Abstract
Disclosed herein is a plexus of filaments which is composed of paired filaments which travel extensively around one another to form a double helix structure, where each pair of filaments belongs to a group of filaments, traverse at crossing angles to other filaments which belong to at least another group of filaments, thus repetitively crossing the paths of the filament pairs in at least another group of filaments. Also defined within the specifications and claims herein is the linking of the filaments between the different paired groups of filaments, which facilitates the distribution of tension between the filaments within a plexus of filaments. Herein described are plexuses which exhibit greater conformal and constrictive qualities in comparison to the prior art. Also disclosed is a method of producing filament structures for a variety of uses including composite structures, with enhanced structural properties, including but not limited to; tension displacement properties, for use in applications requiring conformal load distribution with minimal weight.
Claims
1. A plexus of filaments, comprising: a first group of filaments including a first pair of filaments, the first group of filaments as a group generally traversing the plexus in a first path across the plexus; a second group of filaments including a second pair of filaments, the second group of filaments as a group generally traversing the plexus in a second path across the plexus, the second direction opposing the first direction; wherein each of the filaments in the first pair of filaments repetitively cross each other along the first path and each of the filaments in the second pair of filaments repetitively cross each other along the second path; wherein each filament of the first group of filaments links to multiple filaments of the second group of filaments as the first path crosses the second path such that a first filament of the first pair of filaments traverses filaments of the second group of filaments in a first repeating pattern of linking and crossing, the first pattern including the first filament linking at least two filaments of the second group of filaments and crossing multiple filaments of the second group of filaments without linking to the multiple filaments as they are crossed, the first pattern also including the first filament of the first pair of filaments crossing a second filament of the first pair of filaments in between linking a first one of the at least two filaments of the second group of filaments and linking a second one of the at least two filaments of the second group; and wherein filaments of the first group of filaments do not link with other filaments of the first group of filaments as the first path traverses the plexus.
2. A plexus according to claim 1, wherein each filament of the first pair of filaments links to every fifth filament of the second group of filaments as the first path crosses the second path.
3. A plexus according to claim 1, wherein the first pattern includes the first filament linking to a first one of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments, the first filament linking to the next one of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments, and the first filament crossing the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments without linking, the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments including a first, second, third, and fourth ones of the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments traversed in order.
4. A plexus according to claim 3, wherein the first pattern includes the first filament crossing the second filament in between crossing the second and third ones of the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments.
5. A plexus according to claim 4, wherein the first pattern includes the first filament alternately weaving on different sides of filaments as it crosses the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments and the second filament.
6. A plexus according to claim 4, wherein the first pattern includes the first filament crossing the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments on a first side of the plexus and crossing the second filament on a side of the plexus opposite of the first side.
7. A plexus according to claim 4, further comprising a third group of filaments, the third group of filaments traversing the plexus such that the filaments of the third group of filaments weave through the filaments of the first and second groups.
8. A plexus according to claim 7, wherein the first pattern includes the first filament crossing multiple filaments of the third group of filaments.
9. A plexus according to claim 1, wherein, the first pattern includes the first filament linking to a first one of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments, the first filament linking to the next one of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments, and the first filament crossing the next eight filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments without linking, the next eight filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments including a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight ones of the next eight filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments traversed in order.
10. A plexus according to claim 9, wherein the first pattern includes the first filament crossing the second filament in between crossing the fourth and fifth ones of the next eight filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments.
11. A plexus according to claim 1, wherein the of the second group of filaments, and the first filament crossing the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments without linking, the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments including a first, second, third, and fourth ones of the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments traversed in order.
12. A plexus according to claim 11, wherein the first pattern includes the first filament crossing a second filament of the first pair of filaments in between crossing the second and third ones of the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments and the first filament crossing the second filament after crossing the fourth one of the next four filaments of the traversed filaments of the second group of filaments.
13. A plexus according to claim 1, further comprising a third group of filaments, the third group of filaments traversing the plexus such that the filaments of the third group of filaments weave through the filaments of the first and second groups.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following description of aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a weave according to the prior art.
(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a braid according to the prior art.
(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of a typical chain-link fence having linked members according to the prior art.
(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view of a patterned plexus of filaments which has two groupings of a multiplicity of paired double helical filaments, wherein each grouping of paired filaments traverse along opposed intersecting angles, and wherein the filaments from each grouping of paired filaments link to, and are interlaced with, the opposing group of filaments, according to one aspect of the present invention.
(6) FIG. 5 is a plan view of a patterned plexus of filaments which has two groupings of a multiplicity of paired helical filaments or paired filaments traversing in overlapping zigzag paths, wherein each grouping of paired filaments traverse along opposed bisecting axial angles, and wherein the filaments from each grouping of paired filaments link to, and are interlaced with, the opposing group of filaments; according to one aspect of the present invention.
(7) FIG. 6 is a plan view of a patterned plexus of filaments which has two groupings of a multiplicity of paired double helical filaments, wherein each grouping of paired filaments traverse along opposed intersecting angles, and wherein the filaments from each grouping of paired filaments link to the each filament within each pair of filaments within the opposing group of filaments; according to one aspect of the present invention.
(8) FIG. 7 is a plan view of a patterned plexus of filaments which has two groupings of a multiplicity of paired double helical filaments, wherein, each grouping of paired filaments traverse and cross the paths of the other group of paired filaments, and wherein the filaments from each grouping of paired filaments link to the each filament within each pair of filaments within the opposing group of filaments, according to one aspect of the present invention.
(9) FIG. 8 is a plan view of a patterned plexus of filaments which has three groupings of a multiplicity of paired filaments which traverse in overlapping zigzag or ostensibly elliptical paths and, wherein there are two grouping of paired filaments which traverse along opposed bisecting axial angles, and a third grouping of paired filaments which traverse along the zero degree axis and bisect or cross the filaments within the two opposed groupings of paired filaments, and wherein the filaments from each grouping of paired filaments are interlaced with filaments belonging to other grouping of filaments, and each of the filaments within the grouping of paired filaments, which is centered between the two opposed groupings of paired filaments, creates links with all of the filaments in the two intersecting groupings of paired filaments; according to one aspect of the present invention.
(10) FIG. 9 is a plan view of a patterned plexus of filaments which has three groupings of a multiplicity of paired under and overlapping filaments which traverse in zigzagging paths and, wherein; there are two grouping of paired filaments which traverse along opposed intersecting angles, and a third grouping of paired filaments which traverses at a bisecting axial angle centered between the two opposed axial angles which the other groupings of paired filaments traverse, and wherein, the filaments from each grouping of paired filaments are interlaced with filaments belonging to other grouping of filaments, and, wherein all of the filaments within the grouping of paired filaments which lie at two opposed intersecting angles, create links with all of the filaments within the opposed grouping of paired filaments; according to one aspect of the present invention.
(11) FIG. 10 is a plan view of a patterned plexus of filaments which has two groupings of paired filaments, wherein each individual filament within each pair of filaments traverses in a zigzagging path which crosses above and below the other filament within the pair of filaments, and wherein each filament within the pairs of filaments crosses above and below filaments within the other pair of filaments, repetitively along their lengths.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(12) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of woven filaments 10, as described by prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, and as is typical of woven filament structures, weave pattern 10 typically includes a series or plurality of longitudinal or vertical warp filaments 12 traversing along the zero degree axis which perpendicularly engage with a plurality of lateral or horizontal weft filaments 14 which traverse along the 90 degree axis. As shown, warp filaments 12 interlace; cross in front and behind; weft filaments 14, for example, the patterned behavior of the filaments is to first pass over a filament and then under the next filament, and repeat this patterned process with a plurality of regularly spaced perpendicular filaments. As know in the art, the close proximity of the warp filaments 12 and weft filaments 14, is what provides the structural integrity, or integration of the fibers into one plexus of material 10; primarily through the friction between the warp 12, and weft 14 filaments.
(13) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a braided filaments 20, as described by prior art. The patterned filaments shown in FIG. 2, depict a typically patterned braid 20, which includes a plurality of three or more filaments 21, which are interlaced; traverse repetitively above and below opposed crossing filaments, at regularly spaced intervals, to typically form an elongated tubular plexus of filaments, although flat, non tubular material may also be produced by disallowing the carriers holding spools of filaments from following a complete circular path around the circumference of the table upon which they are directed, thus forcing the carriers to double back in the opposite direction, thereby creating a partially tubular plexus of filaments that will readily lay flat. In distinction from the weave pattern 10 shown in FIG. 1, in braid pattern 20, the filaments 21 typically interlace with each other repeatedly at regularly spaced intervals, along the 45 degree axis. As known in the art, the engagement of the filaments 21, through friction created from the contact between the filaments, provides the structural integrity of the braid pattern 20.
(14) FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion 30 of a typical chain-link fence having linked members or wires 31 as described by prior art. FIG. 3 shows that adjacent wires are linked 34 together repetitively at regular spaced intervals. Each link is created by two members of fence portion 30 which partially wrap around each other creating a link 34 between the wires 31. The wrap between two wires could be described as a half wrap, as each wire contacts the other around half of their circumference. As known in the art, the engagement of the wires 31 at the links 34, provides the structural integrity of the wire fence portion 30.
(15) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the an aspect of the current invention 40 having two opposed groups of filaments, 41 & 42 consisting of paired filaments 43, wherein each member in each pair of filaments 43 twist around one another along their lengths, ostensibly forming a double helical filament structure. The paired filaments 43 contain filament members 48 which twist around one another along their lengths, by traveling, and crossing first on one side of each other and then crossing each other on the antithetical side, and in so repeating this pattern, twist around one another. FIG. 4 also shows that each of the filaments 48, in each of the pairs of filaments 43, link 44 to all of the filaments in the oppositely traversing group of paired filaments. FIG. 4 also shows that each filament in each of the pairs of filaments create a link 44 with oppositely traversing filaments, and that each filament also becomes interlaced 46 with all of the filaments in the opposing group of filaments, by traversing on top of an underneath filaments belonging to the opposing group of filaments.
(16) FIG. 5 is a plan view of the an aspect of the current invention 50 having two opposed groups of filaments, 51 & 52 consisting of paired filaments 53, wherein member in each pair of filaments 53 twist around one another along their lengths, ostensibly forming a double helical filament structure. The paired filaments 53 contain filament members 58 which twist around one another along their lengths, by traveling, and crossing first on one side of each other and then crossing each other on the antithetical side, and in so repeating this pattern, twist around one another. FIG. 5 also shows that each of the filaments 58, in each of the pairs of filaments 53, link 54 to all of the filaments in the oppositely traversing group of paired filaments. FIG. 5 also shows that each member in each of the pairs of filaments create a link 54 with oppositely traversing filaments, and each filament also becomes interlaced 56 with all of the filaments in the opposing group of filaments, by traversing on top of an underneath filaments belonging to the opposing group of filaments.
(17) FIG. 6 is a plan view of another aspect of the current invention 60 having two opposed groups of filaments, 61 & 62 consisting of paired filaments 63, wherein each member in each pair of filaments 63 traverses in zigzagging paths and each member crosses alternately above and below the other member. The paired filaments 63 twist around one another along their lengths, by having each of the filaments 68 in each of the pairs of filaments 63 travel, and cross each other first on one side, and then cross each other on the antithetical side, and in so repeating this pattern, ostensibly twist around one another. FIG. 6 also shows that each of the filaments 68, in each of the pairs of filaments 63, create links 64 with each of the filaments in the oppositely traversing group of paired filaments. FIG. 6 clearly shows that each member 68 in each of the pairs of filaments 61 & 62 are linked 64 to individual filaments 68 within filament pairs 61 & 62 which traverse in bisecting angles and cross the opposed directional pairs of filaments.
(18) FIG. 7 is a plan view of the an aspect of the current invention 70 having two opposed groups of filaments, 71 & 72 consisting of paired filaments 73, wherein each member in each pair of filaments twist around one another along their lengths, ostensibly forming a double helical filament structure. Each member in the paired filaments 63 twist around one another along their lengths, by traveling, and crossing first on one side of each other and then crossing each other on the antithetical side, and so in repeating this pattern, twist around one another. FIG. 7 also shows that each of the filaments 78, in each of the pairs of filaments 73, link 74 to all of the filaments in the oppositely traversing group of paired filaments.
(19) FIG. 8 is a plan view of an aspect of the current invention 80 having three intersecting groups of paired filaments, 81, 82 & 87 consisting of paired filaments 83, wherein each member in each of the pairs of filaments twist around one another along their lengths, ostensibly forming a double helical filament structure. The paired filaments 83 twist around one another along their lengths, by traveling, and crossing first on one side of each other and then crossing each other on the antithetical side, and so in repeating this pattern, twist around one another. FIG. 8 also shows that each of the filaments 88, in each of the pairs of filaments 83, link 84 to each of the filaments in the intersecting groups of paired filaments. FIG. 8 also shows that each filament 88 also becomes interlaced 86 with the filaments in the intersecting groups of filaments, by traversing on top of and underneath filaments belonging to an intersecting group of filaments.
(20) FIG. 9 is a plan view of the an aspect of the current invention 90 having three intersecting groups of paired filaments, 91, 92 & 97 consisting of paired filaments 93, wherein each member in each pair of filaments twist around one another along their lengths, ostensibly forming a double helical filament structure. The paired filaments 93 twist around one another along their lengths, by traveling, and crossing first on one side of each other and then crossing each other on the antithetical side, and so in repeating this pattern, twist around one another. FIG. 9 also shows that each of the filaments 98, in each of the pairs of filaments 93, is interlaced 96 with the filaments in the intersecting groups of paired filaments. FIG. 9 also shows two groups of paired filaments 91 & 92 whose individual members are linked to individual members in the opposed axial grouping of paired filaments.
(21) FIG. 10 is a plan view of the an aspect of the current invention 100 having two opposed groups of filaments, 101 & 102 consisting of paired filaments 108, wherein each member in each pair of filaments 103 twist around one another along their lengths, ostensibly forming a double helical filament structure. The paired filaments 103 contain filament members 108 which twist around one another along their lengths, by traveling, and crossing first on one side of each other and then crossing each other on the antithetical side, and in so repeating this pattern, twist around one another. FIG. 10 also shows that each of the filaments 108, in each of the pairs of filaments 103 create a link 105, with oppositely traversing filaments, and that each filament also becomes interlaced 106 with all of the filaments in the crossing group of filaments, by traversing on top of an underneath filaments belonging to the crossing group of filaments.
