Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of fiber strand carrier members that are movable on a carrier surface defined by multiple, movable, side-by-side support members and a plurality of fiber guides affixed on the support members for dispensing axial stuffer fiber strands as the carrier members move along predetermined paths to intertwine the fiber strands from the fiber guides. The carrier members are disposed on the support members for movement therewith and for movement from one support member to abother. The fiber guides are affixed on the support members for movement only with the respective support member. The stuffer fiber strand for each fiber guide is dispensed from a spool that is carried on a respective support member or is mounted on a stationary base.

Abstract: A simple braiding machine readily adaptable to a variety of braiding tasks comprises self-propelled bobbin carriers guided by a track consisting of interchangeable units similar to the interchangeable track units of a toy train. Also disclosed is a simple yarn tensioner capable of maintaining constant tension in the braiding yarn and capable of taking up slack yarn.

Abstract: A method of weaving a three-dimensional article by which, an area arranging carrier members (1) in the form of a matrix is segmented into a plurality of rectangular blocks (G1 to G6) to choose prescribed blocks therefrom, and then a basic weaving operation is sequentially and alternately performed with respect to the prescribed blocks. According to the weaving method, it is possible to easily weave many kinds of three-dimensional articles (2) having different sectional forms. An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article having, first guide means (16) for guiding the movement in row direction of the carrier members (1) and second guide means (17) for guiding the movement in column direction of the carrier members (1), so that the carrier members (1) are smoothly moved in the row and the column directions by the first and the second guide means (16 and 17).

Abstract: Apparatus for braiding an article from a plurality of fibers, comprising a plurality of flexible annular members of substantially the same size which are disposed side-by-side in axially aligned relation and have means for supporting fiber carriers for axial movement relative thereto. The annular members are mounted for circumferential movement about a common central axis relative to each other. A plurality of rows of fiber carriers are mounted on the annular members for axial movement relative to the annular members. Actuating means are provided to move the annular members and to move the rows of fiber carriers axially in a predetermined manner to intertwine the fibers.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of movable support members that are arranged side-by-side and collectively form a quadratic carrier surface, such as a cylindrical carrier surface. A plurality of fiber strand carrier members are movable on the carrier surface to intertwine the fiber strands. Each fiber strand extends from its carrier member along an axis that intersects the axes of the other fiber strands at a generally common consolidation point near a fiber gathering device that gathers the fiber strands from the carrier members. The carrier members are generally equidistant from the fiber consolidation point as a result of moving on the quadratic carrier surface so that the gathering device can maintain a generally constant tension in the fiber strands regardless of their position on the carrier surface.

Abstract: The method involves braiding a plurality of fiber bundles, each comprising a reinforcing fiber overwrapped by a plurality of glass or metal matrix-forming fibers, to form a 3D braided preform having stuffer fiber bundles extending longitudinally therethrough and heating the preform at a temperature and applying pressure to form the matrix-forming fibers into a bonded matrix in which the reinforcing fibers are disposed in a 3D braided pattern and in a longitudinal (stuffer) pattern.

Abstract: A braiding machine is to form a braid by rotating a plurality of horn dogs, respectively in synchronism and alternately each in reverse directions and running a plurality of carriers for yarn supply along carrier ways while transferring said carrier successively to neighboring horn dogs, and is provided with a belt drive system comprising plurality of synchro pulleys rotating each integrally with a plurality of said horn dogs, and a synchro belt for rotating each synchro pulley in synchronism and alternately each in reverse directions by being passed over between a plurality of said horn dogs.

Abstract: A braider having a braider bed. The bed has first and second closed tracks defining an intersecting serpentine path. The tracks define an average path which is non-circular. A plurality of yarn package carriers travel along said tracks. Yarns fed from the packages form a braid at a location substantially central of the bed.

Abstract: Combing apparatus for a braiding machine or the like, comprising a plurality of smooth, flexible lines mounted on one side of the fibers in the area between the braiding machine and the braid point. The lines are fixed at the end near the braiding machine and are attached at the opposite end to a flexible and resilient member, such as a spring or rubber band. A plurality of pusher members are mounted on the one side of the fibers in alignment with the lines, and a plurality of gripper members are mounted on the opposite side of the fibers in alignment with the lines and pusher members. The pusher members engage the lines in an area near the braiding machine so as to push them between the fibers. The gripper members extend through the fibers to grip the lines, pull them through the fibers and then pull the lines toward the braid point to separate and comb the fibers in a uniform manner.

Abstract: A braiding mandrel for use in making cable grips and strain relief assemblies is described. The mandrel has a rod along its axis. Enclosing the rod, along its length, are hook-ring elements separated by cylindrical spacers. The hook-ring elements are flat rings with prongs extending outward. The prongs are bent upward to form hooks on which wire is wrapped to form the cable grips and strain relief assemblies.

Abstract: A composite article is made by braiding a 3D article shaped preform including non-fugative braider reinforcing fibers and fugative fibers and removing the fugative fibers to form a plurality of matrix-ingress passages in the braided preform. During impregnation of the braided preform with a matrix material, matrix material is supplied to the interior of the preform via the passages. The fugative fibers typically comprise fugative monofilaments which are substantially larger in size than the non-fugative fibers to permit one or more dimensions of the preform and thus the composite article to be increased beyond the capacity of the particular braiding apparatus employed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is braided with an apparatus having a floating yarn creel and a floating forming plate, each having movable elements. Fibers are fed from the creel through the forming plate to a forming zone where the fibers are braided by synchronous movements of said movable elements. Beaating combs may also be provided in the forming zone.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elongated braided structural member having high mechanical strength, including the steps of providing at least three primary elongated cores, parallel and spaced from one another, and helically winding a plurality of threads around said cores, at least two threads being wound around any pair of primary cores.

Abstract: Braided line is manufactured by drawing off filaments (3) from a carousel of bobbins (1) which are caused to follow interweaving paths about a common axis. The line can be tapered by cutting selected filaments at intervals and continuing the braiding with a progressively reduced manner. Each cut off filament (14) leading from the braid point (8) is kept co-axially aligned by the air flow into a suction tube (6) within the carousel while the remaining filaments (3) are braided around it. The selection and cutting of the filaments can be automated, under computer control.

Abstract: This invention relates to a braider having a braid ring about which yarns passing from the yarn packages on the carrier to the article being braided traverse or change direction about the braid ring, vibrators being mounted on the ring to vibrate the ring, thereby allowing yarns of high surface friction to pass over the ring thereby reducing the incidence of yarn breakages during braiding.

Abstract: Apparatus for braiding an article from a plurality of fibers, comprising a plurality of ring members of substantially the same size which are disposed side-by-side in axially aligned relation and have means for supporting fiber carriers for axial movement relative thereto. The ring members are mounted for rotation about a common central axis relative to each other. A plurality of rows of fiber carriers are mounted on the ring members for axial movement relative to the ring members. Actuating means are provided to rotate the ring members and to move the rows of fiber carriers axially in a predetermined manner to intertwine the fibers.

Abstract: A braiding machine having inner and outer tables mounted for counter-rotation about a vertical axis, a stationary, standing rib cam positioned beneath the outer table, a strand guide arm supported on the outer table and having a guide eye that travels in an arcuate path in which all points in the path are equidistant from the strand braid point and connecting and driving elements operably joining the rib cam and the guide eye arm to effect positive arcuate movement of the guide arm.

Abstract: A complex braided composite structure is formed of axial and braiding yarns using an interlacing pattern which allows all braiding yarn reversals to occur outside a multi-layer array of axial yarns concurrently at one location in the pattern thus allowing free manipulation of the yarns for forming complex shapes.

Abstract: The present speed control apparatus and method operates to progressively increase the speed of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles of the braiding machine as the amount of strand material wound on the supply carriers is decreased and to thereby increase the efficiency of the braiding machine. The speed control includes an ultrasonic sensor supported adjacent the path of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles and being operable to detect the amount of strand material remaining on the strand supply carriers during each serpentine path of travel of the strand supply carriers past the sensor. Computers are provided for progressively increasing the speed of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles in response to detected decreases in the amount of strand material on the strand supply carriers.

Abstract: A braiding method wherein fiber carriers are arranged in rows and columns which are moved in a predetermined alternating sequence to intertwine the fibers and form a braided article. A selected intermediate row is moved a distance sufficient to block movement of a column on one side thereof. While the column is blocked, a tamping force is applied thereto to move it against the one side of the selected row to facilitate proper alignment of the fiber carriers in the column.

Abstract: A mechanism for timing strand movement relative to rotation of holders or carriers for strand supply spools or bobbins, being rotated in opposite directions by the drive mechanism of a braiding machine. The drive mechanism is mounted around a stationary shaft extending from a frame member. The mechanism includes an adjustable actuator means carried by the frame member radially of the stationary shaft and housng a selectively rotatable control shaft carrying a first sprocket. A second sprocket connected to the first sprocket by a chain means is connected to a journal sleeve around the stationary shaft. The journal sleeve carries a circular control element. The control element carries either a series of passive deflector cam plates for yarn strands or a cam track for a series of positive wire strand guiding mechanisms. There is also an improved drive mechanism for a braiding machine having a rotating table for carrying a set of outer spool holders.

Abstract: A method for the formation of a three-dimensional woven fabric comprises causing arms of carriers disposed around one component yarns out of three mutually perpendicular component yarns and having the other two component yarns separately held thereon to be rotated, opposing carrier arms of adjacent carriers to each other thereby effecting transfer of yarns, and successively effecting said transfer of yarns to carrier arms of the subsequent carriers thereby enabling the two component yarns to be displaced and zigzagged relative to the remaining one component yarn. An apparatus for effecting the aforementioned method essentially comprises a multiplicity of carriers arrayed longitudinally and laterally on a carrier holding plate and means for imparting necessary movements to the carriers. The three-dimensional woven fabric can be formed in a desired shape or yarn arrangement by suitably varying the pattern of arrangement of the two component yarns.

Abstract: Cores (a1-a4) pass through separate points in a plate (1) of the machine, over which plate thread-carrying spools (17.sub.1 -17.sub.24) are free to move. Two pairs of spools (i.e. four spools) are associated with each of the six possible pairs of the cores (a1-a4). Both spools in each pair are wound in the same direction around the corresponding pair of cores. The other two spools corresponding to the same pair of cores wind round the pair in the opposite direction. At successive steps of the method, each spool in each pair of spools is swapped with the other spool of the pair to occupy the position previously occupied by the said other spool. As a result, each pair of cores is covered by two helical windings in each winding direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for the control of relative strand movement, without significantly affecting or altering strand tension, on a braiding machine with two sets of carriers for a strand supply bobbin being rotated in opposite directions and being generally axially aligned, as a set of front and rear strand carriers and supply bobbins. A set of rear strands pass through peripheral and radially arcuate slots in a carrier mounting table and are guided prior to movement into the slot by a set of cam actuated swing arms movable in a common plane perpendicular to the machine axis. The rear strands move through an arc segment relative to the machine axis for interweaving with a set of front strands. The interwoven rear and front strands are led to a circular ring at the front of the machine having an effective diameter coincident with the rotational axis of the front bobbins. The interwoven strands are then pulled from the machine to a "work center" for tight braiding around a core or mandrel.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for rotating two tables around the central axis stationary shaft of a braiding machine having a set of strand carriers mounted on the rear side of a first table and another set of strand carriers movable around the front side of the first table for rotation by a second table. The drive mechanism is connected to a power input shaft extending substantially parallel to the stationary shaft and toward the rear side of the first table and includes a series of six sprockets, a postshaft and three chains so that the two tables are rotated in opposite directions in response to rotation of the power input shaft.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for the central axis stationary shaft and power input shaft of a braiding machine having a set of strand carriers mounted on the rear side of a first table, another set of strand carriers movable around the front side of the first table for rotation by a second table, and a drive mechanism for rotating the tables in opposite directions. The mounting assembly has a frame base, a frame stanchion for mounting the central axis stationary shaft and having a medial lattice opening, a drive torque tube extending from the lattice opening and housing and rotatably mounting the power input shaft, and, an arcuately adjustable means projecting into the lattice opening for support of the rear end of the drive torque tube.

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 braided packing comprises a plurality of outer core strands, braided together with a plurality of braid strands, the outer core strands extending helically along said packing and forming with the braid strands a braid having a normal twist extending helically in one direction, the braid strands extending over the core strands in a continuous helical pattern at an angle to the outer core strands and the normal helical twist of the braid, and a plurality of warp strands in rows between said braid strands extending helically in a direction opposite said braid strands. Apparatus for making the braided packing comprises a rotatable condenser adapted to grip the braid at the point to which the braid strands extend for braiding together and means for rotating the condenser. The method of braiding comprises rotating the braid at the point at which the braid strands come together.

Abstract: An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article from a plurality of weaving elements comprising a plurality of carrier members each including a separate weaving element supply mounted thereon. The separate weaving elements are fed from the weaving element supplies to a plane of fabrication. Supporting means is provided for releasably maintaining the carrier members in a matrix to form a carrier plane. Movement means is provided to move the carrier members in predetermined paths relative to each other within the matrix to intertwine the weaving elements to form the woven article. A takeup means is provided to draw the woven article away from the carrier plane.

Abstract: Cylindrical open-top container houses generally annular slide track having diametric unidirectional stretch, the tracks being bordered by laterally extending guide rails which engage restricted necks of a row of individual holders which are each slidable along the track. Each holder supports a removable, outward-projecting hair tube, having a tensioning plug to yieldably retain a cluster of hair inserted therein. A pair of centrally pattern-apertured guide disks surround the outer edge of the track and are shiftable in unison 180.degree. in either direction so as to move successive holders from exit position of stretch to entry position at opposite end thereof, the shift being manually directed (by radially projecting lever) alternately clockwise and counterclockwise along the annular track so as thereby to braid together clusters of hair as they extend progressively from the respective trio of tubes thus carried by the slidable holders.

Abstract: A braiding machine for use in the manufacture of braided hose. The machine has the rear deck interconnected to the front deck which front deck is composed of three separate elements, the inner deck plate, the outer deck plate and the quoits. The respective elements are of a sandwich construction, wherein a viscoelastic material is bonded to outer plate members to provide a dampening of the noise. In addition, the carrier members are similarly constructed to dampen the noise by a sandwich construction, wherein the flanges of the carrier have an inner layer of viscoelastic materials. The carriers which support the wire spools are driven in a criss-crossing pattern to provide a braiding action of the wire as it is layed onto a longitudinally moving hose.

Abstract: A system and components thereof to control the covering of a flexible core with reinforcing strands by rotary braiding on tandem or adjacent machines. When used to control covering the core with multiple-braided strands formed in successive passes through tandem machines, the system has mechanical and electrical components which function to monitor and detect positions of the core, with a first covering of braided strands thereon, within and relative to the predetermined parameters of a chorded festoon and a zone of operational tolerance established between the machines, and to regulate the operating speed of both machines and of one machine relative to the other machine. In an alternative mode of control, the system has components permitting individual operation of each machine.