Patent Publication Number: US-10329695-B2

Title: Webbing with concealed edges

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/360,059, filed on Jul. 8, 2016, titled WEBBING WITH CONCEALED EDGES, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to woven webbing or fabric and in particular to narrow strips of woven webbing or fabric configured to receive a printed pattern on at least one side. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Forming straps or tape from strips of woven webbing or fabric is known. Straps may be formed from webbing according to military specifications (e.g., MIL-W-17337, MIL-W-55301, or MIL-T-5038) for use in military applications. These straps are generally flat and can be made with a variety of widths. The webbing may include a colored pattern printed on at least one side, such as, for example, a MultiCam® camouflage pattern, to reduce visibility of the webbing when worn by military or law enforcement personnel in a combat environment. For example, the colored pattern may be printed on webbing that is uniform in color (e.g., a solid shade of Desert Sand). 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments of webbings are disclosed herein. 
     An exemplary webbing is formed from a plurality of warp yarns woven together with a plurality of weft yarns. The webbing extends from an outside edge to a needled edge. The outside edge is formed by the weaving of the warp yarns and weft yarns, and the needled edge is formed by the weaving of the warp yarns, weft yarns, and at least one catch cord. The warp yarns and weft yarns are dyed a first color. At least one warp yarn proximate the outside edge and the at least catch cord are dyed a second color that is darker than the first color. 
     Another exemplary webbing includes a body extending from an outside edge to a needled edge and a pattern printed on the body between the outside edge and the needled edge. The body is a first color and the outside edge and the needled edge both include a second color. The first color is lighter than the printed pattern so that the printed pattern is distinguishable from the body, and the second color is darker than the first color. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regards to the following description and accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate an outside edge and yarns of a contrasting color proximate a needled edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 1  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the outside edge; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 1  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the needled edge; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of section  5  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of section  6  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of section  7  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of section  8  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a second embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate an outside edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 10  is a right side view thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 9  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the outside edge; 
         FIG. 11  is a left side view thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of section  13  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of section  14  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a third embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate a needled edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a right side view thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 15  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the needled edge; 
         FIG. 17  is a left side view thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged view of section  19  of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of section  20  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate an outside edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 22  is a right side view thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 21  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the outside edge; 
         FIG. 23  is a left side view thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 25  is an enlarged view of section  25  of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged view of section  26  of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate a needled edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 28  is a right side view thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 27  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the needled edge; 
         FIG. 29  is a left side view thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 31  is an enlarged view of section  31  of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 32  is an enlarged view of section  32  of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a front view of a sixth embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate an outside edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 34  is a right side view thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 33  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the outside edge; 
         FIG. 35  is a left side view thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 37  is an enlarged view of section  37  of  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 38  is an enlarged view of section  38  of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a front view of a seventh embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate a needled edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 40  is a right side view thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 39  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the needled edge; 
         FIG. 41  is a left side view thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 43  is an enlarged view of section  43  of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 44  is an enlarged view of section  44  of  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a front view photograph of an eighth embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate an outside edge and yarns of a contrasting color proximate a needled edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 46  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 47  is a left side photograph thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 45  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the needled edge; 
         FIG. 48  is a right side photograph thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 45  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the outside edge; 
         FIG. 49  is a front view photograph of a ninth embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate an outside edge and yarns of a contrasting color proximate a needled edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 50  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 51  is a left side photograph thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 49  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the needled edge; 
         FIG. 52  is a right side photograph thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 49  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the outside edge; 
         FIG. 53  is a front view photograph of a tenth embodiment of a webbing segment having yarns of a contrasting color proximate an outside edge and yarns of a contrasting color proximate a needled edge, for which a back view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 54  is a bottom view thereof, for which a top view would be a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG. 55  is a left side photograph thereof, showing the needled edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 53  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the needled edge; and 
         FIG. 56  is a right side photograph thereof, showing the outside edge of the webbing segment of  FIG. 53  having yarns of a contrasting color proximate the outside edge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure merely describes exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as claimed is broader than the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning, unless a limiting definition is expressly provided herein. 
     As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members, or elements. Also as described herein, the terms “substantially” and “about” are defined as at least close to (and includes) a given value or state (preferably within 10% of, more preferably within 1% of, and most preferably within 0.1% of). 
     Printing a pattern on the webbing allows for webbing to be made before a pattern is chosen, allowing a manufacturer to produce patterned webbing for reduced cost and in a shorter time than webbing with a woven pattern. It also allows for standardization of a printed pattern across a variety of clothing articles, such as, for example, a military standard camouflage pattern. Webbings that are intended for use with a printed pattern are typically formed of light colored yarns so that the pattern remains visible after printing. Because of the light color of the base material, areas of the webbing that are not colored with ink during the printing process may be visible to the naked eye, and/or may be visible through the use of night vision or infrared detection equipment which can be dangerous for military personnel. Under night vision, these edges may appear as white stripes that are plainly visible. These visible edges may also reduce the effectiveness of a camouflage pattern. 
     The present disclosure describes strips of woven webbing or fabric configured to receive a printed pattern on at least one side. The webbing may be any kind of webbing for use with a printed pattern. In some embodiments, the webbing is made to comply with military specifications, such as, for example, Mil-W-17337, Mil-W-55301, or Mil-T-5038. The webbing may be made to any length or width suitable for the application which it is intended. For example, the webbing may be about one inch wide, or about one and a half inches wide. The webbing of the present application may also be woven with any suitable fiber type and dernier, and may be formed into a strap or tape. When formed into a strap, heavier and stronger yarns are typically used when weaving the webbing to provide the requisite strength to the strap. When formed into a tape, lighter, thinner yarns are generally used. The warp and weft yarns used in the webbings of the present application generally have a diameter ranging from, for example, about 70 Denier to about 3,000 Denier. 
     As described herein, the “brightness” of a color refers to its value, i.e., the lightness or darkness of a color. White represents full brightness, while black represents no brightness. Thus, colors such as tan, light blue, yellow, and pastels are considered to be “light” colors, while colors such as brown, maroon, purple, and forest green are considered to be “dark” colors. Also as described herein, a first color is lighter than a second color if the first color is brighter than the second color, and vice versa. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8 , an exemplary webbing  100  is shown. The webbing  100  is woven with warp yarns  102  (also referred to as warp “ends”) that run longitudinally the webbing  100  (as indicated by arrow A in  FIG. 1 ) and weft yarns  104  (also referred to as “fill” threads) that run laterally across the webbing  100  (as indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 1 ). The warp and weft yarns can be woven with any weave construction, such as, for example, a plain weave, a twill weave, a 3-1 weave, or the like. The weft yarns  104  are woven across the warp yarns  102  between an outside edge  106  and a needled or knitted edge  108 . Edge warp yarns  103  are the at least one, and as many as ten or more, warp yarns  102  proximate the outside edge and/or needled edges  106 ,  108 . A catch cord  110  may be woven along the needled edge  108  to engage the weft yarns  104  to prevent the webbing  100  from unraveling. The yarn of the catch cord  110  is typically smaller relative to the warp and weft yarns, with a diameter ranging from, for example, 70 Denier to 150 Denier. In some embodiments, the edge warp yarns  103  and/or the catch cord  110  are formed of a different material than the warp and weft yarns  102 ,  104 . 
     Both the warp and weft yarns  102 ,  104  of the webbing  100  are dyed a first color that is chosen so that a pattern printed on at least one side of the webbing  100  is visible; i.e., the first color is lighter than colors used in the printed pattern. The outside and needled edges  106 ,  108  of the webbing  100  include yarns dyed a second color. The second color is darker than the first color so that the edges  106 ,  108  are concealed. In some embodiments, one of the outside and needled edges  106 ,  108  includes yarns dyed the second color and the other of the outside and needled edges  106 ,  108  include yarns dyed a third color. The third color is also darker than the first color. 
     The edges  106 ,  108  may be a solid color, or may include a mixture of dark and light colors of yarn that provide the edges  106 ,  108  with a blended appearance, for example, a camouflaged edge appearance. The yarns dyed the first color may be any color that does not obscure or interfere with the pattern to be printed on the webbing  100 , such as, for example, Desert Sand. The yarns dyed the second color may be any color that is darker than the first color and blends in well with the printed pattern, such as, for example, Coyote when the first color is Desert Sand. The second color may blend well with the printed pattern by being about the same brightness as the printed pattern. In some embodiments, the second color is not darker than the darkest color of the printed pattern, thereby blending the edge into the pattern. The yarns dyed the second color are disposed at the edges  106 ,  108  of the webbing  100  and do not hinder the print quality of the printed pattern. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , three dyed edge warp yarns  103 A,  103 B,  103 C are shown. The dyed edge warp yarns  103 A,  103 B,  103 C provide the outside edge  106  with a second, darker color that is periodically broken up by the weft yarns  104  dyed the first, lighter color. In some embodiments, the edge warp yarns  103  may be dyed multiple colors through a space dyeing process so that a variety of colors are spaced about longitudinally along the edge yarns  103 . In some embodiments, different color fibers are used to form the edge warp yarns  103 , resulting in multi-colored edge warp yarns  103 . The colors used in space-dyed yarns or in multi-colored yarns may be the same or similar to colors used in a pattern printed on the webbing  100 . In some embodiments, the edge warp yarns  103  include at least one, two, three, four, five, or as many as ten or even more yarns. 
     In some embodiments, the weft yarns  104  are dyed the second color so that the weft yarns  104  are darker in color than the warp yarns  102 . Dying the weft yarns  104  a color darker than the color of the warp yarns  102  darkens the outside edge  106  relative to the rest of the webbing. When the edge warp yarns  103  are also dyed the second color, the outside edge  106  is provided with a solid color appearance. In some embodiments, the edge warp yarns  103  are dyed a third color that is also darker than the first color, and may be darker or lighter than the second color. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the dyed catch cord or lockstitch yarn  110  is shown. The catch cord  110  is dyed the second color so that it is darker than the warp and weft yarns  102 ,  104  that are dyed the first color. The dyed catch cord  110  provides the needled edge with a second, darker color that is not broken up by weft yarns  104  dyed the first, lighter color because of the structure of the needled edge  108 . In some embodiments, edge warp yarns proximate the needled edge  108  are dyed the second or third color. In some embodiments, only one of the outside and the needled edges  106 ,  108  includes yarns dyed the second or third color. 
       FIGS. 9-56  show additional embodiments of webbing with one or both edges having a darker or contrasting color.  FIGS. 9-14  show a second embodiment of a webbing with an outside edge having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 15-20  show a third embodiment with a needled edge having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 21-26  show a fourth embodiment with an outside edge having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 27-32  show a fifth embodiment with a needled edge having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 33-38  show a sixth embodiment with an outside edge having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 39-44  show a seventh embodiment with a needled edge having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 45-48  show photographs of an eighth embodiment with outside and needled edges having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 49-52  show photographs of a ninth embodiment of a webbing with outside and needled edges having a contrasting color.  FIGS. 53-56  show photographs of a tenth embodiment of a webbing with outside and needled edges having a contrasting color. 
     While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the disclosures—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, alternatives as to form, fit, and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present application even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. 
     Additionally, even though some features, concepts, or aspects of the disclosures may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present application, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. 
     Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of a disclosure, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific disclosure, the disclosures instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. The words used in the claims have their full ordinary meanings and are not limited in any way by the description of the embodiments in the specification.