This invention includes an annular hysteresis brake (34) having one end fixed to a stationary frame (11), a support shaft (6) extending through a hollow portion of the hysteresis brake (34), and a spindle part (4) rotatably supported by the support shaft (6). The hysteresis brake (34) includes a yoke (36), a cylindrical hysteresis member (46) inserted into an annular space (41) of the yoke (36), and a hub (37) for rotatably supporting the hysteresis member (46). The spindle part (4) is supported by the support shaft (6) such that the spindle part (4) is restricted from moving toward the hysteresis brake (34) by a sleeve (15). The spindle part (4) and hub (37) are coupled with each other so as to rotate together via pins (21). This invention can simplify the structure while preventing damage to the hysteresis brake, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of a thread-supplying spindle unit.

This invention includes an annular hysteresis brake (34) having one end fixed to a stationary frame (11), a support shaft (6) extending through a hollow portion of the hysteresis brake (34), and a spindle part (4) rotatably supported by the support shaft (6). The hysteresis brake (34) includes a yoke (36), a cylindrical hysteresis member (46) inserted into an annular space (41) of the yoke (36), and a hub (37) for rotatably supporting the hysteresis member (46). The spindle part (4) is supported by the support shaft (6) such that the spindle part (4) is restricted from moving toward the hysteresis brake (34) by a sleeve (15). The spindle part (4) and hub (37) are coupled with each other so as to rotate together via pins (21). This invention can simplify the structure while preventing damage to the hysteresis brake, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of a thread-supplying spindle unit.

A method of manufacturing a suspension member including providing a first set of yarns and a second set of yarns, combining the first set of yarns and the second set of yarns to form the suspension member, and at least partially bonding a portion of the first set of yarns and the second set of yarns together by heating the suspension member to form a first zone of the suspension member having a first tension.

A volumetric weaving approach employs a vertical aspect of woven warp and weft fibers to generate volumetric structures through formation of tie-downs. Tie downs define warp and weft fibers that take a vertical path or component extending perpendicular to a weave plane. Independently controlled heddles provide selective warp fibers control, and a two-dimensional creel that dispenses the warp fibers at differing feed rates allows manipulation of the fibers into three dimensional structures or portions. As a shuttle draws the weft fiber, different layers are raised and lowered to lend a vertical axis to the resulting volumetric structure. Interconnections between the portions include the use of the tie downs to connect multiple portions to define 3-dimensional panels of a finished article such as a shoe. A single pass defining all the interconnected portions of the shoe generates the fully formed shoe without subsequent cutting and seaming of different textile panels.

A volumetric weaving approach employs a vertical aspect of woven warp and weft fibers to generate volumetric structures through formation of tie-downs. Tie downs define warp and weft fibers that take a vertical path or component extending perpendicular to a weave plane. Independently controlled heddles provide selective warp fibers control, and a two-dimensional creel that dispenses the warp fibers at differing feed rates allows manipulation of the fibers into three dimensional structures or portions. As a shuttle draws the weft fiber, different layers are raised and lowered to lend a vertical axis to the resulting volumetric structure. Interconnections between the portions include the use of the tie downs to connect multiple portions to define 3-dimensional panels of a finished article such as a shoe. A single pass defining all the interconnected portions of the shoe generates the fully formed shoe without subsequent cutting and seaming of different textile panels.

A volumetric weaving approach employs a vertical aspect of woven warp and weft fibers to generate volumetric structures through formation of tie-downs. Tie downs define warp and weft fibers that take a vertical path or component extending perpendicular to a weave plane. Independently controlled heddles provide selective warp fibers control, and a two-dimensional creel that dispenses the warp fibers at differing feed rates allows manipulation of the fibers into three dimensional structures or portions. As a shuttle draws the weft fiber, different layers are raised and lowered to lend a vertical axis to the resulting volumetric structure. Interconnections between the portions include the use of the tie downs to connect multiple portions to define 3-dimensional panels of a finished article such as a shoe. A single pass defining all the interconnected portions of the shoe generates the fully formed shoe without subsequent cutting and seaming of different textile panels.

A volumetric weaving approach employs a vertical aspect of woven warp and weft fibers to generate volumetric structures through formation of tie-downs. Tie downs define warp and weft fibers that take a vertical path or component extending perpendicular to a weave plane. Independently controlled heddles provide selective warp fibers control, and a two-dimensional creel that dispenses the warp fibers at differing feed rates allows manipulation of the fibers into three dimensional structures or portions. As a shuttle draws the weft fiber, different layers are raised and lowered to lend a vertical axis to the resulting volumetric structure. Interconnections between the portions include the use of the tie downs to connect multiple portions to define 3-dimensional panels of a finished article such as a shoe. A single pass defining all the interconnected portions of the shoe generates the fully formed shoe without subsequent cutting and seaming of different textile panels.

Disclosed is an arrangement of a weaving machine and a yarn storage device which includes an upright flank with juxtaposed yarn stores, and an associated yarn-tensioning device which is arranged in the space between the yarn storage device and the weaving machine, including comprising at least one yarn-tensioning module, which carries at least one row of juxtaposed yarn-tensioning elements, where the direction of said row of yarn-tensioning elements, has an angle of inclination and/or forms an acute angle with a vertical plane which runs parallel or coincides with the plane in which an upright flank is situated.

Disclosed is a yarn tensioning system for keeping at least one yarn, which is taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system of a weaving machine, under tension. The system includes a brake roller around which the yarn is at least partially wound, and a motor for supplying a torque to the brake roller, the motor being actuable in generator operation to keep the yarn under tension between the brake roller and the yarn take-off system. Also disclosed is a weaving machine including such a yarn tensioning system, as well as a method for keeping at least one yarn under tension, the at least one yarn being taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system.

Disclosed is a yarn tensioning system for keeping at least one yarn, which is taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system of a weaving machine, under tension. The system includes a brake roller around which the yarn is at least partially wound, and a motor for supplying a torque to the brake roller, the motor being actuable in generator operation to keep the yarn under tension between the brake roller and the yarn take-off system. Also disclosed is a weaving machine including such a yarn tensioning system, as well as a method for keeping at least one yarn under tension, the at least one yarn being taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system.