Abstract: Braider carriers for multiple yarn packages include separate supports for separate packages and separate guides for the yarns from each package. Insulating tubular gaskets having low porosity and comprised of an insulating yarn and wire are manufactured using the carriers. A circular braider used in the manufacture of the gaskets is loaded with a group of carriers each carrying a single yarn package of insulating yarn. The multiple package carriers, each of which is selectively positioned between carriers of the first group, supply insulating yarn and wire.

Abstract: A braiding machine carrier having a frame; a fiber spool mount attached to the frame; a fiber take-up assembly including a spiral spring; gear train on the frame for mechanically connecting the take-up spring assembly to the fiber spool mount for winding the spiral spring as a spool on the mount rotates; and a magnetic clutch, coupled to the take-up spring assembly, for preventing overwinding of the spiral spring.

Abstract: A tatting shuttle for holding multiple thread bobbins on the same shuttle to enable use of more than two colors or textures of thread while tatting. The shuttle uses multiple pairs of facing bobbin holders to hold each respective bobbin between planar shuttle members. The shuttle may include several pairs of bobbin holders. One end of the shuttle may form a point to facilitate tatting and the other end may be a joining member holding the two planar members together. A method for tatting is described in which the shuttle allows one to tat patterns of material in multiple colors or textures by selecting different colored or textured material from respective ones of the bobbins.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for braiding fine denier yarns to form a braided suture product which includes a carrier housing, a main carrier support plate for guiding a plurality of yarn carriers through predetermined paths while dispensing fine denier yarns toward a braiding zone. Each yarn carrier has a spindle for mounting a molded bobbin, with a spindle tip having a recess engageable with resilient leg portions of a bobbin hold down member hingedly mounted for rotation relative to the carrier housing. Tension on the yarn controls rotational movement of the bobbin to dispense yarn therefrom, and the tension of the final braided suture product is controlled to form a product of predetermined uniform appearance.

Abstract: A braiding machine of the type which includes a carrier for a bobbin, a pair of spaced apart tracks for guiding the carrier along a closed sinuous path, driving means for imparting driving movement to the carrier along said sinuous path and guiding means for guiding the yarn as it is pulled from the spindle of the carrier and characterized in that said guiding means includes a track follower carried by the carrier and accommodated within one of said tracks and a yarn guiding passage through the track follower for receiving the yarn on one side of the track, guiding it through the track within said track follower and discharging it on the opposite side of the track.