Woven fabric that is relatively stiff in one direction and relatively flexible in the other

Abstract

There is disclosed an open weave fabric that is relatively stiff in the filling direction and relatively flexible in the warp direction. The fabric comprises a plurality of individual, spaced, stiff monofilaments in parallel relationship in the filling direction, and a plurality of groups of at least two substantially parallel strands closely associated in side-by-side relationship in the warp direction, the groups being spaced to provide an open weave mesh pattern therebetween, the strands of each of said groups being arranged one strand over and the next strand under in alternating interlocking relationship at the point of crossing each of the respective individual monofilaments in the filling direction, wherein each of the strands comprises a multi-filament yarn core coated with a thermoplastic polymer sheath, wherein said open weave fabric is stabilized by fusion of said thermoplastic polymer at the point where said strands cross the said individual monofilaments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.