Attachable fabric assembly
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsPaul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fabric assembly includes a knitted fabric and a filament. The knitted fabric is adapted to move between a stretched state extended along a direction of an applied force, and a relaxed state. The filament is disposed in the knitted fabric, and includes a plurality of loops longitudinally spaced apart from one-another. Each loop of the plurality of loops are adapted to project outward from the knitted fabric when in the stretched state, and substantially retract into the knitted fabric when in the relaxed state.
Claims20
A fabric assembly comprising:
- a knitted fabric including a stretched state and a relaxed state, wherein the knitted fabric is generally lengthened along a direction of an exerted force when in the stretched state;
- an elongated filament disposed in the knitted fabric and disposed substantially normal to the direction of the exerted force, the elongated filament including a plurality of loops longitudinally spaced apart from one-another, wherein each loop of the plurality of loops projects outward from the knitted fabric when in the stretched state and substantially retracts into the knitted fabric when in the relaxed state.
A fabric assembly adapted to engage a component, the fabric assembly comprising:
- a knitted fabric including a stretched state along a first direction and a relaxed state;
- a filament inserted into the knitted fabric, and including a plurality of attachment elements, wherein each attachment element of the plurality of attachment elements projects outward from the knitted fabric when in one of the stretched state and the relaxed state, and retracts into the knitted fabric when in the other of the stretched state and the relaxed state;
- and
- a plurality of mating elements attached to and projecting outward from the component, wherein each mating element of the plurality of mating elements is constructed and arranged to engage a respective one of the plurality of attachment elements when projecting outward from the knitted fabric, and thereby cinch the knitted fabric to the component when the plurality of attachment elements retract into the knitted fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.