Patent ID: 6156406
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B32B,D04B,D10B,Y10T

Abstract:
An inflatable three-dimensional knit spacer fabric comprising:a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and a plurality of pile yarns interconnecting said first and second layers with the spacer fabric being selectively transformable from a first uninflated condition to a second inflated condition;wherein said spacer fabric has a first thickness defined between said layers and includes at least a first portion in which the pile yarns thereof are perpendicularly disposed between said layers and at least a second portion adjacent said first portion in which the pile yarns thereof are disposed at an angle between said first and second fabric layers when said fabric is in said first uninflated condition;wherein the pile yarns of said second portion are disposed perpendicularly between said fabric layers when said fabric is in said second inflated condition such that said second portion has a second thickness defined between said layers that is greater than the said first thickness defined between said layers of said first portion.