Abstract: A method of manufacturing a braided footwear upper is provided. The method includes braiding a two-layer, single-tube structure with a first end that couples a first braided layer to a second braided layer, and second end that couples the first braided layer to the second braided layer of the tubular braided structure. The first end is proximate the second end. At least one yarn from the first end, and at least one yarn from the second end are braided with at least one draw yarn. The draw yarn is braided to be easily removable, such that the first end is selectively de-coupled from the second end. When the draw yarn is removed, the double-layer tubular braided structure is expandable to form a larger diameter tubular braided structure.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear is provided, having a braided structure comprising a first yarn having a first cross-sectional shape and a second yarn having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape comprises an outer surface parallel to an inner surface in a rectangular orientation. Additionally, the first yarn is oriented such that at least a portion of the outer surface comprises the first side of the first yarn and at least a portion of the inner surface comprises the second side of the first yarn.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear is provided, having a braided structure comprising a first yarn having a first cross-sectional shape and a second yarn having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape comprises an outer surface parallel to an inner surface in a rectangular orientation. Additionally, the first yarn is oriented such that at least a portion of the outer surface comprises the first side of the first yarn and at least a portion of the inner surface comprises the second side of the first yarn.

Abstract: A thread feeding device for the torchon lace machine includes a spindle provided to stand at a runner moving along an orbit due to rotation of rotor metals, and a standing member including a thread feeding hole to pull out a carbon thread wound around a bobbin rotatably inserted into the spindle and a bobbin stopper. The carbon thread is set to form a U-shape among rollers each with thread guide which are respectively provided at a base end side and a tip end side of a head member of the standing member and a roller with thread guide which is provided at a slide body provided to be vertically slidable at a lower side than the head member to enable to feed to the knitting part.

Abstract: A system for forming a braided footwear upper is provided. The upper has a medial side and a lateral side, and a toe end and a heel end. The braided footwear is made from a number of yarns that are braided together. The heel-axis finishing system includes an alignment mechanism that orients the medial side and the lateral side at the heel end. The lateral side and the medial side come together at the heel to form a heel axis. A joining mechanism is associated with the alignment mechanism. The joining mechanism couples at least one braided yarn from the medial side to at least one braided yarn from the lateral side along the heel axis. By joining the aligned yarns as they are severed, the heel area transitions from the medial side to the lateral side with an appearance of seamlessness.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear is provided, having a braided structure comprising a first yarn having a first cross-sectional shape and a second yarn having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape comprises an outer surface parallel to an inner surface in a rectangular orientation. Additionally, the first yarn is oriented such that at least a portion of the outer surface comprises the first side of the first yarn and at least a portion of the inner surface comprises the second side of the first yarn.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a braided footwear upper is provided. The method includes braiding a two-layer, single-tube structure with a first end that couples a first braided layer to a second braided layer, and second end that couples the first braided layer to the second braided layer of the tubular braided structure. The first end is proximate the second end. At least one yarn from the first end, and at least one yarn from the second end are braided with at least one draw yarn. The draw yarn is braided to be easily removable, such that the first end is selectively de-coupled from the second end. When the draw yarn is removed, the double-layer tubular braided structure is expandable to form a larger diameter tubular braided structure.

Abstract: A thread feeding device for the torchon lace machine includes a spindle provided to stand at a runner moving along an orbit due to rotation of rotor metals, and a standing member including a thread feeding hole to pull out a carbon thread wound around a bobbin rotatably inserted into the spindle and a bobbin stopper. The carbon thread is set to form a U-shape among rollers each with thread guide which are respectively provided at a base end side and a tip end side of a head member of the standing member and a roller with thread guide which is provided at a slide body provided to be vertically slidable at a lower side than the head member to enable to feed to the knitting part.

Abstract: A feeder for supplying a warp to a weaving machine is described. The feeder includes a drum non-rotatably supported by a drum shaft, a driving section connected to the drum shaft, a flyer wrapping warp around the drum, the flyer being supported by and rotatable with the drum shaft, a warp sensor pivotably supported in one of a plurality of slits formed in the drum, at least one supporting member eccentrically movable and slantable with respect to the drum shaft, and at least one carrier born by the at least one supporting member and guided by the plurality of slits respectively to be movable in both an axial direction and in a radial direction. The flyer transport the warp wound about the drum in the axial direction with the supporting member rotatably mounted on the drum shaft. A dial having a cam-like slant surface is attached to the drum shaft so as to enable a inclination angle adjustment of the slant surface. By the adjustment of the dial, the supporting member is inclined.

Abstract: A bearing mechanism for supporting a spindle or a shaft to be driven for rotation at super-high speeds, comprising at least one journal bearing assembly engaging a journal portion of the spindle or the shaft, and a non-contact magnetic thrust bearing unit which is magnetically linked with an axial end portion of the spindle or the shaft for thereby carrying the axial load of the spindle or the shaft by the magnetic interaction between the bearing unit and the end portion of the spindle or the shaft.

Abstract: A yarn covering apparatus in which a covering yarn is supplied from a supply package positioned externally of a core yarn supply assembly including a rotor unit adapted to have the covering yarn passed therethrough, a member rotatable about the axis of rotation of the rotor unit and held stationary by means of permanent magnets, and a core yarn delivery mechanism mounted on the member and driven for rotation independently of the rotation of the rotor unit whereby the covering yarn supplied from the aforesaid supply package and continuously turned about the axis of rotation of the rotor unit is entwined around a core yarn supplied from a supply package carried by the core yarn delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a casing, a bearing holder formed with a cavity therein and closely fitted in the casing and at least three bearing units retained in position in the cavity of the bearing holder and arranged in symmetry about the center axis of the cavity, wherein each of the bearing units comprises a rotatable member freely rotatable in the cavity about an axis parallel with the center axis of the cavity, an inner race member rotatable with the rotatable member, an outer race member fast on the bearing holder, and bearing elements rollably disposed between the inner and outer race members and wherein the shaft or spindle to be supported by the bearing assembly is in rollable contact with the respective rotatable members of the individual bearing units.