Shock absorbing fabric structures
US7677360B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2008 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD03D11/02
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A shock absorbing fabric structure is a one-piece webbing. The shock absorbing fabric structure has a tubular-shaped high strength sheath and a high elongation member inside of the sheath. The sheath and the high elongation member are secured together at spaced apart connection locations and the high elongation member is generally not secured to the sheath between the connection locations. Heat treatment shrinks the length of the high elongation member. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the high elongation member and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the high elongation member and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded while the high elongation member absorbs energy as it stretches or elongates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.