Abstract: A spacer fabric and methods of making the same comprising: knitting first and second yarns to form a knit structure, the first yarn defining mirror image knit and tuck patterns on at least the first and second courses and the second yarn defining mirror image knit and miss patterns on at least the third and fourth courses to comprise a plurality of concave portions in facing opposition to a plurality of convex portions, the concave and convex portions defining void spaces having a substantially double convex cross section, wherein the first yarn has low thermal shrinkage and the second yarn has high thermal shrinkage, and heating the knit structure at a temperature sufficient to cause the second yarn to shrink by at least 10% in at least one dimension wherein the second yarn shrinks more than the first yarn in the at least one dimension when heating the knit structure.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shoe component is described. The shoe component comprises a body of continuous fabric having at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone of the fabric has a first modulus of elasticity and the second zone of the fabric has a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity. More than two zones can be provided per shoe component, in some cases.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shoe component is described. The shoe component comprises a body of continuous fabric having at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone of the fabric has a first modulus of elasticity and the second zone of the fabric has a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity. More than two zones can be provided per shoe component, in some cases.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: A woven fabric comprises a plurality of first fibers extending along a first direction, the first fibers having a first modulus of elasticity; a plurality of second fibers extending along a second direction and being woven with the plurality of first fibers, the second fibers having a second modulus of elasticity that is lower than the first modulus of elasticity; and a coating disposed over the plurality of first fibers and the plurality of second fibers. In some embodiments, the coating is a synthetic leather.

Abstract: A bicomponent fiber comprises a core component formed from a rate-sensitive material; and a sheath component surrounding the core component, the sheath component being formed from a non-rate-sensitive polymer.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a spacer fabric are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting a first yarn or fiber and a second yarn or fiber to form a knit structure, wherein the knit structure comprises a plurality of concave portions in facing opposition to a plurality of convex portions. Further, the concave portions and the convex portions together define void spaces having a substantially double convex cross section. In some cases, the method further comprises heating the knit structure at a temperature sufficient to cause the second yarn or fiber to shrink in at least one dimension. Additionally, the second yarn or fiber shrinks more than the first yarn or fiber during the heating step. Moreover, in some instances, heating the knit structure increases a size of the void spaces of the knit structure, particularly in a thickness direction of the fabric.

Abstract: In one aspect, artificial turf systems are described herein. In some embodiments, an artificial turf system comprises an artificial turf mat and artificial turf fibers disposed on a surface of the artificial turf mat, the artificial turf mat comprising at least one energy management material. An energy management material, in some embodiments, is disposed in a backing of the artificial turf mat, a binding agent of the artificial turf mat, and/or an infill material of the artificial turf mat. In addition, in some embodiments, the artificial turf fibers also comprise at least one energy management material.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: In one aspect, artificial turf systems are described herein. In some embodiments, an artificial turf system comprises an artificial turf mat and artificial turf fibers disposed on a surface of the artificial turf mat, the artificial turf mat comprising at least one energy management material. An energy management material, in some embodiments, is disposed in a backing of the artificial turf mat, a binding agent of the artificial turf mat, and/or an infill material of the artificial turf mat. In addition, in some embodiments, the artificial turf fibers also comprise at least one energy management material.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite elastomeric yarns and fabrics, to methods of making same, and to articles in which such yarns and fabrics are used. The composite yarns of the present invention comprise a elastomeric core, an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core and, preferably, fibers mechanically anchored in the sheath. The composite fabrics of the present invention comprise the composite yarns of the present invention and conventional fibers arranged to form a fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite elastomeric yarns and fabrics, to methods of making same, and to articles in which such yarns and fabrics are used. The composite yarns of the present invention comprise a elastomeric core, an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core and, preferably, fibers mechanically anchored in the sheath. The composite fabrics of the present invention comprise the composite yarns of the present invention and conventional fibers arranged to form a fabric.

Abstract: In one aspect, artificial turf systems are described herein. In some embodiments, an artificial turf system comprises an artificial turf mat and artificial turf fibers disposed on a surface of the artificial turf mat, the artificial turf mat comprising at least one energy management material. An energy management material, in some embodiments, is disposed in a backing of the artificial turf mat, a binding agent of the artificial turf mat, and/or an infill material of the artificial turf mat. In addition, in some embodiments, the artificial turf fibers also comprise at least one energy management material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite elastomeric yarns and fabrics, to methods of making same, and to articles in which such yarns and fabrics are used. The composite yarns of the present invention comprise a elastomeric core, an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core and, preferably, fibers mechanically anchored in the sheath. The composite fabrics of the present invention comprise the composite yarns of the present invention and conventional fibers arranged to form a fabric.

Abstract: A chair includes a control housing, a seat and a back support including an upwardly extending upright portion and a link portion extending forwardly from a lower portion of the upright portion. The link portion is pivotally connected to the control housing about a first pivot axis. The seat is connected to the link portion and is pivotable relative thereto. A linkage is coupled to the seat and is pivotally connected to the control housing at a second pivot axis positioned rearwardly and downwardly from the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A chair includes a control housing, a seat and a back support including an upwardly extending upright portion and a link portion extending forwardly from a lower portion of the upright portion. The link portion is pivotally connected to the control housing about a first pivot axis. The seat is connected to the link portion and is pivotable relative thereto. A linkage is coupled to the seat and is pivotally connected to the control housing at a second pivot axis positioned rearwardly and downwardly from the first pivot axis.