Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for making surgical braids, the apparatuses and methods having active and passive tracks. Additionally, various embodiments of surgical braids having changing patterns of traces, alternating colors, alternating cores, and tubular and flat sections, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrugated plastic composite spring for a vehicle suspension and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same. The apparatus includes a corrugated extrusion part, a braiding part, and a pultrusion part. The corrugated extrusion part forms a preform having a hollow corrugated structure. The braiding part weaves a three-dimensional woven fabric on the preform. The pultrusion part impregnates the three-dimensional woven fabric with thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing at least one non-uniform thickness composite spar component. The method comprises braiding a plurality of fibers over a non-cylindrical mandrel to form a variable thickness shaped fiber preform, flattening the shaped fiber preform and cutting the flattened shaped fiber preform to obtain the at least one non-uniform thickness composite spar component. Spars made according to various embodiments of the present invention are faster and less expensive to manufacture than conventional composite spar components.

Abstract: A braider has a track for guiding 4N bobbin carriers and 4N horngears, where N is an integer greater than one. The horngears each have four horns for forming at least two paths. The bobbin carriers are positioned on the horngears in a tubular braiding mode with the track and horngears configured to provide two paths intersecting each other, to form a tubular braid section. The bobbin carriers are positioned on the horngears in a flat braiding mode, with the track and horngears configured so that there are N separate closed paths that do not intersect each other, to form a flat braid section. The braider is switched between the tubular and flat braiding modes while N of the horngears are free of contact with the bobbin carriers, to form a continuous braid having at least one tubular braid section and at least one flat braid section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for braiding fibers into a braided structure, the device comprising a braiding machine, comprising a continuous track plate, a forming device, comprising a forming ring, a braiding mandrel about which the braiding machine braids at least one layer of the braided structure, and positioning means to effectuate relative movement of the mandrel and the braiding machine during braiding. The continuous track plate and/or the forming ring are build up of at least two parts that may be separated and reattached to each other, the parts being arranged such as to allow the track plate and/or the forming ring to enclose the mandrel. The invention further relates to a method for braiding fibers into a braided structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a relatively lightweight collapsible and portable braiding stand to be used by braiding hobbyists to produce braided works including but not limited to rugs, wall hangings, chair pads, stair treads, bench cushions, bags and purses. Variations are comprised of a tubular plastic, such as PVC, and have the ability to be assembled in both chair and floor use configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of optimizing setting parameters for braiding a shielding sheath using spindles carrying coils of wires on a braiding machine, the sheath being braided onto a bundle of electrical conductors, and the invention also relates to such a bundle. According to the invention, the method consists in determining for each diameter in a series (s1) of consecutive electrical conductor bundle diameters, a single group (N) of spindles and a single group (M) of braiding wires so as to minimize the number of actions that need to be taken in order to adapt the machine to braiding a required diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braider comprising a guiding plate, of which a plurality of the paths are intersected with one another; and a corresponding conveying gear. With combination of the guiding plate and the conveying gear, it is possible to produce polygonal braids, such as rectangular braids or triangle braids, and to provide various colors on the braids as different braided yarns are braided on the corresponding surfaces respectively. Furthermore, with the rectangular braids or triangle braids, the banding force is enhanced as the frictione is increased when they are united. Therefore, the braids are not easy to loosen if they are used as banding braids for footwear or clothes.

Abstract: The extensible segment in an anchor rode comprises a rubber core enclosed in a base rope along the central axis of the base rope. A braided cover further encloses an intermediate portion of the rubber core inside the base rope. The braided cover is made of braided cover strands embedded in the rubber core, and un-braided cover strands extending over the two ends of the rubber core. The un-braided cover strands are weaved into the base rope to retain the rubber core longitudinally inside the base rope.

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 hand held tool for starting lace stitching or braiding, including a firm, stabilizing ridge about the perimeter with a relatively thin, flexible plastic panel within the perimeter. The panel includes a systematic scheme of holes that are interconnected by channels. The holes are sized and shaped to accommodate a particular lacing material and the holes are arranged to permit a particular design in the finished gimp. The tool is removed from the finished gimp with the exertion of a gentle separating force.

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: The invention relates to a yarn guidance rod and to a device for the laying of a yarn on a cross-wound bobbin in a textile machine. A plurality of winding stations installed next to each other is serviced by a yarn guidance rod made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic which can be moved back and forth. The yarn guidance rod is provided with a sheathing. The yarn guidance rod has segments made of a highly heat-expandable material in order to achieve heat compensation as compared with the textile machine.

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: 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 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 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.