Method of and apparatus for knitting the heel of a hosiery article

The method includes guiding two systems of warp threads to the knitting needles by two systems of thread guides, and moving the latter to knit the main loop courses and additional loop courses which are made between the main loop courses and which are shorter than the latter, with the two systems of the thread guides being moved during the knitting of the additional loop courses along the front presented by the knitting needles, behind the backs thereof and, through steps which are longer than the steps through which these thread guides are moved during the knitting of the main loop courses. The apparatus of the invention comprises a circular warp-knitting machine having knitting members, a mechanism for actuating the annular thread guide bars along the front presented by the knitting needles, and a mechanism for positive feeding of the warp threads of each system. The mechanism for actuating the annular thread guide bars includes additional cams arranged adjacent to the main cams coaxially about the common driving shaft mounted for axial reciprocation to provide for knitting the additional loop courses. The mechanism for positively feeding the warp threads of each system includes an additional rubber-coated roller over which run the warp threads of the two systems, used for forming the edge loops of the additional courses, the roller being resiliently urged against the driving drum and associated with a drive for its positive rotation when disengaged from the driving drum. The method and machine of the invention enhance the strength of the heel of a hosiery article, as compared with the other portions thereof, and also improve its three-dimensional shape.