Abstract: Multilayer sleeves for insulating or protecting elongated substrates are disclosed. The sleeves are continuously knitted in different sections integrally joined end to end, the sections being formed of different filamentary members chosen for desired characteristics. The sleeves are formed into the multilayer configuration by reverse folding the sleeves inwardly to place one section coaxially within another. Sleeve ends may be finished with welts to prevent raveling and serve as a clinch on the elongated substrates. Rib knits are used to form insulating air pockets lengthwise along the sleeves to augment the insulating effectiveness.

Abstract: A knitted convolute protective sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve is knitted from filamentary members to form alternating crests and troughs lengthwise along the sleeve. The crests and troughs may be formed by alternatingly knitting segments from relatively stiff and relatively flexible filamentary members, by interlacing stiffening hoops at spaced intervals lengthwise along a knitted sleeve having a smaller nominal diameter than the hoops, or by varying the knitting parameters, such as loop density and loop length as a function of length along the sleeve.

Abstract: Multilayer sleeves for insulating or protecting elongated substrates are disclosed. The sleeves are continuously knitted in different sections integrally joined end to end, the sections being formed of different filamentary members chosen for desired characteristics. The sleeves are formed into the multilayer configuration by reverse folding the sleeves inwardly to place one section coaxially within another. Sleeve ends may be finished with welts to prevent raveling and serve as a clinch on the elongated substrates. Rib knits are used to form insulating air pockets lengthwise along the sleeves to augment the insulating effectiveness.

Abstract: A knitted convolute protective sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve is knitted from filamentary members to form alternating crests and troughs lengthwise along the sleeve. The crests and troughs may be formed by alternatingly knitting segments from relatively stiff and relatively flexible filamentary members, by interlacing stiffening hoops at spaced intervals lengthwise along a knitted sleeve having a smaller nominal diameter than the hoops, or by varying the knitting parameters, such as loop density and loop length as a function of length along the sleeve.

Abstract: A flexible carrier for supporting and protecting elongated items such as optical fibers is disclosed. The carrier is formed from a substrate of interlaced filamentary members which may be woven, knitted or braided together. The elongated items are interlaced with or otherwise captured by the substrate during its manufacture. Various configurations of the substrate such as flat, pleated and tubular are feasible. Capture of the elongated members may be effected by integrally woven tubes formed within the substrate, by interweaving the items as warp yarns in a woven substrate or by laying in of the items in a knitted substrate.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for covering elongated substrates is disclosed. The sleeve is knitted from a combination of first and second filamentary members having different properties from one another. The filamentary members are plated so that the filamentary members having properties compatible with the substrate are positioned predominantly on the inner surface of the sleeve facing and engaging the substrate. Filament properties include heat resistance, high-tensile strength, resistance to abrasion, chemical attack and damping capability. Ribs are integrally knitted lengthwise along the sleeve to form insulating air pockets. The ends of the sleeve are finished with welts to prevent unraveling.

Abstract: Woven fabric sleeves are comprised of interwoven glass fiber yarns or similar mineral or ceramic fiber yarns, and hybrid yarns or wires utilized as fill yarns. The fill yarns preferably/consist essentially of glass or ceramic fibers with resiliently settable polymeric materials and/or resilient formable wires or combinations thereof. The wires or hybrid yarns are resiliently set to form resilient hoops yieldably imparting to the fabric side edges a tendency to move into adjacent or overlapping relationship. In one form of the method of making a sleeve, the hybrid fill yarns are resiliently set by placing the woven fabric in a folder, applying heat to cause the fill yarns to assume a set in the wrap around or folded condition and then cooling so that the product is resiliently maintained in the set condition. In an alternative method of making the product, the product is woven on a shuttle loom and one or more wires are used as fill yarns. The wires are fed from pretensioned spools.

Abstract: Woven fabric sleeves are comprised of interwoven glass fiber yarns or similar mineral or ceramic fiber yarns, and hybrid yarns or wires utilized as fill yarns. The fill yarns preferably consist essentially of glass or ceramic fibers with resiliently settable polymeric materials and/or resilient formable wires or combinations thereof. The wires or hybrid yarns are resiliently set to form resilient hoops yieldably imparting to the fabric side edges a tendency to move into adjacent or overlapping relationship. In one form of the method of making a sleeve, the hybrid fill yarns are resiliently set by placing the woven fabric in a folder, applying heat to cause the fill yarns to assume a set in the wrap around or folded condition and then cooling so that the product is resiliently maintained in the set condition. In an alternative method of making the product, the product is woven on a shuttle loom and one or more wires are used as fill yarns. The wires are fed from pretensioned spools.

Abstract: Woven fabric sleeves are comprised of interwoven glass fiber yarns or similar mineral or ceramic fiber yarns, and hybrid yarns or wires utilized as fill yarns. The fill yarns preferably consist essentially of glass or ceramic fibers with resiliently settable polymeric materials and/or resilient formable wires or combinations thereof. The wires or hybrid yarns are resiliently set to form resilient hoops yieldably imparting to the fabric side edges a tendency to move into adjacent or overlapping relationship. In one form of the method of making a sleeve, the hybrid fill yarns are resiliently set by placing the woven fabric in a folder, applying heat to cause the fill yarns to assume a set in the wrap around or folded condition and then cooling so that the product is resiliently maintained in the set condition. In an alternative method of making the product, the product is woven on a shuttle loom and one or more wires are used as fill yarns. The wires are fed from pretensioned spools.

Abstract: A woven fabric sleeve for protecting and covering elongated substrates is made up of circumferentially and longitudinally extending interlaced fill and warp members, the fill members forming circumferentially extending alternating bands of relative flexibility separating bands of inflexibility. The fill members may be comprised of monofilament or multifilament yarns of alternating large and small diameters and may include wire, especially resilient wire, heat settable materials, including polyester served wire and DREF yarns having resiliently settable cores. The fill members may be held in relation to one another utilizing Leno and mock Leno weaving.

Abstract: A braided product and process include a first sleeve formed of interbraided first and second yarns which may be continuous E glass yarns. Warp beads formed by knitting or braiding are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the braid and introduced to the braider to form an integral part of the structure. One or more heavy denier yarns are loaded on carriers so as to cross the warp beads under relatively high tension, forcing the beads selectively to the inside or outside of the sleeve surface so as to create longitudinally extending spacers which create air gaps between the sleeve and the surface of the substrate being covered.

Abstract: A braided product and process include a first sleeve formed of interbraided first and second yarns which may be continuous E glass yarns. Warp beads formed by knitting or braiding are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the braid and introduced to the braider to form an integral part of the structure. One or more heavy denier yarns are loaded on carriers so as to cross the warp beads under relatively high tension, forcing the beads selectively to the inside or outside of the sleeve surface so as to create longitudinally extending spacers which create air gaps between the sleeve and the surface of the substrate being covered.