Jointing of composite fabrics

Abstract

Compositive fabric comprising spaced apart linear yarns extending in the longitudinal plane of the fabric, wherein at least some of said yarns are turned back and extend at least partially back through the fabric in said spaced apart relationship, wherein the yarns are interconnected and encapsulated by a homogenous matrix material leaving free loops extending from at least one end of the matrix material which are formed by the apexes of the turned back yarns.

1 . Composite fabric comprising spaced apart linear yarns extending in the longitudinal plane of the fabric, wherein at least some of said yarns are turned back and extend at least partially back through the fabric in said spaced apart relationship, wherein the yarns are interconnected and encapsulated by a homogeneous matrix material leaving free loops extending from at least one end of the matrix material which are formed by the apexes of the turned back yarns.  
     
     
         2 . Composite fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the turned back portion of the yarn within the matrix material may be connected to a separate yarn running along the same line and at a position remote from the fabric end.  
     
     
         3 . Composite fabric according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the open part of the loop extend in a substantially transverse plane to the longitudinal extent of the fabric.  
     
     
         4 . Composite fabric according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the matrix material have apertures therein in lateral offset disposition relative to the yarns and extending throughout the fabric.  
     
     
         5 . Composite fabric according to one of the preceding claims, wherein joints of the yarns are not substantially aligned.  
     
     
         6 . Method of manufacture of a jointed or seamed composite fabric comprising the steps of making a first strip of fabric by providing an array of spaced apart yarns extending in a first plane, turning back at least some of the yarns in order that they extend at least partially back in said spaced apart relationship in said plane, and encapsulating said yarns in a homogeneous matrix material to leave free loops extending from one end of the matrix material formed by the apex of the turned back yarns.  
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 6 , wherein the step of encapsulation involves leaving free yarns protruding from the other end of the matrix material.  
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 6  or  7 , wherein the method further includes the steps of providing a second strip of fabric by providing a corresponding second array of spaced apart yarns extending in a first plane and encapsulating said yarns in said matrix material to leave free yarns protruding from at least one end of the matrix material.  
     
     
         9 . Method according to one of the  claims 6  to  8 , wherein the method involve the step of joining opposed ends of the first and second fabric portions of the fabric to make a longer fabric by placing in contact a respective free yarn of one portion with a respective corresponding free yarn of the other portion and interconnecting and encapsulating said contacting yarns in said matrix material to form a homogeneous length of fabric.  
     
     
         10 . Method according to one of the  claims 6  to  9 , wherein the step of interconnecting said contacting free yarns includes the step of joining said free yarns before encapsulation in said matrix material.  
     
     
         11 . Method according to one of the  claims 6  to  10 , wherein the method include the step of joining the opposed loop bearing ends of two first sections of fabric by interdigitating the loops of the opposed ends and then interconnecting the two portions with a pintle.  
     
     
         12 . Method according to one of the  claims 6  to  11 , wherein the method includes the step of providing a plurality of apertures in the matrix material in lateral offset disposition relative to the yarns and extending throughout the material.  
     
     
         13 . Method according to one of the  claims 6  to  12 , wherein the apertures are formed during the encapsulation of the yarns by placing each of the array of yarns and/or turned back yarns and/or joined yarns into a respective groove of a mould comprising upstanding pins serving to form said apertures in said material and then encapsulating the yarns, within the matrix material of the mould.