Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FABRIC SYSTEM ~JITIl BIAS~;D FILLtNG
The present i~vention relates to stitch-through-type
fabrics, their methods of produrtlorl, and the apparatus or means
by which they are produced. More speciFically, this invenLion
relates to stltch-throuyh and Malimo-type fabrlcs having at least
one filling yarn element, and to a family of such f~brics ilaving
appearances and characteristics never achieved previousIy.
Conventional stitch-through and Malimo-type methods of
producing fabrics include inserting a filling layer by means oF s
carriage mechanism, whereby the filling yarn or thread extends at
acute angles in transverse directions~ and wherein the locus of
points along a line bisectiny these acute angles extends
substantially perpendicularly with respect to the machine or
longitudinal direction of fabric movement through the machine.
I~ is an object of the present invention to provide a
method and apparatus for producing a novel fabric, wherein said
locus of points along a line bisecting the acute angles of the
filling yarn extends at a predetermined biased or diagonal angle
preferrably substantially forty fi~e degrees (45) with respect
to said machine direction. Angles other than 45 are expressly
contemplated with the present invention without departing from
the scope of the invention. Stated differently, assuming a
reference line ~hich extends perpendicularly with respect to the
rnachlne direction, said locus of points extends substantially 45
with respect to the reference line as well. Given, by way of
exarnple only and without limitation or prejudice, an angle of
-- 1 --
~'
~ J ~
said locus of points equal to ~0 wlth respect to sald reference
line, sald arlgle of said ~OCUS of points wlll be 60D with respect
to the machine direction.
Another obJect is to provlde a novel fabric "system" as
descrlbed above, whLrein nr-w aesthetic effects not prevlously
exlsting or capable of being produced on a mass production basls
are eapable o~ production at desirable machine speeds.
A further object is to provide a fabric system with
greatly enhanced drapability characteristics in which the
direction of fllling yarns serves to augment rather than retard
desirable drapability.
Stlll another objec~t is to provide a fabric system in
which filling yarns themselves extend in diayonal or biased
directions with respect to rnachine direction, as opposed to
corlventiollal "illusions" of diagonal designs.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide
such a system, wherein rnulti-directional stability not previously
attainable. New directional tensile strengths in addition to the
normal prirnary two-dlmensional strengths known in ~r31irno fabrics,
for example, are attainable with the present fabric system.
Another object is to provide a fabric which includes a
biased or diagonal filling layer stitched by a binder yarn
elernent, absent a warp and backing or substratum layers, the
stitch binder preferably but not being limited to a chain-type
stitching
Still another object is to provide a biased or diayonal
filllng layer in a Fabric syste~, plus a warp yarn and tricot
stitch knit or bin(ler element.
A further ob~ject is to provide a fabric system, as above,
with one or more predeterinlrled or desired substrrltum ur backing
elements which may inclucie, but not neeessclrlly be limited t~,
wovens, kn~ts, Malimo-types, and non-wovens of a variety of
types.
Still a further object i5 to provide a Fabric system or
structure, as above, wherein specific Malimù-type fabrics are
used as substratums or backings. These may include Malimo-type
construstlons of warp, filling and tricot binder fe~ beneath a
biased or diagonal filling layer, thereby providing a fabric with
the warp element layer intermediate the biased or diagonal
filling layer and the normal Malimo-type filling layer, or with
the warp ele~ent layer underneath the normal filling layer such
that the biased or diagonal filling layer and the normal filling
layer are adjacent one another.
Anothr?r object is to provide a fabrie system and
structure, as above, wherein the finished fabric includes a
transverse filling layer as well as at least one biased or
diagonal filling layer, these filling layers being lleld in a
stitch-bonded unitary structure by means of a single set of
stitching yarns added in a single step or pass.
A further object is to provide a fabric system and
structure, as above, whereirl the Finished fabric includes a first
layer of trarl~erse filling yarns, a first biased or diagonal
-- 3 --
layer of filllrlg yarns, a second layer of transverse filling
yarrns substaflt3al1y adjacent the first transverse fllliny yarn
layer, a second blased or diagonal layr-r of filling yarns
substantiblly adjacent said second transverse filling yarn layer,
~hese layers beillg held ln a stitrh-borlded unltary structure by
means of two sets of stitchlrlg yarns added in t~o steps or
passes.
Yet another object is to provide a fabric system and
structure, as above, wherein the finished fabric includes a First
layer of transverse filling yarns, a first biased or diagonal
layer oF filling yarns, a second biased or diagonal layer of
fiLling yarns substantially adjacent said second biased or
diagonal layer of filling yarns, these layers being held in a
stitch-bonded unitary structure by means of a single set of
stitching yarns added in a single step or pass, the aforesaid
layers of biased or diagonal filling yarns extending at
predetermined angles with respect to each other including,
without limitation, 90 degrees.
Another object ir)cllldes provision of a family of fabrics
having twill, triaxially strong, more isotropic and other
appearances and characteristics not previously available from
stitch-through apparatus including what is sometirnes refefred to
as Malirno machinery. This invention is not to be limited to the
specific rdiayonal angles illustrated for purposes of presenting
examples, but rather it is contemplated to provide a variety of
diagonal angles that will yield predetermined and desired
prGperties and appearances. Industrial fahrics produced
arcorolng to the pre~ser-t ~nvention can be designed to exhiblt
desir~ble strel)gth in directions o~ angled Filling layers.
Further objects include the provision of Fabrlc systems
and structures whereln no~el mrthods are employed to produce the
varlety of fabrlcs contemplated by the present lrl~entlonl as well
as novel apparatus capable oF carryiny out the novel methods, as
will be suggested and is set forth belo~.
Other ob~jects include provision of Fabric systems and
lC structures wherein biased or diagonal plus Malimo-type filling
layers are stitched together; Malimo-type Filliny chain-stitched
to a non-woven layer is, as a substratum, Fed beneath and
stitched to a biased or diagonal Filling layer, etc.
rhe foregoing objects are accomplished with the present
invention, as described below in connection with the drawings,
wherein:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation illustrating the
directions of Malimo filling yarn elements in the conventional
systems;
20Fig. 2A is a schematic representation of the type oF
Fig. 1, but illustrating the biased or diagonal Filling yarn
elements and their directions according to the prèsent invention;
Fig. ?B is a schematic type view oF a preferred filling
insertion carriage mecharlism asselnbly capable of producing the
novel fabric system and family r~F structures according to the
present invention; and
F-ig. 3 is a partial frayrrlentary schematic plan view of
an e,nhodiment of the present invention in which a slrlgle filling
insertion carriage rnechanlsm assembly IS Illustrated;
Fir~. 4 is an enl.lrqed partlal fragmerltary plan view of
a portiorl of the asstwnbly shown in Fig. 3;
F1~. 5 is an enl ar;7ed p ar t1a1 ;~rspectve ~ of a
portlon of Ihe asselnbly shown in Fig. 3;
~ ig. 6 is a partial sectional elevatiorlal view taken along
line 6-6 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a partial sectional plan view taken along
line 7-7 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a partial sectional elevational view taken
along line 8-8 of Fig. 3;
Fiy. 9 is an elarged partial sectiona~ plan view taken
lS along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a partial sectional elevational view of an
ernbodiment of the present invention associated with controlling
filling yarn placement;
Fig. 11 is a partial sectional elevational view taken
20 along line 11-11 of Fig. 3,
Fig. 12 is an enlarged partial sectional elevational
view taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 11;
: Fig. 13 is a partial schematic plan view of an
alternate preferred ernbodirnent of the present invention in ~hich
two filling insertion carriage assernblies are shown, one
reclprocable in transverse directions with respect to the machine
di~ectlon, anci t:he other reclprocable at approximately 45 degrees
with l`eSpeCt thereto;
Fig. 14 is a partlal sectional elevational view taken
along line 14-14 of Fi(~. 13;
Flq. 15 is an rn~srged partlal fragmentary plan Yiew of
a portion of a hook chHin and its elements;
Fig. 16 is a perspective Yiew of one embodiment of a
hook element of the type utilized in association with a hook
chain of Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a hook element of the type shown in Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of stili another
embodiment of a hook element of the type shown in Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 is a partial fragmentary enlarged schematic plan
view or representation of a portion of fabric according to the
present invention which is capable of being produced with the
apparatus of Fig. 13, and which includes a transverse filling
layer, a diayonal filling layer, a backing or third layer, and
rows of stitching yarn represented by longitudinal broken lines
extending in the machine direction;
Fig. 20 is an enlarged partial fragmentary sectlonal
elevational view of the fabric of Fig. 19 taken along line 20-20
Df Fig. 19;
rig. 21 i~ a partlal fragrnentary enlarged schematic
plan view or rcpreserltatlon o~ a portlon of fabric aocording to
tlle preserlt lnver.tion which is capat)le of being produced wlth the
apparatus of Fig. 13, simllar to the fabric of Fig. 19, but
5 without a backing or thi~d la~e~;
Fig. 22 is ao enlaryed partlal Fragrnentary sectional
elevational view of the fabric of Fig. 21 taken alorlg line 22-22
of Fig. 21.
Fig. 23 is a partial fragmentary enlarged schematic
plan view or representation of a portlon of fabric according to
the present inventiun which i5 capable of being produced with the
apparatus of Fig. 13, and which includes a transverse Filling
layer, a first diagonal filling layer substantially adjacent or
on top of the transverse filling layer, a second diagonal filling
layer substantially adjacent or on top of the first diagonal
filling layer, and rows of stitching yarn stitched through these
layers during a single step or pass;
Fig. 24 is an enlarged partial fragmentary sectional
elevational view of the fabric of Fig. 23 taken along line 24-24
of Fig. 23;
Fig. 25 is a partial fragmentary enlarged schematic
plan view or representation of a portion of fabrir according to
the present invention which is capable of being produced with the
apparatus oF either Fig. 13 or Fig. 3, and which includes a first
transverse filling layer, a first diagonal filling layer
substantially adjacent or on top of the first transverse filling
layer, both such layers createo during the first of two stitching
8 --
steps or passes~ a seconcl trar)sverse Filling layer substarltlally
adjacent ur on top oF the F~rst stltched transveFse filling
layer, a sccorld diagorlal filllng layer substantially adjacent or
nn top oF thc aicorld trallsverse Filling layer, these second
la~ers stitched in a second pass to the already stitched first
layers, the secor1d diagonal fllling layer exter-lding at
approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first to provide
what applicant sornetimes refers to as a "crossroads" aesthetic
effect similar in some respects to the appearance oF the fabric
oF Fig. 23; and
Fig. 26 is an enlarged partial fragmentary sectianal
elevational view of the fabric of Fig. 25 taken along line 26-26
oF Fig. 25.
~efore referring in detail to the drawings, it must be
emphasized here that the specific and limited examples of the
system invention set forth in this specification are not to be
construed as being limited to what is shown and described.
Rather, the reader must appreciate that a host of Fabrics having
a dlagonal filling layer are contemplated, with or without a
2û transverse filling layer, with or without a backing layer, with
or without a second diagonal filling layer, and so Forth. In all
cases applicants are not aware of any prior art that anticipate
this inven'ion. I- is not belieYed that U.S. P~tents ,Nos.
3,814,669; 3,761345; and 3,557,268 teach the noYel fabrics,
ayparatus or met~ods oF the present inYention.
RrFer~ g now to the drawir~gs, whtrriil simiIar
reference characters represtnt slrnilalr elements throuyhout the
sevrral views, F19. 1 il1ustrates in scherncltlc form the
i~pproximate relative d1rectinr1s of fi~ lg yarns or thrrads 12
in a convent1Dna1 Malllno-t~pe rni1chlrle, wherein a filling carrla~1e
assembly shown in phantom out1~ne ànd 1dentifled by reference
character 14, by rnoving ln back-and-forth or reciprocatory
movement in the directions of arrows a and b, deposits the
filling yarns 12 upon hooks of fllling chains (not shown) which
extend in the direction of reference lines 16 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2A illustrates in a similar type view the
approximate relative directions of filling yarns or threads 12
when a novel fabric is produced in accordance with the present
invention by means of biased filling carriage assembly 18.
Assembly 18 moves in back-and-forth or reciprocatory movement in
the directions of arrows a and b which, themselves, are along a
reference line "R" which extends 45 degrees with respect to the
rnachine direction. In the cases of both Figs. 1 and 2A, the
machine directiorl is illustrated by an arrow 20, while the
aforesaid refererlce line is illustrated by character 22.
Fig. 2B illustrates in schematic form a mechanism or
apparatus 24 wherein encircled numbers correspond to fillir19
carriage rnecbanism 1 which is supported for reciprocal movernent
along slide rods 2 between opposing filling chains 3 by means of
a driven subasseli1bly with jack shafts 4 which, in turn, drive
beveled gears 5. Reference line 22 is sho~n in Fig. 2B to orient
-- 10 --
the reader and to iilustrate thr angle of the directiorls of
movement of the carriage mechallism 1 wlth respect to this
refererlce llne~
Flg. 3, in a bit more detall and ln sc)rnewhat less schematic
fashion, illustrates the arrangement of apparcltu3 ac~r~rdlng to
the present invention shown in Fig. 2B. A biased or diagonal
filling carriage assen,bly 30~ shown in Fig. 3 as part of overall
fabric-system 28, includes a carriage 32 having upper and lower
filling yarn guide plates 34 and 36 each formed with through
holes or openings 38 adapted to receive and comfortably guide a
plurality of filling yarns of predetermined and desired type,
color, thickness, etc. Carriage 32 travels in back-and-forth or
reciprocatory movement in the directions of arrows a and b in
Fig. 3 along a path that, in this embodiment, is substantially 45
degrees with respect to the overall machine direction. Carriage
32 is guided along this path with the assistance of supporting
carriage guide rails 40 which, as perhaps better seen in Flgs. 4,
5 and 6, serve as relatively rigid diagonal supporting members
against which sleeve-type bearings 42 held by guide brackets 44
slide in a relatively low-friction manner.
Carriage assembly 30 is further equiped with a separator
roller 46 disposed sornewhat centrally beneath lower yarn guide
plates 36, such that filling yarns 48 which enter and extend
through openings 38 in upper and lower guide plates 34 and 36 are
separated before entering through-holes 50 in a filling yarn
guide bars or reeds 52 ~resser feet 60 are located below and
offset at either side Df separator roller 46, and are supported
at the ends of and by means of gearecl rack members or racks 54
which thenielves extend vertically and ln contact with a plnion
control gear 56 best sefn in Flg. 7 ;uppf)rted by shaft 580
Alterrlailng clockwlse and co~Jnter-clockwlse rotation of shaft 58
S during Ihe aforesaid back-and-fnrth moYements of cal~rlage
assembly 30 rre;ults in relatlve movernent between pinion gear 56
rack mernbers S4 to which presser feet 6D are secured, thereby
enabling proper laying of the diagonal filling layer of yarns 48
and their engagement with and being held by hook chain assemblies
G2 and 84 with the aid of cam and follower means, described in
more detail below.
Carriage assembly 30 further includes a carriage
presser foot cam follower in the form of a generally cylindrical
rod 64 which extends outwardly from carriage 32. Rod 64 comes
into contact with and rides up upon a ramp 66 formed upon a
carriage presser foot cam plate 68 secured to frame'70. As and
when diagonal carriage assernbly 30 approaches the end of each
diayonal traversing stroke or pass, cam follower rod comes into
contact with and rides upon ramp 66 of cam plate 68, thereby
causiny relative movement and meshing between gear surfaces
formed in rack mernbers 54 and pinion gear 56. The result is
reliable:holding of yarns 48 by hook chain assemblies 62 and 84
at each side.
The diagonal back-and-forth movements of diayonal carriage
asseinbly 3û are caused by driving ~neans which inciude a toothed
drive belt 72 which cooperates with and is driven by driving and
idling gear assemblies 74. Drive belt 72 7S continuous and its
- 12 -
r ?
trnsinn 1~ adjus~a,ile by rn~ans of a turnbuckle typr assemb1y 76
havirlg a brackft 78 formed with 1e(3s 80 tnrouyh which clamp
mllnbtrs BZ arlJu taoly rxterld. Since asselrlbly 76 IS hrld 1ntegral
with carriage 32 (F1g. 5), reliprocRtlrlg rnovcnlents oF be]t 72
reslJIt in lik~ mnvemcnts o~ the calr1age. Powrr is transm1tted
f`rom thr m.3ir-l sha~t (n[)t shown) oF the st1tch-th~ough rnachine of
whlch the ~)re.lr~t 1nverl~1orl is part, arld plt~det~rmLned and
selectcd gearillg of SlJCh powcr to dr1Yr the Inov~lnrrlts of c3rriage
assembly 3n al~e included. The addit1orla1 10ads attributable to
thE movrrnerlts oF diagonal carriage assemb1y 30 are provided by
the necessary horsepower of the stitch-through machine motor.
ReFerence to Fig. 3 of the drawings will illustrate the fact
that~ for the embodiment of the inventiDn shown (not for all
embodiments), hook chain assembly 84 extends considerably farther
from the machine work ~one where stitching occurs than does
assembly 62. This accommodates singl~ diagonal carriage 30 which
extends at an angle, and power is taken from the main drive and a
bullgear, which deterrnines the stroke.
By way of example only, the embodiment of Fig. 3 includes
provision of a backing or support faorir 86 that is fed to the
work zone from a supply roll B8, shown schematically in Fig. 8.
Backing fabric 86 may be of a variety of rnaterials such as,
without limitation, a non-i~oven fabric. It is fed from roll 88
over a guide roller 92 shown in Fig. 8 to a second guide rrlll 94
which, with an optional entry point nip control roller 90, holds
the backing fabric 86 and a diagonal filling layer ~hich has been
deposited upon fabric 86 by carria~e assenbly 30 therebetween,
whereupon the combination descends to the stitching area where
the two are stitch~bound together into a unitary fabric. This
rnovement is caused by controlled rnovement of chain hooks on hook
racks which make up chain hook assernblies 62 and 84. It is
contemplated by the present invention to have one or more, and
any number of dispositions of~ chain drive ~sprocl<eted) Follers
- 13 -
~hich, wlth the idler rnllers~ d~ive and guide the chains over
sprocketed rollers 96, 98, 100 and 102. The arrows in Fig. 8 are
meant to illustrate the direction oF nnovement of the chains (and
hooks) and the fabrlc carried thereby.
rhe rhain/hook a~scmblies include and are made up of
many coopcrcltive hook links 104 which, themselves, include one or
mo~e (preferably a plurcllity) pin members 106 of predetermlned
slze and con~guration. These huok links 104 serve as links in a
relatively continuous chain about the chain rollers, and whose
pin members 106 hold the selvage loops 110 of the filLing yarn
during manufacture of the finished fabric. A feature of the
embodiment oF the present i~ventiorl illustrated in Fig. 8, for
example, includes a predetermined orientation of the pin members
1û6 associated with the links 104 of each of chain assemblies 62
and 84, as illustrated.
Fig. 9 illustrates a hook link 104 associated with shorter
chain assembly 62, for example, as including pin members 106
oriented such that their free ends 108 face the direction in
which the finished fabric is taken off the apparatus. Chain
-links 112 are shown in Fig. 9. Because of this orientation,
depinning the fabric, or removing the fabric from pins 106 at
assembly 62 is accomplished by cutting off a selvage 120 using a
14 - .
rotary kn~Fe 114 driven by rnotor 116.
On the opposite side of the finished fabric, on the
other hand, where the chain assembly is longer, and where the
free ends 11a of pin rnembers 122 are oriented in a direct~on away
frorn the direction of travel of the fin~shed fabric as it is
moving awa~ from the work zone~ a loop relcase plate 124~ shown
in Fig. 11, en9l9es loops 110 of filling yarns 48 such that the
loops are simply urged by this inte~fe~erlce ovEr ar-d free of the
pin ends 118. There is no cut selvage on the longer Side of the
finished composite, unitary fabric 126 being removed from chain
assembly 84 over ~oller 128.
, . . . . _ . . . .
Fig. 10 illustrates an optlonal, but unnecessary,
feature provided by this embodiment of tne present invention. An
arrangement 136 is provided which is calculated to hold the
combination of diagonal fllling yarns and the backing layer
substantially motionless wlth respect to one another so as to
accurately control the disposition of the filling yarns on the
backing layer in one or more predetermined configurations. hn
apron 130 is provided which extends continùously around optional
nip control rol],er 90 at an upper extremity, and around an idling
member 132 at its lower extremity, as well as in contact with the
diagonal filling yarns contacting the backing layer. A support
plate 134 is located such that the components to ~e stltched are
held motionless with respect to one another once they engage the
apron and fro~ that point until they reach the ~rea of stitching.
The linear speed of the apron is a function of the linear speed
of the backing l,ayer.
Referring now to Figs. 13-18 of the drawings, yet
ar,other prefcrlcd embodiment 150 of the present invention is
illustrated wherein a stitch-through machine is equipped with two
filling carriage assemblies 152 and 154, the former being movable
in back-and-forth transverse directions best illustrated by the
~ 3~
arrows 156, ao(i tile latter beiny movable In back-and-Forth
dIagonal directlons best illustrated by the arrows 158,
respectively. In this emlbodiment, each carriage assernbly 152 and
154 is driven Lndependently and its movements are independently
adjustable and programm~ble at the option of the user such that,
by way of example only and without limitation, each may be moved
at diffrrent and varilbIe rates of speed. Primary power is
carried from the main rnachine drive.
~ittl the ernbDdiment of the invention il;lustrated in
Figs. 13-18, a fabric can be created with one or rnore transverse
filling layers as well as one or more diagonal filling layers1
giving the finished fabric an inherent multidirectional st~ength
~ithout the need for backing or supporting layers, although
desired applications where a backing layer is sought is easily
provided for. Where more than one diagonal filling layer is
desired, the user has the choice of either a multiple pass using
the apparatus of Fig. 13, or incorporating a third Filling
carriage extending diagonally in any desired angle such as,
without limitation, substantially 90 degrees with respect to the
directions of arrows 158.
In the Latter case, a single stitching operation yields
a fabric illustrated in Figs. 23 and 24, wherein a layer of first
diagonal filling yarns 160 extend substantially 90 degrees with
respect tb a layer thereon of second diagonal filling yarns 162,
both diagonal filling layer yarns being disposed atop a layer of
transverse filling layer yarns 164, with the combination being
stitch-bound during a single stitching operation or pass
- 16 -
2 ~
(stitching ~arn plercing locations being schernatically
reprrsented by reFerellce lines 166)~
In the former case, a doubLe stitching operation yields
a fabr~c illustrated in Figs. 75 and 26~ wherein a layer of fi~st
diagonal filling yarns 168 Is placed atop a layer of first
transverse filling yarns 170 and the comb~nation Is stitched
durillg a first stitching operation or pass; and thr then finished
fa~ric Is optlunally reversed (turned nver) and fed in the rnanner
of a backing layer such that a layer oF second di~gonal filllng
yarns 172 is placed atop a layer of second ~ransverse filling
yarns 1747 and the entire combination is stitched into a unitary
fabric having the appearance generally of the portion thereof
shown in Fig. 25 during a second stitching operation. The result
is a composite fabric with adjacent trarlsverse filling layers and
lS outer opposing diagonal filliny layers which extend at
substantially 90 degrees with respect to ùne another. Other
variations are cDntemplated.
Again, utili~ing the embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in ~igs. 13-18, where the user wishes to produce a
fabric having a single diagonal filling layer in combination with
a transversly extendingl layer of filling yarns, the user can
produce same with or without a backing or supporting layer,
oepending upon the use to which the finished fabric is to be-
made. Figs. 19-20 illustrate in schematic fashion a composite
fabric consisting of the optional backing or supporting layer 176
stitch-bound at locations 178 to a transversly extending filling
layer 180 which is visibly held tsetween layer 176 and a layer of
diayonally oriented filling yarns 182, all in a unitary Fabric
construction. Figs. 21-22 illustrate the combination of Figs.
19-20 without the backing or supporting layer 176, thereby
providing an open design of predeterrnined yarn density.
- 17 -
,~ S p ,~ J ~
Referrlnq once clgain to Figs. 13-18, lt is ceen th~t
transverse ~ill1ng carria.Je control means 184 is associated with
transverse fillirlg carriage assembly 152; and diagonal filllng
carriage control msans 186 is associated with diagonal fill1ng
carriage assembly l54, each inaep2ndent,1y capable of adjustably
controlling the ~spe2d ~nd CharâCteriSt~ CS of the re,pective
carriage assemblies. An effort is made within Fig. 14 to
~chematically illustra~e the interrel~tionship bet~een these
control means 184 and 186, and the derivation of power from the
main machine driveO Drive chains 188 and 190 cooperate with
driving and idling sprocket wheels 192 to produce the desired
results. Applicant reserves lt~ rights to more fully protect the
internal drive mechanisms in one or more continuing applications.
Fig. 13 illustrates the transversly extending filling
layer 194 created by the movement of assembly 152, and overlying
diagonally extending fllling layer 196 created by the movements
of asse~bly 154. Both filling layers are created (deposited)
durig a single machine operation or pass, with or without a third
layer, and are stitch-bound by a single set of stitches in a
single operation. An enlarged view of a portion of the finished
fabric produced with the apparatus and ~ethod of Fig. 13 is
illustrated in Fig. 21. This fabric exhibits superior
dimensional stability.
i - 18 -
,~3 `~ "~
other than with re~ard to the chain hook llnks and
their pin r;,-mbers/ the reader is urged to refer to the
de~acription of Figs. 1-12 for an understanding of the deposition
or ]aving of the trans~erse and d~agonal filllng yarns, the
angles with reapect to the machine direction belng variable.
Tn the ernbodiment of Fig. 13, chain racks or assemblies
198 are of equal rather than une~ual length, and a variety or
improved pin m-embers is contemDlated by this lnvention~ The pin
members ~00 extend relatively parallel rather th~n angularly, and
are relatively longer and of greater gauge than those utilized in
previously descrlbed em~odiments o this invention. Figs. 15-18
illustrate a variety of preferred chain link embodiments covered
- - , ~.: . ., :
by the present invention, the vlews belleved to be
self-explanatory.
The em~odiments of the present invention particularly
disclosed and described hereinabove are presented merely as
examples of the invention. Other embodiments, forms and
modifications of the invention coming within the proper scope and
spirit of the appended claims will, of course, suggest themselves
to those skilled in the art.
,.
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