Improvements in Elastic Fabrics or Braids.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 15th Aug... 1801
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Elastic Fabrics or Braids.
I, ALBERT EDGAR ALEXANDER, of 19 Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare. the
nature of this invention (communicated to me from abroad by Burkard Goodman,
of 106 Franklin Street City, County and State of New York, United States of
America, Merchant) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
The invention consists of an open work main braid having the characteristics of a
yielding or elastic web with the addition of ventilating interstices, and in which a
series of longitudinal elastic warp threads is connected and retained in pre-
determined position by interwoven binding material or thread having applied
thereto a closely braided edge binding possessing a similar characteristic of clasticity
and an ornamental and artistic appearance.
The object of the improvement is to reinforce the edges of the aforesaid braid, to
strengthen the same, and prevent wear and fraying of the edges thereof.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a view illustrating the completed fabric embodying the improvement,
and Figure 2 shews a portion of the main fabric and the improvement on an
enlarged scale.
In the said main fabric, A represents longitudinal elastic warp threads or strands
and B the binding material or threads; as many of said elastic warp threads are
used as desired, and the binding material B is so interlocked therewith as to confine
the groups of elastic threads together while at the same time it separates each
group from the other, so that an appearance of openness is imparted to the finished
fabric.
The binding material consists of three series of threads, a b c, (it may consist of
more or less) which become plaited or interlocked together between the groups of
elastic warp-threads, as at d, thus separating the groups of warp-threads and
forming the open spaces e therebetween.
The improvement consists of an edge binding formed by a series of uncovered
elastic warp-threads or strands C, having a closely braided covering D, which is
interlocked with the edges of the main fabric.
The materials employed for said edge binding are preferably strips or threads of
rubber, (C), and interlaced fibrous threads to hold the said rubber threads in
position, but analogous materials may be used. The said covering D is arranged
as shewn between and around said warp threads or strands C, so as to form pockets
therefor, to entirely shield and protect said strands against wear by contact of other
articles directly therewith. As shewn the covering D is connected with the binding
material B of the main fabric A. by passing the individual parts of said covering D
between and under the threads used in binding said warp threads of material A.
The said fibrous threads D may be of a distinguishing colour or material to give
an artistic finish and pleasing appearance to the fabric entire.
The following brief description of the manner of manufacturing the braid will be
readily understood by those acquainted with braiding machines.
The longitudinal elastic warp threads or strands A. of the main fabric are covered
under tension on an ordinary braiding machine prior to being incorporated in the
braid. They are then wound onto bobbins held on fixed spindles below the track
plate of the braiding machine.
The clastic warp threads or strands C of the edge binding are placed in an
uncovered condition on similar bobbins under the track plate, and suitable tension
devices are applied to all the bobbins which carry the covered elastic warp

page_text: threads A of the main fabric and uncovered elastic warp threads C of the edge
binding.
The ends of the rubber strands A are then passed through guides in the track
plate the rubber strands C being guided through adjacent holes in the centre of
two adjacent endless intersecting tracks at each end of the main track in the track
plate.
The incorporation of the strands C is effected at each end of the main track in
the track plate in a manner well known in braiding machines.
The rubber strands A are simply carried through appropriate guides in the track
plate and the ends of all secured to the take up roll.
The textile strands constituting the binding material B of the main fabric
are wound upon bobbins mounted on suitable carriers in the main track of the
machine.
The textile strands constituting the closely braided covering D of the edge
binding or reinforce are wound upon bobbins mounted upon suitable carriers in the
endless intersecting tracks at each end of the main track.
The main track is united with the endless tracks at each end thereof, whereby
the rubber strands C are bound at intervals to the main body of the braid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my said foreign correspondent, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claiin is
:―
1. An elastic fabric composed of braiding or binding threads, and longitudinal or
warp threads, wherein the warp threads are separated by plaited or interlocked
portions of the fabric, providing perforations, and an edge elastic binding having a
braided covering interlaced with the plaited or interlocked portions of the aforesaid
fabric, substantially as described.
2. An elastic braid or web having an elastic body comprising elastic longitudinal
warp threads and a binding with openings or interstices therein, and an elastic edge
reinforce having elastic warp threads enclosed by a closely braided covering attached
to the binding of said elastic body substantially as described.
3. The combination with an elastic body having ventilating openings therein, of
a closely braided edge binding attached to said body and inclosing elastic warp
threads substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of February 1891.