Selvage thread system

Abstract

A system for manufacturing a scrim material reinforced by a plurality of yarns includes a yarn dispenser to support and space the plurality of yarns in a yarn pattern, a nipping roll including the scrim material for mating to the yarn pattern, forming the scrim, a guide coupled to the yarn dispenser and positioned within the yarn pattern, the guide providing a first retainer for maintaining the yarn pattern, and a selvage thread assembly extending from the guide and coupling the guide to the nipping roll. The selvage thread assembly includes a spindle and a selvage thread having a first end coupled to the spindle and a second end coupled to the nipping roll, the selvage thread positioned within the yarn pattern, providing a second retainer for maintaining the yarn pattern until the yarn pattern is mated to the scrim material.

1 . A system for manufacturing a scrim material reinforced by a plurality of yarns, the system comprising:
 a yarn dispenser to support and space the plurality of yarns in a yarn pattern;   a nipping roll comprising the scrim material for mating to the yarn pattern, forming the scrim;   a guide coupled to the yarn dispenser and positioned within the yarn pattern, the guide providing a first retainer for maintaining the yarn pattern;   a selvage thread assembly extending from the guide and coupling the guide to the nipping roll, the selvage thread assembly comprising:
 a spindle coupled to the yarn dispenser; and 
 a selvage thread having a first end coupled to the spindle and a second end coupled to the nipping roll, the selvage thread positioned within the yarn pattern, providing a second retainer for maintaining the yarn pattern until the yarn pattern is mated to the scrim material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a first selvage thread assembly positioned to maintain the yarn pattern at a first side of the nipping roll, and a second selvage thread assembly positioned to maintain the yarn pattern at a second side of the nipping roll. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the selvage thread assembly comprises a plurality of selvage threads for maintaining the yarn pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the selvage thread assembly comprises:
 a tip coupled to the selvage thread and coupled to the guide;   a base coupled to the tip; and   an arm removably coupled to the base.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the arm has a curved shape, extending from the base to meet the guide. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a release pin for removing and replacing the arm. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the tip comprises a first opening for receiving the selvage thread and a second opening for routing the selvage thread to the nipping roll. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the guide is oriented substantially perpendicular to the nipping roll, and the selvage thread is positioned substantially perpendicular to the nipping roll and substantially parallel to the guide. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a frame coupled to the yarn dispenser and configured to form the plurality of yarns into the yarn pattern;   wherein the selvage thread assembly is coupled to the frame.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the frame comprises a chain. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the selvage thread is mated to the scrim material and is formed within the scrim. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus in a scrim forming system for maintaining a yarn pattern during manufacturing of a scrim, the apparatus comprising:
 a spindle;   a selvage thread coupled to the spindle;   a tip coupled to the selvage thread and configured to couple to a guide;   a base coupled to the tip;   an arm removably coupled to the base; and   wherein the selvage thread is configured to provide a retainer for maintaining a yarn pattern for a scrim.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the arm has a curved shape, extending from the base to meet the guide. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a release pin for removing and replacing the arm. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tip comprises a first opening for receiving the selvage thread and a second opening for routing the selvage thread out from the tip. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of selvage threads for maintaining the yarn pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the selvage thread extend out from the tip substantially perpendicular to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the selvage thread forms a portion of the scrim. 
     
     
         19 . A method for making a scrim, the method comprising:
 providing a yarn dispenser comprising a plurality of yarns spaced to form the yarn pattern;   providing a nipping roll comprising a scrim material for mating to the yarn pattern;   positioning a first guide within the yarn pattern and orienting the guide substantially perpendicular to the nipping roll,   providing a spindle coupled to the yarn dispenser and a selvage thread coupled to the spindle;   extending the length of the guide by routing the selvage thread from the spindle to the guide, routing the selvage thread to the nipping roll, and positioning the selvage thread within the yarn pattern;   providing tension in the selvage thread by feeding the selvage thread into the nipping roll; and   retaining and maintaining the yarn pattern by positioning the selvage thread at the inside edge of the yarn pattern.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 mating the selvage thread to the scrim material and forming the selvage thread within the scrim.