Abstract: A light weight, strong and flexible, braided electrical fence rope, for fences to contain livestock and keep unwanted animals out, combines in its outer braided jacket electrically conductive elements with high strength non-conductive elements in a double helix configuration. The outer braided jacket will preferably surround an inner core of non-conductive high strength elements. The high strength non-conductive elements and the physical properties of the braided rope construction provide inherent strength and flexibility properties to the fence rope. The conductive elements in the outer braided jacket are selected to provide an effective electric shock when contacted by an animal. This electric fence rope combines barrier strength and psychological deterrence to both domestic and wild animals.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing novel composite microtubing with variable stiffness over the length of the tubing. By varying the pick count of a braided layer the stiffness of the microtubing may be varied by a factor of 100 from proximal end to distal end. The continuous process allows a predetermined stiffness pattern to be repeated over a measured length for economical manufacture and results, if desired, in tubing of extremely small diameter and extremely thin tube walls.

Abstract: An automatic weaving process for the manufacture of rope hammock beds in which a bobbin of rope passes through loops of rope from the same bobbin resulting in a traditional weave (FIG. 1) from one continuous rope. The process and machine create a woven, open mesh pattern of rope or like materials for forming articles, such as hammocks. The means comprise a frame having a plural set of opposed reciprocal rods, each having a pulley-shaped or like structure mounted on their opposing ends. The frame also supports a means for attaching one end of the rope, and a set ofpulleys to each side centrally, but laterally movable to the rods.

Abstract: A triaxial braided sleeve in which the axial strands are reinforcing and the bias strands are elastic. Due to the elastic bias strands, the sleeve can be used as the reinforcement in a fiber-reinforced plastic part having a tapered, curved, or other irregular shape.

Abstract: An expandable chain construction comprises first and second chain lengths of a monofilament such as nylon fishing line. Each chain length is formed into a series of spaced loops, the loops of the two lengths being of opposite senses. Each loop of each length encircles a portion of the other length lying between a pair of loops. Chain constructions may be interconnected along their lengths to form chains of increased width. The chain constructions are expandable to fit closely but gently about a wearers limb. The construction can simulate the appearance of tatoo designs.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent for a medical device to be introduced into a cavity of a human body, is disclosed and includes a radially expandable and axially retractable tubular body (1), characterized in that the tubular body comprises first flexible rigid filaments (2, 3) which are arranged side by side in a number at least equal to two, wound along a first helicoid direction around a longitudinal axis (4) of the tubular body, and second flexible rigid filaments (5, 6) which are arranged side by side in a number at least equal to two, wound along a second helicoid direction opposite to the first, each multiple filament wound in one of the said directions crossing multiple filaments wound in the other direction according to a plaited arrangement. Methods for reproducibly forming the stent of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Yarns and fishing lines are made by a process that includes the step of exposing an opaque yarn made from ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyolefin filaments to a temperature within the melting point range of the filaments for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse the contact surfaces of adjacent filaments. For ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyethylene, this temperature is preferably within the range from about 150.degree.-157.degree. C. The surface fusion between and among filaments imparts desirable handling characteristics to the ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyolefin yarns and fishing lines that are similar to those of a conventional monofilaments. Preferably, the temperature, residence time, and stretching ratio at the selected temperature are chosen to provide a fishing line exhibiting a tensile modulus within the range from about 230 g/d to about 780 g/d with a tenacity of at least 15 g/d.

Abstract: A continuous intersecting braided composite preform including a first member with at least one ply of biased fibers and a second member also with at least one ply of biased fiber. The first member intersects with the second member and passes continuously through the second member such that the biased fibers of the first member are interstitially arranged with respect to the biased fibers of the second member at the intersection.

Abstract: A braided structure produced by strands of a braiding material consisting of multiple yarn ends of multifilament fibers oriented side-by-side or in parallel to form a generally single layer band of yarn ends and treated with a suitable forming material in order to set such orientation. The braiding material can then be used to form strands for producing a braided structure. The braided structure resulting from the braiding material of our invention has a high coverage area and a high width to thickness ratio.

Abstract: A rope assembly comprises a central rope, which may be composed of nylon, a plurality of flotation elements of closed cell form and buffer elements of open cell form which are disposed between and flush with the flotation elements. A protective layer, which may be formed of polyurethane, surrounds the rope and the flotation and buffer elements. The closed cell form elements may be polyethylene. The open cell form elements may be polyurethane.

Abstract: A tool holder has a housing rotatable about a holder axis, a motor mounted on the housing and having an output rotatable about a motor axis transverse to the holder axis, and a rotation sensor mounted on the housing and coupled coaxially to the motor. A drive wheel mounted on the rotary motor output is rotatable by the motor about the motor axis and is connected to respective wheels of a pair of shafts each having a screwthread. The screwthreads are of opposite hand and respective nuts threaded on the shafts so that rotation of the motor output synchronously rotates the shafts and oppositely displaces the nuts. A tool-holding slide displaceable transversely of the axis on the plate is fixed to the nut of one of the shafts and a counterweight displaceable transversely of the axis on the plate is coupled to the nut of the other shaft.

Abstract: A system for connecting a panel to a support comprises a mesh panel defined by at least one length portion and has a border connected to the length portion of the mesh panel. The border and has a first end capable of being connected to a support and a second end adjustably connectable to an opposite support. A tensioning means is associated with the border second end for pulling the border in tension between the supports. The second end of the web is connectable to the tensioning means for tensioning the mesh panel material.

Abstract: A composite yarn comprised of a chain stitch yarn knitted from a yarn A and at least an inlay yarn of a yarn B inserted into the chain stitch yarn along a longitudinal direction thereof. Since the chain stitch yarn and the inlay yarn are surely interlaced with each other in the composite yarn, there is little chance that the chain stitch yarn and the inlay yarn are separated in use. A preferable apparatus for manufacturing the composite yarn in accordance with the present invention may include individual winding mechanisms downstream of each knitting station in a warp knitting machine.

Abstract: A braided packing has a number of longitudinal strands around which a braid strand is wound in a lattice pattern to form a substantially square braid. The longitudinal strands include at least two lubricant sink strands, the lubricant sink strands having a material composition and configuration to give the lubricant sink strands a higher lubricant absorbency than the other longitudinal strands and the braid strand. The packing is immersed in a lubricating fluid which is absorbed and retained in higher amounts by the lubricant sink strands, thereby providing a long-lasting source of lubricant for the overall packing during use.

Abstract: A rope or line having a permanent loop of fixed diameter spliced in each end thereof provides for the suspension of innumerable articles in various industries, but is particularly well suited for use in underground mining, where it may be used to support continuous miner machine cables, electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic lines, air ventilation ducts, etc., above the floor of the mine drift. The line is preferably formed of a braided synthetic fiber which has been treated to provide flame retardant properties and which is also electrically non-conductive. Treated, braided polypropylene is a suitable material for the present double looped line. The closed loops are formed by passing the first end of the line diametrically through its opposite portion, and then coaxially through that same portion and diametrically through the portion captured within the hollow braided core to secure the first end therein and to form a closed loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rope for the taking along and transferring of paper webs in the manufacture on paper machines of paper and cardboard made from round-braided textile fiber material. In accordance with the invention, raised positions are distributed over the circumference of the rope at regular or irregular distances. The raised positions are generated by design measures such as the selection of a different multiple thread count in the different running directions and/or the use of twisted and laid fiber elements, and/or by the use of fibers with profiled fiber cross-sections and/or textured or crimped fiber yarns and or by the use of fibers with profiled fiber crosssections and/or textured or crimped fiber yarns.

Abstract: A method for construction of a large diameter braided rope. The rope is formed of high strength, low elongation synthetic fibers which are twisted together at a twist factor in the range from about 125 to about 145 to form a plurality of comparatively small diameter yarns. The small diameter twisted yarns are then braided together at a pick multiplier in the range from about 1.0 to about 2.0 so as to form a plurality of braided strands, and the strands, in turn, are braided together with a pick multiplier of about 2.0-3.6 so as to form the large diameter braided rope. The braiding of the strands imparts a degree of coherence which permits a lower twist factor to be used in the yarns. This results in a significant increase in translational efficiency over conventional twisted-strand construction, by avoiding the over twisting of low elongation fibers which occurs when forming large diameter yarns.

Abstract: A method for producing packing for the stuffing of boxes, among other purposes. In one embodiment, the packing enables compressive forces to be transmitted uniformly from a gland along an entire winding of the packing so as to eliminate stresses within the packing itself. The method includes a step in which elementary yarns converge to form the packing at an assembly point and a step in which the packing is wound into a coil starting at the assembly point.

Abstract: A method for forming a braided rope. Twisted yarns are first braided together to form braided strands, and the braided strands are then braided together to form the rope. The diameter of the individual twisted yarns is kept to a minimum, thereby reducing the number of twisting stages required to form the yarns and also permitting heat stretching treatment using existing systems. Moreover, in-line connections can be made within the individual strands using conventional braided rope splices, which both eliminates the need to use long splices during manufacture of the rope and enables individual strands to be spliced in the field to so as to repair snags, cuts, and other service damage without having to replace an entire length of the rope.

Abstract: An axially stable tubular braided fabric comprising a longitudinal set of yarns extending longitudinally of the fabric, a first set of yarns arranged substantially along a first cylindrical plane and at an angle relative to the longitudinal yarns and a second set of yarns arranged substantially along a second cylindrical plane and transversely of the first set of yarns. The yarns of the longitudinal set are passed consecutively over one and under the other of the yarns of the first and second sets interlocking these yarns together in an axially stable position with the yarns of the first set predominating the outer surface and the yarns of the second set predominating the inner surface.

Abstract: A method for forming a ready-to-hang lace curtain and a lace curtain comprising stiffen vertical panel of woven fabric. Each panel being joined to an adjacent panel by an integrally woven vertical zone of open mesh. The open mesh zones formed from a plurality of threads twisted into a single vertical strand. The strand being joined to adjacent vertical panels at evenly spaced intervals by a single loop of thread draw from the vertical strand and extending generally horizontally. The loops being interwoven at spaced locations into the edge of the adjacent vertical panel. Forming an accordion-folding of the plurality of the vertical panels along the mesh zones into aligned and compact stacked assembly and simultaneously die-cutting an opening through the assembled panels while they are in the stacked aligned configuration. The opening configured to receive means for hanging the curtain.

Abstract: A tension member of a power transmission belt is formed of a braided cord composed of four aramid fiber strands having the same yarn number. The yarn number of the aramid fiber strands is 700 denier to 1300 denier. A ratio p/d of a braiding pitch p of the braided cord to a diameter d thereof is 3.7.ltoreq.p/d.ltoreq.5.5. Thereby increasing the flex fatigue resistance of the power transmission belt.

Abstract: A member for use in net construction comprises a sheathing with an internal core, the internal core has a very low stretch capacity and the outer sheathing has a much larger stretch capacity but allows intersplicing of crossing members within the lattice or between a border member comprised of such a material and the free end of the weft and warp members.

Abstract: A mop head has a fitting, a coupler, and string. The fitting couples to the end of a handle. The coupler attaches the string to the fitting. The string is arranged in multiple loops that depend from the fitting. The string itself is made of a foam core and a protective filament covering. The foam is of the open cell type for absorbency and wringability. The filament is braided or knitted so as to completely encircle the core and to provide openings therethrough in order to allow access to the core. The covering protects the core from tearing and other mechanical damage, while maintaining the porosity of the overall string.

Abstract: A composite yarn is for making braided packing for sealing pump or rotating valve shafts. The packing comprises an external layer and a core. Preferably, the external layer is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) impregnated with graphite, and the core is an aramide filament. The graphite impregnated, expanded PTFE gives the composite yarn good thermal conductivity, high capacity of friction reduction and good resistance to chemical attacks. The aramide filament has high mechanical strength. The composite yarn can be braided to form a packing where only the PTFE contacts the shaft, thus protecting it against uneven wear.

Abstract: A braided packing has a number of longitudinal strands around which a braid strand is wound in a lattice pattern to form a substantially square braid. The longitudinal strands include at least two lubricant sink strands, the lubricant sink strands having a material composition and configuration to give the lubricant sink strands a higher lubricant absorbency than the other longitudinal strands and the braid strand. The packing is immersed in a lubricating fluid which is absorbed and retained in higher amounts by the lubricant sink strands, thereby providing a long-lasting source of lubricant for the overall packing during use.

Abstract: A hair braiding apparatus is disclosed comprising a U-shaped rod having a left arm and a right arm, the arms offset from one another relative to the plane of the U shape, a guide for holding a first strand of hair and a second strand of hair in alignment with the left arm and the right arm, respectively, and a clamp for holding the first and second strands of hair in slideable engagement with the left and right arms of the rod respectively. Methods of braiding with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One or more of the strands may be artificial hair. A method of braiding natural hair with artificial hair using the braiding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing a prothesis for intraluminal implantation. The prosthesis is formed with a flexible tubular interbraided structure of metal or polymeric monofilaments, and polymeric multifilament yarns, and can be elastically deformed to reduce its diameter through axial elongation. The monofilaments and multifilament yarns are wound on a mandrel arranged in axially spaced apart helices, concentric on a common central axis of the prosthesis. The monofilaments are selectively shaped before their interbraiding with the multifilament yarns, either by an age-hardening or other heat-setting stage while wound on a mandrel, or by a cold-working stage that controllably plastically deforms the strands. The shaped structural strands cooperate to impart to the prosthesis its nominal shape and resilience.

Abstract: Braided or twisted lines made from gel spun polyolefin yarns are stretched to increase line tenacity. If desired, stretching conditions can also be chosen to significantly reduce the denier of the line.

Abstract: A filament rope may be produced continuously by the method and apparatus of this invention. In an upper portion of a frame of the apparatus is a unit having strand carrying spools that move about to braid the strands into a core of the rope. During braiding the strands overlap to form sets of pairs of transversely aligned openings which decrease in size as the rope core is drawn away from the braiding unit by a tension wheel assembly. While the openings are still large, a filament length carried by a first cylinder passes through one pair of strand openings. The cylinder then is withdrawn and the filament length severed leaving a filament segment in that pair of openings. Next, a second filament segment is placed in the other strand opening pair by a second cylinder. After filament segment insertion a tamping tool engages the strands and inserted filament segments to promote opening size reduction and improve formation of a compressive fit by the strands on the filament segments.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a prosthesis for intraluminal implantation. The prosthesis has a flexible tubular three-dimensionally braided structure of metal or polymeric monofilaments, and polymeric multifilament yarns. The prosthesis can be elastically deformed to reduce its diameter through axial elongation. The monofilaments and multifilament yarns are interbraided into axially spaced apart helices, concentric on a common central axis of the prosthesis. The monofilaments are selectively shaped before their interbraiding with the multifilament yarns, either by an age-hardening or other heat-setting stage, or a cold-working stage that controllably plastically deforms the strands. The shaped structural strands are arranged to impart to the prosthesis its nominal shape and resilience. The textile strands are braid into one or more layers of sheeting that reduce permeability and thereby enhance the utility of the prosthesis as a vascular graft.

Abstract: Braided line splices and methods of making such splices using an inverted sleeve formed from a part of the braided line sheath, the steps forming the sleeve being at least a part of the method. The sleeve is formed by inverting it (turning it inside out), and then running a braided line part through the sleeve, tensioning the sleeve and having it grip the line part within the sleeve. Variations include making eye splices, both slipping and non-slipping; belt or loop splices, both slipping and non-slipping; and butt splices. Kits may be packaged which provide the necessary items and information to complete such splices.

Abstract: A small diameter ionizing cord for use in an apparatus through which insulative material flows or is propelled. The ionizing cord has an outer surface and includes three or more strands of electrically non-conductive fibers braided to form a smooth cord having an effective diameter of about 0.5-6 mm. At least one of the strands is a static control strand including a multiplicity of electrically conductive microfibers being in electrically conductive communication with one another along the length of the strand. The microfibers are selected to provide a multiplicity of ionizing points disposed along the length of the cord and exposed at or extending minimally above the outer surface such that, when the strand is electrically grounded or electrically charged, air between the ionizing points and the material passing the outer surface is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the material or to attract or repel the material to or from the apparatus surface.

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 utility loop includes a loop of fiber which forms the loop core. The loop of fiber is made from a thread wrapped into a plurality of loops. The two loose ends of the thread can then optionally be tied together to form the loop of fiber. The outer loop cover of the utility loop is a tube of braided material, which surrounds loop of fiber. The tube of braided material has a tube axis running along a length of the tube of braided material. The tube of braided material includes a relatively small number of relatively large-diameter monofilament fibers, which are braided together in a tubular form. All of the relatively large-diameter mono-filament fibers are oriented to form acute angles with the tube axis. The two loose ends of the tube of braided material are connected together to form the utility loop. Specifically, a first opposing end of the tube of braided material is slipped over a second opposing end of the tube of braided material to thereby form an overlap.

Abstract: A net comprises a border member defined by at least a first border section and a second border section each extending generally orthogonally to one another and having a plurality of weft members each connected to one of the first and second border sections and being disposed in a first given direction. The net includes a plurality of warp members each connected to the other of the first and second border sections and being disposed in a second given direction generally oriented orthoganally to the first given direction. The weft and warp members being crossed with one another in a single common plane and in a manner which causes the members to be locked against relative axial and twisting movement. Each of said weft and warp members being a hollow braid member capable of being transversely pierced by the other such member.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a headband are described, each having a ponytail receiving feature. In some of the embodiments, the ponytail-receiving feature is a separate and distinct ring-like element. In other embodiments, the ponytail-receiving feature is an opening created in the headband itself. The headband may be formed of one or more braided strands. A four-strand braid may have two groups of two strands each, at a ponytail-receiving location, to form the ponytail-receiving feature. In an embodiment, one long strand may be braided back onto itself, its two ends forming loops for defining the extremities of an integral ponytail-receiving feature. In a preferred embodiment, a relatively long strand and a relatively short strand are braided to form a headband with integral ponytail-receiving feature. An optional visor element is also described.

Abstract: A lanyard made of a weavable, braided material having a loop at one end fashioned by turning the end of the lanyard braid back upon itself and a second end of the lanyard having a loop fashioned by turning the end of the lanyard back onto itself and inserting the end into the braid of the lanyard and fastening both with a common metal ferrule and further containing a metal ring held within each end loop.

Abstract: A dental cleaning instrument for cleaning the interproximal area between teeth is constructed with three threads of yarn. The first thread is initially supported on a first post and a second thread of yarn is supported on a second post. The third thread is wound on a bobbin and then interlaced around and between the first and second threads in a figure-8 pattern, while the first and second threads are simultaneously advanced in a direction normal to the plane in which the bobbin is moving. The resulting instrument consists of woven threads having a combined denier in the range of 480-1240, with superior spreadability and separation of ends.

Abstract: Two supports (8 and 9) mounted on parallel axes (10 and 11) respectively comprise two parallel arms (24 and 25) and portions (20 and 21) of a runway. A pay-out reel (26) for the core of the braid is mounted on a carriage (23) which rolls on the runway (20, 21), remaining at the bottom thereof. A mandrel (28) integral with the carriage guides the core-wire of the braid toward a braiding die-plate (3) at which the braid elements unwinding from reels (4-7) borne by the supports converge.

Abstract: A multi-columned needlewoven strip comprising two or three columns each formed of a series of loops of surface yarns and disposed side-by-side in which each of the loops of a surface yarn forming one column has a pair of loop-closing portions interlocked with another surface yarn forming another column disposed adjacent to the one column; and the multi-columned needlewoven strip is formed by a method which comprises steps of: threading core yarns respectively through respective eyes formed in a lower end of each of weaving needles so as to provide cores each hanging down from the respective lower ends of the needles; forming a slip knot in a lower end of each of the surface yarns; sliding the slip knot onto each of the needles; wounding the surface yarns around the respective needles to form columns of loops so that each of the loops of the one column is formed with a pair of loop-closing portions interlocked with the cooperating surface yarn forming the other column, and sliding down the columns onto the cor

Abstract: An eye splice is disclosed for a hollow braid type of cord for use in a parachute shroud or the like. It comprises a bight 22 in the free end of the cord which is folded back to form an eye 16 with the bight extending through braided wall of the cord at an entry point 34 and then through the center to a take-out point 36 and then through the wall to provide a cinch loop 28 of the bight extending beyond the wall. The end of the standing part of the cord passes through and the cinch loop which is tight around the standing part.

Abstract: This invention provides a woven tubular gasket having a continuous integral attachment means which is contained within the woven tubular members and which has protrusions which extend through or are extendable through the walls of the woven tubular member or members and are adapted to engage openings in an appropriate surface or substrate on which the gasket is to be attached. The method of this invention provides for continuously forming the combination of the attachment means and the woven tubular member. The attachment means is fed continuously into the interior of the woven tubular member as it is formed to thereby incorporate the attachment means into the interior of the woven tubular member.

Abstract: Disclosd is a pre-expanded braided sleeving made from flexible strands of either conductive or nonconductive filaments, or a combination thereof, along with entrapped warp filaments of heat shrinkable material. The warp filament material is commonly known as heat reactive material and, when briefly subjected to heat below its fusion temperature, shrinks in the order of 30% to 50% of its length and very substantially expands the sleeving thereby greatly expediting the assembly thereof over an elongated object. Thereafter the sleeving is readily contracted into a snug fit with the object upon being tensioned between its opposite ends.

Abstract: A method of effectively connecting a fishing net without the necessity for tying each net mesh to the support rope prevents a tearing-off of the fishing net with consequent loss of the net. During the connecting operation, a number of pairs of depending ear portions are formed along the support rope, one after another, by inserting a first depending ear portion into the support rope to form a second ear portion. The net is hung from the depending ear portions. Each pair of depending ear portions are successively connected to one another, without tying the two together at any position on the support rope.

Abstract: A hand held, hand operated hair braiding apparatus having a plurality of aligned gear members, each having an aperture therethrough for passage therethrough of a strand of hair, with a first pair of adjacent gear members having the positions interchanged in response to actuation of a lever member in a first direction with the remaining gear member then being interchanged with the adjacent one in response to pivoting of the lever member in the reverse direction. There is also disclosed an accessory device for facilitating the use of the hair braiding apparatus.

Abstract: A cord hammock is made by knotting a plurality of long strands of cord in a manner whereby they are braided at the ends of the hammock and branch out to form a body supporting pattern.