Inlay wheel and method

Abstract

A method for producing double knit fabric of a given gauge (usually fine gauge) with an inlay of a coarser gauge yarn on a knitting machine with two needle beds. One side of the fabric is formed of only relatively fine gauge yarn and the relatively coarser inlay yarn is confined to the other or surface side of the fabric. Selected needles in one of the needle beds are replaced by drive elements. The inlay yarn is laid in by an inlay wheel driven in synchronization with the needle bed by said drive elements.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of laying in a yarn during knitting of a double knit fabric wherein said fabric is formed from fine denier yarn and said inlay is a relatively coarse yarn, said method comprising part-gauging one needle bed of the machine by removal of certain needles and replacing at least some of the removed needles with drive elements each including butts corresponding with the butts on the removed needles but said drive elements .Iadd.having shanks of sturdier stock than the needle shanks and .Iaddend.being devoid of any knitting instrumentalities, providing at least one inlay wheel at one of a plurality of yarn feed stations on said machine, delivering the inlay yarn from a source of supply to the inlay wheel and hence to selected needles in the needle bed containing said drive elements while rotating the inlay wheel by .[.means other than the needles in synchronization with rotation of the needle bed.]. .Iadd.its engagement with the drive elements.Iaddend.. .[. 
     
     
       2.  A method according to claim 1 wherein the inlay wheel is rotated by engagement of the drive elements with the vanes of the inlay wheel..]. 
     
     
       3. In a knitting machine having two needle beds including cooperative sets of needles and an inlay wheel operatively associated with one of said needle beds, the combination of drive elements replacing certain needles in said one needle bed and said drive elements .Iadd.having shafts of sturdier stock than the needle shanks which are .Iaddend.engagable with said inlay wheel to impart rotational movement to said inlay wheel responsive to movement of said one needle bed.