Abstract: This invention relates to protective and appearance sleeving, and more particularly to improved expandable-contractible braided sleeving having a pull cord extending lengthwise of its interior one end of which is attachable to an object to be enshrouded while the sleeving is being assembled thereover. The pull cord may comprise a strip of high strength material imprintable with indicia.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a glass covered electrical insulation having an inner lining of glass fibers coated with a flexible, high temperature, electrically insulating silicone polymer, the electrically insulating layer then has a second layer of glass fibers overbraided on it and bonded to it by the use of a heat treating process. A further teaching is the method of making the flexible sleeving and a method of use. The sleeving is particularly adapted for use in VPI processing and has superior flexibility as well as higher temperature capabilities than sleeving of the prior art.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced plastic tubing is formed by an innermost layer of braided strands that include longitudinal stud fill strands within the braid, a second layer of longitudinal strands, and a third layer of braided strands, all thoroughly encased in a monolithic mass of plastic matrix material that is not, itself, divided into layers. The tube is fabricated on a continuous basis by winding two sets of strands in opposite directions on a mandrel and braiding the two sets with each other and with stud fill strands that prevent that first layer of braid from stretching longitudinally and thereby tightening immovably on the mandrel. The strands are braided dry but are wetted with liquid plastic matrix material as the braid is compacted on the mandrel.

Abstract: Tubular sleeves of braided, knited or woven construction comprised of bulky continuous filament yarns and a resilient engineered plastic monofilament have excellent noise reduction characteristics. The bulky yarn provides a flexible cushion for cables and tubes covered by the sleeves thereby reducing vibration induced wear. The resilient monofilament gives the sleeve material sufficient hand so that sleeves formed according to the invention tend to assume the open position without loss of the ability to deaden sound and cushion vibration.

Abstract: A gasket-like device includes an elongated core, an outer jacket woven and preferably braided around and along the core and a plurality of individual fasteners spaced along the device, each fastener including a base captured between the core and the outer jacket and an engagement portion extending outwardly from the base through the outer jacket. An outer covering of plastic or other material may be applied, if desired, around and along part or all of the outer jacket.

Abstract: A prosthetic ligament includes a braided jacket with an unbraided core which is formed with a portion of the fibers of the braided jacket. This portion is isolated from the remaining braided jacket over a predetermined length of the prosthetic ligament.

Abstract: A knit or woven fabric that can be produced from raw silk on a commercial scale and found that this object can be attained by a knit or woven fabric that employs a tubular braid made from raw silk which is optionally blended with other fibers. The present invention has been accomplished on the basis of this finding.

Abstract: A composite implant prosthesis comprising a core constructed from a plurality of carbon fibers, a first casing formed from a braided sheath of carbon fibers and a second casing enclosing the core and first casing to define an outer surface contour for the composite implant prosthesis. The method for constructing the composite implant prosthesis includes the steps of pultruding the core from a polymer impregnated tow, braiding the first casing to the pultruded core and applying the second casing thereto. The pultruding and braiding steps are performed in a continuous process while the second casing is applied to a discrete element formed from the core.

Abstract: A slat for use in the assembly of a Venetian blind is provided with a light and sound absorptive coating on at least one of its major surfaces produced by flocking, applique, or textile weaving techniques, a preferred embodiment of the invention providing a strip having enhanced resistance to slippage of a coating appliqued to the strip and of a textile encapsulation of the strip in directions laterally and longitudinally of the strip.

Abstract: An outer tubular envelope for covering an elongated inserting portion of an inserting apparatus such as, for example, an endoscope. A plurality of strands are braided into the form of a tube. At least one of the strands is different in color from the remaining strands and is woven thereinto so as to extend helically at a constant pitch.

Abstract: A skein of yarn is drawn through a protective tube prefabricated of a woven, tubular textile fabric and is connected in order to form an endless sling. The protective tube is formed of two length sections. These length sections, which are of approximately the same length, are pushed together only slightly during the manufacturing process. In this pushed-together form, they surround the upper reach and the lower reach of the drive formed during drawing in of the skein of yarn by the strands of yarn which are placed around the wheel discs of the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are woven, knitted or braided fabric coverings having an increased abrasive resistance under vibrating conditions which are suitable for hoses, wires, tubes, harnessing, etc. where vibration under abrasive conditions causes rapid wearing of protective coverings. The resistance to these conditions is achieved by incorporating into the fabric of a flexible first yarn, a second yarn of a metal wire filament of comparable flexibility as the first yarn and forming a matrix to protect the first yarn. Also disclosed is the method of making the protective coverings from these fabrics.

Abstract: A torque transmitting guiding catheter adapted for insertion into vascular vessels with a body and a method for its construction is disclosed. The guiding catheter includes a flexible tubular member surrounded by a pair of torque transmitting layers that are formed of a flat braided material. A flexible (plastic) casing that initially is applied as a viscous material impregnates and encases the torque transmitting layer to hold them in place and eliminate their rough edges. The ends of the torque transmitting layers are soldered using a radiopaque solder to enhance the catheter's visibility within a body. The tubular member is also folded about the distal end of the catheter over the distal extremity of at least one of the torque transmitting layers to provide a smooth and soft distal catheter tip. The formed catheter has a flexible curving distal tip. The tip's shape memory is enhanced by at least partially curing the casing material while the tip takes the form of its desired final shape.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically braids a plurality of rope forming strands onto a center core member in a braiding pattern that causes the resulting rope to have a generally square shaped cross section. The braiding strands are fed to a braiding point on the center core member from a plurality of eight strand feed assemblies which are transported on a mechanism in two distinct but crossing orbits that encircle the center core member. The constituent strands are themselves formed by prebraided or pretwisted substrands or filaments to cause the resulting rope to exhibit pronounced ribs along the corners of the square cross section for a secure hand-to-rope grip.

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: In order to incorporate a weighting cord into the curtain without hindrance, not only is a bead array of spaced weighting bodies employed but this bead array is also surrounded by a textile tube which is to provide a cord surface substantially free of discontinuities. To produce the weighting cord economically, it is proposed to make it as a yarn composite using a spinning procedure. Here, the bead array constitutes a yarn core extending in axial direction of the yarn, and spun fibers are wound around the yarn core thereby generating a tube-like spun fiber coat.

Abstract: This invention provides a braided tubular sleeve having increased abrasion resistance. The braided tubular sleeve according to this invention have a resilient self-conforming "springback" property which enables the sleeve to conform in close contact with the surface of substrates, such as wire or cable bundles. The increased abrasion resistance is provided by braiding in with the resilient plastic yarns about one to about twenty ends of a resilient monofilament yarn such as nylon for every two ends of a resilient engineering plastic monofilament yarn such as polyester.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making pre-expanded braided sleeving 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: Rigidized composite preforms are fabricated by first serving individual reinforcement strands with a thread of a thermoplastic material. After shaping the reinforcement strands into a desired geometry, the shaped strands are heated to melt the thermoplastic threads. By then cooling the shaped reinforcement strands, the thermoplastic material solidifies and acts as an adhesive or glue in holding the preform together in a rigid fashion. Such rigid preforms are particularly suitable for handling, storage and transportation to other locations and media prior to densification. Densification may be performed by conventional techniques to produce the final composite article. Pyrolysis of the matrices and subsequent densification of the matrix may be accomplished.

Abstract: A gland packing having increased compressibility, increased allowable limit of twist, increased tensile strength, and excellent serviceability and versatility characteristics is disclosed which comprises a plurality of flexible graphite sheets cut to a width of less than 5 mm and laid in superposed relation to one another, the laid-up cut sheets being covered with a fiber material by knitting or braiding to form a knitting thread, the knitting thread being twisted. Also, a gland packing having a further increased tensile strength is disclosed wherein a plurality of strands of the knitting thread are gathered and twisted or braided. In addition, a gland packing having improved contacting and sealing properties is disclosed wherein the covering fiber material exposed on the surface of the packing is removed at least in part.

Abstract: A rope comprises of twisted textile fibers in the form of threads, yarns, twines, ply yarns or strands, which fibers consist mainly of synthetic resin, and a reinforcement made of a material which has strength properties differing from those of the textile fibers. The rope is intended for industrial use or as a safety rope, particularly as a climbing rope. In order to increase the life and the abrasion resistance of the rope when it is frequently flexed and to increase the tensile strength of the rope when it extends around a sharp edge, those threads, yarns, twines, ply yarns and strands which consist of twisted textile fibers and are disposed on the outside surface of the rope or of a core of the rope are reinforced by monofilaments of synthetic resin or metal, and/or said threads, yarns, twines, ply yarns or strands of twisted textile fibers are or a core of the rope or the entire rope is provided with a covering consisting of wound or braided monofilaments.

Abstract: A multiple-layer braided line having a high tensile strength composite steel core in which the innermost braided fibrous sheath layer is nylon, securely bonded to the composite steel core. An outer braided fibrous sheath is polyester formed over the inner sheath. The core is selected with a tensile strength over the desired rate load-carrying ability of the line, but less than that of the overall tensile strength of the inner and outer sheaths. The line is lightweight and has a high tensile strength and improved resistance to severing, melting and burning results, suitable for use by mountaineers, firemen and rescue workers. The line substantially eliminates backlash.

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: This invention relates to welt cord constructions in general, and more specifically to a combustion inhibiting construction for welt cords, wherein heat conducting elements are wrapped around, and/or form the core of, the welt cord, for dissipating the heat of combustion away from the point of contact with a source of heat such as a burning cigarette.

Abstract: A rope assembly which floats on water comprises a load-bearing rope (e.g. of polyamide or polyester fibres or filaments), a layer of buoyant, substantially non-absorbent, flexible material (e.g. closed-cell plastics foam) arranged around the rope, and a flexible jacket (e.g. of polyamide, polyester or polypropylene fibres or filaments) outside the buoyant layer holding it in place, the buoyant material being present in such quantity that the rope assembly will float on water.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical member, such as a catheter, cannulae, or the like, has a monolithic construction. An inner core of plastic is passed through a conventional reinforcing apparatus, such as a conventional braiding mechanism. The braiding action is interrupted at predetermined intervals while the core continues to be fed so that straight reinforcing strand lengths are disposed on the outer surface of the inner core at predetermined lengths. The member passes through a heated sizing die to adhere the braided strand to the inner core, and a mechanical shear or rotating blade cuts the straight strand lengths off so that they are detached from the core. An over-extrusion of plastic may be provided to encapsulate the reinforcing strands. When the catheter is free of reinforcing strands it is relatively soft and flexible--such as at its tip--and where the reinforcing strands are provided it is relatively stiff. The monolithic construction ensures that components will not detach in a patient's body.

Abstract: Ceramic sealing rope, with a core of a strand (1) of yarns (2), each yarn (2) around a solid metal wire (3) and around the core one or more sleeves (4, 5, 7), each sleeve woven crosswire of multiple yarns, each yarn around a solid metal wire.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hose including a tube and a braided wire reinforcement covering the tube. The wire braid includes a plurality of interwoven strands of wires, and each strand includes a plurality of wires having a uniform tension and a twist of from approximately one turn for each two and one-half to three inches. Further, each of the wires of the strand is preformed to produce a helical tension spring configuration, and the strands are braided under a relatively high tension. The hose is made by a method including the steps of preformng wires to produce the helical tension spring configuration, combining a plurality of such wires under a uniform tension and twisting such wires to form strands, and braiding a plurality of such strands under high tension.

Abstract: A packing material comprises glass or other inorganic fibers in combination with organic fibers such as sintered polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) or other selected fibers with or without an impregnant, a preferred impregnant being a lubricant with a binder. Ceramic fiber or quartz fiber can be substituted for glass fiber. Specific metal disulfides or talc can be substituted for the dispersed graphite and dispersed polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) can be used as a binder for the lubricant. Aramid, polyethylene, polypropylene, graphite, carbon, vegetable, nylon or rayon fibers or filaments can be substituted for the sintered TFE fiber in combination with inorganic fiber.

Abstract: A suture thread which comprises a jacket (or sheath) of a tubular braided structure made of yarns which are not crimped and a core located within the jacket containing crimped fibers. The jacket is formed by braiding the non-crimped yarns around the core.

Abstract: A welt cord includes a core made of a polymeric, flexible material and enclosed within a cellulose cover. A heat conductive filament is enclosed within the polymeric core and extends the length of the cord. The cellulose cover is held on the polymeric core by a jacket of threads.

Abstract: A fire retardant welt or beading cord having an aluminum foil element provided to dissipate the heat but which normally would be distorted when bent, in which cord memory is provided by an inner core formed from an elongated cylindrical, flexible member, preferably a foamed, flexible polymer.

Abstract: An improved safety mooring line of the type having an inner high stretch ety line and an outer high strength, low elongate synthetic fiber strength member also has an armor layer of a high strength, heat resistant synthetic fiber material braided over the safety line underneath the strength member. The armor layer is braided with a high braid angle so that it can elongate when the strength member parts, yet insulate the safety line from the heat and flailing ends of the strength member resulting from the released energy of parting.

Abstract: In making synthetic rope or cable, a plurality of filaments are brought in parallelism into a core and compacted by a plurality of ribbons or tapes wound about the core under tension in opposite directions to form a uniform jacket that is torsionally stable. An outer sheath which may be urethane or other plastic material is applied to the jacket under sufficient pressure to penetrate the jacket but not the core, and then the urethane is cured. The rope or cable of the invention has a core of substantially parallel filaments free to move within the jacket of ribbons wound about the core and penetrated with the urethane or other plastic material. The method affords many advantages in speed of manufacture and cost, and provides a rope or cable of greater tensile strength and flexibility than other rope or cable constructions.

Abstract: A stopper for a braided line having a core and a braided cover is disclosed, the stopper having a post-like part with an enlarged central section which stopper is adapted to be placed within a braided line extending substantially diametral thereof, the enlarged portion enlarging the diameter of the line so that seizing may be placed on either side thereof, which seizing will not slip.

Abstract: A coated rubber cord comprising a core member coated with a woven cover material in the texture of which a single or a plurality of rubber strings are mixedly woven.

Abstract: A low-friction, water- and steam-resistant packing suitable for both static and dynamic applications includes inorganic fiber selected from the group consisting of chemical, electrical, structural and alkali resistant glasses, ceramic, quartz, carbon and graphite materials, and dispersed and dried, but unsintered, polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE). The packing is essentially free of wetting agent and is prepared by combining the inorganic fiber with a TFE dispersion containing a wetting agent and heating the resulting combination to a temperature high enough to decompose the wetting agent but insufficiently high to sinter the particles of the dispersion.

Abstract: An elastic tension member comprises a jacket surrounding a core, the latter comprising a non-stretchable line in working relation with at least one elastic member. The line may comprise a cord, the terminal portions of the elastic member being fastened to the cord at spaced mounting joints. Tension forces applied to the elastic member are transferred to the non-stretchable line as soon as a predetermined maximum tension load value has been reached. This characteristic contributes to rendering the elastic tension member suited for towing purposes, or as a start-cord for surf boards, or as a tieing device for tieing up goods.

Abstract: A fiber cord comprises a core which is formed by braiding a plurality of strands, each comprising at least one fiber filament of high elongation. Around the core, an outer layer element is formed by braiding a plurality of strands, each comprising at least one fiber filament of low elongation and high strength. Around the outer layer element, a protective layer element is formed by braiding a plurality of strands, each comprising at least one fiber of high elongation.

Abstract: A sheath-core yarn and methods of preparing it are disclosed. A sheath of aramid fibers surrounds a continuous filament core composed of an amorphous silica product containing at least 96% silica and having the thermal performance of a refractory material. The yarn is useful in woven or knitted safety garments which must provide protection under such severe conditions as splattering molten steel.

Abstract: A method for producing a sealed rope of braided or twisted filaments. Heat-shrinkable filaments are braided or twisted about a core of a thermoplastic material to form a rope and the rope is placed under tension and treated to cause the thermoplastic core material to melt. Simultaneously the rope is maintained at a temperature sufficient to cause the heat-shrinkable filaments to shrink but not to melt, whereby the shrinking of the filaments, while the rope is under tension, reduces the cross section of the rope and causes the material to penetrate into the openings between and to surround and seal the filaments of the rope.

Abstract: A composite fiber sewing thread comprising a central core having one or more strands of an inorganic or organic fiber or blends thereof, and an outer jacket enclosing the core and having the form of a tubular body of braided strands of continuous ceramic fibers is disclosed. The thread is useful in very high temperature applications.

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: A rope wick for selectively applying liquid chemicals to plants. The rope wick comprises an outer covering made of braided polyester yarn and an inner core made of spun acrylic yarn.

Abstract: A composite fishing line comprising a core and braided jacket the core being made of material which will break under a predetermined tensile loading of the line, said braided jacket being made of a different material which does not break under said predetermined tensile loading and having a braid tightness which permits reoccurrent breaks in the core under the reoccurrence of said tensile loading without affecting the utilization of the line.

Abstract: A telephone cord which is particularly suited for use with some models of decorative telephones includes a plurality of individually insulated conductors, a plastic jacket which encloses the plurality of individually insulated conductors, and a braid which encloses the plastic jacket. While the braid is comprised of a woven band of cloth of a natural material or a synthetic material, in a preferred embodiment it is made of cotton which is dyed to a color which is compatible with that of portions of the decorative telephone. An end portion of the cord which is terminated with a modular plug that is capable of being inserted into a jack in the telephone is treated to cause the braid to be bonded to the plastic jacket so that when the jacket is removed to expose the conductors for purposes of plug termination, the braid will not fray.

Abstract: A flexible cable comprises a plurality of substantially parallel, textile core threads and an external sheath, in which cable cohesion is provided by a binder which is applied in a discontinuous manner to the threads to bond the core threads to one another to form a core. The same or additional binder is used to bond the core to the sheath. An electrical conductor element may be provided centrally of the core and the sheath preferably is braided in position about the core. In addition to the beneficial properties associated with totally impregnated cables, the cables of this invention possess a very high flexibility. These cables or ropes can be used for all applications in which flexibility and strength are the principally desired qualities including, for example, motorway crash barriers, oceanography, ballooning, and fixing floating stations in the sea.

Abstract: A faired article comprising a cable having a core surrounded by a braided jacket is provided with at least one row of fairing loops extending lengthwise of the jacket for the purpose of reducing strumming, drag and cable fatigue when the cable is installed underwater. The faired article is manufactured by guiding a length of fairing yarn into proximity with the upstream side of the ring of a braider, entraining the fairing yarn in an air stream directed across the path of movement of the braid yarns inside the braider ring, and causing the fairing yarn entrained therein to pass through the path of movement of the braid yarns as they advance around the braider ring, thereby enabling the braid yarns to form the fairing yarn into loops as the braid yarns form the jacket around the core. Preferred apparatus for practicing the method of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a snubbing device for use with traditional braided cordage. Traditional braided cordage exhibits a certain elasticity when tensioned by having the longitudinal axis of the braided cordage pulled in such a manner that the braid and resulting diameter constricts itself. In a double braided environment, an outer braid would constrict upon an inner braid, which would in turn constrict upon itself. A resilient elastic insert is provided within the inner core thereof, thereby causing the inner braid to constrict thereon.

Abstract: A telephone cord which is particularly suited for use with some models of decorative telephones includes a plurality of individually insulated conductors, a plastic jacket which encloses the plurality of individually insulated conductors, and a braid which encloses the plastic jacket. While the braid is comprised of a woven band of cloth of a natural material or a synthetic material, in a preferred embodiment it is made of cotton which is dyed to a color which is compatible with that of portions of the decorative telephone. An end portion of the cord which is terminated with a modular plug that is capable of being inserted into a jack in the telephone is treated to cause the braid to be bonded to the plastic jacket so that when the jacket is removed to expose the conductors for purposes of plug termination, the braid will not fray.