Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CAMOUFLAGE FABRIC
The present invention is directed to an improved camouflage
construction) and more particularly) the product of the present
invention is an ultralight-weight camouflage net system suited for
tactical concealment of objects and equipment, particularly to conceal
fixed and rotary wing aircraft employed in military field training
exercises and combat operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Camouflage materials have long been employed to conceal
objects, personnel, and equipment in various terrains from visual
detection, Generally) such camouflage materials are drapable sheets or
net structures of varying size and shape and are solid color or dyed or
printed in multiple color patterns to simulate the coloration of
the
terrain in which the camouflage is used) _e.~,) patterns of black,
z0 brown, and green) in combination. The camoufla a ma
9 tertal is supported
or draped over and around the objects or equipment to be concealed, and
multiple sections of the same or other shapes may be suitably 3oin~ at
their edges to provide the particular size needed to cover the objects
or equipment to be concealed.
z5 ~~ S. Patents 3,069,796; 4,323,605; and 4,375,488 disci
ose
camouflage materials consisting of flexible sheets of two dimension in
w
which m pattern of cuts is made to provide holes and flaps simulating
pieces of variously colored foliage. U. S. Patent 4,493,863 discloses
a laminated camouflage sheet composed of a blown low density
polyethylene layer, a vaporized met al layer, an adhesion film) and a
woven cloth layer. The blown plastic layer is die cut by stamping
apparatus to form arcuate slits which form tongues under action of
internal stresses to curl outwardly from the plane of the camouflage
sheet.
Camouflage material is also known to be made of loosely woven
synthetic polymeric strips joined together by a network of metal
fasteners and hooks.
Camouflage materials which are used in military operations
include a composite camouflage system having a large mesh support net
to which a camouflage-colored, slit fabric sheet processed with pattern
incising is attached by means of metal rings) referred to as hog rings.
This type of camouflage system is relatively heavy in weight and
difficult for personnel to handle in field operations. Present
military camouflage net systems of the type employing large mesh nets
and metal rings are not satisfactory for use with certain equipment,
such as rotary and fixed wing aircraft, because a large mesh material
easily snags on aircraft parts, such as rotor blades, weapons)
antennas) and the like during installation and removal. In addition,
metal rings and fasteners, such as the hog rings, can cause
considerable damage to the equipment being concealed, such as abrasion
of wind screen surfaces, control linkages, and engine components.
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Because of their heavy weight) such camouflage systems require
extensive manpower to be located over and removed from the aircraft.
There is) therefore, a need for an acceptable lightweight
camouflage net system which may be employed by minimum personnel to
cover and conceal large military equipment, such as aircraft) which may
be readily located over and removed from the equipment without
snagging, and which may be easily maintained) stored) and transported
to various geographical locations in the equipment to be concealed)
Camouflage net systems for military use also are required to possess
good resistance to weathering, and be usable under varying temperature
conditions.
BRIEF OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved lightweight camouflage construction suitable for concealment
of objects) equipment, personnel) and the like which may be maintained
and employed in use by a minimum of personnel.
It is a more particular object to provide a lightweight
composite camouflage construction particuarly suited for use in
covering large equipment) such as fixed and rotary wing aircraft, which
is resistant to snagging on the equipment during placement and removal,
and does not incorporate components and metal parts which may damage
the equipment by abrasion or contamination.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above) as well as further objects of the present
invention will become more apparent) and the invention will be better
understood fran a detailed description of preferred ernbodiments
thereof, when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view depiction of a portion of the
camouflage construction of the present invention) showing fabric lobes
of the construction which simulate the appearance of natural objects in
a geographic terrain, such as foliage or leaves;
Figure 2 is a depiction of a cross-section of the
construction shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view depiction of a portion of the
camouflage construction of the present invention, showing the fabric
lobes of the construction in flattened condition to better illustrate
one pattern of cut which may be employed in forming the lobes of the
construction;
Figure 4 is side elevation view depicting schematically
principal components of apparatus for producing camouflage fabric;
Figure 5 is an enlarged side sectional elevation view of the
cutting head of the cutting station of the apparatus of Figure 4, taken
along line Y - V of Figure 6, and looking in_ the direction of the
arrows;
Figure 6 is a front elevation view of a portion of the
cutting head station of the apparatus of Figures 4 and 5) looking
generally in the direction of arrows VI - VI of Figure 5; and
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Figure 7 is a top plan view of a portion of the cutting head
of the cutting station of the apparatus of Figure 4 taken generally
along line VII - VII of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the
arrows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The lightweight camouflage construction of the present
invention is a composite product comprising an open mesh, net substrate
to which is bonded a sheet material) such as a woven fabrie) film,
non-woven) or the like. The sheet is colored in a desired camouflage
pattern bonded to the substrate along spaced lines of attachment) and
cut to simulate the appearance of natural objects of a terrain) such as
leaves or foliage , between adjacent lines of bonding to the net
substrate.
In its formation, indefinite length webs of a net substrate
and a continuous sheet may be combined in faced relation and
stitch-bonded along spaced parallel continuous lines) as by use of a
Malimo~ stitch-bonding machine or a quilting machine, to form
continuous parallel channels or pockets along the length of the
composite material. The composite net and sheet material is thereafter
passed through a cutting machine having a plurality of generally
U-shaped guide members disposed across the path of movement of the
canposite to enter each channel of the composite net and sheet and
separate and space the net substrate from the sheet. As the composite
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moves through the guide members, a plurality of spaced heated cutting
wires engage the sheet transversely reciprocate between the lines of
stitches to cut a generally sinuous path through the sheet. The fabric
lobes thus formed on each side of the lines of stitching to simulate
the appearance of natural objects of a terrain, such as leaves or
foliage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The lightweight camouflage construction of the present
invention is illustrated by reference to Figures 1 - 3. Figure 1 is a
top plan view depiction of a portion of the camouflage construction,
showing lobes which simulate the natural objects of a terrain, _e.~.,
leaves or foliage, in a raised random orientation. Figure 2 is a cross
sectional depiction of the construction of Figure 1) while Figure 3 is
a top plan view depiction of a portion of the construction showing the
lobes of the construction in flattened condition in the plane of the
supporting net substrate to better illustrate one pattern which may be
employed by the cutting elements of the apparatus in forming the
camouflage construction. As seen) the canposite camouflage
construction 10 comprises a drapable, small mesh net substrate 12, such
as a textile Raschel knit fabric) which may be formed of a suitable
textile yarn, such as nylon, polyester, or the like. Bonded to the
supporting net substrate, in face-to-face relation therewith, and in
parallel spaced lines of attachment along a length of the construction,
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as by thread stitches 14) is a continuous sheet 16 of suitable
material) such as a woven nylon or polyester fabric of rip-stop
constructian. As seen, the continuous sheet 16 is cut between the
adjacent parallel lines of stitching 14 to form a plurality of lobes
18, each lobe having a base portion 18a attached to the net substrate
12 by the bonding stitches 14) and a loose end portion 18b which is
free of the substrate 12 to move in simulation of leaves or foliage.
The net substrate 12 and the fabric sheet 16 bonded thereto
is colored) as by printing or dyeing, in a desired camouflage pattern.
For example) the substrate may be dyed black, and the woven sheet may
be dyed in various random patterns of green, brown, and black to
conform to the colors of the terrain in which the camouflage
construction is to be employed.
The overall size and shape of the camouflage construction may
vary, depending upon size requirements of equipment or objects to be
concealed thereby. Typically) individual camouflage construction units
may be fifty foot by fifty foot squares) with the side edges of each
unit being taped or sewn about its periphery. The edges of the units
may further be provided with suitable attaching means, such as tie
cords) or mating hook and loop pile fabric fasteners, to secure a
number of individual units together and form a larger system of
camouflage units.
The mesh size of the net substrate 12 may vary, but
preferably is of small enough mesh size so as not to snag on equipment
or objects to be concealed, e.g., parts of fixed or rotary wing
aircraft. The mesh size also should be sufficient to permit passage of
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air therethrough and provide low wind-resistance of the camouflage
constructions in their geographic areas of use.
The distance between the adjacent parallel lines of
attachment 14 may be varied, depending upon the particular shape and
size of the lobes 18 to be formed in the continuous sheet material 16.
Typically) the lines of attachment may be in generally parallel rows
spaced three inches apart along a length of the camouflage
construction.
Although the net substrate 12 and the continuous sheet 16 may
be formed of textile materials, such as woven, non-woven, or knit
fabrics, it is contemplated that they may be formed of other material,
such as a plastic laminate or a continuous plastic film) of suitable
drapability, strength, and surface characteristics as to be pattern
dyed in a camouflage configuration. Similarly, although the lines of
attachment of the sheet and net substrate may be sewn stitches, as in a
sewing stitch-bonding operation, it is contemplated that lines of
attachment may be formed by other means) such as adhesive bonding, heat
bonding, or the like, provided the bonding means does not incorporate
materials which may damage, contaminate, or snag upon surfaces of the
objects or equipment to be concealed by the camouflage construction. A
typical camouflage construction of the present invention may be a 70
denier nylon Raschel knit net substrate having a mesh size of
approximately 1110 inch opening and a weight of about one ounce per
square yard combined with 30 denier nylon woven rip-stop fabric having
a 112 x 118 picks per inch count and weight of approximately one ounce
per square yard.
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Method and apparatus for producing the lightweight camouflage
fabric in accordance with the present invention may be best described
by reference to Figures 4 - 7, As seen in schematic side elevation
view in Figure 4) an indefinite length continuous sheet of material)
such as a woven fabric 20, and an indefinite length web of the open
mesh net substrate) such as a knitted mesh fabric 22, are directed from
supply rolls 24) 26 by suitable guide means, such as rollers or bars
28, into contiguous f acing relation along a desired path of travel.
Spaced in the path of travel are bonding means, such as a sewing
station 30 containing a plurality of individual sewing heads 31 spaced
across the path to stitch the sheet to the substrate web along spaced
parallel lines 14 (Figures 1 and 2) extending in the direction of
movement of the sheet and substrate. Typically) the sewing means might
be a Malimo~ stitch-bonding machine which is well known and used in the
industry. Stitch-bonding of the sheet and substrate along plural lines
of attachment during its movement through the bonding means produces a
plurality of continuous open-ended pockets or channels 32 (Figure 7) in
the composite bonded structure.
Positioned in the path of travel of the canposite bonded
sheet and substrate after the 'sewing station 30 are cutting means,
located at a cutting station 34. As seen in Figures 4 - 7, cutting
station 34 includes a plurality of generally U-shaped guides 36 mounted '
in spaced relation across the path of travel of the sheet and substrate
on a cross member 37 of support frame 38. As the composite web moves
in its longitudinal path of travel, the guides 36 pass into each of the
channels 32 formed between adjacent lines of attachment of the sheet
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and substrate (Figures 5 and 7). Each U-shaped guide 36 is of
sufficient thickness and height (Figure 5) to separate and space the
face of the sheet 20 from the face of the net substrate 22. Mounted
for reciprocating movement, transverse to the path of travel of the
composite sheet and substrate, are cutting means) shown as a plurality
of electrically heated wires 40) each of which is mounted on conducting
rods 42 of an insulator bar 44. Bar 44 is attached by an elevator
mechanism 45 to a cross beam 46 on the support frame 38. The beam 46
is mounted on rods 47 for transverse reciprocation on frame 38) across
the path of composite web travel. Beam 46 is reciprocated by suitable
drive means, such as pneumatically controlled programmed piston motor
48. As best seen in Figures 5 and 6, each wire 40 extends downwardly
to reside and reciprocate within the confines of each U-shaped guide
member 36, and electrical energy is supplied from a suitable supply
source to heat the wires to a desired t anperature to cut the continuous
sheet fabric 20 without contacting the supporting net substrate 22.
Operation of the pneumatic piston motor 47 thus reciprocates
the beam 46 and each of the cutting wires 40 to move transversely back
and forth within the confines of each of their U-shaped guide members
as the composite sheet and web substrate move through the cutting
station. The cutting wires cut the sheet 20, between its adjacent
lines of attachment to the substrate, into a plurality of lobes 18,
thus opening each of the channels formed in the composite sheet and net
subtrate as it passes through the cutting station 34.
The particular shape and configuration of the lobes cut in
the sheet may be varied, as desired, by adjustment of the speed of
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movement of the composite through the Butting station and the speed of
reciprocation of the cutting wires. As illustrated in the drawings,
pneumatic pressure may be supplied to opposite sides of the piston head
of piston motor 48 from a suitable pneumatic pressure source (not
shown) and through electrically operated solenoid control valves and
pneumatic conduits (not shown). The valves may be operated in sequence
to alternate the pressurized air flow between sides of the piston head
by electrical signal activated through contact switches 49 located in
the path of activator fingers 49a on the beam 46. Speed of movement of
the cutting wires may be adjusted by adjustment of the pneumatic flow
rate. Various programming means well known in the art might be
employed to provide varying and various patterns of lobes, as desired.
Operation of the cutting station may be computer-controlled, if
desired.
As seen in the specific pattern shown) heated cutting wires
40 are reciprocated to provide a lobe configuration resembling a
somewhat truncated triangle, the outer end 18a of each lobe 18 having a
straight edge extending in the direction of the lines of attachment 14
and side portions of the lobe flaring to the base portion 18b which is
attached to the substrate by stitches 14. Oamouflage construction 50
le suing cutting station 34 passes through guide rolls 51 and is
collected in suitable manner on collection roll 52. Various of the
delivery, collection, or guide rolls of the apparatus may be driven, as
desired, to move the continuous length of composite material through
the apparatus.
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The camouflage structure may be suitably dyed or printed in a
desired camouflage configuration of rand an coloration) The sheet and
substrate preferably may be dyed or printed prior to bonding and
Butting. Typically, the net substrate which supports the continuous
sheet may be dyed black, or a neutral background shade) and the
continuous sheet may be patterned in random green) brown) and black
coloration to conform to terrain in which the camouflage construction
is employed. As mentioned) the particular mesh size of the net support
substrate may be varied) but preferably it is sufficiently small in
mesh size as to not snag on objects or equipment to be eoncealed.
Similarly) the distance between the stitch lines of attachment of the
sheet to the substrate may vary, depending upon the length and the size
of the lobes desired for simulation of leaves or foliage.
If desired, the camouflage construction may be made
reversible to present different camouflage patterns of coloration on
opposite sides, e.~., a forest terrain and a desert terrain. Both
f aces of the net substrate may be bonded to continuous sheets, and both
sheets cut) as described) to produce lobes simulating natural objects
of a terrain. In such case) two cutting stations could be ~nployed or
the composite web run through a single cutting station twice.
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