The linking device (9) includes a first bowed needle (17) mounted on a first shaft (13) and a second bowed needle (19) mounted on a second shaft (15). The first shaft (13) and the second shaft (15) are mutually inclined to each other and are controlled in order to pivot alternatingly around a pivot axis (A-A) of the first shaft (13) and a pivot axis (B-B) of the second shaft (15), respectively. The first shaft (13) is rigidly coupled to a first pin (27) pivoting therewith; the second shaft (15) is rigidly coupled to a second pin (31) pivoting therewith; and a slider (35) is slidingly mounted on the first pin (27) and on the second pin (31).

A turning device for knitted tubular articles, particularly for turning inside-out tubular articles with pockets that protrude from the lateral surface thereof. The turning device in question comprises a main supporting structure which supports a tubular body arranged with its axis substantially vertical. The tubular body has its upper axial end beveled along a plane that is inclined with respect to its axis. The turning device comprises first actuation means which can be activated to perform a translation of the tubular body along its axis with respect to the main supporting structure. The tubular body is insertable, with its upper axial end, through an axial end of a tubular article in order to turn it inside out. The turning device comprises second actuation means which can be activated to rotate the tubular body about its own axis, through an angle of preset breadth, with respect to the main supporting structure.

A method for closing automatically an axial end of a tubular manufacture and for unloading it in inside-out configuration comprising a step of positioning the manufacture, in a right-way-out configuration, at a sewing or linking station, arranged so that its axis is substantially vertical and so that it hangs, by means of a first axial end to be closed by sewing or linking, from an annular handling device. Then a step is performed for inserting the manufacture, retained by the handling device, into an upper reversing tube that is or can be positioned, with its lower axial end, above the handling device. A step of closing the first axial end of the manufacture by sewing or linking is then performed. Then a step of disengaging the manufacture from the handling device and a step of removing the manufacture through the upper axial end of the upper reversing tube are performed.

A toe closing method for closing a toe end with first and second circumferential portions includes the steps of: folding the first circumferential portion to super-impose over the second circumferential portion such that the toe end is formed with opposed first and second end points; knitting a stitching thread by threading the same through the loops of the superimposed circumferential portions to form a first loose thread and an initial stitch segment; continuously knitting the thread around the superimposed circumferential portions until the second end point is reached to form a joining segment; and continuously knitting the thread around a part of the joining segment to form at least one tail portion and a second loose thread.

A method for performing the automated closure of an axial end of a tubular manufacture and for unloading it inside out, comprising a step of positioning the manufacture right way out at a sewing or linking station, arranged so that its axis is substantially vertical and so that it hangs, by means of a first axial end to be closed by sewing or linking, from an annular handling device; then a step of turning the manufacture inside out is performed; a step of closing the first axial end of the manufacture by sewing or linking is then performed; then a step of disengaging the manufacture from the handling device is performed and then a step of moving the manufacture away is performed.