A knitted fabric (10) including a plurality of parallel chains of knitted loops (12), with each chain of knitted loops (12) formed from a respective yarn, and with the parallel chains of knitted loops (12) extending in the warp or vertical direction. The fabric (10) also includes a plurality of weft yarns (14), with each weft yarn (14) connected to and extending across at least two adjacent chains of knitted loops (12). Each chain of knitted loops (12) is also associated with at least one respective yarn 16, (18) that is connected to, and intertwines along the chain of knitted loops (12).

Structurally enhanced preformed layers of multiple rigid unidirectional rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements in a variety of composite components, e.g. wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Individual rods include aligned unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation. The relative straightness of the fibers and fiber collimation provide rods and the preform layers with high rigidity and significant compression strength. A plurality of rods are loosely attached, e.g. knitted, together with a coupling that allows for each rod to be axially displaced, e.g. slideable, relative to another rod.

Described are shoes, particularly a sports shoe, having an upper and at least one of an outer sole and a midsole connected to the upper. As examples, the outer sole is knitted in a unitary fashion with the upper. As further examples, an insert is positioned within the one-piece knitwear, wherein the insert comprises a profile that increases traction of the outer sole.

A method for producing a transformable dry preform, in particular for the creation of a product made of composite materials, includes the sequence of the following steps: simultaneous weft/wale knitting of at least one stitch thread and at least one unidirectional reinforcement thread, at least one stitch thread including a material, the nature of which being different to that of a material comprised in at least one unidirectional reinforcement thread, at least one of the materials being thermoplastic and having a melting point lower than the melting point of at least one other material, referred to as reinforcement material; and creating of a three-dimensional knit that constitutes a dry preform in the shape of the product that is to be obtained. Additionally, a product made of composite materials can be produced using the dry preform created by the method.

A rope having a core for providing strength to the rope, where at least a metal or composite woven or warp knitted fabric having multiple substantially parallel elongated metal elements is provided around the core for protecting said core from impact and cutting, and where the multiple substantially parallel elongated elements are in the warp direction and held by yarns.

A knitted component may include a knit element formed with a plurality of courses and a plurality of wales, where the plurality of courses include a first course and the plurality of wales include a first wale and a second wale. A set of inlaid strands including at least a first inlaid strand and a second inlaid strand may be included. A first area and a second area may be included, where in the first area, each inlaid strand of the set of inlaid strands extends through at least a portion of the first course, and where in the second area, the first inlaid strand extends through the first wale and the second inlaid strand extends through the second wale.

A knitted component for an article of footwear having a vertically inlaid tensile element is described. The vertically inlaid tensile element extends along a direction that is vertical or at an angle to the direction of the knitting process of the knitted component. A method of knitting the knitted component includes placing a quantity of a tensile element into an auxiliary element of the knitted component and vertically inlaying a tensile element by using needles of a knitting machine to hold the tensile element by loops while the remaining portion of the knitted component is formed. As the knitted component is formed along a horizontal direction on the needles of the knitting machine, the tensile element spools out from within the auxiliary element to form the vertically inlaid tensile element.

A system for constructing a composite structure includes a braiding machine, a winding tool and a forming machine. The composite structure is constructed of a wound tubular braiding. The wound tubular braiding is constructed of a biaxial or triaxial tubular braid of unidirectional tape.

A method for producing a braided preform, includes the steps of: a) creating a braided sleeve from filler threads and braiding threads in a braiding process, for which purpose the filler threads and braiding threads are taken off thread accumulators, b) feeding a core to the braided sleeve, c) continuing the braiding process, wherein the core is advanced such that it is braided along its length, wherein, during step c), the take-off of at least one filler thread is blocked such that the at least one filler thread is pulled out of at least one section of the braided sleeve surrounding the core.

Resorbable multifilament yarns and monofilament fibers including poly-4-hydroxybutyrate and copolymers thereof with high tenacity or high tensile strength have been developed. The yarns and fibers are produced by cold drawing the multifilament yarns and monofilament fibers before hot drawing the yarns and fibers under tension at temperatures above the melt temperature of the polymer or copolymer. These yarns and fibers have prolonged strength retention in vivo making them suitable for soft tissue repairs where high strength and strength retention is required. The multifilament yarns have tenacities higher than 8.1 grams per denier, and in vivo, retain at least 65% of their initial strength at 2 weeks. The monofilament fibers retain at least 50% of their initial strength at 4 weeks in vivo. The monofilament fibers have tensile strengths higher than 500 MPa. These yarns and fibers may be used to make various medical devices for various applications, including mesh sutures.