US20060024473A1 - Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly - Google Patents

Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060024473A1
US20060024473A1 US10/903,947 US90394704A US2006024473A1 US 20060024473 A1 US20060024473 A1 US 20060024473A1 US 90394704 A US90394704 A US 90394704A US 2006024473 A1 US2006024473 A1 US 2006024473A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
load bearing
carrier
fabric
bearing fabric
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/903,947
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English (en)
Inventor
Timothy Coffield
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority to US10/903,947 priority Critical patent/US20060024473A1/en
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. reassignment ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: COFFIELD, TIMOTHY P.
Priority to US11/070,771 priority patent/US8329281B2/en
Priority to EP20050008473 priority patent/EP1666229B1/de
Priority to DE200560025073 priority patent/DE602005025073D1/de
Priority to EP20070120267 priority patent/EP1889706B1/de
Priority to JP2005162624A priority patent/JP4624858B2/ja
Priority to CN2005100841205A priority patent/CN1754486B/zh
Publication of US20060024473A1 publication Critical patent/US20060024473A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/02—Seat parts
    • A47C7/28—Seat parts with tensioned springs, e.g. of flat type
    • A47C7/282—Seat parts with tensioned springs, e.g. of flat type with mesh-like supports, e.g. elastomeric membranes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/02—Upholstery attaching means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/14—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
    • B29C45/14336—Coating a portion of the article, e.g. the edge of the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/14—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
    • B29C45/14631—Coating reinforcements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/14—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
    • B29C45/14778—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles the article consisting of a material with particular properties, e.g. porous, brittle
    • B29C45/14786—Fibrous material or fibre containing material, e.g. fibre mats or fibre reinforced material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/12—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/14—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
    • B29C45/14778—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles the article consisting of a material with particular properties, e.g. porous, brittle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2713/00—Use of textile products or fabrics for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/44—Furniture or parts thereof
    • B29L2031/443—Chairs
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24273—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including aperture
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24777—Edge feature

Definitions

  • Load bearing fabrics are high strength, highly durable textiles typically woven from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) monofilaments and conventional yarns. Load bearing fabrics can have greater strength and durability characteristics than spring steel and other conventional load bearing materials. In addition to enhanced strength and durability, load bearing fabrics are lightweight and typically relatively elastic. Load bearing fabrics are visually appealing and therefore are often exposed during use.
  • Load bearing fabrics must be properly attached to a support structure to provide the desired strength and durability.
  • One known method for attaching a load bearing fabric to a support structure is to use a pair of interfitting attachment components, generally referred to as a “carrier” and a “frame.”
  • the carrier is attached to the fabric and the frame is attached to the support structure.
  • the combined carrier and fabric are intersecured with the frame.
  • the carrier is installed within the frame so that the fabric is held in a stretched condition.
  • the action of installing the carrier within the frame causes the stretching in the fabric to occur.
  • the fabric is stretched before installation of the carrier within the frame.
  • the stretch applied to the fabric stresses the fabric and the attachment of the load bearing fabric to the carrier. If improperly attached, the fabric may separate from the carrier. For example, the bond itself may fail or the fabric may unravel or separate along the periphery of the fabric.
  • One widely used method for intersecuring the carrier and the fabric is to mold the carrier directly onto the fabric. With this method, the fabric is typically placed within a mold and the carrier is molded with TPE around the fabric. The fabric is thus encapsulated within the carrier.
  • Conventional knowledge indicates that the melt temperature of the TPE used to make the carrier must be about the same as or lower than that of the TPE monofilaments in the fabric. Otherwise, the heat of the molten material may cause the fabric to deteriorate or decay. This requirement restricts the type of TPE used for the carrier to those having a particular melt temperature. Since the stiffness of TPE typically increases as the melt temperature of the TPE decreases, the stiffness of the carrier is thereby limited by the TPE used within the load bearing fabric.
  • visual inspection of the bond between the carrier and the fabric may display certain defects. For example, a visual inspection may be able to detect if the fabric was not properly encapsulated by the carrier. However, in some circumstances, the fabric may appear to be properly bonded to the carrier but in fact is not. In these situations, after the carrier is installed within the frame and the fabric has been further stressed, the fabric may pull out of the carrier. A means for detecting insufficient encapsulation of the fabric, unraveling of the fabric or other attachment defects after the carrier is installed in the frame is thus also highly desirable.
  • a load bearing fabric assembly having a carrier and a frame is provided with multiple view ports so that the junction of the load bearing fabric and the carrier can be easily inspected when the carrier is installed within the frame.
  • the view ports are located generally on the same plane and are spaced equally about the interior of the frame when they are hidden from view during normal use. In another embodiment, the view ports are not equidistant from each other and may be arranged about the exterior of the frame. Additionally, the view ports may be on multiple planes, thereby allowing the inspection of the junction between the load bearing fabric and the carrier at different positions depending upon the location of the junction.
  • Formation of the carrier is accomplished by injecting molten TPE into a chamber within a mold.
  • the mold is provided with coolant tubes to assist in solidifying the molten TPE.
  • the load bearing fabric Prior to injection of the molten TPE into the chamber, the load bearing fabric is placed within the chamber. The terminus of the fabric and at least a portion of the fabric are placed against a wall of the chamber. The load bearing fabric is positioned so that the molten TPE when injected into the chamber urges the fabric against the wall of the chamber. Because the load bearing fabric is positioned against the wall, and the wall is at a temperature less than that of the molten TPE, the temperature of the load bearing fabric against the wall will also be less than that of the molten TPE.
  • the temperature differential between the molten TPE and the load bearing fabric allows the TPE to have a higher melt point than that of the load bearing fabric.
  • the carrier can thus be made of more rigid TPE, allowing the carrier assembly to be used in a variety of applications.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a load bearing fabric assembly having a carrier, frame and fabric.
  • FIG. 1A is a detail of a portion of the assembly.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3 - 3 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 4 is a view of the lower half of a mold used for forming the carrier and attaching the fabric to the carrier.
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the mold with fabric inserted therein.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of the carrier with the fabric attached.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the carrier with the fabric attached.
  • FIG. 1 A load bearing fabric assembly intended for use as a chair seat is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated 10 .
  • the assembly 10 generally includes a carrier assembly 15 that is mounted to a frame 12 .
  • the carrier assembly 15 includes a load bearing fabric 14 intersecured with a carrier 16 .
  • the frame 12 defines a plurality of view ports 18 that permit the connection between the carrier 16 and the load bearing fabric 14 to be visually inspected after the carrier assembly 15 has been secured to the frame 12 .
  • the present invention is described in connection with a chair seat assembly, the presented invention is well suited for use in a variety of applications incorporating load bearing fabric.
  • the present invention is well suited for use with footwear soles, mattresses, cots, wheelchairs and a variety of other seating applications.
  • the load bearing fabric assembly 10 generally includes a frame 12 , a carrier 16 and a load bearing fabric 14 .
  • the carrier 16 and load bearing fabric 14 are interconnected to form a carrier assembly 15 .
  • FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded view of assembly 10 showing the carrier assembly 15 separated from the frame 12 .
  • the frame 12 is a substantially rigid peripheral frame adapted to be mounted to an underlying support structure (not shown).
  • the frame 12 may be secured to the underlying support structure (not shown) in essentially any conventional manner.
  • the frame 12 of this embodiment defines a continuous channel 50 into which the carrier 16 is installed.
  • the frame 12 and channel 50 may alternatively be discontinuous, for example, having separate spaced-apart left and right segments.
  • the frame 12 is injection molded from a polymer having sufficient rigidity to retain the fabric 14 in the stretch condition.
  • the frame 12 may, however, be manufactured from essentially any material having sufficient strength and durability characteristics.
  • the frame 12 defines a plurality of view ports 18 that penetrate the frame 12 to the channel 50 .
  • the view ports 18 permit viewing of a portion of the carrier assembly 15 to assess the connection between the fabric 14 and the carrier 16 , as described in more detail below.
  • Carrier 16 of this embodiment is a continuous peripheral component adapted to be fitted within channel 50 .
  • the load bearing fabric 14 is attached to carrier 16 by molding the carrier 16 directly onto the peripheral edge of the fabric 14 .
  • the carrier 16 may alternatively be attached to the fabric 14 using other methods.
  • the carrier may include two halves that are closed about the fabric and interconnected by adhesives, fasteners or other conventional mechanisms.
  • the carrier 16 is continuous in the illustrated embodiment, it may alternatively be discontinuous, for example, including discrete segments that may mount to the frame 12 .
  • the term “fabric encapsulation line” is used herein to refer to the junction between the fabric 14 and the carrier 16 .
  • the fabric encapsulation line is that line along which the fabric merges or joins with the carrier. In other applications, the fabric encapsulation line is that line along which the fabric passes into or otherwise forms a junction with the carrier. Accordingly, the term should not be interpreted to be limited to applications in which the fabric is encapsulated within the fabric through a molding process.
  • the fabric may be essentially any load bearing fabric and may, for example, include a weave of thermoplastic monofilaments and multifilament yarns. If desired, the strands of the fabric may be welded to one another to enhance the overall strength of the fabric. Welded fabrics are not, however, necessary for use of the present invention.
  • the figures include only a representation of the fabric and are not intended to provide an accurate illustration of the physical structure of the fabric. In many applications, the fabric will include a significantly tighter weave than shown in the drawings. Further, in many applications, the strands of the fabric will run in different directions than shown in the drawings.
  • FIG. 1A shows the detail of assembly 10 .
  • the frame 12 defines apertures that form the fabric view ports 18 .
  • the fabric view ports 18 are arranged to allow visual inspection of the fabric encapsulation line 19 when the carrier assembly 15 is installed on the frame 12 .
  • the fabric 14 merges with or joins the carrier 16 and follows along the outer surface of the carrier 16 for a significant distance.
  • the view ports 18 are, however, well suited for use in inspection of the junction in applications where the fabric 16 extends directly into the carrier and does not follow along its outer surface.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3 - 3 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 shows the carrier 16 inserted within the channel 50 in frame 12 .
  • fabric 14 enters frame 12 at point C. From point C to point B, fabric 14 is not integral with carrier 16 , but rather is external to the carrier 16 and is lying against its outer surface.
  • point B which coincides with the encapsulation line 19 shown in FIG. 1A , fabric 14 becomes integrally engaged with carrier 16 .
  • the fabric 14 remains integrally engaged with carrier 16 until its end at point A. Between points A and B, the fabric 14 may be chemically (e.g. fused) and mechanically bonded to carrier 16 .
  • the fabric 14 is integral with the carrier 16 and is exposed along the outer surface of the carrier 16 between points A and B.
  • portions of fabric 14 within the mold cavity that are not directly in contact with wall may become amalgamated with carrier 16 .
  • FIG. 6 shows in phantom lines an embodiment in which the free end of the fabric 14 ′ strays into the body of the carrier 16 away from the outer surface of the carrier 16 .
  • the heat from the molten material may fully melt the free end of the fabric 14 ′.
  • the amalgamation of the free end of the fabric 14 ′ is generally acceptable provided that a sufficient portion of the fabric 14 follows the outer surface of the carrier 16 beginning at the line of encapsulation.
  • view port 18 is aligned with point B. Inspection of the encapsulation line 19 is performed by looking through view port 18 .
  • View ports 18 shown in FIG. 1 are spaced equidistant from each other with the horizontal center lines in approximately the same plane. However, view ports 18 could also be arranged in many different manners. It may be necessary or desirable to place view ports 18 outside of the same plane and positioned so that the view ports are not equidistant. For example, in the corners of frame 12 , it may be prudent to position the view ports higher than at other locations. The view ports may be positioned so as to view cuts in the fabric.
  • the view ports 18 are shown as generally oval and spaced roughly an equal distance part around the frame, the view ports could be of different shapes and sizes and at different locations.
  • the view ports could be in different vertical positions around the frame where the encapsulation line is at different vertical positions around the frame. This permits the bond to be inspected at various locations around the carrier assembly 15 .
  • the view ports may be vertically extended to permit viewing of a larger vertical area, and thereby facilitating inspection in applications where the encapsulation line may vary in the vertical direction.
  • the view ports could be at different angles with respect to the fabric in order to facilitate viewing areas of the fabric-carrier attachment.
  • the view ports are shown as being defined on the inside of the frame 12 where they are largely hidden from view during use. The view ports may alternatively be disposed on the outside of the frame or in other locations, as desired.
  • the carrier assembly 15 may be manufactured in accordance with a method that permits the carrier 16 to be manufactured from a TPE having a higher melt point than that of the TPE portions of the fabric 14 .
  • This manufacturing process and the associated molding apparatus are described in connection with FIGS. 4-7 .
  • FIG. 4 shows the lower portion 34 of a mold for molding the carrier 16 onto the fabric 14 .
  • An upper portion of the mold which is similar to a mirror image of lower portion 34 .
  • the upper portion 32 of the mold is partially shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the peripheral edge of the fabric 14 is positioned within groove 39 , and the lower portion 34 and the upper portion are closed. Molten TPE is injected into mold 34 by way of sprue 42 .
  • the molten material enters and flows around groove 39 filling the mold cavity. As the molten material flows around groove 39 , its flow front pushes the fabric 14 against the surface of the mold 30 .
  • conventional coolant tubes 44 are located within lower portion 34 of the mold 30 , and may also be located in the upper portion 32 , as desired.
  • a coolant (not shown) is moved through the coolant tubes 44 to cool the mold parts during molding. In use, the cooled mold parts draw heat away from the fabric 14 protecting it from decay and deterioration that may otherwise have occurred as a result of the heat of the molten material. Because of the cooling effect of the mold parts, the molten material may be at a temperature that is substantially higher than the melt temperature of the fabric 14 . The precise difference in melt temperature permitted between the carrier material and the fabric material will vary from application to application depending in large part on the temperature of the mold parts. Once the mold cavity is filled, the molten material solidifies to form the carrier 16 .
  • FIG. 5 shows mold 30 for forming carrier 16 and securing fabric 14 to carrier 16 .
  • Mold 30 has upper portion 32 and lower portion 34 . Over the distance indicated as D of the mold 30 , the upper portion 32 and lower portion 34 define a space of approximately 0.02 inch apart. When mold 30 is closed, this space in wide enough to prevent the fabric 14 from being crushed while at the same time being narrow enough so that the fabric 14 essentially closes or shuts off the mold cavity. This “shut-off” region may vary in size, shape and location from application to application.
  • fabric 14 is placed within the mold 30 so that its peripheral marginal portion is located in the mold cavity defined by the upper portion 32 and lower portion 34 . More specifically, the fabric 14 is arranged in the mold 30 so that the terminus of fabric 14 and a portion of fabric 14 are draped against lower wall 38 of chamber 36 . Fabric 14 is positioned so as not to cover inlet 40 of sprue 42 . As molten TPE enters chamber 36 , a skin forms over the exterior front surface of the molten TPE. This skin assists in urging fabric 14 against the exterior wall of chamber 36 . After fabric 14 is fully engaged with the exterior wall of chamber 36 , the TPE begins to cure and bonds with fabric 14 . The TPE eventually fills the entire chamber.
  • the coolant tubes 44 circulate coolant that lowers the temperature of lower portion 34 .
  • the fabric 14 will be maintained at a temperature below that of the molten TPE.
  • the linear distance where fabric 14 is in contact with the mold surface should be about 0.20 inch or greater. This distance may, however, vary from application to application depending primarily on the characteristics of the fabric and the carrier and the load requirements for the assembly. For example, lesser distances may be necessary when the fabric includes welded strands and greater distances may be necessary when larger loads are to be supported.
  • the TPE monofilaments of fabric 14 do not fully melt upon contact with the molten TPE.
  • the TPE monofilaments maintain their structure and the fabric 14 becomes integral with carrier 16 .
  • the melt temperature of the TPE used in carrier 16 can be higher than that of the TPE monofilaments within carrier 16 .
  • the carrier 16 can be made of more rigid TPE, and thus improve the overall strength and durability of the assembly 10 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the carrier assembly 15 with the carrier 16 integrally attached to the fabric 14 .
  • the line of encapsulation is somewhat below the center of carrier 16 .
  • the fabric 14 wraps around to the opposite side of carrier 16 .
  • the fabric may, however, enter the carrier at different locations.
  • FIG. 7 shows an alternative construction of the carrier assembly 15 ′′.
  • the fabric 14 ′′ enters the carrier 16 ′′ at the bottom and then wraps around the opposite side of the carrier 16 ′′.
  • the fabric follows along the outer surface of the carrier 16 , 16 ′′ for a substantial distance beginning at the line of encapsulation.
  • the location of fabric 14 on the carrier 16 can be varied beyond the illustrated alternative embodiments.
  • fabric 14 could alternatively be located at the top of carrier 16 .
  • the cooling effect of the mold surface helps to prevent damage to the fabric 14 during the carrier 16 molding process.
  • the best location of fabric 14 with respect to carrier 16 is in configuration such that the molten TPE when it flows into chamber 36 forces fabric 14 against lower wall 38 .
  • the sprue 42 is positioned in the mold so that molten material will be introduced into the mold cavity above the fabric 14 . The molten material will then flow against and push the fabric 14 down into contact with the mold surface.
  • lifters or slides could be provided within mold 30 to maintain fabric 14 against lower wall 38 .
  • Lifters or slides could also be desirable in portions of mold 30 where the fabric 14 tends to fold or otherwise lift away from lower wall 38 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
US10/903,947 2004-07-30 2004-07-30 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly Abandoned US20060024473A1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/903,947 US20060024473A1 (en) 2004-07-30 2004-07-30 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly
US11/070,771 US8329281B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2005-03-02 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly
EP20050008473 EP1666229B1 (de) 2004-07-30 2005-04-19 Herstellungsverfahren einem Lasttraggewebeaufbau und Lasttraggewebeaufbau
DE200560025073 DE602005025073D1 (de) 2004-07-30 2005-04-19 Herstellungsverfahren einem Lasttraggewebeaufbau und Lasttraggewebeaufbau
EP20070120267 EP1889706B1 (de) 2004-07-30 2005-04-19 Lasttraggewebeaufbau
JP2005162624A JP4624858B2 (ja) 2004-07-30 2005-06-02 荷重担持用織地アセンブリ
CN2005100841205A CN1754486B (zh) 2004-07-30 2005-07-08 一种载重织品组装件及其制造方法

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/903,947 US20060024473A1 (en) 2004-07-30 2004-07-30 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/070,771 Continuation-In-Part US8329281B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2005-03-02 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly

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US20060024473A1 true US20060024473A1 (en) 2006-02-02

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US10/903,947 Abandoned US20060024473A1 (en) 2004-07-30 2004-07-30 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly
US11/070,771 Active 2027-06-09 US8329281B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2005-03-02 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly

Family Applications After (1)

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US11/070,771 Active 2027-06-09 US8329281B2 (en) 2004-07-30 2005-03-02 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly

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US (2) US20060024473A1 (de)
EP (2) EP1889706B1 (de)
JP (1) JP4624858B2 (de)
CN (1) CN1754486B (de)
DE (1) DE602005025073D1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD703457S1 (en) 2013-06-07 2014-04-29 Herman Miller, Inc. Chair
US20140320433A1 (en) * 2013-04-26 2014-10-30 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Touch operable information processing apparatus
US9211014B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2015-12-15 Herman Miller, Inc. Composite body support member and methods for the manufacture and recycling thereof
DE112019003911B4 (de) 2018-08-03 2024-10-10 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Hängestoff-sitzheizungssystem und verfahren zur herstellung eines sitzes

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US20060024473A1 (en) * 2004-07-30 2006-02-02 Coffield Timothy P Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly
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EP1666229B1 (de) 2010-12-01
EP1889706B1 (de) 2012-03-14
JP4624858B2 (ja) 2011-02-02
US8329281B2 (en) 2012-12-11
EP1666229A3 (de) 2006-08-09
EP1889706A3 (de) 2008-02-27
JP2006043428A (ja) 2006-02-16
CN1754486B (zh) 2010-05-05
EP1666229A2 (de) 2006-06-07
US20060024474A1 (en) 2006-02-02
DE602005025073D1 (de) 2011-01-13
EP1889706A2 (de) 2008-02-20
CN1754486A (zh) 2006-04-05

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