Abstract: A woven fabric that is characterized by retaining its shape once formed and that includes monofilament filling yarns that are disposed in at least two separate plies, ground yarns that weave alternatively over and under respective monofilament yarns, stuffer yarns that extend in the direction between monofilament filling yarns of respective plies and binder yarns that extend between monofilament filling yarns of respective plies. Also disclosed is a method of forming a woven fabric into a permanent shape.

Abstract: A woven fabric that is characterized by retaining its shape once formed and that includes monofilament filling yarns that are disposed in at least two separate plies, ground yarns that weave alternatively over and under respective monofilament yarns, stuffer yarns that extend in the direction between monofilament filling yarns of respective plies and binder yarns that extend between monofilament filling yarns of respective plies. A method forms a woven fabric into a permanent shape.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing slotted webbing of the type having slotted portions selectively formed between solid portions includes the steps of providing a needle loom machine, selectively positioning warp yarns with the needle loom machine between a first position in which there is a single shed opening provided through the yarns and a second position in which there are two shed openings provided through the yarns, and inserting weft yarns with the needle loom machine to weave the warp yarns with the weft yarns. The arrangement is such that when the warp yarns are in their first position, the solid portion of the webbing is fabricated and when the warp arms are in their second position, the slotted portion of the webbing is fabricated. A modified heddle of the present invention associated with the second position is further disclosed.

Abstract: An elongate webbing has opposed longitudinal edges formed from warp and fill yarns interwoven together, and a catch cord for interconnecting the fill yarns adjacent one of the longitudinal edges. The catch cord is fabricated from a yarn having a component with a melting point lower than the warp and fill yarns for bonding of the catch cord with the warp and fill yarns when being subjected to a melting temperature sufficient to melt the catch cord but not the warp and fill yarns. More specifically, the catch cord is fabricated from a bicomponent yarn having a plurality of individual filaments, each filament having a core and an outer sheath. The melting point of the sheath of each filament is lower than that of its core. The core of each filament is preferably fabricated from polyester having a melting point at about 489.degree. F.

Abstract: An elasticized double wall tubular cord includes an outer wall fabricated from a tube of woven material that is comprised of heavy duty, inelastic yarns, and an inner wall fabricated from a tube of woven material that is made partially of heavy duty, inelastic yarns and partially of elastic strands. The inner tube of woven material is stretchable lengthwise and attached to the outer tube of woven material along respective long edges when in stretched condition. The arrangement is such that when the inner tube of the tubular cord is in relaxed condition, the outer tube is compressed due to the compression force of the elastic strands of the inner tube for shortening the tubular cord.

Abstract: Sling or tie-down webbing in the form of a strap provided with protective warp yarn structure made up of bicomponent fibers that include a polyester core with a sheath of a polymer with a lower melting point than the polyester, which webbing has been subjected to a heat treatment sufficient to cause melting of said sheath, but not of the core.

Abstract: Sling or tie-down webbing in the form of a strap whose edges are provided with protective warp yarn structure made up of bicomponent fibers that include a polyester core with a sheath of a polymer with a lower melting point than the polyester, which webbing has been subjected to a heat treatment sufficient to cause melting of said sheath, but not of the core.