Elastomeric Mesh Fabric

Abstract

An elastomeric mesh fabric with weft strands interwoven with warp threads with the goal of imparting reduced wear on clothing and other articles in contact therewith. Each warp thread has first and second elastomeric helically wound strands, and the band-shaped weft strands comprise a resilient yarn. The weft strands are disposed in alternating first and second patterns that minimize contact area between the weft strands and clothing and other articles. Seat backs, seat bottoms, and other furniture components can be formed by retaining the elastomeric mesh fabric relative to frameworks.

1 . An elastomeric mesh fabric comprising:
 warp threads;   weft strands interwoven with the warp threads;   wherein each warp thread comprises first and second elastomeric strands and wherein the weft strands comprise a resilient yarn; and   wherein, when the mesh fabric is viewed in cross section, at least some of the weft strands are disposed in a first pattern with a series of portions that trough below the rightwardly disposed strand of each warp thread, rise to a crest atop the leftwardly disposed strand of the adjacent warp thread, and then fall in a downturned face that passes between the leftward and rightward strands of that adjacent warp thread.   
     
     
         2 . The elastomeric mesh fabric of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the weft strands are disposed in a second pattern with a series of portions that trough below the leftwardly disposed strand of each warp thread, rise to a crest atop the rightwardly disposed strand of the adjacent warp thread, and then fall in a downturned face that passes between the leftward and rightward strands of that adjacent warp thread. 
     
     
         3 . The elastomeric mesh fabric of  claim 2  wherein the first and second patterns are disposed in alternation thereby contributing to directional stability in the elastomeric mesh fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The elastomeric mesh fabric of  claim 2  wherein the first and second strands of the warp threads are helically wound. 
     
     
         5 . The elastomeric mesh fabric of  claim 3  wherein the first and second strands cross over one another once between each weft strand. 
     
     
         6 . The elastomeric mesh fabric of  claim 5  wherein the first and second patterns are disposed in alternation thereby contributing to directional stability in the elastomeric mesh fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The elastomeric mesh fabric of  claim 1  wherein the weft strands have a width and a thickness and wherein the width is greater than the thickness such that the weft strands have a band shape. 
     
     
         8 . A component of an article of furniture with an elastomeric mesh fabric comprising:
 a framework;   an elastomeric mesh fabric retained relative to the framework wherein the elastomeric mesh fabric comprises:
 warp threads; 
 weft strands interwoven with the warp threads; 
 wherein each warp thread comprises first and second elastomeric strands and wherein 
   the weft strands comprise a resilient yarn; and
 wherein, when the mesh fabric is viewed in cross section, at least some of the weft strands are disposed in a first pattern with a series of portions that trough below the rightwardly disposed strand of each warp thread, rise to a crest atop the leftwardly disposed strand of the adjacent warp thread, and then fall in a downturned face that passes between the leftward and rightward strands of that adjacent warp thread. 
   
     
     
         9 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 8  wherein the component comprises a seat back. 
     
     
         10 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 8  wherein the component comprises a seat bottom. 
     
     
         11 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 8  wherein at least some of the weft strands are disposed in a second pattern with a series of portions that trough below the leftwardly disposed strand of each warp thread, rise to a crest atop the rightwardly disposed strand of the adjacent warp thread, and then fall in a downturned face that passes between the leftward and rightward strands of that adjacent warp thread. 
     
     
         12 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 11  wherein the first and second patterns are disposed in alternation thereby contributing to directional stability in the elastomeric mesh fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 11  wherein the first and second strands of the warp threads are helically wound. 
     
     
         14 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 12  wherein the first and second strands cross over one another once between each weft strand. 
     
     
         15 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 14  wherein the first and second patterns are disposed in alternation thereby contributing to directional stability in the elastomeric mesh fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The component of the article of furniture of  claim 8  wherein the weft strands have a width and a thickness and wherein the width is greater than the thickness such that the weft strands have a band shape.