# US 10,246,803 B2 · Knitted wire carrier for weather seal insert support with lockstitched reinforcing wire > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,803 B2 - Document ID: US10246803B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/854,036 - Filed: 2015-09-14 - Published: 2017-03-16 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-14 - Assignees: Hope Global, Division of Nfa Corp. - Applicants: Hope Global, Division of NFA Corp. - Inventors: Jesus Aguilar; Alexander Martinez; Ildeberto Rosa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246803B2 ## CPC - F16J 15/108: {Special methods for making a non-metallic packing} - B60J 10/18: provided with reinforcements or inserts - D04B 21/12: characterised by thread material - D04B 21/14: Fabrics characterised by the incorporation by knitting, in one or more thread, fleece, or fabric layers, of reinforcing, binding, or decorative threads; Fabrics incorporating small auxiliary elements, e.g. for decorative purposes (pile fabrics D04B21/02; non-woven fabrics in general D04H) - D04B 21/20: specially adapted for knitting articles of particular configuration - F16J 15/102: {characterised by material} - F16J 15/104: {characterised by structure} - D10B 2401/062: stiff, shape retention - D10B 2403/0311: Small thickness fabric, e.g. ribbons, tapes or straps - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - D04B: KNITTING - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract This invention provides a knitted wire carrier for use in constructing a (e.g.) automotive weather seal that incorporates a locking stitch formed from a relatively incompressible and expansion-resisting material that passes through at least one of the warp threads adjacent to the wire weft. In an embodiment, the locking stitch constructed from a steel (or another metal) wire that is solid or braided. In other embodiments, the locking stitch can be constructed from fiberglass, monofilament polymer or another similarly performing material. In an embodiment, the lockstitch wire is constructed from approximately 0.5-millimeter diameter steel and the wire carrier is constructed from approximately 0.5-0.91-millimeter diameter steel. The wire lockstitch can be woven through a center warp yarn that is surrounded by other knitted warp yarns along the overall weft of the wire carrier. The wire carrier is coated with an adhesive, e.g., latex to maintain the knit in place. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A knitted wire carrier for use in a weather seal comprising: a wire weft formed in a serpentine pattern and defining a width between alternating edge bends perpendicular to an elongated length; a plurality of knitted warp yarns extending in the direction of the elongated length and located at positions along the width of the wire weft; and at least a first compression and expansion-resisting wire knitted as a lockstitch to at least one of the warp yarns. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the wire weft comprises a steel wire and the first compression and expansion-resisting wire comprises a steel wire. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 2 wherein the wire weft defines a diameter of between approximately 0.5 and 0.91 millimeter and the first compression and expansion-resisting wire defines a diameter of between approximately 0.3 and 0.76 millimeter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 3 wherein the first compression and expansion-resisting wire defines a diameter of approximately 0.5 millimeter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 2 wherein the warp yarns are constructed from a polyester material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 2 wherein the wire carrier is coated with an adhesive material that maintains the warp yarns in a desired position on the wire weft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 6 wherein the adhesive material comprises a latex coating. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least a second compression and expansion-resisting wire knitted as a lockstitch to at least one of the warp yarns, located at a spacing along the width of the wire weft from the first compression and expansion-resisting wire. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first compression and expansion-resisting wire is approximately centered along the width of the wire weft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first compression and expansion-resisting wire is constructed from a non-metallic material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The knitted wire carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein the non-metallic material comprises fiberglass. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A weather seal including the knitted wire carrier of claim 1. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The weather seal of claim 12 constructed and arranged for attachment in at least one of a vehicle and a moisture-tight cabinet. ### Claim 14 A method for constructing wire carrier with a knitting machine comprising the steps of: feeding and forming a wire into a wire weft defining a serpentine pattern having a width between alternating edge bends perpendicular to an elongated length; knitting warp yarns extending in the direction of the elongated length and located at positions along the width of the wire weft using knitting needles in a needle bed; and feeding a first compression and expansion-resisting wire as a lockstitch to at least one of the warp yarns. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the step of feeding the first compression and expansion-resisting wire with the needle bed as a dummy needle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising applying an adhesive coating to the wire carrier to maintain the warp yarns in position of the wire weft.