Forming ring with adjustable diameter for braid production and method of braid production
OwnerAndrew A. Head, John W. Peter +1inventors
InventorsAndrew A. Head, John W. Peter, Thomas C. Story
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A braiding apparatus and method of forming braided product. The braiding apparatus may have one or more former rings having an adjustable inner diameters. The former rings may have a plurality of elements at least radially movable so that the inner diameter may be adjusted. The former ring may also include means to actuate the elements to adjust the inner diameter. The braided product made by the braiding apparatus may be multi-layered without a winding between layers.
Claims52
A method of forming a braided product having at least one variation in cross section comprising:
- providing a former ring having an orifice therein with an adjustable cross section;
- consolidating braiding yarn into a braid at or near the former ring;
- and
- adjusting the cross section of the orifice to vary the cross section of the braid.
A method of forming a braided product having at least one variation in cross section comprising:
- providing a mandrel having at least one variation in cross section;
- surrounding the mandrel with a former ring having an orifice therein with an adjustable cross section;
- forming a braid onto the mandrel at a position at or near the former ring;
- and
- adjusting the cross section of the orifice so that it closely corresponds to the cross section of the mandrel to vary the cross section of the braid.
A method of forming a multi-layered braided product comprising:
- forming a first braided layer onto one of a mandrel and a previously formed braided layer;
- facilitating locking the first braided layer to the one of a mandrel and a previously formed braided layer with a former ring having an orifice with an adjustable cross section therein;
- and
- forming a second braided layer onto the first braided layer.
A method of forming a multi-layered braided product comprising:
- forming a first braided layer onto one of a mandrel and a previously formed braided layer;
- facilitating locking the first braided layer to the one of a mandrel and a previously formed braided layer with a first former ring having an orifice with an adjustable cross section therein;
- providing a second former ring axially displaced from the first former ring;
- and forming a second braided layer onto the first braided layer at or near the second former ring.
A braiding apparatus for braiding yarns into a braided product comprising:
- a source of braiding yarns;
- and
- a former ring adapted to contact the yarns having an adjustable orifice therein.
A former ring adapted to be used with a braiding apparatus to braid yarns into a braided product having an adjustable orifice therein the former ring further being adapted to be mounted to a braiding apparatus.
A former ring adapted to be used with a braiding apparatus for braiding yarns into a braided product having an adjustable orifice therein, the former ring further being adapted to withstand braiding forces thereon such that the braiding forces do not substantially alter the position or shape thereof.
A braiding apparatus for braiding yarns into a multi-layered braided product comprising:
- a first former ring adapted to facilitate braiding of the yarns;
- and
- a second former ring adapted to contact the braiding yarns, the second former ring being axially displaced from the first former ring and having an adjustable orifice therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.