Pliable tape structure

Abstract

A flexible longitudinally continuous tape construction is disclosed for use in joining mating edges of juxtaposed members, the tape having an X-like configuration transversely of its length to provide legs adapted to receive and be secured to the edges of the members to be joined. The tape is capable of serving as a pliable hinge to permit articulation of the joined members, or it may also serve simply as a binding for joining members intended to be fixed relative to each other. The tape construction combines longitudinally continuous marginal web portions or carriers, forming the extremities of the legs of the X, with longitudinally spaced strand or equivalent connector means running crosswise of and interconnecting pairs of marginal web portions. The connector means intersect and interlock forming the axis of the X-like configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacent members, said tape having an X-like configuration in cross section and providing a longitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend along and be secured to the edges of the members to be joined so that the axis of said X-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formed by the members to be joined, said tape comprising   carrier strip means comprising pliable, longitudinally continuous, marginal web portions at the extremities of the legs of the X; and   flexible, spaced, connector means running crosswise of and .[.being secured.]. .Iadd.bonded .Iaddend.to and interconnecting pairs of web portions, at least some of said connector means intersecting and crossing other connector means to form said X-like configuration .[...]. .Iadd., said flexible connector means in crossing between said web portions being free to shift relative to each other within the limits defined by their points of connection to the respective longitudinal web portions..Iaddend.   
     
     
       2. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some of said connector means join pairs of transversely opposite web portions. 
     
     
       3. A flexible tape as defined in claim 2, wherein said carrier strip means extends continuously between adjacent legs in each of two opposite quadrants of the X-like configuration. 
     
     
       4. A flexible tape as defined in claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.23, .Iaddend.wherein said adhesive is of the pressure-sensitive type and is confined to the outer margins of confronting faces of said carrier strip means, said tape further including temporary protective release strips covering said adhesive but peelable therefrom to expose said adhesive when said tape is applied to the members to be joined. 
     
     
       5. A flexible tape as defined in claim 4, wherein the protective release strips overlap the inner margins of the adhesive to provide free tabs along such margins. 
     
     
       6. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector means are biased longitudinally of the tape axis. 
     
     
       7. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector means comprise alternately crossing flexible strands. 
     
     
       8. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector means comprise alternately crossing groups of strands. 
     
     
       9. A flexible, continuous tape hinge for application along adjacent edges of members to be hingedly joined, said hinge have an X-like configuration in cross section and said hinge comprising carrier strip means of pliable sheet material running lengthwise of the hinge on transversely opposite sides of its axis; and   flexible strands running crosswise of said axis and carrier strip means, each strand having its cross-axis ends secured to faces of opposed carrier strip portions, at least some of said strands intersecting and crossing over other of said strands to form the hinge axis at their intersection.   
     
     
       10. A tape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier strip portions are disposed in transversely opposed quadrants of the X-like configuration. 
     
     
       11. A tape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier strip portions in each quadrant are integrally joined along the hinge axis. 
     
     
       12. A tape hinge as defined in claim 10, which further includes pressure-sensitive adhesive on the confronting faces of the legs of the X-like configuration in transversely related quadrants. 
     
     
       13. A tape hinge as defined in claim 12, wherein said adhesive coating is located on confronting faces of said carrier strips. 
     
     
       14. A tape hinge as defined in claim 12, which further includes flexible release strips covering said adhesive coating but peelable therefrom to expose said adhesive upon application of the hinge to members to be hingedly joined. 
     
     
       15. A tape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said flexible strands running crosswise of said axis and carrier strip means has its cross-axis ends secured to faces of said carrier strip means over a substantial portion of the width thereof. 
     
     
       16. A tape hinge as defined in claim 15, which further includes pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on at elast one tape face on each side of the hinge axis. 
     
     
       17. A tape hinge as defined in claim 16, wherein said pressure-sensitive adhesive coating is disposed on confronting faces of the legs of the X-like configuration in transversely related quadrants, said tape further including flexible release strips covering said adhesive coating but peelable therefrom to expose said adhesive upon application of the hinge to members to be hingedly joined. 
     
     
       18. A tape hinge as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier strip portions are disposed in diametrically opposed quadrants of the X-like configuration and the strip portions in each quadrant are integrally joined along the hinge axis. 
     
     
       19. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacent members, said tape having an X-like configuration in crosssection and providing a longitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend along and be secured to the edges of members to be joined so that the axis of said X-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formed by the members to be joined, said tape comprising   pliable longitudinally continuous carrier .[.strips.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.forming the extremities of the legs of the X .[.in transversely opposite quadrants of the X.].; and   flexible, spaced, connector means running crosswise of and interconnecting .[.marginal portions of.]. opposite carrier .[.strips.]. .Iadd.means, all of .Iaddend.said connector means intersecting and crossing .[.each other.]. alternately to .Iadd.join diagonally opposite carrier means and .Iaddend.form said X-like configuration.   
     
     
       20. A flexible tape as defined in claim 19, wherein said carrier .[.strips.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.are formed of stretchable sheet material. 
     
     
       21. A flexible tape as defined in claim 20 wherein said carrier .[.strips.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.are formed of crepe paper. 
     
     
       22. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier strip means are formed of stretchable sheet material. 
     
     
       23. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, which further includes adhesive disposed on confronting faces of said web portions in transversely opposed quadrants of the X, for securing said faces to edges of the members to be joined. .[.24. A flexible tape as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexible connector means, in crossing between said web portions to which they are connected to form said X-like configuration, are free to shift relative to each other within the limits defined by their points of connection to the respective longitudinal web portions..]..Iadd. 25. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacent members, said tape having an X-like configuration in cross-section and providing a longitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend along and be secured to the edges of members to be joined so that the axis of said X-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formed by the members to be joined, said tape comprising   carrier strip means comprising pliable, longitudinally continuous, marginal web portions at the extremities of the legs of the X;   flexible, spaced, connector means running crosswise of and being secured to and interconnecting pairs of web portions, at least some of said connector means intersecting and crossing other connector means to form said X-like configuration; and   adhesive means disposed on confronting faces of said web portions in transversely opposite quadrants of the X for securing said faces to edges of the members to be joined..Iaddend. .Iadd. 26. A flexible tape for joining mating edges of adjacent members,   said tape having an X-like configuration in cross-section and providing a longitudinally continuous structure adapted to extend along and be secured to the edges of the members to be joined so that the axis of said X-like configuration coincides generally with the juncture formed by the members to be joined, said tape comprising   pliable, longitudinally continuous, film forming the extremities of the legs of the X; and   flexible, spaced, connector means running cross-wise of and being joined to said film on both sides of the X axis, said connector means intersecting and crossing each other alternately to form said X-like configuration..Iaddend.