Flat fabric

Abstract

A flat fabric, includes a body portion having opposite fringe portions and including first threads extending in one direction and second threads extending transversely to the first threads. One of the first and second threads is made of an electrically conductive material whereas the other one of the first and second threads may be made of an electrically conductive core material which is surrounded by an insulating envelope, or may be made entirely of electrically insulating material. Arranged adjacent the opposite fringe portions of the fabric, the body portion has two strips which are made by a different weave pattern and arranged respectively on either side of a central portion. The central portion is made of a weave pattern which is different from the weave pattern of the strips, so that at least a predetermined number of electrically conductive threads can be bonded together in the fringe portions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flat fabric, comprising a body portion having opposite fringe portions and including first threads extending in one direction and second threads running transversely to the first threads, wherein one of the first and second threads is made of an electrically conductive material and the other one of the first and second threads is made of a material selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material surrounded by an insulating envelope, and an entirely electrically insulating material, wherein the opposite fringe portions are realized exclusively by the one of the first and second threads of electrically conductive material.  
     
     
         2 . The fabric in the form of a wire fabric.  
     
     
         3 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion has a first strip adjacent one of the fringe portions and made of the first and second threads, a second strip adjacent the other one of the fringe portions and made of the first and second threads, and a central portion disposed between the first and second strips and made of the first and second threads, said central portion being formed by a weave pattern that is different than a weave pattern of the first and second strips so that at least a predetermined number of electrically conductive threads can be bound together in the fringe portions.  
     
     
         4 . The fabric of  claim 3 , wherein the body portion has an overall size, said fringe portions covering about 40% of the overall size, said strips covering about 20% of the overall size, and said central portion covering about 40% of the overall size.  
     
     
         5 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the first threads are weft threads and the second threads are warp threads.  
     
     
         6 . The fabric of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second strips are formed by a twill weave, and the central portion is formed by a linen weave.  
     
     
         7 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fringe portions are formed of single threads.  
     
     
         8 . The fabric of  claim 6 , wherein the number of first threads to be bonded together is dependent on the type or twill weave of the first and second strips.  
     
     
         9 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the number of first threads to be bonded together varies, as viewed in the direction of the second threads.  
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 5 , wherein segments of the warp threads passing over and under the weft threads are positioned in offset relationship to the first and second strips formed in twill weave.  
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the segments of the warp threads are positioned in offset relationship to the first and second strips by one waft thread.