Abstract: A fabric antenna for telecommunications is disclosed. The fabric antenna comprises a host yarn, which is substantially electrically non-conducting, and an antenna yarn, which is substantially electrically conducting. The host yarn and antenna yarn are knitted together to form a host fabric comprising an antenna grid. The antenna grid comprises a plurality of intersecting antenna tracks formed of antenna yarn. The tracks are separated by regions of the host fabric and are electrically coupled together at the regions where the tracks intersect.

Abstract: A fabric antenna for telecommunications is disclosed. The fabric antenna comprises a host yarn, which is substantially electrically non-conducting, and an antenna yarn, which is substantially electrically conducting. The host yarn and antenna yarn are knitted together to form a host fabric comprising an antenna grid. The antenna grid comprises a plurality of intersecting antenna tracks formed of antenna yarn. The tracks are separated by regions of the host fabric and are electrically coupled together at the regions where the tracks intersect.

Abstract: A sleeve for mounting a prosthetic unit on a limb is formed in a knitted fabric comprising elastic yarns to allow circumferential extension of the sleeve to grip the limb. Adherent fibres are integrated within the fabric and exposed on the internal surface of the sleeve to provide additional grip. Such fibres can be silicone or silicone based yarns. An end of the sleeve is adapted to couple with a prosthetic unit. The knitted fabric may include yarns of restricted elasticity to limit longitudinal extension of the sleeve, and the elastic yarns and the yarns of restricted elasticity are typically located in discrete sections (2, 4, 6) of the sleeve. Such discrete sections will normally extend longitudinally in the sleeve. The knitted yarns at the end of the sleeve are normally bonded directly to a coupling element (8, 10, 12) for attachment to a prosthetic unit.

Abstract: An electronic transducer comprises a knitted structure extendible in two dimensions defined by its courses and wales.

Abstract: An electronic transducer comprises a knitted structure extendible in two dimensions defined by its courses and wales.

Abstract: An electronic transducer comprises a knitted structure extendible in two dimensions defined by its courses and wales. An electro-conductive yarn (4) defines at least one single course in the structure adjacent non-conductive yarns (2), and is to be part of a circuit providing an indication of an electrical characteristic of the yarn. When unextended in either direction, successive loops of the stitches including the electro-conductive yarn are in engagement. Extension of the structure in the course direction separate loops forming the stitches, and extension in the wale direction urges the loops together. The structure can be used in methods of registering extension of the structure in either or both of the course and wale directions.

Abstract: A cut-resistant fabric has at least a fabric section knitted with composite metallic core yarns (22, 24). One or each of some or all courses of the knitted section comprises a first core yarn (22) knitting alternate first stitches and a second core yarn (24) knitting alternate second stitches. Each core yarn (22, 24) extends between its respective alternate stitches floating in the intermediate stitch. This arrangement increases the bulk of the yarn material by unit area in the section, adding considerably to its cut-resistant properties. The fabric has a particular application in gloves for use in the meat-cutting and foam-cutting industries.

Abstract: An electronic transducer comprises a knitted structure extendible in two dimensions defined by its courses and wales. An electro-conductive yarn (4) defines at least one single course in the structure adjacent non-conductive yarns (2), and is to be part of a circuit providing an indication of an electrical characteristic of the yarn. When unextended in either direction, successive loops of the stitches including the electro-conductive yarn are in engagement. Extension of the structure in the course direction separate loops forming the stitches, and extension in the wale direction urges the loops together. The structure can be used in methods of registering extension of the structure in either or both of the course and wale directions.

Abstract: A cut-resistant fabric has at least a fabric section knitted with composite metallic core yarns (22, 24). One or each of some or all courses of the knitted section comprises a first core yarn (22) knitting alternate first stitches and a second core yarn (24) knitting alternate second stitches. Each core yarn (22, 24) extends between its respective alternate stitches floating in the intermediate stitch. This arrangement increases the bulk of the yarn material by unit area in the section, adding considerably to its cut-resistant properties. The fabric has a particular application in gloves for use in the meat-cutting and foam-cutting industries.

Abstract: Luminant fabrics are disclosed in which an electro-luminescent material is activated by electrodes within the fabric. A yarn for use in such a fabric has a conductive core with an electro-luminescent layer coated thereon. A protective coating may be added. A plurality of such yarns may be used in contact with each other, with the respective cores connected to a source of alternating electric current. Application of the current creates an electric field which causes luminescence of the electro-luminescent layer.

Abstract: An operative device, such as an electronic chip, apiezzo-electric, thermal or optical device, is confined within the filaments of a length of multi-filament yarn. The filaments around the device form a capsule and the filaments can be bonded to each other to reinforce such a capsule. The capsule can also comprise a resin to provide protection for the confined device. An additional layer of filaments can be created around the original filaments. Methods and apparatus for confining the devices within yarns are described.

Abstract: An electronic switch comprises electrodes (6) incorporated in a textile structure (4). The electrodes form contact faces exposed at the surface of the structure, and available for engagement simultaneously by a body part such as a finger (10). The electrical conductivity at the surface of the body part completes an electrical connection between the electrodes (6), which can complete an electrical circuit to generate an output signal. The output signal can be used to activate a number of functions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a knitted transducer device comprising a knitted structure having at least one transduction zone, in which the transduction zone is knitted with electrically conductive fibres so that deformation of the knitted structure results in a variation of an electrical property of the transduction zone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a knitting machine comprising: at least one knitting needle; at least one positive yarn feed device for feeding yarn to said at least one knitting needle; needle monitoring means for providing information relating to the at least one knitting needle during the course of a knitting operation; and a controller for controlling the operation of the positive yarn feed device; in which the controller is adapted to: receive information from the needle monitoring means during the course of a knitting operation; use said information to calculate a desired amount of yarn to be fed to a knitting needle; and control the positive yarn feed device so that the positive yarn feed device feeds the desired amount of yarn to the knitting needle during the course of the knitting operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a knitting machine comprising: at least one knitting needle; at least one positive yarn feed device for feeding yarn to said at least one knitting needle; needle monitoring means for providing information relating to the at least one knitting needle during the course of a knitting operation; and a controller for controlling the operation of the positive yarn feed device; in which the controller is adapted to: receive information from the needle monitoring means during the course of a knitting operation; use said information to calculate a desired amount of yarn to be fed to a knitting needle; and control the positive yarn feed device so that the positive yarn feed device feeds the desired amount of yarn to the knitting needle during the course of the knitting operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making a pressure garment, comprising the steps of: defining 3D shape and pressure profile characteristics of a garment; specifying a knitting pattern for the garment; calculating yarn feed data for the knitting pattern to produce the defined shape and pressure profile characteristics; and, knitting the garment according to the knitting pattern and the yarn feed data.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making a pressure garment, comprising the steps of: defining 3D shape and pressure profile characteristics of a garment; specifying a knitting pattern for the garment; calculating yarn feed data for the knitting pattern to produce the defined shape and pressure profile characteristics; and, knitting the garment according to the knitting pattern and the yarn feed data.

Abstract: A precision yarn (14) delivery system for the delivery of yarn from a yarn supply to a yarn utilising point, comprising a temporary yarn store (22) intermediate the supply and the utilisation point in which the yarn (14) is held under low tension and is fed from the store as required by the utilisation point.

Abstract: A precision yarn (14) delivery system for the delivery of yarn from a yarn supply to a yarn utilising point, comprising a temporary yarn store (22) intermediate the supply and the utilisation point in which the yarn (14) is held under low tension and is fed from the store as required by the utilisation point.