Abstract: A motorized handheld braiding assembly braids or weaves hair. The hair is selectively retained and carried in three adjacent hair retention heads. The hair retention heads securely fasten, and release the hair through one-handed operation. The hair retention heads are carried along a figure-8 pathway that creates a unique braiding pattern. The hair retention heads are carried on two rotating discs that rotate 360° in opposite directions. A hair clip on each hair retention head is height adjustable to fasten and release the lock of hair. The discs have three equally spaced slots that are radially disposed on an outer perimeter surface. The rotational motion of the discs carries each hair retention head in a revolution while fitted in the slot of the first disc, and then slidably passes each hair retention head on to a slot in the second disc where the rotation continues in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A hookless winch rope for securing to an object includes a first rope having a first end and a second end. The first end has a first loop and comprising a choke. A second rope is separate from the first rope. The second rope includes a third end and a fourth end. The third end includes an enlarged knot forming an engagement notch receiving the first loop. The first rope and the second rope are joined by a first interwoven portion.

Abstract: A rope for trawl nets having a high-strength eye-splice comprises an eye portion made of an HMPE material and tied round the end of the rope; a first fixing member preventing the eye portion from unraveling; an HMPE splice portion formed in a splice manner and having an outside and an inside that comprise HMPE, respectively; an HMPE sheathed strand portion in which a basic rope is interpolated inside, and strands of an HMPE material are woven in a blade manner on the outside of the basic rope; a second fixing member located at the end of the HMPE sheathed strand portion and capable of fixing the HMPE sheathed strand portion so that it does not come loose; and a basic rope portion comprising a general PE material.

Abstract: A composite material comprising braided composite yarns that can be embedded within or at the surface of the material. The braided composite yarns can incorporate one or more multicomponent fiber bundles. The braided composite yarns can be the axial yarns in a triaxial braided fabric that has structural yarns as the bias yarns. The composite material can comprise a carbon fiber prepreg. The thickness of each braided composite yarn can be approximately the thickness of a single composite ply. At least one conductive wire can be wrapped around an axial yarn of the braided composite yarn at a location desirable for electrical contact to be made to at least one conductor in the axial yarn. At least some of the conductive wire is preferably soldered to at least one of the conductors. The conductive wire can be twisted with a structural yarn and is stitched across the braided composite yarn. A conductive pad can be soldered to the one conductive wire.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable fabric comprising: 1) providing a first fabric formed from reinforcing fibers, 2) providing an elastic nonwoven web produced from elastic fibers, having softening temperature lower than said reinforcing fibers, on at least 1 one side of said first fabric to form a structure, 3) heating said structure to a temperature between the softening temperature and melting temperature of said nonwoven web, and 4) cooling said structure to thereby provide a stable two-dimensional fabric. In the preferred embodiment, the structure of step 2) is put into a mold prior to heating step 3), heating said structure in the mold according to step 3), cooling said structure in the mold according to step 4) and thereby providing a three-dimensional shaped article. A product is also provided produced by these processes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ropes containing bundles of filaments, where each bundle includes at least 70% by volume of liquid crystal polymer filaments, and where at least one bundle includes liquid crystal polymer filaments of at least 10 denier per filament in size. Also disclosed herein are methods of pulling or lifting an object by applying tension to such a rope connected to the object, where the rope is arranged over a sheave or a non-rotating guide surface, and a ratio of a diameter of the sheave or an effective diameter of the non-rotating guide surface, D, to a diameter of the rope, d, is at least 20:1.

Abstract: Provided herein are window blinds systems having a first section, double slats within the first section, a second section below the first section, single slats within the second section; outer supporting cords, inner supporting cords, and transverse cords associated with the outer supporting cords and the inner supporting cords, wherein pairs of transverse cords are provided by one upper transverse cord and one lower transverse cord alongside each other, and wherein an amount of space between the double slats larger than an amount of space between the single slats when the windows blinds system is in a fully opened shading arrangement, wherein the window blinds system is configured to be positioned into a variety of shading arrangements by adjusting a tilt angle of the plurality of double slats and the plurality of single slats and by adjusting a distance between neighboring slats of the set of slats.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a tubular braid are disclosed herein. A braiding system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an upper drive unit, a lower drive unit, a mandrel coaxial with the upper and lower drive units, and a plurality of tubes extending between the upper drive unit and the lower drive unit. Each tube can be configured to receive individual filaments for forming the tubular braid, and the upper drive unit and the lower drive unit can act against the tubes in synchronization to cross the filaments over and under one another to form the tubular braid on the mandrel.

Abstract: A superconductor (10, 30) has a twisted structure and is adapted to form windings in a superconducting coil. The superconductor (10, 30) comprises at least one superconductor wire. The superconductor further comprises at least one elongated electrical insulation element (18, 37). The elongated electrical insulation element(s) (18, 37) is/are twisted with or around the superconductor wire(s) in order to create a separation distance with an adjacent superconductor wire in a neighbouring winding, The elongated electrical insulation element(s) (18, 37) and the superconductor wire(s) may be twisted in one and the same twisting operation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hoisting cable formed of a steel core coated at its periphery with a textile sheath, wherein said textile sheath is a sheath directly braided on the steel core and made of an abrasion-resistant synthetic material.

Abstract: A braided bridge includes a mounting cable. The braided bridge further includes a first component configured to couple to the mounting cable, where the first spoke component includes one or more spokes and a second spoke component configured to couple to the mounting cable. The one or more spokes of the first spoke component are configured to fold and couple the second spoke component to the first spoke component.

Abstract: A modular heart valve prosthesis includes a first heart valve device and a second heart valve device. The first heart valve device includes a first valve support including a first prosthetic valve disposed within the valve support, and an anchoring frame surrounding the first valve support and coupled to the first valve support. The first prosthetic valve includes synthetic fabric leaflets having a first thickness. The second heart valve device includes a second valve support including a second prosthetic valve disposed within the second valve support. The second prosthetic valve includes tissue leaflets having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. In a first configuration, the second heart valve device is separate from the first heart valve device, and in a second configuration, the second heart valve device is disposed within the first valve support of the first heart valve device.

Abstract: Fibers may be intertwined to form structures for electronic devices and other parts. Fibers may be intertwined using computer-controlled braiding, weaving, and knitting equipment. Binder materials may be selectively incorporated into the intertwined fibers. By controlling the properties of the intertwined fibers and the patterns of incorporated binder, structures can be formed that include antenna windows, sound-transparent and sound-blocking structures, structures that have integral rigid and flexible portions, and tubes with seamless forked portions. Fiber-based structures such as these may be used to form cables and other parts of headphones or other electronic device accessories, housings for electronic devices such as housings for portable computers, and other structures.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microcatheter, with tubular structure, comprising a catheter body, a sharp portion disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, the catheter body comprises: a inner layer with a hollow lumen; a tubular intermediate layer wrapped outside the inner layer, comprising a spring layer and a braid above the spring layer, the braid extending longitudinally along a part of the spring layer; and a tubular outer layer, wrapped outside the intermediate layer; the part of the spring layer which is not wrapped by the braid is bent at a certain angle along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

Abstract: A heat shielded assembly includes a fuel structure of a combustor of a gas turbine engine and a woven heat shield at least partially conformally surrounding the fuel structure and spaced from an exterior of the fuel structure by a distance where it surrounds the fuel structure. The fuel structure is configured to deliver fuel to the combustor. The woven heat shield comprises a first set of strands, a second set of strands interwoven with the first set of strands, and a weave pattern comprising the first set of strands and the second set of strands. Each strand of the first set of strands extends in a first direction, each strand of the second set of strands extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and the first set of strands and the second set of strands are not attached where they intersect in the weave pattern.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a sling including a sleeve, a first eye formed by a first splice, and a second eye formed by a second splice. The sleeve includes braided strands and has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between. The sleeve also defines a hollow inner volume. The first splice is made by the first end portion extending into and along part of the hollow inner volume proximate the first eye. The second splice is made by the second end portion extending into and along part of the hollow inner volume proximate the second eye. A hollow load bearing portion is defined in the intermediate portion between the first splice and the second splice.

Abstract: A lifting member for an elevator system is disclosed, including a rope formed from a plurality of strands comprising liquid crystal polymer fibers, with the strands extending along a length of the lifting member. A first polymer coating is disposed on outer surfaces of the fibers or on outer surfaces of the strands. A second polymer coating disposed over the first polymer coating.

Abstract: A knitted component includes a first yarn and a second yarn, where the first yarn comprises a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature. The first yarn is used to create window openings of different shapes and sizes within the knitted component. This is achieved by using the first yarn to releasably secure adjacent edges of a window opening. The first yarn is then heated to release, at least in part, the first yarn from the edges of the window opening, allowing the edges to separate and thereby form a window opening.

Abstract: A braided filamentary device, in one embodiment, includes a substantially flat morphology having a length, a width, and a height, and a pick count of at least about 50 picks per inch. The filamentary device is adapted to maintain its width while under a tension.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a tubular braid are disclosed herein. A braiding system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an upper drive unit, a lower drive unit, a mandrel coaxial with the upper and lower drive units, and a plurality of tubes extending between the upper drive unit and the lower drive unit. Each tube can be configured to receive individual filaments for forming the tubular braid, and the upper drive unit and the lower drive unit can act against the tubes in synchronization to cross the filaments over and under one another to form the tubular braid on the mandrel.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The braided uppers may include a base yarn and a high performance yarn. The high performance yarn may form a braided structure within the braided upper. The braided structure may be continuously braided to provide continuous support to a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn as intended, by a wearer. Additionally, the high performance yarn may be configured to exit the braided upper and re-enter the braided upper to form a plurality of arcuate loops along the throat area of the braided article of footwear for accommodating a lace for further adjustment of the fit of the article of footwear on the wearer's foot, when worn.

Abstract: Methods for forming a tubular braid are described. The method for braiding includes providing a braiding mechanism including a disc, a mandrel, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge and the mandrel extends from a center of the disc. A plurality of filaments are loaded on the mandrel, each extending radially toward the circumferential edge and contacting the disc at a point of engagement. The plurality of actuators are operated to engage and move a first subset of filaments in a generally radial direction to a position beyond the circumferential edge. The disc or the engaged first subset are rotated relative to one another, thereby crossing the first subset over a second subset of filaments. The actuators are then operated to move the first subset to a radial position on the circumferential edge different from its previous point of engagement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rope end which is spliced, whereby a loop is formed, comprising a rope end piece folded back in order to form the loop and a rope section leading to the loop, wherein a spliced area is provided in which the rope end piece is guided within the rope section leading to the loop, and wherein the rope is a core/sheath rope. The rope end according to the invention is characterized in that, in the rope end piece, part of the core, preferably the entire core, is removed in the spliced area, that a load-bearing sewing of the rope end piece to the rope section leading to the loop is provided in the spliced area and that a load-bearing sewing is provided in an area of the rope section leading to the loop which comprises part of the core, preferably the entire core.

Abstract: A braiding machine and methods of braiding are described. The braiding machine includes first and second annular members having inclined surfaces, the second annular member being concentric with the first annular member. The inclined surfaces are inclined at a non-zero angle formed between an axis of the outer ring and a horizontal axis that lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. Each of the annular members has a plurality of tubular guide wires slideably mounted thereon and a plurality of wires extend from the mandrel through each of the tubular wire guides. One of the first and second annular members rotates circumferentially relative to the other. The first plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially inward so as to align with the second annular member, and the second plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially outward so as to align with the first annular member.

Abstract: A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone, the anchor slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop, the second loop is pulled into the anchor, and the self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct. The first loop is tightened onto the second loop.

Abstract: A flexible member for coupling tissue. The flexible member includes a tail and a self-locking construct. The tail includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The tail defines a tail passageway proximate to the second end. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop. The second loop is slidably threaded through the tail passageway defined by the tail. The self-locking construct is configured such that passing the tail through the first loop so that the second loop extends into the first loop forms a tissue capture region defined by the self-locking construct. The tail passageway defines a locking member configured to secure the second loop to the first loop.

Abstract: A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes a first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone. The anchor is slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop. The second loop is pulled into the anchor. The self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct.

Abstract: A rope structure or method of forming a rope structure comprises a rope comprising a plurality of strands. The rope comprises first and second splice locations, an eye region between the first and second splice locations, and a main region. The main region of the rope is located adjacent to the first splice location and in an opposite direction along the rope from the eye region. At least one of the strands is a selected strand. An extracted portion of the at least one selected strand is extracted from the rope and inserted into the rope such that a bridge portion of the at least one selected strand extends between the first and second splice locations and a diameter of the rope is substantially consistent in the main region.

Abstract: A flexible member for coupling tissue. The flexible member includes a tail and a self-locking construct. The tail includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The tail defines a tail passageway proximate to the second end. The self-locking construct includes a first loop and an adjustable second loop. The second loop is slidably threaded through the tail passageway defined by the tail. The self-locking construct is configured such that passing the tail through the first loop so that the second loop extends into the first loop forms a tissue capture region defined by the self-locking construct. The tail passageway defined by the tail defines a locking member configured to secure the second loop to the first loop.

Abstract: A gland packing is braided in a state where, in crossing angles of yarns which are exposed on four side surfaces of a string-like member, crossing angles in adjacent side surfaces of the four side surfaces are different from ch other. The string-like member is looped so that the crossing angle on the side surface in the four side surfaces, the side surface being to function as an inner circumferential surface, is larger than the crossing angles on side surfaces which are to function as side circumferential surfaces adjacent to the inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rope end which is spliced, whereby a loop is formed, comprising a rope end piece folded back in order to form the loop and a rope section leading to the loop, wherein a spliced area is provided in which the rope end piece is guided within the rope section leading to the loop, and wherein the rope is a core/sheath rope. The rope end according to the invention is characterized in that, in the rope end piece, part of the core, preferably the entire core, is removed in the spliced area, that a load-bearing sewing of the rope end piece to the rope section leading to the loop is provided in the spliced area and that a load-bearing sewing is provided in an area of the rope section leading to the loop which comprises part of the core, preferably the entire core.

Abstract: A system for applying a tensile load, the system having: a length of continuous synthetic rope having first and second bitter ends; the continuous synthetic rope being woven with itself to create a sling; the first and second bitter ends of the rope being capable of moving relative to each other and the sling. The system may be configured such that movement of the bitter ends relative to the sling or each other is observable or measurable. Systems may be slings that provide a plurality of wraps of a continuous synthetic rope having loops at opposing ends; the plurality of wraps of continuous synthetic rope having at least three parts and being woven such that the resulting woven sling has at least three picks.

Abstract: A cord material suitable for use in lined textile structures with a gliding component includes a plurality of uniform strands, and a deviant strand. The deviant strand is different from the uniform strands in some characteristic affecting aerodynamic or hydrodynamic properties of the cord, such as size or surface properties. Each uniform strand can have a substantially equal cross section area, while the deviant strand has a cross section area at least five times greater than one of the uniform strands. The strands can be braided or woven together. A major benefit of the material can be that vibration induced drag is significantly reduced or eliminated in lines made with the material. Another advantage is that lines made from the material can have more consistent, predictable line drag, which can improve the quality of handling.

Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of spider silk filament for use as a thread or composition in the manufacture of cosmetic, medical, textile, and industrial applications, wherein the spider silk filament, derived from genetically modified organisms, is treated with at least one component selected from the group consisting of vitamins, hormones, antioxidants, chelating agents, antibiotics, preserving agents, fragrances, dyes, pigments, magnetic nanoparticles, nanocrystals, cell adhesion enhancers, thermal insulators, shrinkage agents and cosmetic, medical or dermatological active substances. Textile fabrics obtained by this method are stronger, bio-compatible, bio-degradable and have a higher thermal conductivity. Treated spider silk filament can also be applied in an oil-in-water or water-in-oil protective cream that is hypoallergenic and ensures a firmer skin.

Abstract: A protective textile sleeve having enhanced end fray resistance and being adapted to be bonded to an elongate member extending therethrough, and method of construction thereof, are provided. The sleeve has a wall with a cavity bounded by an innermost surface extending between opposite open ends. A first material, including a hot melt adhesive material, facilitating bonding the wall to an outer surface of an elongate member extending therethrough, is bonded to the wall immediately adjacent the opposite ends, and a second material, facilitating prevention of end fray of the wall ends, including an elastomeric material is bonded to the wall immediately adjacent the opposite ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a core-sheath rope (1), comprising an outer sheath (3) provided in the form of a hollow braid and an inner sheath (4) provided in the form of a hollow braid, wherein thread changes between threads (41, 42) of the inner sheath (4) and threads (31, 32) of the outer sheath (3) and/or enlacements between threads (41, 42) of the inner sheath (4) and threads (31, 32) of the outer sheath (3) are provided in certain places (5, 6). The rope according to the invention is characterized in that bridge threads (51, 61) extending in the longitudinal direction of the rope are provided in the places of the thread changes and/or enlacements, with the threads of the outer sheath and the inner sheath, respectively, which change from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside, respectively, being guided around those bridge threads.

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: The present disclosure describes a cable designed to minimize values for resistance, inductance, and capacitance, without the trade-offs of typical designs. The cable includes a plurality of conductors for each signal or leg, which may be configured as a braid of three subsets of braids of bonded pairs of insulated conductors. The bonded pairs may be twisted or untwisted, in close proximity such that inductance is reduced via magnetic field cancellation. Each leg may be separate and parallel, rather than interwoven or braided together, increasing the distance between the two signals and reducing capacitance. The legs may be positioned close to each other, such that their magnetic fields cancel to further reduce inductance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved tension member or slickline used in wellbore intervention operations. One exemplary tension member includes a first portion comprising a metallic material and having a distal end, a second portion comprising a non-metallic material and having a proximal end, and a joint coupling the proximal end of the second portion to the distal end of the first portion.

Abstract: A stiffening thread for use in increasing the durability of a crease in a panel of fabric comprises at least one ply of thermofusible material having a melting point between 75° C. and 125° C. and at least one carrier ply of material which is not thermofusible, having a melting point above 125° C., wherein the at least one thermofusible ply is a monofilament thermofusible ply.

Abstract: Isolated composites are disclosed comprising collagen fibers isolated from a Sarcophyton sp. coral. An exemplary composite comprises as a first component a bundle of collagen fibers, the collagen fibers being isolated from a Sarcophyton sp. coral, and a second component selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a polypeptide, polylipid, a synthetic polymer, a metal and a mineral, wherein the bundle of collagen fibers comprise woven fibers, twisted fibers, braided fibers, knitted fibers, tied fibers, or sutured fibers. Uses thereof and method of generating are also disclosed.

Abstract: Biocompatible coatings and spin finishes that can be applied to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers, and medical devices made from PHA polymers, have been developed. The coatings impart good lubricity to PHA polymers, particularly to fibers and braids made from these materials, making the coatings ideal for use on medical devices such as PHA braided sutures. The spin finishes can be applied to PHA fibers to facilitate their manufacture, and also for their conversion to other products, including medical textiles. The spin finishes serve to protect multifilament fiber bundles, and keep them intact following extrusion, and also to impart lubricity to the fiber bundles and monofilament fibers so that they are not damaged in subsequent processing steps particularly in textile processing. The coating reduces tissue drag of, for example, braided sutures.

Abstract: A braiding machine for that produces three-dimensional braided matrices with a suitable pore structure for even and random distribution and in-growth of cells for tissue growth and repair is described herein. Methods for making three-dimensional matrices with controlled thicknesses and porosity and the resulting matrices are also described. The machine contains curved arches that hold the plurality of carriers. At least two of the arches are moveable in a side-to-side direction. Additionally, a controlled pushing mechanism pushes the carriers up and down the slots in the arches. These motions allow one to form three-dimensional braided matrices that provide sufficient porosity and mechanical support for tissue growth and repair in a variety of sites in the body.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a headset may have a cable. Wires in the cable may be used to connect speakers in the headset to a connector such as an audio jack. The cable may have a tubular intertwined cable cover that covers the wires. Computer-controlled servo motors in fiber intertwining equipment may be adjusted in real time so that intertwined attributes such as intertwining density and intertwining tension are varied as a function of length along the intertwined cable cover. The fiber intertwining equipment may make these variations to locally increase the strength of the intertwined cable cover and the cable in the vicinity of a bifurcation in the cable and in the vicinity of the portion of the cable that terminates at the audio jack.

Abstract: A textile yarn includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment includes a plurality of first strands and has a substantially constant first denier. The second segment includes a plurality of second strands integrated together and has a substantially constant second denier. There are more second strands in the second segment than first strands in the first segment such that the second denier is greater than the first denier. A first portion of the plurality of second strands is made from a first plurality of yarn elements that extend through the first and second segments. A second portion of the plurality of second strands is made from a second plurality of yarn elements present in the second segment and not the first segment. The yarn elements in the second plurality of yarn elements terminate in a transition zone between the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A mechanical structure is provided with a crystalline superelastic alloy that is characterized by an average grain size and that exhibits a martensitic phase transformation resulting from a mechanical stress input greater than a characteristic first critical stress. A configuration of the superelastic alloy is provided with a geometric structural feature of the alloy that has an extent that is no greater than about 200 micrometers and that is no larger than the average grain size of the alloy. This geometric feature undergoes the martensitic transformation without intergranular fracture of the geometric feature.

Abstract: Energy-absorbing textile structure, in particular for use in vehicle construction, which has high-tensile yarns for absorbing force, is formed by a braided fabric (2) with standing ends (3) in the force input direction and in that the textile structure has at least one region (4) with local modification of the fiber structure (2, 3).

Abstract: A support structure implant for location within a bone cavity to support the bone which defines the cavity is formed from wires by braiding in a machine direction from a first end of the structure towards an opposite second end. The wires are formed into loops at the first end of the structure so that two lengths of wire extend away from each loop and are formed into the braid. Each of the wires which is formed into the braid is held at the second end of the structure in a clamp. The clamp is provided by a support ring and a clamp ring which is formed from a shape memory alloy which can shrink to clamp the wires against the support ring when heated.

Abstract: A three dimensional braid includes a plurality of first plaits adjacent one another oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second plaits adjacent one another oriented in a transverse second direction intertwined forming a braid with each first plait intersecting each of the plurality of second plaits in succession. Each first plait includes a first group of tows and a second group of tows, each of the tows in the first group of tows corresponding to one of the tows in the second group of tows in pairs of first plait tows. Each second plait includes a plurality of tows. For each first plait, one of the first plait pairs crosses over a subset of second plait tows at each intersection of the first plait and successive second plaits forming a series of braid points along the first plait.