US2380365A - Bonded joint or section of elastic fabric - Google Patents

Description

Y 5- D. E. MORRISON ETAL I 2,380,365

BONDED JOINT OR SECTION OF ELASTIC FABRIC Filed June 12, 1940 Patented July 10', 1945 BONDED JOINT OR SECTION OF ELASTIC FABRIC Dana E. Morrison, Kenilworth, and Paul .F. Ziegler, Winnctka, Ill., asslgnors to The Kendall Company, Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Massachusetts Application'June 12, 1940, Serial No. 340,008

14 Claims. 1 (Cl. 154-42) This inventionhas for its principal object the improvement of joints between sections of garments in which one or more of the sections to be joined is made of elastic fabric.

In the past, joints containing elastic fabric have usually been made by sewing or stitching (sometimes with the edge of the fabric doubled back so as to make the pulling out of the threads Such joints in athletic supporters and other 5 more difficult) or by the use of metal clamps elastic articles have presented a difficult problem of one form or another. In the case of sewed in the past due largely to the changes in condijoints it has been the practice in some instances tion of the elastic fabric between its relaxed state to impregnate the area around the joint with and its stretched state. The repeated stretchrubber solutions or rubber latex with a view to ing and relaxing of the fabric has caused the preventing the receding of broken or severed joint to give way before the garment was otherrubber threads. Sometimes the fabric has been wise worn out and has otherwise impaired the treated before sewing and sometimes afterward, utility and durability .of the garment, as will but in every instance of which we are aware the be better understood by considering the followstrength of the joint has depended upon the sewing description of structure of such fabric and ing. The interstices of the fabric have been the changes in condition which occur in normal only partially filled and the treated area has usageremained to a. considerable extent elastic and The usual type of elastic fabric comprises texsubject to the changing internal conditions retile threads woven or knitted together, with sulting from stretching and relaxing. The im rubber threads extending therethrough, the rubpregnation has merely tied the rubber threads ber threads being. ordinarily covered by other more or less firmly to the textile threads and textile threads wrapped or braided around the while this has tended to delay the receding of same, although these covering threads may be rubber threads due to the causes above-menomitted if desired. The exact structure of the tioned, thus delaying the failure of the joint, it fabric and the method of fabricating it may of has not prevented the internal changes which course vary according to the uses to which the ultimately bring the failure. fabric is to be put and the particular charac- Our invention provides a joint made without teristics desired. sewing or the use of metal clamps which effec- In the relaxed state the textile threads or tively prevents the changes in condition of the yarns and also the rubber threads are under fabric clue to stretching and relaxing which have comparatively low tension; the fabric is thick been the principal cause of the dificulties preas comparedwith the stretched state and the viously experienced. degree of crimp in the threads, especially the While we have thus far referred only to joints, textile threads, is high; the rubber threads are the invention from certain aspects is applicable large in cross section; the interstices between the to portions of an elastic fabric which it is deinterlaced threads are small; and relatively small sired to render immobile, i. e., not subject to portions of the surfaces of the various threads stretch, whether the same enter into the joint are at the surface of the fabric. or not. In other words, there may be reasons In the stretched .state substantially the reverse other than the strengthening of a joint for imof the above conditions prevail, and in changmobilizing a section of an elastic fabric, one ing from one condition to another there is relaexample being shown in the accompanying drawtive movement between the threads, with no ing, and the invention is to be regarded as apfixed relation maintained "between the aboveplying to such a section as well as to a joint. It described elements of the fabric. There is a tenis also applicable to the formation of a stay to dency for the rubber threads to retreat or move maintain the shape and to prevent the curling through the fabric and the ends of such threads,v of a garment such, for example, as a corset. unless effectively restrained, are likely to be in Other features of the invention and additional a different position after stretching of the fabric objects and advantages will be evident from the than they were before. This may result from following description and the accompanying pulling out of threads from the joint, which is drawing, in which: especially likely to occur if the joint is at an Fig. 1 is an elevational View of an athletic supangle or on a, curve, or from breaking of the porter in which the joint between the belt and threads or severance of them by the needles of pouch, and also certain sections of-the belt, are a-sewing machine if the joint is formed by sewconstructed in accordance with my invention; g. 5 Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the elastic Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2- but showing the fabric in the relaxed state;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the section line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a magnified and somewhat schematic view in cross section of a joint made in accordance with my invention, the same being shown in the relaxed state of the fabric, and being taken substantially on the section line H in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of a portion of the joint, the same being shown in the stretched state of the fabric; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 6 but showing the parts in the stretched state of the fabric and omitting the facing strips on the surfaces of the bonding material which are shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The supporter shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, as an illustration of one embodiment of the invention, comprisesa belt 9, to the front portion of which is attached a pouch ii, the lower end of which is connected to front side portions oi the belt by means of leg hands it, the latter being sewed or otherwise suitably secured to said lower end of the pouch, as indicated at it], and to the belt at the points indicated by the numerals M and 55, respectively.

The joint between the upper part of the pouch and the belt is indicated generally in Fig. 1 by the reference numeral is d, as shown, isof in verted V-shape, with the lines of juncture exwnding diagonally across the belt to substantially a point of convergence at the top. It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to this particular configuration or shape of joint, although it has special utility in con nection with joints formed at angles or on curves since it overcomes dificulties especially experienced in connection with such joints, as has been previously pointed out.

The construction of the joint is shown in detail in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, but before referring more particularly to these figures it isdesired to call attention to structural characteristics of the elastic fabric, as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, it being understood that the pouch ii and the belt 9 in the present instance are both made of elastic fabric. While the fabric of the pouch and that in the belt are difierent in specific form, both types of fabric contain rubber threads and the general characteristics are suf-- ficiently indicated for present purposes in the above mentioned figures of the drawing. It will of course be understood that in some instances the joint may be used to connect a piece of elastic fabric to a piece of non-elastic fabric and the elastic fabric referred to herein may therefore be regarded as one or more of the materials entering into the joint.

In said Figs. 2 to 5 of the drawing, the rubber threads are indicated by the numeral ll, the

accuses v state as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, and the relaxed from Figs. 2 and 4. Furthermore, the change textile threads extending in direction parallel to said rubber threads by the numeral 98, and the textile threads extending indirection at right angles to the above meutioned threads by the numeral it. Said threads are interlaced to form in the present instance what is sometimes referred to as a "basket weave," and it will be observed that there is a very decided change in condition of the fabric between the stretched in relationship of the textile threads to each other as well as to the rubber threads, as ,between the stretched and relaxed states of the fabric, is clearly illustrated in these figures and in Figs. 3 and 5. The covering of textile threads on the individual. rubber threads is not shown in Figs. 2 to 5, but is shown in Figs. 6 to 8, wherein said threads, which are wrapped spirally around the rubber threads, are indicated by the numeral El.

The joint it comprises a bonding material 22 shown in Figs. 6 to 8 of the drawing and prefer-' ably also fabric facing strips 23 on one or both sides of thejoint, such strips being shown in Figs. 6 and '7 but not in Fig. 8. The bonding material may be chosen from thermoplastic materials which are solid at ordinary temperatures and retain their thermoplastic. properties after the temperature and pressure' treatment used to form the joint, but is preferably chosen from materials which lose their plasticity after such treatment, such materials being commonly de scribed as thermosetting materials. Examples of the former type of materials are unvulcan ized rubber, cellulose esters and others, vinyl and acrylic resins; examples of the latter are vulcauizable rubber, phenolfcrmaldehyde plastics and urea formaldehyde plastics. The proper degree of flexibility of the bonding material to meet the particular requirements of a joint can be obtained through plasticizer formulation. Said bonding material fills practically all of the interstices of the fabric in the area to which it is applied and adheres to practically all of the threads in the fabric. When the joint is a butt joint, 1. e., one in which the fabric pieces do not overlap but are arranged edge to edge, said mbterial fills the space between said edges, as indicated at 24 in the drawing, forming a link-between the two pieces of fabric. In this regard it is also advantageous to select a bonding material which will firmly adhere to the end portions of the rubber strands, to further prevent them from being pulled out of the joint by repeated tension, although ordinarily the degree of com pressionon the textile threads along the length of rubber threads within the joint easily fulfills this requirement.

The bonding material may be applied by plac= ing a strip thereof over the area to be bonded and applying heat and pressure thereto, preferably in a. confined space, the material becoming plastic at a temperature lower than the scorch point of the fabric and being caused to flow into the interstices of the fabric so as to complete-h or substantially fill the same and to form a solid and substantially inelastic section or matrix indefinitely confined area and a solid link will be formed between the edges of the fabric at the point indicated by the numeral 24. result in preventing changes in the internal condition of the fabric in the area of the joint, and will form a secure and durable joint without the use of stitching, metal clamps, or any means other than the bonding material itself.

Furthermore, it is possible to obtain an immobilized section of elastic fabric in desired form preferably made of non-elastic fabric and serve.

to further immobilize the bonded area as well as to provide a smooth surface, which is desirable in garments such as the one shown in Fig. l of the drawing. Furthermore, the use of such reinforcing strips allows a more varied selection of bonding materials than would otherwise be feasible, since not only can materials with surfaces which would otherwise be too rough for- This will garments of this character be used, but mate- I rials with more elasticity and plasticity and less tensile strength and tear resistance can be employed without impairing the strength of the joint, as the reinforcing strips can take over part of the load on the joint and help t prevent stretch of the fabric in the area covered thereby.

It will be noted from Figs. 6 to 8 that the thickness of the fabric in the areaof the joint is not increased, and, in fact, by application of sufficient pressure, it is possible to even slightly decrease the thickness at this point if it should be desired to do so.

It will be observed by comparison of Figs. 6 and 7 .that when the fabric is stretched, the rubber threads I! and the textile threads, of which only the threads I! are shown in these figures,

are elongated and separated in the area adiacent that to which the bonding material has been applied but are unafi'ected in the latter area. There is practically no stretch in the bonded section, and nochanges in condition. of the fabric occur which would tend to loosen the rubber threads from the textile threads and cause them to recede from the point of juncture and thus weaken the Joint, as has been the case with former constructions. Instead of being the weakest point in the garment, as in former constructions, the joint becomes the strongest point, and holds firmly even though the joint may be on a curve or at an angle.

When one or both of the facing strips areomitted, there may be a slight stretch in the bonding material, as evidenced by some contraction thereof near the edges of the bonded section as shown in Fig. 8. but even in this form of th Joint the area near the edges of the fabric and in the link 24 between said edges, is practically non-elastic and serves to immobilize the portions of the elastic fabric where failure has 'usually occurred in prior constructions.

As has been previously mentioned, the principles of the invention may be applied for the purpose of immobilizing a section of an elastic fabric elsewhere than in the vicinity of a joint, and in Fig. 1 of the drawing we have shown,'in opposite sides of the belt near the points where the leg bands are attached, sections 25 treated substantially as has been described with reference to the joint 18. These sections serve to prevent undue stretching of the belt in the vicinity of the points of attachment of the leg bands and tend to maintain a hired right-angle relationship between the belt and the ends of the bands so as to prevent undue strain at the point of at-- tachment. It will be understood that these treated sections may or may not be employed in the supporter, but from certain standpoints they are advantageous, and they are an example of the application of the principles of the invention to a section of the fabric where there is no joint.

- Furthermore, the invention, as hereinbefore indicated, is applicable in forming lap joints or in joining pieces of fabric elsewhere than at the edges thereof, the form of joint illustrated be ing only one example of the various forms which may be made by the mechanism described.

For-the sake of simplicity and because such fabrics are commonly used, we have shown in the detailed views of the drawing an elastic,

fabric which is stretchable in only one direction, namely that in which the threads l1 extend. However, elastic fabrics which are stretchable in two directions are also in common use, a specific example being that of the pouch material II shown roughly in Fig. 1, and the invention may also be utilized with such two-way stretch material, its advantages in this case being even greater than with the material specifically illustrated, since still more severe requirements are imposed on the joint when the material stretches in two directions insteadof only one.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for cleamess of illustration only, and no' unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

We claim:

1. An elastic fabric having a section in which the elastic properties of the fabric have been practically nullified and the possibility of internal changes in the relationship of the threads has been practically eliminated by reason of the presence in said section of a thermosetting bonding material which is plastic at a temperature below the scorch point of the fabric but is solid at normal atmospheric temperatures and which fills substantially all the interstices and adheres to substantially .all the threads of the fabric in said section. I

2. An elastic fabric having a section inwhich the elastic properties of the fabric have been practically nullified and the possibility of internal changes in the relationship of the threads has been-practically eliminated by reason of the presence in said section of a thermosetting bonding material which is plastic at a temperature below the scorch point of the fabric but is solid at normal atmospheric temperatures and which fills substantially all the interstices and adheres to substantially all the threads of the fabric in said section, said section being nevertheless flexible and being moulded to a desired shape. 1

3. An-elastic fabric having a section in which the elastic properties of the fabric have been practically nullified and the'possibility of interhe] changes in the relationship of the threads has been practically eliminated by reason of the presence in said section of a thermosetting bond.- ing material which is plastic at a temperature below the scorch point of the fabric but is solid at ricrmal'atmospheric temperatures and which fills substantially all the interstices and adheres to substantially all the threads of the fabric in said section, said section having therein a, reinforcing strip of non-elastic material adhering to said bonding material.

4. A garment comprising two or more pieces of material one or more of which is an elastic fabric, and means forming a bonded joint between two pieces of said material at least one of which is elastic fabric, said means comprising a thermosetting bonding material connecting said two pieces and filling substantially all the interstices of a portion of the elastic fabric adjacent the point of connection and rendering said portion substantially non-elastic and free from internal changes such as normally occur in elastic fabric in the stretching and relaxing thereof.

5. A garment comprising two or more pieces of material one or more of which is an elastic fabric, and means forming a bonded joint between two pieces of said material at least one of which is elastic fabric, said means comprising a thermosetting ,bonding material connecting said two pieces and filling substantially all-the interstices of a portion of the elastic adjacent the point of connection and rendering said portion substantially non-elastic and free from internal changes such as normally occur in elastic fabric in the stretching and relaxing thereof, and a reinforcing strip of non-elastic material adhe to said bonding material.

6. A garment including sections one .or more of which is made of elastic fabric, said elastic fabric comprising non-elastic textile threads and elastic rubber threads arranged among said nonelastic threads to form, in combination with said textile threads, 8. highly porous, extensible structure with interstices therein, a, joint between sections of said garment including a section of said elastic fabric, said joint comprising an impregnation of rubber substantially completely filling the interstices of said porous fabric in the area at the joint, thereby filling the fabric at least the matrix are practically destroyed and. rendered inoperative.

7. A garment including sections one or more which is made of elastic fabric, said elastic fabric comprising non-elastic textile threads and elastic rubber threads arranged among said nonelasticthreads to form, in combination with said textile threads, 'ahighly porous, extensiblestructure with interstices therein, and a joint between sectionsof said garment including a. section of said elastic fabric, said joint comprising an impregnation of rubber substantially completely filling the interstices of said porous fabric in the area at the joint, thereby filling the fabric at least fromthe center to the outermost threads of the elastic fabric in a matrix of rubber, and a. strong link of rubber integral with said matrix located between juxtaposed portions of the garment, said unital matrix and link forming a strong, self-sumcient and substantially non-elastic joint in which the extensible properties of the elastic fabric within the matrix are practically destroyed and rendered inoperative.

8. A garment including sections one or more of which is made of elastic fabric, said elastic fabric comprising non-elastic textile threads and elastic rubber threads arranged among said nonelastic threads to form, in combination with said textile threads; a highly porous, extensible structure with interstices therein, and a joint between sections of said garment including a section of said elastic fabric, said joint comprising an impregnation of thermosetting bonding material substantially completely filling the interstices of said porous fabric in the area at the joint, thereby filling the fabric at least from the center to the outermost threads of the elastic fabric in a matrix of said bonding material, and a strong link .of said bonding material integral with said matrix located between juxtaposed portions of the garment, said unital 'matrix and link forming a strong, self-sufficient and substantially non-elastic joint in which the extensible properties of the elastic fabric within the matrix are practically destroyed and rendered inoperative.

9. An elastic fabric having a section in which the elastic properties of the fabric have been practically nullified and the possibility of internal changes in the relationship of the threads has been practically eliminated by reason of the presence in said section of a thermosetting bonding material which fills substantially all the interstices and adheres to substantiallyall the threads of the fabric in said section.

10. A garment comprising two or more pieces of material one or more of which is an elastic fabric, and means forming a bonded joint between two pieces 'of said material at least one the elastic properties of the fabric have been practically nullified and the possibility of in-'- ternal changes in the relationship of the threads has been practically eliminated by reason of the presence in said section of a bonding material comprising vulcanized rubber which fills substantially .all the interstices and adheres to substantially all the threads of the fabric in said section.

j 12. A garment comprising two or more pieces of material one or more of which is an elastic fabric, and means forming a bonded joint between two pieces of said material at least one of which is elastic fabric, said means comprising a. bonding material of vulcanized rubber connecting said two pieces and filling substantially all the interstices of a-portion of the elastic fabric'adjacent the point of connection and rendering said portion substantially non-elastic and free from internal changes such as normally ocour in elastic fabric in the stretching and relaxing thereof.

13. A garment comprising two or more pieces of material one or more of which is an elastic fabric, and means forming a bonded joint between two pieces 'of said material at least one of which is elastic fabric, said means comprising a thermosettingbonding material connecting said two pieces and filling substantially all the interstices of a portion of the elastic adjacent the point of connection and rendering said portion substantially non-elastic and free from incf materialone or more of which is an elastic temal changes such as normally occur in elas- 14. A garment comprising two or more pieces fabric, means forming a bonded joint between two pieces of said-material at least one of which is elastic fabric, said means comprising a thermosetting bonding material connecting said two pieces and filling substantially all the interstices of a portion of the elastic adjacent the point of connection and rendering said portion substantially non-elastic and free from internal changes such as normally occur in elastic fabric in the stretching and relaxing thereof, said bonding material being applied on both sides of the elastic fabric and filling the interstices in said portion thereof throughout the entire thickness of the fabric to thereby immobilize the threads in said portion and thus prevent relative movement thereof, and reinforcing strips of non-elastic material bonded to said bonding material on both sides of the fabric.

DANA E. MORRISON.

' PAUL F. ZIEGLER.

Images