EP1753315B1 - Woven strap with a variable width, and products wherein said strap is used - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention basically relates to a strap obtained by weaving, the first feature of which is that it has areas of varying widths.

In the remainder of the description, in addition to the claims, the term "width" designates the smallest dimension of the strap in the general plane in which it fits. The term webbing itself must be interpreted according to its primary meaning of a flat web. In doing so, it is well to distinguish in the sense of the invention, the width of the strap of its thickness, consisting of its dimension in a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the strap.

The invention also relates to the products capable of implementing such a strap. It thus aims first and foremost a loop or ring, and generally any closed structure on itself, made from this woven strap and more particularly intended for the field of mountain climbing, safety and lifting, but also more generally, to all areas implementing a load.

It is also intended for animal leashes, straps for musical instruments, bracelets, purely decorative or wristwatches, bag handles, etc.

PRIOR STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

In the more specific context of the climbing, the followers of this one use in particular but repeated situations rings made from a strap, generally woven. This ring is for example secured to the harness worn by the user and further in a karabiner fixed in a suitable anchor point. This ring can also serve as a support element for the knees or feet of the user.

In known manner, such rings must combine both strength and lightness. In addition, they must meet, at least for some of them, standards, such as in particular the standard NF EN 566 "Ring" of April 1997. It specifies that for a strap ring of 9 millimeters wide, the mechanical strength must be greater than or equal to 2,200 DaN.

In order to make such a ring, it has been proposed, for example in the document WO03 / 059462 , the implementation of a loop consisting of a tubular fabric or mesh provided with two ends, these two ends being secured to one another at a connection point by introducing one of the two ends into the other end, and by sewing said ends at this connection point.

• ▪ tout d'abord, le coût de réalisation d'une telle boucle est grevé par la main d'oeuvre nécessaire à sa réalisation, dans la mesure où il est nécessaire d'enfiler l'une des extrémités du matériau constitutif dans l'autre, opération qui ne peut être faite que manuellement, et qui demande en outre une certaine dextérité ;
• ▪ ensuite, le matériau constitutif est traditionnellement réalisé sur des métiers à tisser d'un type en soi connu, et la bande en résultant est sectionnée à intervalles réguliers correspondants à la longueur souhaitée de la boucle ; cette découpe est généralement réalisée au moyen d'une lame chaude, qui induit outre la découpe, également la soudure du tissu ou maillage tubulaire, qu'il importe donc de réouvrir, afin de permettre l'introduction de l'une de ses extrémités dans l'autre, constituant là encore une opération consommatrice de temps.

If, mechanically, such a loop or ring is likely to meet the prescribed requirements, and possibly those of the standard mentioned above, on the other hand, he / she has the following drawbacks:

• First of all, the cost of producing such a loop is burdened by the labor required to produce it, insofar as it is necessary to thread one end of the constituent material into the other. an operation that can only be done manually, and which also requires some dexterity;
• ▪ Next, the constituent material is traditionally made on looms of a type known per se, and the resulting strip is cut at regular intervals corresponding to the desired length of the loop; this cutting is generally performed by means of a hot blade, which induces in addition to the cutting, also the welding of the fabric or tubular mesh, so it is important to reopen, to allow the introduction of one of its ends in the other, again constituting a time-consuming operation.

Other straps are known documents EP 0 145 615A1 , US 5,592,977 A and GB 2,191,560 A .

In the more general field of straps, and in particular in the context of animal leashes and other handles for gripping bags and tote bags, the user most often wishes to benefit from a certain comfort at the level of the traction or gripping zone. . In doing so, it has been proposed to report at these zones elements of a different nature from that of the active zone of the leash or coves. But again, such an operation results in an increase in production costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is primarily directed to a strap obtained by weaving, to satisfactorily fulfill a number of the objectives referred to above.

More particularly, the invention relates to a woven webbing consisting of at least two consecutive or continuous zones or portions of different widths, the modification of said widths being obtained by change of armor of the weaving, according to claim 1.

The strap according to the invention may also have a plurality of areas of modified width, including decorative function.

In addition, and according to the invention, the strap has at one or both ends a change in width resulting in the presence of a tubular structure, also resulting from a change of armor.

In this context, the invention thus aims a loop or such ring, may be used in the fields considered, including escalation, or even in any activity using a load, which is both lightweight, resistant mechanically, and relatively easy to achieve in order to reduce the costs of implementation.

This loop or this ring consists of a strap made by weaving, the two ends of which are secured to one another by stitching, according to claim 7.

In doing so, since only the seam areas, that is to say the two ends of the strap constituting the loop or the ring are tubular, it leads to a significant weight gain.

Advantageously, the length of one of the seam areas of one end is greater than the other. In doing so and according to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, a wear and / or overload indicator is produced in the immediate vicinity of the seam area. This is constituted by the folding on itself of the base of the stitching zone thus forming at this level a triple thickness, then stitching on these three thicknesses, said wear and / or overload indicator being also realized in tubular part of the strap.

Advantageously, a ribbon is inserted between at least two folds of said wear and / or overload indicator. This ribbon is preferably brightly colored relative to the rest of the strap constituting the loop or ring, and this for the obvious sake of attracting the user's attention when the wear indicator breaks and / or overload.

According to the invention, the stitching of the constitutive folds of the wear and / or overload indicator is carried out by means of a seam automaton, the respective diameters of the needle thread and the bobbin thread being different.

According to this configuration, the tubular zone of one end is folded on itself or at the width change, so as to define a handle or a gripping handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• La figure 1 est une représentation schématique en section d'une laisse pour animaux, mettant en oeuvre la sangle conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue à plat de la sangle de la figure 1.
• La figure 3 est une vue analogue à la figure 2, d'une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 4 est une représentation schématique en perspective d'un anneau conforme à l'état antérieur de la technique.
• La figure 5 est une représentation schématique de l'anneau conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 6 est une vue à plat de partie de l'anneau de la figure 5, propre à illustrer plus particulièrement la zone de couture.
• La figure 7 est une vue analogue à la figure 6 avec le témoin de surcharge et/ou d'usure après rupture.
• Les figures 8a à 8d illustrent le mode de fonctionnement du témoin d'usure et/ou de surcharge conformément à l'invention.

The manner in which the invention may be implemented and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following exemplary embodiments, given by way of non-limiting indication in support of the appended figures.

• The figure 1 is a schematic representation in section of a leash for animals, implementing the strap according to the invention.
• The figure 2 is a flat view of the strap of the figure 1 .
• The figure 3 is a view similar to the figure 2 of another embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 4 is a schematic representation in perspective of a ring according to the prior art.
• The figure 5 is a schematic representation of the ring according to the invention.
• The figure 6 is a flat view of part of the ring of the figure 5 , specifically to illustrate the sewing area.
• The figure 7 is a view similar to the figure 6 with the indicator of overload and / or wear after breakage.
• The Figures 8a to 8d illustrate the mode of operation of the wear and / or overload indicator according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The figure 1 illustrates a leash using a strap (10) according to the invention. In the present case, one of the ends has a materialized carabiner (13) for fixing the leash on the collar, which is provided with the animal, and a handle (14). at the other end.

This handle (14) results from the seam (15) of the strap on itself. This gives a handle integrated in the strap.

According to the invention, the zone of the strap constituting the handle has a width different than the rest of the leash.

The strap (10) is a flat strap. It is performed on a loom of the type marketed by the company MULLER (CH). The two distinct areas of the leash, namely the main part, of variable length, and the end acting as a handle (14), are made by modifying the weave of the loom. Thus, the longest zone, separating the two ends is made in a twill weave, while the area of the handle is made in a taffeta weave. The opposite configuration is equally conceivable.

It is then at the handle (14), a larger width, suitable for promoting the comfort of the user. Advantageously, the sewing zone (15) of the end of the strap on itself intervenes at this change of width.

The strap is made of any compatible material, in terms of mechanical strength, with the intended application. Thus, when a high mechanical strength is required, for example in view of the destination of the strap as bag loops, said material can be made of high tenacity polyethylene, such as for example marketed under the trademark Dyneema ^® .

In addition, given the weaving technique used, the strap, and therefore the resulting product is likely to have all types of decorations, such as for example Jacquard. The width can also vary significantly, depending, again, applications envisaged.

In a different version of the invention, it may even be envisaged to provide at the main zone of the strap, that is to say between its two ends, a plurality of width variations, as illustrated in FIG. within the figure 3 . The technology used is identical to that previously described, only the pitch of the variations of armor changes.

According to another variant of the invention, the width variation of the strap also results from the transition from a flat mode to a tubular mode. Thus, the handle consists of a tubular part. In doing so, it increases the thickness of the strap at this level, optimizing the feeling of comfort.

For this purpose, during the manufacturing phase under twill weave, for the realization of the flat zone of the strap, the warp threads work side by side in pairs, while under taffeta weave, to achieve the tubular zone, said son chain then become individualized to precisely allow the realization of such a tubular zone.

As will be understood, the strap of the invention is continuously achievable, with periodic change of armor, to achieve the flat areas of varying widths, or the alternation of flat areas and tubular areas. The strip thus produced is cut also automatically, by means of a heated blade, causing corollary the welding of the son, for example of polyethylene constitutive. As can be conceived, in the presence of tubular zones, this cutting zone intervenes limitatively at the level of said tubular zones, so that they are systematically closed due to the heating of the son.

These different embodiments are therefore likely to be implemented for the production of various products, such as animal leashes, necklaces, bag loops and other bags, bracelets, watchbands, strap of musical instruments, such as as guitar, accordion, etc.

A particular embodiment of the present invention relates to the rings and other loops in the fields of safety, lifting, mountain climbing and, more generally, in all areas using a load.

It has thus been shown in relation to the figure 4 a loop or a ring, more particularly intended for climbing according to the prior art. This loop or ring consists of a tubular webbing (1) made by weaving, the two ends (2, 3) of which are joined together by introducing, in the example described, from the end (2) to the inside the end (3), then sewing the sewing area (4) thus defined. This introduction is made possible by the tubular character of the strap (1).

It is conceivable that, due to the tubular character of the strap (1), this stitching is therefore performed on four thicknesses.

The particular application of the invention to this field is more particularly described in connection with the following figures and in general with the figure 5 . According to the invention, the strap (10) used to make the mouth or the ring according to the invention is a flat strap, of which only the ends (5, 6) are tubular. According to the invention, the strap (10) therefore does not have the tubular character between its ends. It therefore has a reduced width at this level, and, for example, in the illustrated illustration, a width of 9 millimeters, whereas the width of the sewing zone is typically 15 millimeters.

This strap (10) is also made on a loom of the type marketed by Muller (CH). The three distinct areas of the ring, namely the central band and both ends, are made by changing the weave of the loom. Thus, the longest zone, separating the two ends (5, 6) is made in a twill weave, while the tubular zones corresponding to the two ends are made in a taffeta weave.

During the manufacturing phase under twill weave, the warp threads work side by side two by two, while under taffeta weave, said warp son then become individualized to precisely allow the realization of a tubular zone. This tubular zone is wider, as can be seen on the Figures 6 and 7 .

According to the invention, the strap is made of high tenacity polyethylene, such as for example marketed under the trademark Dyneema ^® . This material has the mechanical properties compatible with the use of the ring in question.

According to the invention, the two ends (5, 6) of the strap (10) are secured to one another by sewing by superimposing them on one another. So at this level there are four thicknesses ie two thicknesses for each of the ends, the number of these thicknesses being inherent to the tubular nature of the strap at this level, and only at this level.

Sewing is performed for example on sewing machines operating in (X, Y) of the type marketed by JUKI. Such an automaton makes it possible in particular to obtain a certain number of seam lines (11), substantially parallel to one another, and furthermore describing an alternation of broken lines or "zigzags". In example described, the sewing area (7) comprises nine of these seam lines. At this level, the diameter of the needle thread of the seam automat is equal to the diameter of the bobbin of said automaton. The nature of the yarn is, for example, polyamide. It is likely to give the ring resulting from the closure of the strap thus produced a mechanical strength greater than or equal to 2,200 DaN for a nominal width of the strap of 9 mm in inter-end zone, and 15 mm for the ends , that is to say at the level of the sewing zone (7), that is to say in accordance with the NF EN 566 standard.

As already said, the strap constituting the ring according to the invention is performed on looms, a type in itself known. In fact, it is performed continuously, with periodic change of armor, to achieve the flat areas and the tubular areas. The strip thus produced is also cut off automatically, by means of a heated blade, thereby inducing the welding of the constituent polyethylene threads. As will be understood, this cutting zone intervenes limitatively at the level of the tubular zones, so that they are systematically closed due to the heating of the son. However, this closure is irrelevant, especially in terms of labor, and therefore in terms of cost, since, unlike the prior art, there is no introduction of one end in the other, but superposition of said ends.

According to a characteristic of this particular form of the invention, the ring is also provided with a wear and / or overload indicator (8). It is arranged at one (5) of both ends of the strap (10). For this purpose, the tubular zone of the end (5) is of greater length than the tubular zone of the end (6), precisely to allow the realization of this indicator wear and / or overload.

This is made by folding in three thicknesses of the base of said end (5) of the strap (10), as can be seen in particular on the figure 5 . It extends over a length X.

After folding, so flat, like the sewing area (7) described above, this zone (8) is sewn, also by means of a sewing machine, for example of the JUKI type, according to the same principle of a succession of seam lines (12), substantially parallel to each other and forming zigzags.

However, for the realization of this wear and / or overload indicator, the diameter of the needle thread is different from the diameter of the bobbin thread of said machine. In this case, a smaller diameter is chosen for the bobbin thread with respect to the diameter of the needle thread. In addition, the number of seam lines (12), in addition to the nature of the sewing threads, will depend on the value at which it is desired to break the overload and / or wear indicator. Thus, this triggering or breaking will occur when the bobbin threads constituting loops after sewing operation itself, will break because of their diameter smaller than that of the loops made by the needle thread, and closed on said loops. bobbin thread in case of overload, or when the sewing threads will be worn by the repeated friction of the ring, and therefore the area of the witness (8) on the rocks in particular.

When the wear and / or overload indicator has played its role, it then extends over a length of 3X ( figure 7 ).

• ▪ figure 8a : état du témoin au repos,
• ▪ figure 8b : début de déformation du témoin sous l'effet de la traction,
• ▪ figure 8c : fin de déformation et rupture du fil de couture,
• ▪ et enfin, figure 8d : rupture du témoin avec allongement de l'anneau de deux fois la longueur X respective du témoin compte tenu de la manière dont il est réalisé.

We have shown in relation with the Figures 8a to 8d the different stages of tripping of the wear and / or overload indicator with:

• ▪ figure 8a : state of the witness at rest,
• ▪ figure 8b : beginning of deformation of the witness under the effect of traction,
• ▪ figure 8c : end of deformation and breaking of the sewing thread,
• ▪ and finally, figure 8d : rupture of the control with elongation of the ring by twice the respective length X of the control given the manner in which it is achieved.

Despite the actual failure of the control (8), the ring or loop retains a mechanical strength greater than or equal to its nominal value, and in the example described, greater than or equal to 2,200 DaN. Indeed, this break does not affect the actual sewing area (7) on the one hand, due to the fact that the sewing threads of this area (needle and bobbin) are of the same diameter, and that other on the other hand, the number of seam lines (11) at this level is greater than the number of seam lines (12) of the control (8). In addition, as this rupture is likely to occur at a tubular zone of the strap, it does not disrupt its intrinsic structure inherent in the weaving mode, since only the sewing threads are concerned.

Advantageously, the inside of one or the other of the folding zones of the wear and / or overload indicator of a ribbon (9) is advantageously colored, the objective sought being to attract the attention of the user of the ring when there is actually a break of said witness. This ribbon is simply sewn, for example by straight stitches, on the back or the location of the strap, obviously in line with the effective area of the witness (8).

All the interest of the ring or the mouth according to the invention is conceived on the one hand, because of its ease of implementation, not inducing excessive loss of time, and therefore insusceptible of cost the realization, and secondly because of the implementation of such a wear indicator and / or overload, optimizing the conditions of safety and use of such a ring.

And more generally, it is also conceivable the interest of the strap of the invention, which allows a relatively simple and automated, to have a declinable element almost infinitely, both in terms of dimensions that in terms of decoration, for any use involving traction or lifting function, or even simply decorative, while optimizing the comfort of use.

Claims (14)

1. A strap in the form of a woven flat band (1, 10), characterized in that it comprises at least two continuous parts having different widths, wherein the change of width results from a modification of the respective weave of said parts.
2. The woven strap (1, 10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of areas having modified width.
3. The woven strap as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of its two ends is tubular.
4. A lead for animals, characterized in that it is prepared using a strap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3.
5. A collar or bracelet, characterized in that it is prepared using a strap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3.
6. Gripping handles of a bag or basket, characterized in that they are prepared using a strap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3.
7. A loop or a ring for attaching or bearing a load, comprising a strap (10) prepared by weaving according to claim 3, whereof the two ends (5, 6) are joined to each other by stitching, characterized:

   ▪ in that limitatively, the stitching areas of each of the two ends (5, 6) are tubular and have a width larger than that of the rest of the ring, said rest of the ring being flat.

   ▪ and in that said stitching areas are superimposed on one another.
8. The loop or ring for attaching or bearing a load as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the length of one (5) of the stitching areas of one of the ends is greater than the other.
9. The loop or ring for attaching or bearing a load as claimed in either of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it comprises, in the neighborhood of the stitching area (7), a wear and/or overload indicator (8), arranged at one of the two tubular areas of the strap (10).
10. The loop or ring for attaching or bearing a load as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the wear and/or overload indicator (8) consists of the folding upon itself of one of the ends, in order to prepare a triple thickness at this level, followed by stitching of these three thicknesses.
11. The loop or ring for attaching or bearing a load as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that a ribbon (9) is inserted between at least two of the folds of said wear and/or overload indicator (8).
12. The loop or ring for attaching or bearing a load as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the ribbon (9) is brightly colored compared with the rest of the strap (10), for the purpose of drawing the user's attention upon the breakage of the wear and/or overload indicator (8).
13. The loop or ring for attaching or bearing a load as one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the stitching of the folds making up the wear and/or overload indicator (8) uses needle yarns and spool yarns, whereof the respective diameters are different.
14. The loop or ring for attaching or bearing a load as claim 13, characterized in that the diameter of the spool yarns is smaller than the diameter of the needle yarns.

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