62 up to the loop held by the holding member 16 (holding member 16 marked with a solid line in FIG. 18A) is brought into the state shown in FIG. 18A.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the routing portion 62 extends upward from a position connected to a loop held by the rightmost holding member 16 of the holding member block B2 in the first vertical direction. The portion 63, the first left-right extending portion 64 that bends from the upper end of the first vertical extending portion 63 and extends toward the left, and the first left-right extending portion 64 that bends from the left end. A second vertical extending portion 65 extending upward, a second horizontal extending portion 66 extending from the upper end of the second vertical extending portion 65 toward the right side of bending, and the second extending portion 66 in the bending right direction. 2. It has a second vertical extending portion 67 that is bent from the right end of the horizontal extending portion 66 and extends downward.

In FIG. 18A, a locking member (FIG. 26) for locking the knitting yarn 3 is arranged at the portion A, the portion B, the portion C, the portion D, and the portion E, and the locking member of each portion is arranged. When the knitting yarn 3 is engaged with the yarn 3, the handling portion 62 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 18 (A). The holding member unit 10 has a locking member driving mechanism that displaces the position of each locking member within a predetermined range in a predetermined manner. By controlling the locking member driving mechanism, the control unit 38 can displace the position of each locking member in a predetermined mode within a predetermined range. The handling of the knitting yarn 3 is performed by locking the knitting yarn 3 to each locking member and then moving each locking member to an appropriate position in an appropriate manner under the control of the control unit 38.

FIG. 26 is a diagram schematically showing the locking members KA, KB, KC, KD, and KE to which the knitting yarn 3 is locked in the portions A, B, C, D, and E of FIG. 18 (A) in a simplified manner. Is. In the example of FIG. 26, the plate member IT provided with the locking member KA and the locking member KE is provided below the holding member unit 10, and the locking member is provided at the portion A'corresponding to the portion A. The knitting yarn 3 is locked to KA. Further, the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the locking member KB at the portion B'corresponding to the portion B. In the example of FIG. 26, the locking member KB is a needle-shaped member on which a hook is formed. Further, the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the locking member KC at the portion C'corresponding to the portion C. Further, the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the locking member KD at the portion D'corresponding to the portion D. Further, the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the locking member KE at the portion E'corresponding to the portion E.

After handling the knitting yarn 3, the control unit 38 pushes out the knitting needle 4A. Next, the control unit 38 puts the knitting needle 4A in the non-gap forming state, and for the knitting needle 4A in the non-gap forming state, holds a loop (a loop lifted by the holding member H2) held by the holding member H2 located at the upper limit position of the holding member. Move backward while passing. The control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4A forward until the portion in front of the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A is below the first left-right extending portion 64 of the routing portion 62. Since the knitting needle 4A is in a non-gap-forming state, the knitting needle 4A can move backward while smoothly passing through the loop without the knitting yarn 3 getting between the pair of hooks 14. In the following, even if not particularly described, when the knitting needle 4 is passed through the loop, the control unit 38 puts the knitting needle 4 in a non-gap forming state at least at the timing when the knitting needle 4 enters the loop.

Next, the control unit 38 controls the locking member drive mechanism to move the first left-right extending portion 64 downward. As the downward movement of the first left-right extending portion 64 progresses, a predetermined operation is performed, the knitting yarn 3 enters the hook 14, and the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the hook 14 (FIG. 12 (FIG. 12). C)). FIG. 18B corresponds to FIG. 12C.

Here, the operation from the handling of the knitting yarn 3 until the knitting yarn 3 corresponding to the first left-right extending portion 64 is locked to the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A will be briefly described. In FIGS. 27 and 28, assuming that the locking member to which the knitting yarn 3 is locked is the locking members KA to KE illustrated in FIG. 26, from the handling of the knitting yarn 3 to the first laterally extending portion 64. It is a figure which shows the operation until the corresponding knitting yarn 3 is locked with the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A. In FIG. 27 (A), the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the locking member KA. After that, the locking member KE operates, and the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the locking member KE in the manner shown in FIG. 27 (B). The locking member KE is rotatable about an axis connected to the plate member IT.

Next, the locking member KB descends downward to the extent that the hook formed at the lower tip is located below the knitting yarn 3 (FIG. 27 (C)), and then rises and knits. The yarn 3 is locked and the knitting yarn 3 is lifted upward (FIG. 27 (D)). Next, the tip of the locking member KC enters the loop formed by lifting the knitting yarn 3 by the locking member KB in the manner shown in FIG. 27 (E). Next, as shown in FIG. 27 (F), the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the locking member KF and the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the hook of the locking member KC in the manner shown in FIG. 27 (F). Then, the locking member KC moves in the manner shown in FIG. 27 (F). In the state of FIG. 27 (F), the knitting yarn 3 is locked in the order of the locking member KA, the locking member KB, the locking member KC, the locking member KF, and the locking member KE.

After that, the locking member KF moves upward in the manner shown in FIG. 28A, and the locking member KD enters the loop formed by pulling the knitting yarn 3 by the locking member KC. It moves toward (Fig. 28 (A)). Next, as shown in FIG. 28B, the locking member KD moves downward with the knitting yarn 3 locked, and the knitting yarn sandwiched between the locking member KD and the locking member KF. The knitting needle 4A moves rearward so as to dive into the portion 3 (the portion corresponding to the first laterally extending portion 64). After that, the locking member KF moves in the manner shown in FIG. 28C, and the holding of the knitting yarn 3 by the locking member KF is released. Then, as shown in FIG. 28C, the portion of the knitting yarn 3 (the portion corresponding to the first left-right extending portion 64) sandwiched between the locking member KD and the locking member KF is directed downward. It moves and comes into contact with a portion in front of the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A. When the knitting needle 4A moves rearward from the state of FIG. 28 (C), the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A as shown in FIG. 28 (D).

Now, after the state shown in FIG. 12C is reached, the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4A forward while passing through the loop held by the holding member H2. The control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4A forward until the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A reaches above the holding member H3 (FIG. 12 (D)). FIG. 19 (A) corresponds to FIG. 12 (D). The operation of shifting from the state of FIG. 12B to the state of FIG. 12D corresponds to the operation of knitting the second stitch on the knitted fabric of the first layer. More specifically, the operation of shifting from the state of FIG. 12B to the state of FIG. 12D is the first step in knitting the second step when knitting the knitted fabric of the first layer. This corresponds to the operation of knitting the second stitch by passing the knitting yarn 3 through the loop of the second step formed by the knitting of the stitches (the step immediately before the second step in the first layer). A new loop (third-stage loop) is formed according to the knitting of the stitches. In the first layer, the stitches are knitted stepwise in the direction from the first step to the fifth step. Therefore, for example, in the first layer, the step immediately before the second step becomes the first step. The step immediately before the fifth step is the fourth step. On the other hand, in the second layer, the stitches are knitted stepwise in the direction from the fifth step to the first step, so that, for example, the step immediately before the fourth step becomes the fifth step and the second step. The previous step is the third step.

After the state shown in FIG. 12 (D) is reached, the control unit 38 shifts the loop from the knitting needle 4A to the holding member H3 (FIG. 12 (E)). FIG. 19B corresponds to FIG. 12E. In FIG. 19B, the holding member block B2 is not shown for the sake of legibility of the drawing. To elaborate on the transfer from the knitting needle 4A to the holding member H3, the control unit 38 puts the knitting needle 4A in the gap forming state. When the knitting needle 4A is in the gap-forming state, the knitting yarn 3 is straddled and locked to the pair of hooks 14. Next, the control unit 38 closes the holding member H3 downward. That is, the control unit 38 opens the upper holding portion 60U of the holding member H3. Next, the control unit 38 moves the holding member H3 in the downwardly closed state upward to a predetermined position.

As described with reference to FIG. 3B, the length T1 of the gap formed between the pair of hooks 14 of the knitting needles 4A in the gap-forming state is larger than the width of the holding member 16 and is in the downward closed state. As the upward movement of the holding member H3 progresses, the open upper holding portion 60U of the holding member H3 enters between the pair of hooks 14. At that time, the knitting yarn 3 that is locked across the pair of hooks 14 is accommodated in the accommodating space 61 of the upper holding portion 60U via the entrance / exit. The control unit 38 raises the holding member H3 until the knitting yarn 3 is lifted to the extent that the knitting yarn 3 is released from the pair of hooks 14, and then stops the raising of the holding member H3. The above is the operation when the loop is transferred from the knitting needle 4A to the holding member H3.

After that, the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4A forward (FIG. 12F), and causes the pair of holding member state changing members 44 of the holding member block B3 to perform the first rotation operation. When the first rotation operation is performed by the holding member state changing member 44, the upper holding portion 60U in the open state that holds the loop shifts to the holding state while holding the loop and becomes the lower holding portion 60D. That is, with respect to the holding member H3, the lower holding portion 60D in the holding state holds the loop. Next, the control unit 38 moves the holding member H3 to the lower limit position of the holding member (FIG. 12 (G)). FIG. 20 (A) corresponds to FIG. 12 (G).

After the state shown in FIG. 12 (G) is reached, the control unit 38 moves the holding member H2 to the lower limit position of the holding member (FIG. 12 (H)). FIG. 20B corresponds to FIG. 12H. In the transition from the state of FIG. 12 (G) to the state of FIG. 12 (H), in the control unit 38, as shown in FIG. 20 (B), the handling portion 62 is the holding member block B2 and the holding member block B3. Make sure that it extends in between. The control unit 38 controls the locking member drive mechanism, and the routing portion 62 extends between the holding member block B1 and the holding member block B2 by using the holding member block 6 and the knitting needle 4 as needed. From this state, the handling portion 62 is set to extend between the holding member block B2 and the holding member block B3. Although detailed description will be omitted below, the state of the handling portion 62 is appropriately changed by the control unit 38 as needed.

The stitches are knitted in the second stage of the first layer by the flow from the state of FIG. 12B to the state of FIG. 12H. The second-stage loop of the first layer is in a state of being held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H2. Further, the loop (third-stage loop) newly formed by the knitting of the second-stage stitch is held by the holding member H3. As will become clear later, the holding member H2 continues to hold the loop of the second stage of the knitted fabric of the first layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the first layer is completed, and further, the second stage of the second layer. Continue until the knitting of the stitches is completed.

After the state of the knitting mechanism 7 is changed to the state of FIG. 12 (H), the control unit 38 performs the same operation as when shifting from the state of FIG. 12 (A) to the state of FIG. 12 (H). Let each part of FIG. 7 perform the state of the knitting mechanism 7 in the order of FIG. 12 (I) → FIG. 12 (J) → FIG. 12 (K) → FIG. 13 (A) → FIG. 13 (B) → FIG. 13 (C). Change. FIG. 21 (A) corresponds to FIG. 13 (C). A stitch is knitted in the third stage of the first layer by a series of operations of transitioning from the state of FIG. 12 (I) to the state of FIG. 13 (C). In FIG. 13C, the loop of the third stage of the first layer is held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H3, and the four stages newly formed by the knitting of the third stage stitches. The eye loop is held by the holding member H4. The holding member H3 holds the loop of the third stage of the knitted fabric of the first layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the first layer is completed, and further, the knitting of the third stage of the second layer is completed. Continue until you do.

After the state of the knitting mechanism 7 becomes the state of FIG. 13 (C), the control unit 38 causes the knitting mechanism 7 to perform an operation of shifting from the state of FIG. 13 (D) to the state of FIG. 14 (I). .. This operation knits the stitches in the fourth stage of the first layer, completes the knitting of the knitted fabric of the first layer, and knits the knitted fabric when starting the knitting of the knitted fabric of the second layer. Corresponds to the operation of folding back the direction in the column direction. More specifically, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H4 to the holding member upper limit position (FIG. 13 (D)). Next, the control unit 38 knits a new stitch in the fourth stage of the first layer by passing the knitting yarn 3 through the loop held by the holding member H4 using the knitting needle 4A (FIG. 13 (E), FIG. 13 (F)).

Next, the control unit 38 transfers the loop held by the knitting needle 4A to the holding member H5 (FIG. 13 (G)). Next, the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4A forward (FIG. 13 (H)). Next, the control unit 38 causes the holding member H5 to perform the first rotation operation (FIG. 13 (I)), and the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H5 holds the loop (FIG. 13 (I)). .. Next, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H5 to the upper limit position of the holding member and lowers the holding member H4 to a predetermined position (FIG. 13 (J)). 21 (B) corresponds to FIG. 13 (J).

Next, the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4A rearward until the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A reaches below the holding member H4, and transfers the loop held by the holding member H4 to the knitting needle 4A (FIG. 14 (FIG. 14). A)). FIG. 22 (A) corresponds to FIG. 14 (A). The transfer of the loop from the holding member H4 to the knitting needle 4A is performed as follows. That is, the control unit 38 puts the knitting needle 4A in a non-gap forming state and passes the hook 14 portion of the knitting needle 4A into the loop lifted by the holding member H4. As a result, the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A passes through the loop held by the holding member H4, and the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H4 holding the loop is positioned above the hook 14. From this state, the control unit 38 puts the knitting needle 4A in the gap forming state, and inserts the lower holding portion 60D for holding the loop between the pair of hooks 14. Next, the control unit 38 opens the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H4 and releases the holding of the loop by the lower holding portion 60D. Then, the loop held by the lower holding portion 60D is pulled by the holding member H3 and moves downward to be locked to the pair of hooks 14. As described above, the loop is transferred from the holding member H4 to the knitting needle 4A.

After transferring the loop to the knitting needle 4A, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H4 to the holding member upper limit position (FIG. 14B). Next, the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4A forward until the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A reaches the front of the holding member H5 (FIG. 14 (C)). Next, the control unit 38 lowers the holding member H5 to a predetermined position (FIG. 14 (D)), moves the knitting needle 4B forward, and knits the loop held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H5. Transfer to 4B (FIG. 14 (E)). Next, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H5 to the holding member upper limit position (FIG. 14 (F)). Next, the control unit 38 directs the knitting needle 4A and the knitting needle 4B rearward so that the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A is located below the holding member H4 and the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4B is located above the holding member H3. (Fig. 14 (G)). FIG. 22B corresponds to FIG. 14G. In FIG. 22B, the knitting needle mounting plate 12 of the second knitting needle unit 9 is not shown for the sake of legibility of the drawing.

Next, the control unit 38 lowers the holding member H4 to transfer the loop held by the knitting needle 4A to the holding member H4, and the lower holding portion 60D in the holding state of the holding member H4 causes the fourth stage of the first layer. (Fig. 14 (H)). Next, the control unit 38 lowers the holding member H4 to the lower limit position of the holding member while maintaining the state in which the loop is held by the lower holding portion 60D in the holding state (FIG. 14 (I)). When the state shown in FIG. 14 (I) is reached, the knitting of the knitted fabric of the first layer is completed. As shown in FIG. 14 (I), in the state of FIG. 14 (I), the loop of the second stage of the first layer is held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H2 of the second stage, and the third layer of the first layer 3 The loop of the first stage is held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H3 of the third stage, and the loop of the fourth stage of the first layer is held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H4 of the fourth stage. Further, as described above, the loop of the first stage (the loop of the first stage) is held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H1 of the first stage.

After the state shown in FIG. 14 (I) is reached, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H3 by a predetermined amount, and transfers the loop held by the knitting needle 4B to the upper holding portion 60U in the open state of the holding member H3. (FIG. 14 (J)), the knitting needle 4B is moved backward (FIG. 15 (A)). FIG. 23 (A) corresponds to FIG. 15 (A). In the state of FIG. 15A, the holding member H3 holds the loop of the first layer third stage by the lower holding portion 60D in the holding state, and the second layer three stages by the upper holding portion 60U in the open state. The eye loop is held. The loop of the second layer and the third stage is a loop formed by knitting the stitches of the second layer and the fourth stage (corresponding to the stage immediately before the third stage in the second layer). Then, the "loop in the third stage of the first layer" corresponds to a loop at a position corresponding to the position of the "loop in the third stage of the second layer". The correspondence between the position of the loop of one layer and the position of the loop of the other layer one layer above the one layer corresponds to each loop when knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the other layer. It means that they are in a positional relationship so that the knitting yarns 3 can be passed through at the same time.

Next, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H3 to the holding member upper limit position (FIG. 15B). As described above, the upper limit position of the holding member is a position that exceeds the positions of the knitting needles 4A and 4B in the vertical direction upward. FIG. 23 (B) corresponds to FIG. 15 (B). Next, the control unit 38 puts the knitting needle 4B in a non-gap forming state. The control unit 38 moves forward while passing the knitting needle 4B in the non-gap forming state through two loops held by the holding member H3 located at the upper limit position of the holding member (two loops lifted by the holding member H3). To move. Then, the control unit 38 controls the locking member drive mechanism to adjust the state of the routing portion 62, and locks the knitting yarn 3 to the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4B (FIG. 15C).

Next, the control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4B rearward while passing through both of the two loops held by the holding member H3. The control unit 38 moves the knitting needle 4B rearward until the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4B reaches above the holding member H2 (FIG. 15 (D)). FIG. 24 (A) corresponds to FIG. 15 (D). As a result, as shown in FIG. 15D, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the third-stage loop of the second layer (the loop held by the upper holding portion 60U of the holding member H3), and the third-stage loop of the second layer is passed. A new stitch is knitted on the eye, and a new loop (a loop held by the knitting needle 4B) is formed. Further, the loop newly formed by the knitting of the third-stage loop (the loop held by the knitting needle 4B) also passes through the loop of the third-stage stitch of the first layer.

Next, the control unit 38 causes the holding member state changing member 44 corresponding to the holding member H3 to perform the second rotation operation, and shifts the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H3 from the holding state to the open state (FIG. 15 (E)). Then, the holding of the loop by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H3 is released, and the loop of the third stitch of the first layer is dropped. As described above, the loop of the third stage of the first layer is continuously held by the holding member H3 even after the knitting of the third stage of the first layer is knitted, and is held in the second layer one above the first layer. After the knitting of the third stitch is completed, the holding by the holding member H3 is released.

Next, the control unit 38 causes the holding member state changing member 44 corresponding to the holding member H3 to perform the third rotation operation, and the holding member H3 is subjected to the third stage of the second layer by the lower holding portion 60D in the holding state. The eye loop is held (FIG. 15 (F)), and the holding member H3 is lowered to the lower limit position of the holding member (FIG. 15 (G)). FIG. 24 (B) corresponds to FIG. 15 (F). FIG. 25 (A) corresponds to FIG. 15 (G). However, FIG. 25 (A) is a view of the knitting mechanism 7 in the state of FIG. 15 (G) viewed from the lower side to the upper side.

Here, in FIGS. 29 (A) and 29 (B), the third stitch of the second layer is knitted by a series of operations of transitioning from the state of FIG. 14 (I) to the state of FIG. 15 (G). The situation is schematically shown in a mode suitable for explanation. In FIG. 29A, the second, third, and fourth tiers of the knitted fabric of the first layer are drawn, and the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop of the fourth tier of the first layer. The rearward loop R2-3 (a loop newly formed by knitting the fourth stitch of the second layer) is drawn. In the state shown in FIGS. 14 (J) to 15 (D), the loop R2-3 is held by the upper holding portion 60U of the holding member H3, and the loop R1-3 of the third stitch of the first layer is held. It is held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H3. The knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loop R2-3 and the loop R1-3 by the operation of shifting from the state of FIG. 15B to the state of FIG. 15D. As a result, as shown in FIG. 29B, a new stitch is knitted in the third stage of the second layer, and a new loop R2-2 passing through both the loop R2-3 and the loop R1-3 is formed. It is formed. Therefore, the loop R2-3 of the second layer and the loop R1-3 of the first layer are inseparably connected.

In FIG. 15 (G), the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H3 holds the third-stage loop of the second layer. The holding member H3 holds the loop of the third stage of the knitted fabric of the second layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the second layer is completed, and further, the knitting of the third stage of the third layer is completed. Continue until you do.

After the state shown in FIG. 15 (G) is reached, the control unit 38 causes each part of the knitting mechanism 7 to perform the same operation as when shifting from the state shown in FIG. 14 (J) to the state shown in FIG. 15 (G). Then, FIG. 15 (H)-> FIG. 15 (I)-> FIG. 15 (J)-> FIG. 16 (A)-> FIG. 16 (B)-> FIG. 16 (C)-> FIG. 16 (D) and the state of the knitting mechanism 7. Change. More specifically, the control unit 38 raises the second-stage holding member H2 to knit the loop held by the knitting needle 4B (in the second layer, the knitting of the third stage of the second stage immediately before the second stage). (Loop newly formed by) is transferred to the upper holding portion 60U of the holding member H2 (FIG. 15 (H)). The control unit 38 moves the holding member H2 to the upper limit position of the holding member (FIG. 15 (I)), and passes the knitting yarn 3 through the two loops lifted by the holding member H2 using the knitting needle 4B (FIG. 15 (FIG. 15)). I), FIG. 15 (J), FIG. 16 (A)). The control unit 38 releases the holding of the loop by the holding member H2, drops the second-stage loop of the first layer (FIG. 16B), and performs the third rotation operation on the holding member state changing member 44. The lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H2 holds the loop (the second-stage loop of the second layer) (FIG. 16 (C)), and the holding member H2 is moved to the lower limit position of the holding member (FIG. 16). 16 (D)). FIG. 25 (B) corresponds to FIG. 16 (D).

By a series of operations from FIG. 15 (H) to FIG. 16 (D), a new stitch is knitted in the second stage of the second layer, and a new loop (a loop held by the knitting needle 4B) is formed. The catalog. The loop newly formed by the knitting of the second stage stitch is in a state where not only the loop of the stage immediately before the second layer but also the loop of the second stage of the first layer has passed. Further, in FIG. 16D, the holding member H2 holds the second-stage loop of the knitted fabric of the second layer. The holding member H2 holds the loop of the second stage of the knitted fabric of the second layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the second layer is completed, and further, the knitting of the second stage of the third layer is completed. Continue until you do.

After the state shown in FIG. 16 (D) is reached, the control unit 38 causes the knitting mechanism 7 to perform an operation of shifting from the state shown in FIG. 16 (E) to the state shown in FIG. 16 (K). This operation knits the knitted fabric in the first stage of the second layer, completes the knitting of the knitted fabric of the second layer, and knits the knitted fabric when starting the knitting of the knitted fabric of the third layer. It corresponds to the operation of folding back the direction in the column direction.

More specifically, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H1 to shift the loop from the knitting needle 4B to the upper holding portion 60U of the holding member H1 (FIG. 16E). As described above, the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H1 actually holds the loop of the joint in the first layer. Next, the control unit 38 raises the holding member H1 to the holding member upper limit position (FIG. 16 (F)). Next, the control unit 38 forms a new loop through the knitting yarn 3 in the loop held by the holding member H2 by the knitting needle 4A and lifted by the holding member H1 (FIGS. 16 (G) and 16 (H)). At that time, the control unit 38 is in a state where the hook 14 of the knitting needle 4A to which the loop is locked is located above the holding member H2. The control unit 38 shifts the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H1 to the open state, and drops the loop held by the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H1 (FIG. 16 (I)). Next, the control unit 38 causes the holding member state changing member corresponding to the holding member H1 to perform the first rotation operation so that the lower holding portion 60D of the holding member H1 holds the loop (FIG. 16 (J)). , The holding member H1 is moved to the lower limit position of the holding member (FIG. 16 (K)). After that, the same process as the operation of shifting from the state of FIG. 14 (I) to the state of FIG. 16 (D) is performed, and the knitted fabric of the third layer is knitted.

FIG. 29 (C) shows a state in which the process of knitting the stitches in the second layer is performed after FIG. 29 (B), and the stitches in the fourth to first stages of the second layer are knitted. D) shows how the stitches are knitted in the first and second stages of the third layer by further performing the process of knitting the stitches in the third layer. As shown in FIG. 29 (C), the stitches of the second stage of the second layer are when the stitches of the third stage of the second layer (the stage immediately before the second stage in the second layer) are knitted. The knitting yarn 3 is knitted by passing the knitting yarn 3 through both the formed loop R2-2 and the second-stage loop R1-2 of the first layer. As a result, the loop R2-2 and the loop R1-2 are inseparably connected. At the start of knitting the knitted fabric of the third layer, each of the loops newly formed in the knitting of the knitted fabric of the second layer is held by the holding member 16 of the corresponding step.

As shown in FIG. 29 (D), in the third layer, first, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop R2-1 to form the first stitch of the third layer, and a new loop R3-2 is formed. Is formed. The second stitch of the third layer is the loop R3-2 formed by knitting the stitch of the first step of the third layer (the step immediately before the second step in the third layer) and the second layer. It is knitted by passing the knitting yarn 3 through the second-stage loop R2-2. The knitting of the knitting is performed on the loop R2-2 held by the lower holding portion 60D of the second-stage holding member H2 and the loop R3-2 held by the upper holding portion 60U of the holding member H2. This is done by passing a (loop). As a result, the loop R2-2 and the loop R3-2 are inseparably connected. In the third layer, the stitches are knitted stepwise in the direction from the first step to the fifth step. Therefore, for example, in the first layer, the step immediately before the second step becomes the first step. The step immediately before the fifth step is the fourth step.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the knitting mechanism 7 continuously holds the loop formed at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed. do. When knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 holds the loop already formed in the Nth layer, and holds the loop already formed in the Nth layer and the holding Nth. Of the loops related to the -1 layer, the stitches are knitted by passing a new knitting yarn through both the loops at the positions corresponding to the positions of the loops already formed in the Nth layer, and the corresponding positions are knitted according to the knitting of the stitches. While releasing the holding of the loop of the Nth layer, the holding of the loop already formed in the Nth layer is continued even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed.

According to this configuration, when knitting the stitches of the Nth layer, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loop formed at the corresponding position in the N-1 layer and the loop already formed in the Nth layer. The stitches are formed by. Therefore, the knitted fabric 2 is composed of a plurality of layers of knitted fabrics, and the two knitted fabrics adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are connected by connecting loops existing at positions corresponding to each other. 2 can be organized. The knitting 2 knitted in this way is a knitting 2 having a novel aspect of a three-dimensional knitting 2 having a solid content composed of a plurality of layers of knitted fabric, and according to the present embodiment. , A knitting mechanism 7 capable of knitting a knitting body 2 of such a novel aspect and a knitting method by the knitting mechanism 7 can be provided.

Further, the knitting mechanism 7 according to the present embodiment has the following structural features. That is, the knitting mechanism 7 includes a plurality of holding members 16 arranged in a plurality of stages in the row direction. Each of the holding members 16 independently includes two holding portions 60 capable of holding the loop and releasing the holding of the loop. The knitting mechanism 7 uses one holding portion 60 of the plurality of holding members 16 to form a loop of a plurality of stitches arranged in a plurality of stages in the row direction in the N-1 layer after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed. Also continue to hold. When knitting the stitches of the predetermined step at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 holds the loop formed in the step immediately before the predetermined step in the Nth layer by the holding member 16 of the predetermined step. In both the loop related to the Nth layer held by the other holding portion 60 and the loop related to the N-1 layer held by one holding portion 60 of the holding member 16 of the predetermined stage. The stitches are knitted through the knitting yarn 3, and after the knitting of the stitches, the holding of the loop related to the Nth layer by the other holding portion 60 is continued even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed, while the one holding portion 60 Releases the holding of the loop related to the N-1 layer.

More specifically, the two holding portions 60 of the holding member 16 are arranged at symmetrical positions about the point of symmetry, and the holding member 16 has two holding portions 60 that are symmetrical about the center of symmetry. It can rotate around the point of symmetry while maintaining the state. The knitting mechanism 7 uses the holding portions 60 arranged below the symmetry points of the plurality of holding members 16 to form a plurality of loops arranged in a plurality of rows in the row direction in the N-1 layer, and the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer. It will continue to be retained even after the formation of is completed. When knitting the stitches of a predetermined step at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 holds the loop formed in the step immediately before the predetermined step in the Nth layer by the holding member 16 of the predetermined step. The loop related to the Nth layer held and held by the holding portion 60 arranged above the symmetry point of the predetermined stage, and the holding portion 60 held below the symmetry point of the holding member 16 of the predetermined stage. A stitch is knitted through a new loop on both sides of the loop related to the N-1 layer, and after knitting the stitch, the holding of the loop related to the N-1 layer is released by the lower holding portion 60, and the holding of the upper side is held. The holding member 16 is rotated around the point of symmetry while maintaining the holding of the loop related to the Nth layer by the portion 60, and the holding portion 60 holding the loop related to the Nth layer is positioned below the point of symmetry.

According to this configuration, in knitting the knitted fabric of the N layer, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loop related to the N layer and the loop related to the N-1 layer by using the holding member 16 of each stage for each stage. It is possible to knit stitches. In particular, when knitting a stitch of a predetermined step in the N layer, two loops through which the knitting yarn 3 should be passed are held by one holding member 16 of the predetermined step, so that two different holding members are used. The structure is simplified compared to holding one loop.

Further, in the present embodiment, the knitting mechanism 7 includes a knitting needle 4 to which a loop can be locked. The holding portion 60 of the holding member 16 can receive a loop that engages with the knitting needle 4. When knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 includes a loop related to the Nth layer held by the other holding portion 60 of the holding member 16 of the predetermined stage and one of the holding members 16 of the predetermined stage. A stitch is knitted through a knitting needle 4 to which the loop is locked on both the loop related to the N-1 layer held by the holding portion 60, and the other holding portion of the holding member 16 of the next stage of the predetermined stage is knitted. The loop related to the Nth layer held by the other holding portion 60 of the holding member 16 of the next stage of the predetermined stage and the one holding portion 60 hold the loop that is locked to the knitting needle 4 by the 60. The operation of knitting the stitches through the knitting needles 4 to which the loops are locked is repeatedly performed on both the loops related to the N-1th layer to form the stitches stepwise in the row direction. More specifically, the knitting mechanism 7 includes a loop related to the Nth layer held by the holding portion 60 on the upper side of the symmetry point of the holding member 16 of the predetermined stage when knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer. A stitch is knitted through a knitting needle 4 to which the loop is locked on both the loop related to the N-1 layer held by the holding portion 60 below the symmetry point of the holding member 16 of the predetermined stage, and the predetermined stitch is knitted. A loop locked to the knitting needle 4 is received and held by the holding portion 60 on the upper side of the symmetry point of the holding member 16 on the next step of the step, and the holding portion on the upper side of the holding member 16 on the next step of the predetermined step is held. The operation of knitting stitches through the knitting needles 4 to which the loops are locked is repeated in both the loop related to the Nth layer held by the 60 and the loop related to the N-1 layer held by the lower holding portion 60. The stitches are formed step by step in the row direction.

According to this configuration, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loop related to the N layer and the loop related to the N-1 layer by utilizing the structural feature of having the holding members 16 in a plurality of stages in the row direction. Can be continuously formed in the column direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the knitting needle 4 can move in the horizontal direction intersecting the vertical direction while maintaining the position in the vertical direction. Each of the holding members 16 can move in the vertical direction across the position of the knitting needle 4 in the vertical direction. When knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 holds the loop related to the Nth layer by the other holding portion 60, and holds the loop related to the N-1 layer by the one holding portion 60. The step holding member 16 is raised beyond the position of the knitting needle 4 in the vertical direction. The knitting mechanism 7 horizontally moves the knitting needles 4 to which the loops are locked so as to pass through the two loops lifted by the holding member 16 of the predetermined step to form a stitch. More specifically, when knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 holds the loop related to the Nth layer by the holding portion 60 on the upper side of the symmetry point, and the loop related to the N-1 layer. The holding member 16 of a predetermined step for holding the knitting needle by the holding portion 60 below the point of symmetry is raised beyond the position in the vertical direction of the knitting needle and passes through the two loops lifted by the holding member 16 of the predetermined step. As described above, the knitting needle to which the loop is locked is horizontally moved to form a stitch.

According to this configuration, the holding member 16 is moved in a certain direction in the vertical direction, and the knitting needle 4 is moved in a certain direction in the horizontal direction, so that the loop and N-1 related to the N layer are moved. It is possible to continuously form stitches in which the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both of the loops related to the layers in the row direction, and it is possible to simplify the structure and the operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, when knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 holds the loop related to the Nth layer by the other holding portion 60, and holds the loop related to the N-1 layer on one side. The holding member 16 of a predetermined stage held by the holding portion 60 is raised beyond the position of the knitting needle in the vertical direction. The knitting mechanism 7 passes through the two loops lifted by the holding member 16 of the predetermined stage, and the portion where the loop is locked reaches a position above the holding member 16 of the next stage of the predetermined stage. In addition, the knitting needle to which the loop is locked is moved horizontally to form a stitch. The knitting mechanism 7 raises the holding member 16 of the next step of the predetermined step, and receives a loop that is locked to the knitting needle by the other holding portion 60. More specifically, when knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 7 holds the loop related to the Nth layer by the holding portion 60 on the upper side of the symmetry point, and the loop related to the N-1 layer. The holding member 16 of a predetermined step for holding the knitting needle by the holding portion 60 below the point of symmetry is raised beyond the position of the knitting needle in the vertical direction. The knitting mechanism 7 passes through the two loops lifted by the holding member 16 of the predetermined stage, and the portion where the loop is locked reaches a position above the holding member 16 of the next stage of the predetermined stage. In addition, the knitting needle to which the loop is locked is moved horizontally to form a stitch. The knitting mechanism 7 raises the holding member 16 of the next step of the predetermined step, and receives a loop that is locked to the knitting needle by the holding portion 60 on the upper side of the symmetry point.

According to this configuration, the holding members 16 are arranged side by side in a plurality of stages in the row direction, the holding members 16 move in the vertical direction, and the knitting needles 4 move in the horizontal direction. It is possible to continuously form stitches in which the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both of the loops related to the N-1 layer in the row direction, and it is possible to simplify the structure and the operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 60 receives the loop from the knitting needle 4 by grasping the loop that is locked to the knitting needle 4. The knitting needle 4 has a pair of bifurcated hooks 14 for locking the loops, the loops are locked across the pair of hooks 14, and a portion of the holding portion 60 for gripping the loop can enter. The spacing can be displaced to a gap-forming state formed between the pair of hooks 14. When the knitting mechanism 7 receives the loop held by the knitting needle 4 by the holding portion 60 of the holding member 16, the knitting needle 4 is placed in a gap forming state, the holding member 16 is raised, and the knitting needle 4 is formed between the pair of hooks 14 of the knitting needle 4. A portion of the holding portion 60 for gripping the loop is inserted into the gap, and the holding portion 60 grips the loop.

According to this configuration, in a configuration in which the holding member 16 moves in the vertical direction and the knitting needle 4 moves in the horizontal direction, the holding portion 60 of the holding member 16 can appropriately receive the loop.

<Modified example of the first embodiment>
Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

In the above embodiment, the number of row groups is 5, and the number of steps provided with the holding member 16 is 5, but the number of row groups (when the number of row groups changes, the number of knitting needles 4 also changes). ) And the number of steps are not limited to those illustrated in the above embodiment.

Further, the structure of the knitting needle 4 is not limited to the shape exemplified in this embodiment. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the knitting needle 4', which is another example of the knitting needle 4. In FIG. 30, the knitting needle extending portion 5 ′ has the same function as the knitting needle extending portion 5, the hook 14 ′ has the same function as the hook 14, and the band portion 15 ′ has the same function as the band portion 15. Have. As shown in FIG. 30, the knitting needle 4'is provided with an intervening member 70 that separates the pair of knitting needle extending portions 5'by a certain distance between the pair of knitting needle extending portions 5'. The intervening member 70 extends to substantially half of the total length of the pair of knitting needle extending portions 5'on the opposite side of the hook 14'. The band portion 15'is provided so as to project from the intervening member 70. The structure of the knitting needle 4 is not limited to the structure described with reference to FIG. 3, and may be the structure shown in FIG.

Further, the operation mechanism of the knitting mechanism 7 and the structure of each member are not limited to those illustrated in the above embodiment. For example, the mechanism for shifting the knitting needle 4 between the pulled-back state and the pushed-out state is not limited to that illustrated in the present embodiment. As an example, a mechanism for moving the knitting needle 4 in the front-rear direction may be provided for each knitting needle 4, and this mechanism may be controlled so that each knitting needle 4 can be changed between the pullback state and the push-out state. Further, for example, the mechanism for setting the knitting needle 4 in either the gap-forming state or the non-gap-forming state is not limited to the one illustrated in the present embodiment. As an example, a mechanism for applying a force in the closing direction of the knitting needle 4 may be provided for each knitting needle 4, and this mechanism may be controlled so that the knitting needle 4 can be changed between the gap forming state and the non-gap forming state. ..

Further, for example, the mechanism for raising and lowering the holding member block 6 is not limited to the mechanism using the pusher 35. As an example, a mechanism for driving a motor to move the holding member block 6 up and down in the vertical direction may be provided for each holding member block 6, and this mechanism may be controlled so as to be able to move up and down for each holding member block 6. Further, for example, the structure of the holding member 16 and the mechanism for changing the state of the holding member 16 are not limited to those illustrated in the above embodiment. In the holding member 16, the two holding portions 60 can each hold the knitting yarn 3 (loop), release the holding of the knitting yarn 3 (loop), and further, it is sufficient that the following can be performed. That is, after the knitting yarn 3 is held by the holding portion 60 located above, the position of the holding portion 60 may be positioned downward while holding the knitting yarn 3. For example, each of the two holding portions 60 provided on one holding member 16 may have a structure capable of independently changing the state by different motors.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment, the same elements as the elements of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those given in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the knitting machine 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 32 (A) is a view of the knitting machine 100 viewed from above, and FIG. 32 (B) is a view of the knitting machine 100 viewed from the right side to the left side of the knitting machine 100. In FIGS. 31 and 32, drawing of some members is omitted. In the following description of the knitting machine 100, as shown by the double-headed arrow in FIG. 31, the direction in which the anti-knitting needle 101 (described later) extends is the front-rear direction, one direction in the front-rear direction is the front, and the direction opposite to the front is the rear. And. Further, the direction in which the moving rod regulating member 102 (described later) is erected is the vertical direction. The vertical direction corresponds to the vertical direction when the knitting machine 100 is used in a normal mode, and the direction toward the vertical upward in the vertical direction is upward, and the direction toward the vertical downward in the vertical direction is downward. Also, on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction is the left-right direction, and in the left-right direction, the right direction is the right direction and the left direction is the left direction. ..

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the knitting machine 100 has a knitting mechanism 103. The knitting mechanism 103 includes a rear knitting needle unit 104, a front knitting needle unit 105 provided in front of the rear knitting needle unit 104, a rear holding unit 106, and a front holding unit 107 provided in front of the rear holding unit 106. Consists of.

As shown in FIG. 31, the rear knitting needle unit 104 and the front knitting needle unit 105 each have five anti-knitting needles 101 (corresponding to the “knitting needle member” in the claims) arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction. .. FIG. 33 (A) is a side view of the knitting needle 101 with the anti-bella 110 (described later) open (described later), and FIG. 33 (B) is a side view of the anti-knitting needle 101 with the anti-bella 110 closed (described later). , (C) is a top view of the knitting needle 101. As shown in FIG. 33 (particularly FIG. 33C), the knitting needle 101 includes two knitting needles 112 connected to both side surfaces of the square columnar intervening member 111 so as to overlap when viewed from the side. ..

The knitting needle 112 has a knitting needle base end 114, assuming that the side provided with the one hook 113 (described later) is the tip side (FIG. 33 (A)) and the opposite side is the proximal end side (FIG. 33 (A)). And the knitting needle tip end 115 supported by the knitting needle base end 114 on the tip side of the knitting needle base end 114. The knitting needle base end 114 is a plate-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction (see also FIG. 31). Hereinafter, when focusing on the knitting needle 101, the direction toward the tip side in the front-rear direction is referred to as "tip side direction", and the direction toward the base end side is referred to as "base end side direction". A single push surface 116 (FIGS. 33 (A) and 33 (B)) is formed on the surface of the base end portion 114 of the knitting needle facing toward the tip end.

As shown in FIG. 33, a single hook 113 is formed at the tip of the tip portion 115 of the knitting needle. The single hook 113 has a curved claw, and a holding space capable of accommodating the knitting yarn is formed inside the claw. At the portion corresponding to the tip of the claw of the one hook 113, an entrance 117 (FIG. 33 (A)) through which the knitting yarn 3 enters the holding space is formed. Further, the tip portion 115 of the knitting needle is rotatable about a rotation axis, and is in a closed state (FIG. 33 (B)) for closing the entrance 117 and a closed state (FIG. 33 (A)) for opening the entrance 117. ) Is provided with a one-sided spatula 118 whose state can be changed. Further, in the one-sided knitting needle tip portion 115, a one-sided recessed portion 119 (FIGS. 33 (A) and (B)) that is recessed downward is formed in the direction toward the base end side of the one-sided spatula 118.

A pair of knitting needle base ends 114 of a pair of knitting needles 112 constituting one pair of knitting needles 101 constitutes a knitting needle base end portion 120, and a pair of knitting needle tip portions 115 form a knitting needle tip portion 121. The single hook 113 constitutes a pair of hooks 122 (corresponding to the "hook member" in the claims), and the pair of single bells 118 constitutes the pair of bells 110 (corresponding to the "bella" in the claims). The one-sided recessed portion 119 constitutes the anti-dented portion 123, and the pair of one-sided pushing surfaces 116 form the anti-pushing surface 124 (corresponding to the “pushing surface” in the claims).

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the five anti-knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 are arranged so that their tip side directions and the front sides coincide with each other. The five anti-knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 are arranged so that their front end side orientation and the rearward direction coincide with each other. The five anti-knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 can be synchronously moved in the front-rear direction by a knitting needle unit drive mechanism (not shown). The five anti-knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 can be synchronously moved in the front-rear direction by a knitting needle unit drive mechanism (not shown). In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the paired knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 and the front knitting needle unit 105 move in synchronization with each other, but the movements are not synchronized and one pair of knitting needles 101 moves. It may be configured to operate one by one or a plurality of each in order. Hereinafter, the five anti-knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 will be referred to as a first rear anti-knitting needle BA1, a second rear anti-knitting needle BA2, ..., A fifth rear anti-knitting needle BA5 from right to left (FIG. 31). reference). Further, the five knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 are referred to as a first front knitting needle FA1, a second front knitting needle FA2, ..., And a fifth front knitting needle FA5 from right to left (FIG. 31). reference).

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the rear holding unit 106 includes a rear holding plate group 126 and a pair of moving rod restricting members 102. The rear holding plate group 126 includes 10 holding portion forming plates 127 (corresponding to the “holding portion forming member” in the claims). Hereinafter, with respect to the 10 holding portion forming plates 127 of the rear holding plate group 126, the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1, the second rear holding portion forming plate BH2, and the third rear holding portion forming are formed in this order from right to left. Plates BH3, ..., 10th rear holding portion forming plate BH10 (see FIG. 35). FIG. 34 is a side view of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 as viewed from the right side to the left side. The first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 shown in FIG. 34 is in a state in which two fixing members 125 (described later) are attached.

As shown in FIG. 34, the holding portion forming plate 127 (the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 in FIG. 34) is forward as a whole from the upper end to the lower end when viewed from the side. It has a curved shape so that it becomes convex toward. The first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 has an upper extending portion 128 extending downward from the upper end portion while bending downward toward the front side, and an upward extending portion 128 extending upward from the lower end portion toward the front side. It has a lower extending portion 129 extending while extending, and a bulging portion 130 that is interposed between the upper extending portion 128 and the lower extending portion 129 and bulges forward.

The bulging portion 130 of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 is formed with seven dented portions 131 that are open at the front and gradually narrowed toward the rear. The shape of the recessed portion 131 is merely an example, and may be configured to extend with a substantially constant width without gradually narrowing. Hereinafter, the seven recessed portions 131 formed in the holding portion forming plate 127 are referred to as the first step recessed portion HK1, the second step recessed portion HK2, ..., And the seventh step recessed portion HK7 in order from the bottom. A holding portion 132 (corresponding to the “holding portion” in the claims) is formed above the opening of the recessed portion 131. As shown in FIG. 34, the holding portion 132 of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 has a hook-shaped member, and an entrance 133 is formed at a position corresponding to the tip end portion of the hook-shaped member. A holding space is formed inside the hook-shaped member.

The knitting yarn 3 can enter the holding space through the entrance 133. In order for the knitting yarn 3 to enter the holding space, the knitting yarn 3 once enters the inside of the recessed portion 131 and moves from the rear side of the entrance 133 to the front side relative to the entrance 133. It is necessary to enter the holding space through the entrance 133. Hereinafter, the seven holding portions 132 formed on the holding portion forming plate 127 are referred to as the first-stage holding portion HJ1, the second-stage holding portion HJ2, ..., And the seventh-stage holding portion HJ7 in order from the bottom. As will become clear later, each of the holding portions 132 of the holding portion forming plate 127 can hold a plurality of loops formed in the row direction in one layer.

As shown in FIG. 34, the first plate through hole 135 and the second plate through hole 136 are formed in the upper extending portion 128 in order toward the front side at intervals, and the lower extending portion 129 is formed. The third plate through hole 137 and the fourth plate through hole 138 are formed at intervals in order from the rear side. The first plate through hole 135, the second plate through hole 136, the third plate through hole 137, and the fourth plate through hole 138 (hereinafter, when these are not distinguished, simply referred to as "plate through hole") are held behind the first plate, respectively. It is a through hole penetrating the portion forming plate BH1 (holding portion forming plate 127). The holding portion forming plate 127 other than the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 has the same structure as the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1.

As shown in FIG. 34, the fixing member 125 is attached to the portion corresponding to the second plate through hole 136 and the portion corresponding to the fourth plate through hole 138 on the right side surface of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1. There is. The fixing member 125 is formed with a through hole that communicates with the corresponding plate through hole.

FIG. 35 (A) is a perspective view of the rear holding plate group 126 and related members in the pair separated state (described later), and FIG. 35 (B) is a perspective view of the rear holding plate group 126 and related members in the pair proximity state (described later). It is a figure. The rear holding plate group 126 forms a plate pair 140 in pairs from the right side to the left side. That is, the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 and the second rear holding portion forming plate BH2 form a pair to form the first rear plate pair PB1, and the third rear holding portion forming plate BH3 and the fourth rear holding plate BH3 are held. The second rear plate pair PB2 is formed by the portion forming plate BH4, the third rear plate pair PB3 is formed by the fifth rear holding portion forming plate BH5 and the sixth rear holding portion forming plate BH6, and the seventh rear holding portion forming plate BH 7 is formed by the portion forming plate BH4. The fourth rear plate pair PB4 is formed by the eighth rear holding portion forming plate BH8, and the fifth rear plate pair PB5 is formed by the ninth rear holding portion forming plate BH9 and the tenth rear holding portion forming plate BH10.

The holding portion forming plate 127 located on the right side of each plate pair 140 of the rear holding plate group 126 is provided with a fixing member 125 corresponding to the second plate through hole 136 and the fourth plate through hole 138 on the right side. Further, the holding portion forming plate 127 located on the left side of each plate pair 140 of the rear holding plate group 126 is provided with a fixing member 125 corresponding to the first plate through hole 135 and the third plate through hole 137 on the left surface. .. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 35, the fixing member 125 provided corresponding to the first plate through hole 135 and the first plate through hole 135 of all the holding portion forming plates 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 has a rod shape. The first moving rod 141 of the above is inserted. Similarly, all the second plate through holes 136 and the corresponding fixing member 125 have the second moving rod 142, and all the third plate through holes 137 and the corresponding fixing member 125 have the third moving rod 143. The fourth moving rod 144 inserts the fourth plate through hole 138 and the corresponding fixing member 125. Hereinafter, when the first to fourth moving rods 141 to 144 are not distinguished, they are referred to as "moving rods".

Each of the fixing members 125 is fixed to a moving rod through which the fixing member 125 is inserted. Further, the first moving rod 141 and the third moving rod 143 can be synchronously moved in the left-right direction by a moving rod driving mechanism (not shown). Similarly, the second moving rod 142 and the fourth moving rod 144 can be synchronously moved in the left-right direction by the moving rod driving mechanism. Since each of the fixing members 125 is fixed to the moving rod through which the fixing member 125 is inserted, when the first moving rod 141 and the third moving rod 143 move in the left-right direction in synchronization with each other, they are located on the left side of each plate pair 140. The holding portion forming plate 127 also moves according to the movement of the moving rod. Similarly, when the second moving rod 142 and the fourth moving rod 144 move in the left-right direction in synchronization with each other, the holding portion forming plate 127 located on the right side of each plate pair 140 also moves according to the movement of the moving rod. Although both the first moving rod 141 and the third moving rod 143 are moved, the corresponding holding portion forming plate 127 may be moved by moving only one of them. The same applies to the first moving rod 141 and the third moving rod 143.

The rear holding plate group 126 can take two states, a pair separated state (FIG. 35 (A)) and a pair close state (FIG. 35 (B)). As shown in FIG. 35 (A), the pair separation state is a state in which a gap of a certain amount or more is formed for each plate pair 140. In the present embodiment, for two adjacent plate pairs 140, the fixing member 125 of the left holding portion forming plate 127 in the right plate pair 140 is the right surface of the right holding portion forming plate 127 in the left plate pair 140. When it comes into contact with or is close to, the pair is separated. It should be noted that the fixing member 125 corresponding to the first plate through hole 135 and the fixing member 125 corresponding to the second plate through hole 136 are designed so as not to overlap when viewed from the side. Further, it is designed so that the fixing member 125 corresponding to the third plate through hole 137 and the fixing member 125 corresponding to the fourth plate through hole 138 do not overlap when viewed from the side. As long as the gap between the plate pairs 140 can be secured to the extent that the anti-knitting needles 101 can pass through in the pair-separated state, the fixing member 125 may have any aspect, for example, so as to overlap when viewed from the side. You may do it. When the rear holding plate group 126 is in a pair-separated state, when the rear holding plate group 126 is viewed from the front side to the rear, the rear knitting needle unit 104 is positioned at a position corresponding to the gap formed in each plate pair 140. Each of the anti-knitting needles 101 and each of the anti-knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 are in a positioned state.

As shown in FIG. 35 (B), the pair proximity state is a state in which the two holding portion forming plates 127 of each plate pair 140 are in contact with each other or are in close proximity to each other.

For one plate pair 140, the pair holding portion 146 is formed by the pair of holding portions 132 included in the two holding portion forming plates 127. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, for the seven pair-holding portions 146 of one plate pair 140, the first-stage pair-holding portion TH1, the second-stage pair-holding portion TH2, and the third-stage pair-holding portion are sequentially arranged from the bottom. It is referred to as a portion TH3, a fourth-stage pair-holding portion TH4, a fifth-stage pair-holding portion TH5, a sixth-stage pair-holding portion TH6, and a seventh-stage pair-holding portion TH7. As will become clear later, the pair holding portion 146 holds the loop in a state where the inside of the loop is widened when the pair is separated. Further, for one plate pair 140, the pair of recessed portions 131 provided in the two holding portion forming plates 127 constitutes the pair of recessed portions 148. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 35, with respect to the seven paired recesses 148 of one plate pair 140, the first step vs. the recessed portion TK1, the second step vs. the recessed portion TK2, and the third step vs. the recessed portion TK3 in order from the bottom. , 4th step vs. dented portion TK4, 5th step vs. dented portion TK5, 6th step vs. dented portion TK6, 7th step vs. dented portion TK7.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, a pair of moving rod restricting members 102 are provided on the right side and the left side of the rear holding plate group 126 in the rear holding unit 106. The four moving rods provided corresponding to the rear holding plate group 126 are inserted into each of the moving rod restricting notches 147 formed in the pair of moving rod restricting members 102. The moving rod restricting notch 147 of the moving rod restricting member 102 on the right side is a notch curved so as to be convex toward the front, and is formed along the circumference of a virtual circle. The same applies to the moving rod restricting notch 147 of the moving rod restricting member 102 on the left side. Each of the moving rods is maintained in a state of extending in the left-right direction by the moving rod driving mechanism, and the relative positional relationship of each moving rod is maintained along the moving rod regulation notch 147. It is possible to move and stop in synchronization. When each moving rod moves along the moving rod regulation notch 147, each holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 also moves accordingly.

The rear holding unit 106 (rear holding plate group 126 and a pair of moving rod regulating members 102) has been described above, but in the front holding unit 107, the member group having the same structure as the rear holding unit 106 is in the front-rear direction with the rear holding unit 106. It is arranged in the opposite direction in. Hereinafter, the ten holding portion forming plates 127 of the front holding unit 107 will be referred to as a front holding plate group 145 (FIGS. 31 and 32). Further, regarding the 10 holding portion forming plates 127 of the front holding plate group 145, the first front holding portion forming plate FH1, the second front holding portion forming plate FH2, ..., The tenth front in order from the right side to the left. The holding portion forming plate FH10 (FIG. 32 (A)) is used. Further, regarding the plate pair 140, in order from right to left, the first front plate pair PF1, the second front plate pair PF2, the third front plate pair PF3, the fourth front plate pair PF4, and the fifth front plate pair PF5. do. In addition, the members and parts of the front holding unit 107 having the same functions as those of the rear holding unit 106 are designated by the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified.

The holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the holding portion forming plate 127 of the front holding plate group 145 can be replaced with an arbitrary holding portion 132 of one holding portion forming plate 127 by changing their postures with each other. It is configured so that it can face any holding portion 132 of one holding portion forming plate 127 in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 50 (B) to be used later, the seventh-stage holding portion HJ7 of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the first-stage holding of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the front holding plate group 145. The portions HJ1 can be opposed to each other, and as shown in FIG. 65 (A), the first-stage holding portion HJ1 of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the holding portion of the front holding plate group 145. The seventh-stage holding portion HJ7 of the forming plate 127 may be opposed to the seventh-stage holding portion HJ7.

The knitting machine 100 includes a control unit 150 (FIG. 31). The control unit 150 controls various drive mechanisms (including the above-mentioned knitting needle unit drive mechanism and moving rod drive mechanism) to operate the knitting mechanism 103. In particular, the knitting machine 100 includes a handling mechanism (not shown), and the control unit 150 controls the handling mechanism to handle the knitting yarn 3.

Next, a specific example of the operation when the knitting mechanism 103 of the knitting machine 100 having the above structural features knits the knitting body 2 will be described. First, how the knitting body 2 is knitted by the operation of the knitting mechanism 103 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplification of the explanation, the method of counting the number of steps in the knitted fabric is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, in a certain layer, the loop formed in the first stage is defined as the first stage loop, and the stitch knitted by passing the knitting yarn 3 through the first stage loop is the first stage. It is the stitch of. Then, the number of steps is sequentially increased to the second and third steps according to the knitting of the knitted fabric in the row direction (= so-called wale direction).

The principle that the knitting machine 100 according to the present embodiment knits the knitting machine 2 is the same as that of the knitting machine 1 according to the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 36 (A), first, the knitted fabric of the first layer is knitted by the knitting mechanism 103. In the knitted fabric of the first layer, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop of the first step to knit the first stitch, and then the stitches up to the sixth step are knitted in sequence, and in the process, the second step is knitted. It is organized by forming loops in order from the loop to the 7th loop. More specifically, first, the knitting mechanism 103 passes the knitting yarn 3 through the loop of the first layer of the first layer, which is called the stitch, and knits the stitch of the first layer of the first layer and the second stage of the first layer. Loop is formed. In this way, the stitches are knitted and loops are formed in sequence, and when the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop of the first layer and the sixth step, the stitches of the first layer and the sixth step are knitted and the first layer is formed. A loop of the first layer and the seventh stage is formed. Each of the loops of the 1st layer 1st stage to the 1st layer 7th stage holds the knitting mechanism 103 (specifically, in this example, the rear holding plate group 126) even after the knitted fabric of the 1st layer is knitted. The state held by the unit 132) is maintained.

After knitting the knitted fabric of the first layer, the knitting mechanism 103 regards the loop of the seventh stage of the first layer as the loop of the first stage of the second layer, and as shown in FIG. By passing a new knitting yarn 3 through the loop of the stitch, the stitch of the first step of the second layer is knitted, and the loop of the second step of the second layer is formed. When folding back from the first layer to the second layer, unlike folding back from the second layer to the upper layer (folding back from the second layer to the third layer, folding back from the third layer to the fourth layer ...), 1 In knitting the stitches of the steps, the knitting yarn 3 is not passed through both the loop of the current layer (second layer) and the loop of the layer one layer below the current layer (first layer), but the current layer. The knitting yarn 3 is passed only through the loop (= the loop of the first stage of the second layer). This is because when the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop of the 1st layer 6th stage together with the 2nd layer 1st stage (= 1st layer 7th stage), the 2nd layer 1st stage is passed together with the knitting yarn 3. This is because the loop of the stitch (= the 7th step of the 1st layer) passes through the loop of the 6th step of the 1st layer, and the knitting yarn is unwound.

Next, as shown in FIG. 36C, the knitting mechanism 103 passes the knitting yarn 3 through both the loop of the second layer and the second stage and the loop of the first layer and the sixth stage holding the knitting yarn 3. The stitches of the second layer and the second stage are knitted, and the loop of the second layer and the third stage is newly formed. That is, the knitting mechanism 103 holds and holds the loop already formed in the second layer (the loop formed in the previous step) at the time of knitting the stitches of the second layer and the second stage, and this loop and ". Of the loops related to the first layer being held, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loop at the position corresponding to the position of the loop already formed in the second layer and the loop at the sixth stage of the first layer. Knit the stitches. After knitting the stitches, the knitting mechanism 103 continues to hold the held second layer loop, while releasing the holding of the first layer loop.

After that, as shown in FIG. 36C, the knitting mechanism 103 knits a new stitch by passing the knitting yarn 3 through both the loop already formed in the second layer and the corresponding loop in the first layer. At the same time, the process of forming a new loop is sequentially executed to knit the knitted fabric of the second layer. After knitting the knitted fabric of the second layer, the knitting mechanism 103 discards the holding of the loop (crease) of the first stage of the first layer when knitting the knitted fabric of the third layer. Then, as shown in FIG. 36 (D), the knitting mechanism 103 is formed by knitting the second layer 7th stage loop (the second layer 6th stage stitch) corresponding to the loop of the final stage of the second layer. The loop) is used as the loop of the first stage of the third layer, and the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loop of the first stage of the third layer and the loop of the sixth stage of the second layer that is held, and the third layer is passed. The stitches of the first layer are knitted and the loop of the second layer of the third layer is formed. After that, the knitting mechanism 103 includes a loop already formed in the third layer (third layer second stage, third stage ...) and a corresponding loop in the second layer (second layer fifth stage, fourth stage ...). The process of knitting the stitches and forming a new loop by passing the knitting yarn 3 through both of the knitting yarns 3 is sequentially executed to knit the knitted fabric of the third layer. As described above, the knitting mechanism 103 knits the knitted fabric 2 composed of a plurality of layers of knitted fabric.

Next, the operation of the knitting mechanism 103 when knitting the knitting body 2 will be described in detail. 37 to 63 are views showing the state of the knitting mechanism 103 when knitting the knitting body 2, and time has passed from FIG. 37 to FIG. 63. In each of FIGS. 37 to 63, (A) shows a perspective view of the knitting mechanism 103 (however, (A1) and (A2) in FIG. 50), and (B) is from the right side to the left side of the knitting mechanism 103. It shows a state of looking at the knitting mechanism 103. In each of FIGS. 37 to 63, (A) (or (A1), (A2)) and (B) show the state of the knitting body 2 at the same timing. In each of the drawings of FIGS. 37 to 63, drawing of a predetermined member may be omitted for the sake of legibility of the drawing. In the following description, it is assumed that the knitting mechanism 103 operates by controlling various drive mechanisms by the control unit 150, and the processing of the control unit 150 is not particularly mentioned.

When knitting the knitting body 2, the knitting mechanism 103 is in the state shown in FIG. 37. In the state of FIG. 37, the rear holding plate group 126 is in a pair separated state. Further, the knitting yarn 3 is set in the rear holding plate group 126. FIG. 64 schematically shows a front view of the first-stage recessed portion HK1 and the first-stage holding portion HJ1 of the rear holding plate group 126 in which the knitting yarn 3 is set. In FIG. 64, the widths of the first-stage recessed portion HK1 and the first-stage holding portion HJ1 are different for the sake of easy viewing of the drawing.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 64, in the state of FIG. 37, the knitting yarn 3 has the first-stage recessed portions of all the holding portion forming plates 127 from the right side of the first-stage recessed portion HK1 of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1. It passes through HK1 and reaches the left side of the first-stage recessed portion HK1 of the tenth rear holding portion forming plate BH10. Hereinafter, in the state of FIG. 37, a portion of the knitting yarn 3 that passes through each of the first-stage recessed portions HK1 of the rear holding plate group 126 and extends in the left-right direction is referred to as a “rear first-stage left-right extending portion 152”. .. The knitting yarn 3 is folded back on the left side of the first step recessed portion HK1 of the tenth rear holding portion forming plate BH10, and the first step pair holding portion TH1 of the fifth rear plate pair PB5 (the first step holding of the tenth rear holding portion forming plate BH10). It is wound around the first-stage holding portion HJ1 of the portion HJ1 and the ninth rear holding portion forming plate BH9), and is held as a loop (so-called seam) by the first-stage pair holding portion TH1. With reference to FIG. 36 (A), the loop held by the first stage pair holding portion TH1 of the fifth rear plate pair PB5 corresponds to the leftmost loop of the first stage of the first layer of FIG. 36 (A). The knitting yarn 3 is wound around the first-stage pair holding portion TH1 of the fifth rear plate pair PB5, and then similarly, the fourth rear plate pair PB4, the third rear plate pair PB3, the second rear plate pair PB2, and the second 1 The rear plate pair PB1 is wound around the first-stage pair holding portion TH1 in this order, and then passes through the first-stage recessed portion HK1 of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 to the right side of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1. It is discharged. As shown in FIG. 37, the rear left and right extending portion 152 of the first stage is located behind the loop held by the first stage pair holding portion TH1. The knitting yarn 3 may be set mechanically, or part or all of the knitting yarn 3 may be artificially set.

After the state shown in FIG. 37 is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the front knitting needle unit 105 rearward to shift to the state shown in FIG. 38. In FIG. 38 (A), the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 is omitted. Although the front holding plate group 145 is not shown in FIG. 38 (the same applies to FIGS. 39 to 49 below), the front holding plate group 145 is in a pair-separated state, and the pair of knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 Each passes through each of the gaps of each plate pair 140 of the front holding plate group 145 and moves backward.

Explaining the transition from the state of FIG. 37 to the state of FIG. 38 focusing on the first front pair knitting needle FA1, the pair of bells 110 of the first front pair knitting needle FA1 is in the open state in the state of FIG. 37. However, the closed state may be set in this state, and the open state may be set by using the knitting yarn 3 or using a magnet in the process of shifting to the state shown in FIG. 38. The knitting needle tip 121 of the first front pair knitting needle FA1 entered the gap of the first rear plate pair PB1 in response to the backward movement, and was held by the first stage pair holding portion TH1 of the first rear plate pair PB1. Pass inside the loop. When the loop is held by the pair holding portion 146 in the pair-separated state, the pair holding portion 146 holds the loop with the inside of the loop expanded. Therefore, in the pair separated state, the knitting needle tip portion 121 can pass through the inside of the loop held by the pair holding portion 146. Further, in the knitting needle tip 121 of the first front knitting needle FA1, the rear first step left and right extending portion 152 is located above the open knitting needle 110, and the tip of the open knitting needle 110 holds the pair. It moves backward until it is located behind the loop held by the portion 146.

After the state shown in FIG. 38, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the front knitting needle unit 105 forward and shifts to the state shown in FIG. 39. The transition from the state of FIG. 38 to the state of FIG. 39 will be described in detail by focusing on the first front pair knitting needle FA1. The extending portion 152 is caught by the anti-hook 122 and locked, and is pulled by the anti-hook 122. Since the anti-hook 122 moves forward through the inside of the loop held by the first-stage anti-holding portion TH1 of the first rear plate pair PB1, the knitting yarn 3 locked to the anti-hook 122 is of this loop. It is pulled by the anti-hook 122 through the inside.

Further, in the process of the first front pair knitting needle FA1 moving forward, the tip portion of the paired spatula 110 in the open state comes into contact with the portion of the knitting yarn 3 suspended from the pair of first stage holding portions HJ1. Ride on the part of knitting yarn 3. Further, as the movement of the first front anti-knitting needle FA1 to the front progresses, a force for shifting the anti-vera 110 to the closed state acts on the anti-vera 110 from the portion of the knitting yarn 3, and the anti-vera 110 gradually moves. It closes to the closed state. As a result of the above, in the state of FIG. 39, the anti-vera 110 is in the closed state, and the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the anti-hook 122 of the first front knitting needle FA1 and is held by the first-stage anti-holding portion TH1. It becomes a state of being pulled by taking the inside of. With reference to FIG. 36 (A), in this state, the knitting yarn 3 passes through the loop of the first stage of the knitted fabric of the first layer, the stitches of the first stage of the first layer are knitted, and the first layer is newly knitted. This is a state in which a second-stage loop is formed. It should be noted that the state of the spatula 110, such as a mechanism for shifting the anti-bella 110 from the closed state to the open state by using a magnet, and a mechanism for bringing the member into contact with the spatula 110 to shift the anti-vera 110 to the open state, etc. A dedicated mechanism for changing the magnet may be provided, and this type of mechanism may be used to shift the anti-vera 110 to the closed state.

After the state shown in FIG. 39, the knitting mechanism 103 puts the rear holding plate group 126 into a pair close state and shifts to the state shown in FIG. 40. Next, the knitting mechanism 103 slightly downwardly moves the rear holding plate group 126 to such an extent that the pair of knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 and the second stage pair of holding portions TH2 of the rear holding plate group 126 face each other in the front-rear direction. Move (rotate). Next, the knitting mechanism 103 passes the knitting yarn 3 supplied from the yarn feeding mechanism (not shown) from the right side to the left side through all the second-stage recessed portions HK2 of the rear holding plate group 126, and is in the state of FIG. 41. And. Hereinafter, in the state of FIG. 41, the portion of the knitting yarn 3 that passes through each of the second-stage recessed portions HK2 of the rear holding plate group 126 and extends in the left-right direction is referred to as “rear second-stage left-right extending portion 153”. ". It should be noted that such handling of the knitting yarn 3 is performed by controlling the handling mechanism by the control unit 150. Next, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the front knitting needle unit 105 rearward, and shifts to the state of FIG. 43 via the state of FIG. 42. In FIG. 43A, the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 and the second rear holding portion forming plate BH2 are not shown.

Explaining the transition from the state of FIG. 41 to the state of FIG. 43 via the state of FIG. 42 focusing on the first front pair knitting needle FA1, the first front pair knitting needle FA1 moves backward from the state of FIG. 41. Then, the portion of the knitting yarn 3 suspended by the pair of single hooks 113 eventually enters the second-stage pair recessed portion TK2 of the first rear plate pair PB1. A tension that suppresses slack (tension that pulls the knitting yarn 3) is applied to the knitting yarn 3, and the loop that locks to the anti-hook 122 contracts as the first front anti-knitting needle FA1 moves backward. go. The portion of the knitting yarn 3 suspended by the anti-hook 122 is located below the second-stage pair-holding portion TH2 of the first rear plate pair PB1 (state in FIG. 42), and further, the second-stage pair-holding portion TH2. When the above is exceeded on the rear side, the part of the knitting yarn 3 suspended by the hook 122 balances the force for moving the part toward the rear and the tension applied to the knitting yarn 3, and the movement toward the rear is balanced. Almost gone. On the other hand, the anti-hook 122 moves backward.

Therefore, when the first front anti-knitting needle FA1 advances backward, the portion of the knitting yarn 3 suspended by the anti-hook 122 comes into contact with the inside of the anti-bella 110, and further, when the first front anti-knitting needle FA1 advances backward. A force that shifts the anti-vera 110 to the open state acts on the anti-bella 110 from the portion of the knitting yarn 3, and the anti-vera 110 gradually opens and becomes the open state. When the movement of the first front knitting needle FA1 toward the rear further progresses, the portion of the knitting yarn 3 locked to the hook 122 is located in the recessed portion 123 of the first front knitting needle FA1. In this state, the movement of the first front pair knitting needle FA1 is stopped. After that, when the rear holding plate group 126 is slightly rotated downward, the state shown in FIG. 43 is obtained.

After the state shown in FIG. 43, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the front knitting needle unit 105 forward and shifts to the state shown in FIG. 45 via the state shown in FIG. 44. Explaining the transition from the state of FIG. 43 to the state of FIG. 45 via the state of FIG. 44 focusing on the first front pair knitting needle FA1, the first front pair knitting needle FA1 starts moving forward from the state of FIG. 43. Then, the first front knitting needle FA1 moves relatively forward with respect to the portion of the knitting yarn 3 suspended from the anti-recess portion 123, and the portion of the knitting yarn 3 is the open anti-bella 110. Contact the root. Further, when the first front pair knitting needle FA1 moves forward, the portion of the knitting yarn 3 is pushed by the anti-bella 110 and gradually advances forward, and the pair with respect to the anti-vera 110. A force that shifts the Bella 110 to the closed state is applied to gradually close the Bella 110. Further, as the movement of the first front pair knitting needle FA1 to the front progresses, the portion enters the inside of the second stage pair holding portion TH2 via the entrance 117, and the pair of spatula 110 is further closed (FIG. 44). State).

When the first front pair knitting needle FA1 further moves forward from the state of FIG. 44, as shown in FIG. 45, the loop comes out of the first front pair knitting needle FA1 and the first front re-knitting needle FA1 becomes the first rear plate pair PB1. The loop is held by the second-stage pair holding portion TH2 while being located at a position separated from the front. As described above, in the series of operations from the state of FIG. 39 to the state of FIG. 45, the loop locked to the pair of knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 is the second stage pair of holding portions of the rear holding plate group 126. Transferred to TH2. The loop held by the second-stage pair holding portion TH2 in the state of FIG. 45 corresponds to the loop of the first layer and the second stage shown in FIG. 36 (A).

After the state shown in FIG. 45 is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 rotates the rear holding plate group 126 slightly upward and puts the rear holding plate group 126 in a pair-separated state. Further, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear second stage left and right extending portion 153 forward with each of the paired knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105 in the same manner as when the state of FIG. 37 is changed to the state of FIG. 39. It is pulled to pass the knitting yarn 3 inside each of the loops held by the second-stage pair holding portion TH2. As a result, referring to FIG. 36 (A), the stitches of the first layer and the second stage are knitted, and the loop of the first layer and the third stage is newly formed. In FIG. 46, the left and right extending portions 153 of the second rear stage are pulled by the respective paired knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105, and the knitting yarn 3 passes through the loop of the first layer and the second stage, and the first layer and the third stage are newly formed. It is shown that a loop of eyes is formed and the loop is locked to each of the pair of knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105.

As described above, under the control of the control unit 150, the knitting mechanism 103 knits the stitches through the knitting yarn 3 through the existing loop (loop formed immediately before) held by the one pair holding portion 146 and newly knits the stitches. Loop is formed, and the operation of holding the new loop by the pair holding portion 146 one step above the one pair holding portion 146 is sequentially executed, and the stitches are stepwise in the column direction (= wale direction). Will be organized. In FIG. 47, after the loop of the 6th stage of the 1st layer is held by each of the 6th stage pair of the holding portion TH6 of the rear holding plate group 126, the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop of the 6th stage of the 1st layer. A new loop of the 7th stage of the 1st layer is formed, and each of the formed loops shows a state of being held by each of the 7th stage pair of the holding portion TH7 of the rear holding plate group 126. In the state of FIG. 47, the rear holding plate group 126 is in a pair separated state.

After the state shown in FIG. 47, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 forward to shift to the state shown in FIG. 48. In FIG. 48 (A), the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 is omitted. In the state of FIG. 48, each of the loops held by the seventh-stage pair holding portion TH7 is locked to each pair of hooks 122 of the pair of knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104.

After the state shown in FIG. 48, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 backward with loops locked to each of the hooks 122 of the rear knitting needle unit 104, and returns to the state shown in FIG. 49. Transition. In the state of FIG. 49, the holding of the loop by each of the seventh stage pair holding portion TH7 of the rear holding plate group 126 is released. The loop that locks to each pair of hooks 122 of the pair of knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 is not only a loop of the 7th stage of the first layer but also a loop of the first stage of the second layer (see FIG. 36 (B)). ).

After the state shown in FIG. 49, the knitting mechanism 103 passes the knitting yarn 3 through each of the first-stage recessed portions HK1 of the front holding plate group 145 from the left side to the right side of the front holding plate group 145, and is shown in FIG. Make it a state. As shown in FIG. 50, in the state of FIG. 50, the seventh-stage holding portion HJ7 of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the first-stage holding portion HJ1 of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the front holding plate group 145. The postures of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the holding portion forming plate 127 of the front holding plate group 145 are controlled so that the two are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, among the parts of the knitting yarn 3, the parts that pass through each of the first-stage recessed portions HK1 of the front holding plate group 145 and extend in the left-right direction are referred to as "front first-stage left-right extending parts 155".

After the state shown in FIG. 50 is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 forward to shift to the state shown in FIG. 51. In FIG. 51 (A), the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 is omitted. Explaining the transition from the state of FIG. 50 to the state of FIG. 51 focusing on the first rear pair knitting needle BA1, when the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 moves forward from the state of FIG. 50, it locks on the pair hook 122. The loop moves rearward relative to the first rear knitting needle BA1 (= moves relatively to the proximal end side), eventually abuts against the spatula 110, and opens from the closed state with respect to the spatula 110. Apply the force to transition to the state. Further, when the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 moves forward and the loop moves backward relative to the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 (= relatively moves toward the proximal end side), the anti-bella 110 is in the open state. Then, the loop comes out of the anti-hook 122 and exceeds the tip of the anti-vera 110 in the open state to the rear side, and the state shown in FIG. 51 is obtained.

After the state shown in FIG. 51 is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 further moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 forward to shift to the state shown in FIG. 52. In FIG. 52 (A), the depiction of a part of the moving rod is omitted. The transition from the state of FIG. 51 to the state of FIG. 52 will be described by focusing on the first rear knitting needle BA1. When the rear knitting needle unit 104 further moves forward from the state of FIG. It moves relatively rearward with respect to BA1 (= moves relatively toward the base end side), and eventually comes into contact with the counter-pushing surface 124 of the knitting needle base end portion 120. Further, when the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 moves forward, the loop is pushed by the counter-pushing surface 124 against the tension applied to the knitting yarn 3, and the state shown in FIG. 52 is obtained. In the state of FIG. 52, the portion of the knitting yarn 3 suspended on the paired knitting needle 101 is located in front of the first stage paired holding portion TH1 of the first front plate pair PF1 of the front holding plate group 145.

After the state shown in FIG. 52 is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 backward to shift to the state shown in FIG. 53. In the process of transitioning from the state of FIG. 52 to the state of FIG. 53, the pair of the rear knitting needle unit 104 is in the same manner as when transitioning from the state of FIG. 43 to the state of FIG. The loops suspended from each of the knitting needles 101 are transferred to each of the first-stage pair-holding portions TH1 of the front holding plate group 145, and are held by each of the first-stage pair-holding portions TH1.

After the state shown in FIG. 53, the knitting mechanism 103 puts the front holding plate group 145 in a pair-separated state, further rotates the front holding plate group 145 slightly upward, and then causes the rear knitting needle unit 104. The rear knitting needle unit 104 is moved forward so that each of the anti-hook 122 is located in front of the front left and right extending portion 155 (FIG. 54). In FIG. 54 (A), the illustration of the first front holding portion forming plate FH1 of the front holding plate group 145 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 54, in the state of FIG. 54, the knitting needle tip portion 121 of the paired knitting needle 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 passes through the inside of the loop held by the first stage paired holding portion TH1 of the front holding plate group 145. ..

Next, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 rearward and shifts to the state shown in FIG. 55. In FIG. 55 (A), the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 is omitted. In the process of transitioning from the state of FIG. 54 to the state of FIG. 55, the loops held by each of the first stage vs. the holding portion TH1 of the front holding plate group 145 (the first layer, the seventh stage loop, and the second layer). The knitting yarn 3 is passed through the first-stage loop (which is also the first-stage loop), the first-stage stitches of the second layer are knitted, and a new loop (second loop) that locks to each of the pair of hooks 122 of the rear knitting needle unit 104. The second layer loop) is formed.

Next, the knitting mechanism 103 puts the front holding plate group 145 in a pair close state, and then the second stage holding portion HJ2 of the front holding plate group 145 and the seventh stage holding portion HJ7 of the rear holding plate group 126 face each other in the front-rear direction. The front holding plate group 145 is rotated downward to such an extent. Further, the knitting mechanism 103 passes the knitting yarn 3 from the right side to the left side of the front holding plate group 145 through each of the second-stage recessed portions HK2 of the front holding plate group 145, and shifts to the state of FIG. 56. Hereinafter, among the parts of the knitting yarn 3, the parts that pass through each of the second-stage recessed portions HK2 of the front holding plate group 145 and extend in the left-right direction are referred to as "front second-stage left-right extending parts 156".

Next, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 forward, rotates the front holding plate group 145 slightly downward, and shifts to the state shown in FIG. 57. Further, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 rearward and shifts to the state shown in FIG. 58. In FIG. 58, the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 is omitted. A series of operations from the state of FIG. 56 to the state of FIG. 58 engages with each of the paired knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 in the same manner as the series of operations from the state of FIG. 50 to the state of FIG. 53. The stopped loop is transferred to each of the second stage pair holding portion TH2 of the front holding plate group 145. Here, each of the loops held by each of the second-stage pair holding portion TH2 is the second-stage second-stage loop.

Next, in the knitting mechanism 103, the sixth-stage holding portion HJ6 of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the second-stage holding portion HJ2 of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the front holding plate group 145 face each other in the front-rear direction. The rear holding plate group 126 is rotated upward to such an extent. The knitting mechanism 103 then moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 forward to such an extent that each of the anti-hook 122 forward exceeds each of the loops held by each of the sixth stage pair holding portion TH6 of the rear holding plate group 126. Move toward, and then shift to the state shown in FIG. 59. In FIG. 59 (A), the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 is omitted.

After the state shown in FIG. 59 (A) is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 backward to shift to the state shown in FIG. 60. In FIG. 60A, the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the first front holding portion forming plate FH1 of the front holding plate group 145 are not shown. In the state of FIG. 60, each of the loops (loops of the first layer and the sixth stage) held in each of the sixth-stage pair-holding portions TH6 of the rear-holding plate group 126 is the pair-knitting needle 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104. Transferred to each. That is, the knitting mechanism 103 holds the loop of the first layer that locks to the sixth stage pair holding portion TH6 (one holding portion of one holding portion forming member) of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the rear holding plate group 126. It is hooked on the anti-hook 122 of the anti-knitting needle 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 (knitting needle member).

Next, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 forward and shifts to the state shown in FIG. 61. In FIG. 61A, the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the first front holding portion forming plate FH1 of the front holding plate group 145 is omitted. Focusing on the first rear pair knitting needle BA1, the transition from the state of FIG. 60 to the state of FIG. 61 will be described. In the knitting mechanism 103, the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 is the first front plate pair PF1 of the front holding plate group 145. The first rear pair of knitting needles BA1 is forward (first rear pair) so as to pass through the inside of the loop of the second layer held by the second stage pair holding portion TH2 (one holding portion of the other holding portion forming member). Move to the tip side for the knitting needle BA1). Along with this movement, the knitting mechanism 103 causes the loop of the first layer that locks to the anti-hook 122 to be rearward relative to the first rear anti-knitting needle BA1 (toward the proximal end side for the first rear anti-knitting needle BA1). ), And the loop of the first layer is brought into contact with the counter-pushing surface 124. In the state of FIG. 61, the anti-vera 110 is in the open state, and the tip of the anti-vera 110 is the knitting yarn 3 suspended from the second stage pair holding portion TH2 of the first front plate pair PF1 of the front holding plate group 145. It is located in front of the site. Further, in the state of FIG. 61, the pair hook 122 of the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 is located on the front side of the front second step left and right extending portion 156.

After the state shown in FIG. 61 is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the rear knitting needle unit 104 backward to shift to the state shown in FIG. 62. In FIG. 62 (A), the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the front holding plate group 145 is omitted. Focusing on the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 of the rear knitting needle unit 104, the transition from the state of FIG. 61 to the state of FIG. 62 will be described. On the knitting yarn 3 located in front of the loop of the second layer held by the step pair holding portion TH2 (one holding portion of the other holding portion forming member) (toward the tip side for the first rear pair knitting needle BA1). , The pair hook 122 of the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 is locked. In the knitting mechanism 103, the knitting yarn 3 locked to the pair hook 122 passes through the inside of the loop of the second layer held by the second stage pair holding portion TH2 of the first front plate pair PF1 of the front holding plate group 145. The first rear pair knitting needle BA1 is moved rearward (toward the base end side for the first rear pair knitting needle BA1). Along with this movement, the knitting mechanism 103 keeps the state in which the knitting yarn 3 is locked to the anti-hook 122, and transfers the loop of the first layer that was in contact with the anti-pushing surface 124 to the first rear anti-knitting needle BA1. On the other hand, it is moved relatively forward (toward the tip side for the first rear pair of knitting needles BA1), and the outside of the pair of spatula 110 is slid on the loop related to the first layer to shift the pair of spatula 110 to the closed state. The loop of the first layer is made to cross the hook 122 forward (the tip side for the first rear knitting needle BA1).

As a result of the above operations regarding the transition from the state of FIG. 61 to the state of FIG. 62, the loops (second layer, second stage) held in each of the second stage pair holding portion TH2 of the front holding plate group 145. The knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loop) and the loop (= the loop of the first layer and the sixth stage) locked to the knitting needle 101. As a result, the stitches of the second layer and the second stage are knitted, and the loops of the second layer and the third stage are newly formed, and the newly formed loops are locked to the anti-hook 122 of the anti-knitting needle 101. It becomes a state.

After the state shown in FIG. 62, in the knitting mechanism 103, each of the third stage pair holding portion TH3 of the front holding plate group 145 and each of the sixth stage pair holding portion TH6 of the rear holding plate group 126 are in the front-rear direction. The front holding plate group 145 is rotated downward so as to face each other. Next, the knitting mechanism 103 passes the knitting yarn 3 from the left side to the right side of the front holding plate group 145 through each of the three-stage recessed portions 131 of the front holding plate group 145 to bring the state of FIG. 63. In FIG. 63, the illustration of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 and the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 of the front holding plate group 145 is omitted.

After that, under the control of the control unit 150, the knitting mechanism 103 performs the same operation as the operation when shifting from the state of FIG. 56 to the state of FIG. 62, and executes the following operations. That is, the knitting mechanism 103 has a second layer third-stage loop that is locked to each of the paired knitting needles 101 of the rear knitting needle unit 104 in the state of FIG. 63, and a fifth stage of the rear holding plate group 126 in the state of FIG. 63. The knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loops of the first layer and the fifth stage held in each of the pair holding portions TH5 to knit the stitches of the second layer and the third stage, and the second layer and the fourth stage are newly knitted. Form a loop. The loop of the second layer and the third stage is held by the third stage pair holding portion TH3 of the front holding plate group 145. In this way, the knitting mechanism 103 knits the stitches through the knitting yarn 3 in both the loop formed most recently in the second layer and the corresponding loop in the first layer, and forms a new loop. Repeatedly, the stitches are knitted step by step in the row direction (so-called wale direction), and the knitted fabric of the second layer is knitted.

After knitting the knitted fabric of the second layer, the knitting mechanism 103 folds back from the second layer to the third layer, sequentially knits the stitches of the third layer, and knits the knitted fabric of the third layer. As described above, the folding back from the second layer to the third layer is the loop of the same layer (in this case, the third layer) and the next lower layer (the second layer in this example) when knitting the first stitch. It differs from the folding back from the first layer to the second layer in that the knitting yarn 3 is passed through both the loops of the layer). Hereinafter, folding back from the second layer to the third layer will be described using a side view.

FIG. 65 is a side view showing the operation of the knitting mechanism 103 when folding back from the second layer to the third layer, and time is formed from (A) to (D).

FIG. 65A shows how the front holding plate group 145 holds the loops of the first to seventh steps of the knitted fabric of the second layer. At the time of FIG. 65 (A), the knitted fabric of the first layer is overlapped and connected to the knitted fabric of the second layer in the portion surrounded by the broken line. The illustration of the knitted fabric of the first layer is omitted. After the state shown in FIG. 65 (A) is reached, the knitting mechanism 103 releases the holding of the loop by each of the first stage pair holding portion TH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 by the rear knitting needle unit 104, and the loop thereof is released. Discard the hold. The loop held by the first-stage pair holding portion TH1 is the loop (crease) of the first stage of the first layer.

Explaining the operation of the knitting mechanism 103 at this time by paying attention to the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 of the rear knitting needle unit 104, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 and engages with the first stage pair holding portion TH1. The loop to be stopped is transferred to the hook 122. Next, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the first rear anti-knitting needle BA1 in which the loop is locked to the anti-hook 122 forward, brings the loop into contact with the anti-pushing surface 124, and moves forward as it is. The loop opens the anti-hook 122. The knitting mechanism 103 then moves the first rear pair knitting needle BA1 rearward. Along with this movement, the anti-bella 110 is closed, and the loop slides on the outside of the anti-vera 110 and comes out of the anti-knitting needle 101. This breaks the loop hold. FIG. 65B shows the state of the knitting mechanism 103 after the holding of the loop by each of the first stage pair holding portion TH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 is released.

After the state shown in FIG. 65 (B), the knitting mechanism 103 moves each of the first-stage holding portions HJ1 of the rear holding plate group 126 and each of the seventh-stage holding portions HJ7 of the front holding plate group 145 in the front-rear direction. To face each other. Next, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the front knitting needle unit 105 and holds the loop (the second layer, the seventh stage loop, and the third layer, the first stage) held by the seventh stage vs. the holding portion TH7 of the front holding plate group 145. Each of these loops) is transferred to each of the paired knitting needles 101 of the front knitting needle unit 105, and the knitting yarn 3 is inserted into all the first-stage recessed portions HK1 of the rear holding plate group 126 in the left-right direction. The knitting yarn 3 is routed so as to extend so as to be in the state shown in FIG. 65 (C).

Next, the knitting mechanism 103 controls the movement of the front knitting needle unit 105, and each of the loops locked to the front knitting needle unit 105 is transferred to the first stage pair holding portion TH1 of the rear holding plate group 126 (FIG. 65 (D). ) State). Next, the knitting mechanism 103 controls the rear holding plate group 126, the front holding plate group 145, and the front knitting needle unit 105 to pull the knitting yarn 3 extending in the left-right direction in the first-stage recessed portion HK1 of the rear holding plate group 126. , 3rd layer 1st stage loop held by the 1st stage pair holding portion TH1 of the rear holding plate group 126, and the 2nd layer 6th stage held by the 6th stage pair holding portion TH6 of the front holding plate group 145. The stitches of the first stage of the third layer are knitted through both the loops of the stitches. The knitting mechanism 103 releases the holding of the loops of the second layer and the sixth stage according to the knitting of the stitches of the third layer and the first stage, and the loops of the third layer and the second stage newly formed by the knitting of the stitches are released. , It is held by each of the second stage pair holding portion TH2 of the rear holding plate group 126. After that, by passing the knitting yarn 3 through both the loop of the third layer and the loop of the corresponding second layer, the stitches are knitted stepwise in the row direction (= wale direction).

As described above, in the present embodiment, when focusing on one row of the knitted fabric, the knitting mechanism 103 has a plurality of holding portions 132 capable of holding a plurality of loops formed in the row direction by one layer. It is provided with two holding portion forming plates 127 formed. The knitting mechanism 103 holds the loop formed at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer by the holding portion 132 of one holding portion forming plate 127 even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed. .. When knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the knitting mechanism 103 holds the loop already formed in the Nth layer by the holding portion 132 of one of the other holding portion forming plates 127, and the other holding portion. One of the loop related to the Nth layer held by the holding portion 132 of one of the forming plates 127 and the loop related to the N-1 layer held by the holding portion 132 of the one holding portion forming plate 127. Both the loop at the position corresponding to the position of the loop related to the Nth layer held by the holding portion 132 of the holding portion forming plate 127 of the other holding portion forming plate 127 by the holding portion 132 of the other holding portion forming plate 127. The stitches are knitted through the knitting yarn, and the holding of the loop related to the N-1 layer by the holding portion 132 of one of the holding portion forming plates 127 is released according to the knitting of the stitches, while the holding portion of the other holding portion is released. The holding of the loop related to the Nth layer by the holding portion 132 of one of the forming plates 127 is continued even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed. According to this configuration, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to knit a three-dimensional knitted fabric 2 having a solid content composed of a plurality of layers of knitted fabric.

<Modified example of the second embodiment>
Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, as in the cases shown in FIGS. 41 to 45, when the loop that locks to the pair hook 122 of the pair knitting needle 101 is transferred to the pair holding portion 146, as shown in FIG. 43, the pair knitting needle 101 (In the example of FIG. 43, the first front pair knitting needle FA1) is located above the knitting yarn 3 extending in the recessed portion 131 (in the example of FIG. 43, the rear second step left and right extending portion 153). Was there. However, as shown in FIG. 66, the knitting needle 101 may be located below the knitting yarn 3. When the front knitting needle unit 105 is moved forward from the state shown in FIG. 66, the knitting yarn 3 closes the anti-bella 110, and the loop is engaged with the anti-holding portion 146 without allowing the knitting yarn 3 to enter the anti-hook 122. It can be stopped. Since the rear second stage left and right extending portion 153 is tensioned to stay at this position by the paper feeding mechanism, it stays at the position shown in FIG. 66.

Further, the knitting needle 101 may have the following configuration. FIG. 67 is a diagram showing a knitting needle 160 which is a modification of the knitting needle 101 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 67, the knitting needle 160 has a first position (FIGS. 67 (A) and (B)) and a second position (FIG. 67 (C)) relative to the housing 161 and the inside of the housing 161. )) And a knitting needle body 162 that can be moved. As shown in FIGS. 67 (A) and 67 (B), when the knitting needle body 162 is in the first position with respect to the housing 161, the anti-vera 163 is located outside the housing 161 and is in the open state and the closed state. It can be in any state. On the other hand, it is assumed that the anti-vera 163 of the knitting needle main body 162 located at the first position is in the open state as shown in FIG. 67 (B). When the knitting needle body 162 moves from this state to the second position, as shown in FIG. 67 (C), the anti-vera 163 is housed in the spatula accommodating portion 164 formed in the housing 161 and the anti-vera 163 remains in the open state. Locked.

The anti-bella 163 is used, for example, in the following aspects. FIG. 68 is a diagram used for explaining the usage mode of the Bella 163. Now, it is assumed that the knitting mechanism 103 is in the state shown in FIG. 68 (A), and from this state, the loop that engages with the knitting needle 160 is transferred to the second-stage pair holding portion TH2. It is assumed that the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 is appropriately moved, and the description of the movement of the first rear holding portion forming plate BH1 will be omitted.

From the state shown in FIG. 68 (A), the knitting mechanism 103 moves the knitting needle 160 backward and shifts the knitting needle 163 to the open state, moves the knitting needle body 162 to the second position, and moves the knitting needle body 162 to the second position, and moves the knitting needle body 162 to the open state. Is housed in the wrasse storage section 164 (FIG. 68 (B)). The knitting mechanism 103 then moves the anti-knitting needle 160 forward and locks the loop to the second-stage anti-holding portion TH2 (FIG. 68 (C)). Next, the knitting mechanism 103 moves the knitting needle 160 backward and the knitting needle body 162 to the first position (FIG. 68 (D)). In the state of FIG. 68 (D), the anti-bella 163 is in the open state. The knitting mechanism 103 moves the anti-knitting needle 160 forward from the state shown in FIG. 68 (D) to bring it to the state shown in FIG. 68 (E). In the process of transitioning from FIG. 68 (D) to FIG. 68 (E), the anti-bella 163 hits the knitting yarn 3 and is closed. In the second embodiment and its modifications, the anti-dented portion 123 was formed in the anti-knitting needles 101 and 160, but the anti-dented portion 123 may not be provided.

Further, the state of the knitting body 2 knitted by the knitting mechanism 103 of the knitting machine 100 according to the second embodiment is not limited to the one illustrated in the second embodiment, and the knitting method differs depending on the state of the knitting machine 2 to be knitted. It will be. For example, in the above embodiment, when the first layer is folded back to the second layer, the knitting yarn 3 is not passed through the loop of the first layer for the stitches of the first stage of the second layer. In this regard, when knitting the first stitch of the second layer, the knitting yarn 3 is formed in the loop of the first step of the second layer and the loop of the fifth step of the second layer (not the sixth step of the second layer). You may let it pass. In addition, in the second embodiment, the place where the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop of the second stage of the second layer and the loop of the sixth stage of the first layer is replaced with the loop of the second stage of the second layer and the loop of the first layer. The combination of the Nth layer and the N-1th layer through which the knitting yarn 3 is passed at the same time, such as passing the knitting yarn 3 through the loop of the fifth stage, is not limited to the one illustrated in the above embodiment. Further, the moving rod and the appropriate holding portion forming plate 127 may be directly adhered to each other, or these may be integrally formed. Further, the method of bringing the rear holding plate group 126 and the front holding plate group 145 into the pair close state and the pair separated state is not limited to the method exemplified in this embodiment.

Moreover, it is not necessary to make the number of stages of each layer the same. As an example, the second layer may have seven stages, the third layer may have six stages, the second layer may have six stages, and the third layer may have seven stages. When the number of stages of the Nth layer is smaller than the number of stages of the N-1 layer, among the loops of the N-1 layer, those in which the knitting yarn 3 is not passed together with the loop of the Nth layer are shown in FIG. 65 (A). ) Shall be released by the same method as described with reference to). When the number of stages of the Nth layer is larger than the number of stages of the N-1 layer, the yarn is knitted only in the loop of the Nth layer as in the case of folding back from the first layer to the second layer in the example of the second embodiment. It is possible to increase the number of stages by forming a new loop by passing 3 through. By increasing or decreasing the number of stages depending on the layer in this way, it is possible to control the shape of the knitting body 2.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the loop that is locked to the anti-knitting needle 101 is transferred to the anti-holding portion 146, the rear holding plate group 126 (or the front holding plate group 145) is placed in a pair close state, and the anti-knitting needle 101 The loop that locks to the knitting yarn 3 was transferred to the pair holding portion 146 by operating the above-described embodiment. On the other hand, when the loop held by the anti-holding portion 146 is transferred to the anti-knitting needle 101, the rear holding plate group 126 (or the front holding plate group 145) is placed in a pair-separated state, and the anti-knitting needle 101 operates in the above-described manner. The loop held by the pair holding portion 146 was transferred to the pair knitting needle 101. Further, when the knitting yarn 3 is passed through the loop locked to the pair holding portion 146, the rear holding plate group 126 (or the front holding plate group 145) is placed in a pair-separated state, and the pair knitting needle 101 is operated to operate the loop. The knitting yarn 3 to be locked to the knitting needle 101 was passed inside. However, the transfer of loops, the structural features of each member for realizing the knitting of stitches, and the operation of each member are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment. As an example, the pair of knitting needles 101 is configured so that the distance between one knitting needle 112 and the other knitting needle 112 can be varied, while the pair of holding portions 132 in the pair holding portion 146 is fixed. When transferring the loop from the anti-knitting needle 101 to the anti-holding portion 146, the width of the separation of the anti-knitting needle 101 is made larger than the width of the separation of the anti-holding portion 146, and the stitch is transferred by hooking the knitting thread 3. When the loop is transferred from the pair holding portion 146 to the pair knitting needle 101, the separation width of the pair knitting needle 101 is made smaller than the separation width of the pair holding portion 146, and the stitches 3 are hooked. You may try to transfer. Further, when knitting the stitches, the width of the separation of the anti-knitting needle 101 is made smaller than the width of the separation of the anti-holding portion 146, and the knitting yarn 3 which is locked to the anti-knitting needle 101 in the loop held by the anti-holding portion 146 is provided. You may let it pass.

Although the two embodiments (including modifications) of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments are merely examples of embodiment of the present invention, thereby the present invention. The technical scope of is not to be construed in a limited way. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its gist or its main features. In particular, it goes without saying that the structure of the knitting machine 100 is not limited to the structure of each embodiment. That is, the present invention is a knitting machine having a knitting mechanism, and a loop formed at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer (however, N is an integer of 2 or more) is formed in the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer. When knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the loops already formed in the Nth layer are retained, and the loops already formed in the Nth layer and the loops already formed in the Nth layer are retained. Of the loops related to the N-1 layer, the stitches are knitted through new knitting threads in both the loops at the positions corresponding to the positions of the loops already formed in the Nth layer, and the stitches are knitted according to the knitting of the stitches. It broadly includes those that release the holding of the loop at the corresponding position while continuing the holding of the loop already formed in the Nth layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed. The features and operations are not limited to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Also, regarding the knitted fabric of a certain layer, the loops that are retained even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of that layer is completed are not all the loops of that layer, but the loops of the next layer when knitting the stitches of the next layer. It suffices to include the one through which the knitting yarn 3 is passed together with.

1,100 Knitting machine 4 Knitting needle 3 Knitting yarn 7,103 Knitting mechanism 14 Hook 16 Holding member 60 Holding part 101,160 Knitting needle (knitting needle member)
110, 163 vs. Bela (Bela)
120 Knitting needle base end 121 Knitting needle tip 121 Pair of hooks (hook member)
124 Anti-push surface (push surface)
127 Holding part forming plate (holding part forming member)
132 Holding part (holding part)

Claims (18)

It has a knitting mechanism that knits knitted fabrics by stacking knitted fabrics on multiple layers.
The knitting mechanism
The loop formed during the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer (however, N is an integer of 2 or more) is retained even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed.
When knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the loops already formed in the Nth layer are held, and the loops already formed in the Nth layer held and the N-1 layer holding the loops are used. Of the loops, a stitch is knitted through a new knitting yarn in both the loop at the position corresponding to the position of the loop already formed in the Nth layer, and the loop at the corresponding position is held according to the knitting of the stitch. A knitting machine characterized in that the loop already formed in the Nth layer is retained even after the knitting of the Nth layer knitted fabric is completed. The knitting mechanism has a plurality of holding members arranged in a plurality of stages in a row direction, and a knitting needle to which a loop can be locked.
Each of the holding members independently includes two holding portions capable of holding the loop and releasing the holding of the loop.
The holding portion of the holding member is capable of receiving a loop that engages with the knitting needle.
The knitting mechanism
The holding portion of one of the plurality of holding members holds the loops of a plurality of stitches arranged in a plurality of stages in the row direction in the N-1 layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed.
When knitting a stitch of a predetermined step at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the loop formed in the step immediately before the predetermined step in the Nth layer is held by the other holding member of the holding member of the predetermined step. The knitting yarn is engaged in both the loop related to the Nth layer held and held by the portion and the loop related to the N-1 layer held by the holding portion of one of the holding members of the predetermined stage. The stitches are knitted through the knitting needles to be stopped, and after the stitches are knitted, the loop related to the Nth layer is held by the other holding portion of the holding member of the predetermined stage even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed. While continuing, the holding of the loop related to the N-1 layer by one of the holding portions is released, and the loop is further locked to the knitting needle by the other holding portion of the holding member in the next stage of the predetermined stage. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein the loop is received and held. The knitting mechanism is used when knitting the Nth layer knitted fabric.
The loop relating to the Nth layer held by the other holding portion of the holding member of the predetermined stage, and the N-1 layer held by the holding portion of one of the holding members of the predetermined stage. A stitch is knitted through the knitting needle to which the knitting yarn is locked on both sides of the loop, and the loop to be locked to the knitting needle is received and held by the other holding portion of the holding member in the next step of the predetermined step. , Knitting into both the loop related to the Nth layer held by the other holding portion of the holding member in the next stage of the predetermined stage and the loop related to the N-1 layer held by one of the holding parts. The knitting machine according to claim 2, wherein the stitches are knitted stepwise in the row direction by repeatedly knitting the stitches through the knitting needles to which the yarns are locked. The knitting needle can move in the horizontal direction intersecting the vertical direction while maintaining the vertical position in which the layers of the knitted fabric overlap.
Each of the holding members can move in the vertical direction across the position of the knitting needle in the vertical direction.
The knitting mechanism is used when knitting the Nth layer knitted fabric.
The position of the holding member in a predetermined stage in which the loop related to the Nth layer is held by the other holding portion and the loop related to the N-1 layer is held by the holding portion in the vertical direction of the knitting needle is positioned. Raise beyond
The knitting machine according to claim 3, wherein the knitting needle to which the knitting yarn is locked is horizontally moved so as to pass through the two loops lifted by the holding member of the predetermined stage to knit the stitches. The knitting mechanism
When knitting the Nth layer knitted fabric,
The position of the holding member in a predetermined stage in which the loop related to the Nth layer is held by the other holding portion and the loop related to the N-1 layer is held by the holding portion in the vertical direction of the knitting needle is positioned. Raise beyond
The knitting yarn passes through the two loops lifted by the holding member of the predetermined step, and the knitting yarn reaches a position above the holding member of the next step of the predetermined step so that the portion where the loop is locked reaches the position above the holding member of the next step of the predetermined step. The stitches are knitted by horizontally moving the knitting needles to be locked.
The knitting machine according to claim 4, wherein the holding member of the next stage of the predetermined stage is raised to receive a loop that is locked to the knitting needle by the other holding portion. The holding portion receives the loop from the knitting needle by grasping the loop that engages with the knitting needle.
The knitting needle has a pair of bifurcated hooks that lock the loops, the loops are locked across the pair of hooks, and the portion that grips the loop of the holding portion can enter. Can be displaced to the gap-forming state formed between the pair of hooks.
The knitting mechanism
When the loop held by the knitting needle is received by the holding portion of the holding member,
The knitting needle is placed in a gap-forming state, the holding member is raised, a portion for gripping the loop of the holding portion is made to enter the gap formed between the pair of hooks of the knitting needle, and the loop is formed by the holding portion. The knitting machine according to claim 5, wherein the knitting machine is characterized by grasping. The two holding portions of the holding member are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the point of symmetry, and the holding member maintains a state in which the positions of the two holding portions are symmetrical with respect to the point of symmetry. It can rotate around the point of symmetry and
The knitting mechanism
The holding portions arranged below the symmetry points of the plurality of holding members form a loop of a plurality of stitches arranged in a plurality of stages in the row direction in the N-1 layer to form a knitted fabric of the N-1 layer. Retain after completion of
When knitting the stitches of the predetermined step at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the loop formed in the step immediately before the predetermined step in the Nth layer is above the symmetry point of the holding member of the predetermined step. In the loop related to the Nth layer held and held by the holding portion arranged on the side, and in the N-1 layer held by the holding portion below the symmetry point of the holding member of the predetermined stage. Knitting threads are knitted through both of the loops, and after knitting the stitches, the loop related to the N-1 layer is released by the holding portion on the lower side, and the Nth layer is released by the holding portion on the upper side. 2. The holding member is rotated around a point of symmetry while maintaining the holding of the loop according to claim 2, and the holding portion for holding the loop according to the Nth layer is positioned below the point of symmetry. The knitting machine described in. The knitting mechanism is used when knitting the Nth layer knitted fabric.
It is held by the loop related to the Nth layer held by the holding portion above the symmetry point of the holding member of the predetermined stage and by the holding portion below the symmetry point of the holding member of the predetermined stage. Knitting stitches are knitted through the knitting needles to which the knitting yarn is locked in both the loops related to the N-1 layer, and the holding portion on the upper side of the symmetry point of the holding member in the next step of the predetermined step. The loop to be locked to the knitting needle is received and held, and the loop related to the Nth layer held by the holding portion on the upper side of the holding member in the next stage of the predetermined stage and the holding portion on the lower side hold the loop. 7. Claim 7 is characterized in that the knitting is knitted stepwise in the row direction by repeatedly knitting the knitting through the knitting needle to which the knitting yarn is locked on both the loop and the loop according to the N-1th layer. The knitting machine described in. The knitting needle can move in the horizontal direction intersecting the vertical direction while maintaining the vertical position in which the layers of the knitted fabric overlap.
Each of the holding members can move in the vertical direction across the position of the knitting needle in the vertical direction.
The knitting mechanism is used when knitting the Nth layer knitted fabric.
The holding member of a predetermined stage that holds the loop related to the Nth layer by the holding portion above the symmetry point and holds the loop related to the N-1 layer by the holding portion below the symmetry point. Raise the knitting needle beyond its vertical position to raise it.
The knitting machine according to claim 8, wherein the knitting needles to which the knitting yarns are locked are horizontally moved so as to pass through the two loops lifted by the holding member of the predetermined stage to knit the stitches. The knitting mechanism is used when knitting the Nth layer knitted fabric.
The holding member of a predetermined stage that holds the loop related to the Nth layer by the holding portion above the symmetry point and holds the loop related to the N-1 layer by the holding portion below the symmetry point. Raise the knitting needle beyond its vertical position to raise it.
The knitting yarn passes through the two loops lifted by the holding member of the predetermined step, and the knitting yarn reaches a position above the holding member of the next step of the predetermined step so that the portion where the loop is locked reaches the position above the holding member of the next step of the predetermined step. The stitches are knitted by horizontally moving the knitting needles to be locked.
The knitting machine according to claim 9, wherein the holding member of the next stage of the predetermined stage is raised to receive a loop that is locked to the knitting needle by the holding portion on the upper side of the point of symmetry. The holding portion receives the loop from the knitting needle by grasping the loop that engages with the knitting needle.
The knitting needle has a pair of bifurcated hooks that lock the loops, the loops are locked across the pair of hooks, and the portion that grips the loop of the holding portion can enter. Can be displaced to the gap-forming state formed between the pair of hooks.
The knitting mechanism
When the loop held by the knitting needle is received by the holding portion above the point of symmetry of the holding member,
The knitting needle is placed in a gap-forming state, the holding member is raised, and a portion for gripping the loop of the holding portion on the upper side is inserted into the gap formed between the pair of hooks of the knitting needle, and the holding portion is formed. The knitting machine according to claim 10, wherein the loop is gripped by the knitting machine. The knitting mechanism
It is provided with two holding portion forming members in which a plurality of holding portions capable of holding a plurality of loops formed in a row direction in one layer are formed.
The loop formed at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is held by the holding portion of one of the holding portion forming members even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed.
When knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the loop already formed in the Nth layer is held by the holding portion of one of the holding portion forming members of the other, and one of the holding portion forming members of the other. One of the loop related to the Nth layer held by the holding portion and the loop related to the N-1 layer held by the holding portion of the holding portion forming member of the one of the holding portion forming members. The stitch is knitted by passing the knitting yarn through both the loop at the position corresponding to the position of the loop related to the Nth layer held by the holding portion of the other holding portion forming member held by the holding portion of the stitch. While releasing the holding of the loop related to the N-1 layer by the holding portion of one of the holding portion forming members according to the knitting of the other, the Nth N by the holding portion of the other holding portion forming member. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein the loop holding of the layers is continued even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed. The knitting mechanism holds a new loop formed by knitting a stitch in a loop related to the Nth layer and a loop related to the N-1 layer by another holding portion of the other holding portion forming member. The knitting machine according to claim 12, wherein the holding of the new loop by the other holding portion of the other holding portion forming member is continued even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed. By changing the postures of the two holding portion forming members, it is possible to make an arbitrary holding portion of one holding portion forming member and an arbitrary holding portion of the other holding portion forming member face each other. Is composed of
The holding portion can hold the loop with the inside of the loop expanded.
The knitting mechanism
When knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, each holding portion is formed by facing the holding portion of one of the other holding portion forming members and the holding portion of one of the holding portion forming members. The knitting needle member to which the knitting yarn is locked is moved so that the loops held by the stitches are opposed to each other, and the knitting yarn is passed through the inside of each of the loops held by the holding portions to knit the stitches. 12. The knitting machine according to 12. The knitting mechanism delivers a new loop formed in response to the knitting of the stitches due to the movement of the knitting needle member to the other holding portion of the other holding portion forming member, and the other holding portion forming member of the other. The knitting machine according to claim 14, wherein the holding of the new loop by the holding portion of the Nth layer is continued even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer is completed. By changing the postures of the two holding portion forming members, any said holding portion of one holding portion forming member and any said holding portion of the other holding portion forming member face each other in the first direction. It is configured to be able to
The knitting needle member is configured to be movable in the first direction toward the tip end side toward the tip end side and toward the base end side toward the base end side, and has a knitting needle base end portion on which a push-in surface is formed, and the knitting needle base end portion. It is provided with a hook member supported by the knitting needle base end portion on the tip end side of the knitting needle base end portion and capable of locking the knitting yarn, and a knitting needle tip portion having a spatula for opening and closing the entrance and exit of the hook member.
When the loop advances toward the proximal end side relative to the knitting needle member when the loop is locked to the hook member, the open state of the spatula is maintained when the spatula is open, while the open state of the spatula is maintained. When the spatula is in the closed state, it is pushed by the loop to open the spatula, and when the movement to the relative proximal end side further progresses, the loop exceeds the spatula on the proximal end side and the relative proximal end side. When the movement to the knitting needle is further advanced, the knitting needle base end portion comes into contact with the pushing surface and is pushed by the pushing surface.
When the spatula is in the open state and the loop is closer to the proximal end side than the spatula and the loop advances relative to the tip side with respect to the knitting needle member, the loop abuts on the outside of the spatula and is relative. When the movement to the tip side further progresses, the spatula is pushed by the loop to shift to the closed state, and the loop slides on the outside of the spatula without entering the hook member through the entrance. When it moves and moves further toward the tip side, the loop is configured to exceed the hook member toward the tip side.
The knitting mechanism
When the other holding portion forming member is arranged toward the tip side with respect to the one holding portion forming member, when knitting the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer,
The one holding portion of the other holding portion forming member and the one holding portion of the one holding portion forming member face each other and are locked to the one holding portion of the one holding portion forming member. After hooking the loop related to the N-1 layer on the hook member of the knitting needle member, the knitting needle member is moved toward the base end side to lock the loop related to the N-1 layer to the hook member. The knitting needle member is moved toward the tip end side so that the knitting needle member passes through the inside of the loop related to the Nth layer held by one holding portion of the other holding portion forming member, and the movement is accompanied by the movement. The loop related to the N-1 layer locked to the hook member is moved relatively toward the base end side with respect to the knitting needle member so that the loop related to the N-1 layer is brought into contact with the pushing surface. , The hook member is locked to the knitting yarn facing the tip side of the loop related to the Nth layer held in one holding portion of the other holding portion forming member, and is locked to the hook member. The knitting needle member is moved toward the base end side so that the knitting yarn passes through the inside of the loop related to the Nth layer held by one holding portion of the other holding portion forming member, and with the movement. While maintaining the state in which the knitting yarn is locked to the hook member, the loop related to the N-1 layer that was in contact with the pushing surface is moved relative to the knitting needle member toward the tip end side. , The outside of the spatula is slid on the loop related to the N-1 layer to shift the spatula to the closed state, and the loop related to the N-1 layer exceeds the hook member toward the tip side. The knitting machine according to claim 14, wherein a knitting yarn is formed through both the loop related to the N-1 layer and the loop related to the Nth layer through a knitting yarn that is locked to the hook member. The knitting mechanism
After forming a new loop by passing a knitting yarn that locks to the hook member through both the loop related to the N-1 layer and the loop related to the Nth layer, the posture of the other holding portion forming member. Is changed so that the knitting needle member and the other holding portion of the other holding portion forming member face each other, and the pushing surface of the knitting needle member makes the other holding portion of the other holding portion forming member the tip thereof. The knitting needle member is moved toward the tip end side until it exceeds the lateral direction, and along with the movement, the new loop is brought into contact with the pushing surface, and the knitting needle member is moved toward the base end side. Along with the movement, the loop is brought into contact with the outside of the wrasse to shift the wrasse to the closed state, and the wrasse that shifts to the closed state is allowed to ride on the loop, and the loop that rides on the wrasse is placed on the other. The knitting machine according to claim 16, wherein the knitting machine is delivered to another holding portion of the holding portion forming member. The knitting mechanism that knits the knitted fabric by stacking the knitted fabrics on multiple layers retains the loop formed at the time of knitting the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer even after the knitting of the knitted fabric of the N-1 layer is completed. Steps to do and
When the knitting mechanism knits the stitches of the knitted fabric of the Nth layer, the loop already formed in the Nth layer is held, and the loop already formed in the Nth layer held and the loop already formed in the Nth layer are held. Of the loops related to the N-1 layer, stitches are knitted through the loops in both the loops at the positions corresponding to the positions of the loops already formed in the Nth layer, and the corresponding positions are knitted according to the knitting of the stitches. A step of releasing the holding of the loop and continuing the holding of the loop already formed in the Nth layer even after the knitting of the Nth layer knitted fabric is completed.
A knitting method characterized by including.

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