The device comprises a plurality of superimposed selecting levers, individually pivoted in an intermediate portion thereof to a supporting structure and oscillatable in a plane substantially parallel to the extension of the plurality of selecting levers. The selecting levers are oscillatable from a first position, in which one of their ends is at a level which is intermediate between the heels of the selectors so as to avoid interfering therewith, to a second position, in which this end is at the level of the heels of the selectors, so as to interfere therewith and push the related selectors to an inoperative position. The other end of the selecting levers is shaped, at least for a portion, like a flat blade which extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the extension of the plurality of selecting levers, the blade-like portion having its two opposite faces engaged with actuating levers for the oscillation of the selecting levers.

For needle selection in a circular knitting machine, a device is disclosed which comprises a plurality of superimposed selecting levers, individually pivoted to a common structure and selectively movable between a position where they do not interfere with the pattern jack butts and a position where they interfere therewith, to urge them toward the needle cylinder. The selective movement is accomplished by means of electromagnets, one for each selecting lever, which are energized in accordance with the machine knitting program and move intermediate, preferably rod-like, drive elements the axial displacement whereof results in a pivotal movement of the respective selecting levers between the cited positions. The engagement of the intermediate elements with the selecting levers is accomplished through geometrical coupling. A minimal force is sufficient for the actuation, so that the size of the electromagnets can be minimized, while a prompt response is ensured.

A knitting machine comprises a stationary part and a rotary part, a data transmitter associated with the stationary part and a data receiver associated with the rotary part. The rotary part carries a photo-receiver either on its axis of rotation or arranged to follow a predetermined path as the rotary part rotates, said photo-receiver being connected to the data receiver. The stationary part carries a photo-emitter or a configuration of photo-emitters located so as to illuminate the photo-receiver or the path of the photo-receiver, the photo-emitter or photo-emitter configuration being connected to the data transmitter to illuminate the photo-receiver or the path of the photo-receiver with a train of light pulses corresponding to the data transmitted so that the photo-receiver produces a train of electrical pulses corresponding to the data transmitted.

Electrically actuated jack selectors for a knitting machine which are normally positioned out of engagement with the needle jacks or pattern jacks of the knitting machine. When each of the jack selectors is actuated, either by a perforated tape loop or by a drum, the jack selector is deflected into a position along the path of an associated needle jack or pattern jack and, upon engagement therewith, displaces the associated jack relative to the cylinder so that, depending upon the direction of deflection of the jack selector, either the needle jack or the pattern jack will not be raised by the cylinder cam. Each jack selector includes a knife edge cam portion that is engaged by a conically shaped tip on the movable armature of a solenoid that is associated therewith. A comb-like element may be used to initially position a group of the jack selectors in order to predetermine the direction of deflection thereof. The teeth of the comb-like element, between which the jack selectors are positioned, also limit the angular deflection of the jack selectors.