EP0986661B1 - Reinforcing web, covering complex containing same and use in vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

A reinforcing web constituted by substantially parallel and spaced-apart warp threads and by pairs of reinforcing threads, each shaped in the form of successive half-loops alternating in a weft direction. The successive half-loops of the reinforcing threads in each pair extend in opposite directions, and the pairs of threads are spaced apart from one another in such manner that the half-loops of the threads corresponding to two successive pairs overlap and together define closed loops which are set by means of flexible binding stitches formed in the overlap zones between the two half-loops and the warp threads. At least some of the reinforcing threads are constituted by metal tows. The reinforcing web is suitable for application to the seats of public transport vehicles.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA :

The present invention relates to the technical field of reinforcement that it agrees to bring to products, objects, articles which, due to their destination use or use, must have a certain resistance to wear, degradation or deterioration by contact with blunt or sharp objects.

Among the possible applications, it is worth mentioning luggage items, certain signs or displays of a collective nature, sports clothing, gardening, work protection, shoes, some inflatable equipment, finally any product or article which should be protected or whose integrity must be maintained with respect to the action of sharp, blunt or abrasive objects, straight or curvilinear trajectory.

Among the applications mentioned, particular mention should be made that of the anti-vandalism or anti-laceration protection of the seats fitted to the vehicles reserved for public transport.

Among the requirements that must be met to ensure reinforcement of products, articles or objects in the above applications, it is worth mentioning the flexible in all three directions, so as to offer the possibility of draping, that is to say adaptation to the conformation that presents the product, the object or the item to protect.

It is also, of course, necessary to comply with a low mass requirement specific so that the presence of such reinforcement does not increase prohibitive way the weight of the item, product or object equipped, more particularly in the case of application to clothing, shoes, as well inflatable equipment.

PRIOR TECHNIQUE:

The prior art knows a number of proposals that have been made to try to meet the strengthening objective.

FR-A-2 664 801 may be cited, which proposes the establishment of a network or continuous sheet formed of helical metal springs whose turns are intertwined.

Such a proposal does not appear likely to respond positively to requirements mentioned previously due to the specific weight that such induced ply and the thickness that the interlocking coil springs make necessarily born.

Mention should also be made of US patent 5,545,470 recommending a network of metallic and synthetic threads arranged in an alternating and zigzag fashion, all by being linked together.

If such a proposal improves the specific gravity of such trim, it does not seem to be of a nature to respond positively to the requirement of resistance, since it allows subsistence between the different wires and whatever their combination, relatively low resistance bands which can be largely crossed by blunt or sharp objects.

A unitary textile support having a character close to isotropy and constituted by the superimposed layers linked together by son of chains, preferably metallic, is known from document FR-A-2522027.

From the knowledge that she has of it, the plaintiff considers that the prior art does not offer a solution capable of meeting the multiple requirements that arise different applications, only some of which have been cited as examples previously.

Faced with this gap and the increasingly marked need to be able to have flexible, light and resistant reinforcement in various fields of application, the Applicant has designed a specific reinforcement mesh presenting the particularity of being able to constitute, as such, a clean product marketable in its original state, so that it can be used by all suitable ways by all processors depending on the application detention.

The Applicant Company also designed the subject of the invention in such a way that it can represent a coating complex constituting by itself a product finish can be, not incorporated as such as reinforcing mesh, but used as a surface application, as a clean coating, even to bring to the element that it covers the desired resistance characteristics.

The Applicant has also designed the subject of the invention in such a way that it can respond in a particularly positive way to a favorite application which is that strengthening the seats of collective transport vehicles, which are known to be subject to frequent acts of vandalism and laceration which represent a particularly high cost of renovation and refurbishment.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION:

To achieve the above objectives, the reinforcement mesh conforms to I'invention consists of warp threads substantially parallel and spaced, and by pairs of reinforcing wires, each shaped as successive half-loops, alternating, in a weft direction, the half-loops successive reinforcing wires of each pair being inversely oriented and the pairs of wires being spaced from each other, so that the half loops opposite wires of two successive pairs cross and define between them closed loops that are established through tying points flexible, executed in line with the crossing zones between the half-loops and the wires weft, at least part of the reinforcing wires being constituted by cables metal.

The invention also relates to a resistant coating complex comprising a facing layer and a reinforcing mesh of the above type and which is linked to one of the two faces of said facing layer.

Finally, as a preferred application, the subject of the invention also relates to a collective transport vehicle seat comprising padding or the like coated on the surface with a complex of the above type, such a complex being added on said padding or the like by its face associated with the reinforcing mesh.

Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below in reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Fig. 1 is a partial plan view showing, in an enlarged manner, the structure of the reinforcing mesh according to a first embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial view showing, on a larger scale, certain structural details of the lacis according to FIG. 1.

Figs. 3 to 4 are partial cross sections showing different variations in the development of the product according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an operating phase for obtaining the product according to FIGS. 3 or 4 .

Fig. 6 is a partial cross section showing another variant.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective showing a preferred application step.

Fig. 8 is a view taken substantially along the plane VIII.VIII of FIG. 7 .

Fig. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating an alternative embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a schematic transverse view showing one of the advantages of the object of the invention according to the embodiment resulting from FIG. 9 .

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION:

According to fig. 1 and 2 , the reinforcing mesh L according to the invention is characterized in that it is in the form of an intertwining of continuous threads which give it an appearance of fabrics or knitted fabric with relatively wide meshes, and free so as to have a capacity of flexibility and relative deformation, not permanent, in the three directions of a plane.

The reinforcing mesh is constituted by a plurality of chain son 1 which are substantially parallel to each other being relatively spaced at a distance which can be, for information, of the order of a centimeter.

The chain son 1 , are preferably made from glass filaments, aramid, polyester, etc.

The threads 1 are also chosen so as to be simply made up of juxtaposed filaments, relatively unworked, non-textured, non-stranded, not twisted or stranded.

For example, the chain son 1 may have a mass in grams of between 200 to 1,500 decitex.

The reinforcing mesh also comprises pairs of so-called "reinforcing" wires which are shown here by way of example in the number of four pairs bearing the references 2 ₁ to 2 ₄ . Each pair 2 comprises two wires 3 and 4 which have the characteristic of being interlaced to form successive alternating loops in a weft direction which is generally considered to be perpendicular to the alignment of the chain wires 1 . According to another characteristic, the successive alternating half-loops are formed inversely for one and the other wire of each pair. According to an additional characteristic, two successive pairs, such as 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ , of reinforcing threads, are spaced from each other while being oriented in parallel, so that the half-loops of the threads concerned are cross and define by those which correspond closed loops such as 5 , illustrated by fig.2 .

To make the interlacing thus obtained more comprehensible, reference should be made to FIG. 2 showing schematically and enlarged the pairs of reinforcing wires 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ comprising two wires 3 ₁ and 4 ₁ and two wires 3 ₂ and 4 ₂ .

The wire 3 ₁ forms successive half-loops 6 ₁ and 7 ₁ , while the wire 4 ₁ forms successive half-loops 8 ₁ and 9 ₁ . On this basis, it already appears clearly that the half-loops 6 ₁ and 8 ₁ on the one hand and 7 ₁ and 9 ₁ on the other hand, are inversely oriented while being alternated for the half-loops 6 ₁ and 7 ₁ on one side and the half-loops 8 ₁ and 9 ₁ on the other.

The condition of spacing or relative distance between the pairs of wires is such, as expressed above, that the wire 3 ₂ of the pair 2 ₂ forms a half-loop 6 ₂ which intersects with the half-loop 8 ₁ of the wire 4 ₁ to form with the latter the closed loop 5 .

What is true for wire 3 ₂ of the pair 2 ₂ is true for wire 4 ₂ whose half-loop 9 ₂ forms another closed loop 5 with the corresponding half-loop 7 ₁ of wire 3 ₁ of the pair 2 ₁ .

According to another arrangement, the relative positions of the chain wires 1 and of the pairs 2 ₁ to 2 _n are such that the closed loops 5 , aligned parallel to the axes x of the pairs, are placed vertically above the chain wires 1 of so that they can be linked to them by connection points such as 10 . Advantageously, the points 10 are formed from binding threads 11 which extend at least parallel to one of the sides of each thread 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or preferably on either side of each thread 1 as illustrated in fig. 2 .

According to another characteristic of the invention, the constituent reinforcement wires of each pair 2 ₁ to 2 _n are constituted by metallic cables preferably made of stainless steel. By cable is meant any structure which is not single-strand but on the contrary based on elementary strands so as to present, as a wired element, a great relative flexibility.

Each wire rope can have a structure between that usually defined by the expressions 3 x 1 to, for example, 7 x 7.

It is advantageous within the meaning of the invention that the metallic cables chosen have a diameter between 0.3 and 1 mm.

For example, for a 3 x 3 structure , the cable chosen can have a diameter of 0.65 mm, while for a 3 x 7 type structure such a diameter can be around 0.63 mm.

By choosing the components of the type above it is possible to realize the reinforcement mesh from a "hook" type machine which offers the particularity advantageous to allow the realization of lacis in strips of greater or lesser width capable of being packaged in the form of rolls or, by analogy, of reels or plates in pre-cut format.

The structure of the lacis as described above makes it possible to confer, by the tying and the conformations in alternating loops, an overall cohesion to the different threads which are established in the form of a broad mesh ply easily deformable in all the directions because of the relative freedom left by the connection points 10.

This characteristic is of immense advantage because it offers a possibility of undeniable clean conformation, allowing the reinforcement mesh to adopt and to marry all the geometric shapes of the products, articles or objects to which it must be associated.

By adopting the characteristics of the wires as given above, the reinforcing mesh according to the invention has a specific weight or a grammage which can be between 300 g to 2 kg per m ² .

As can be seen from the above description and the illustrative drawings, the reinforcing mesh has the characteristic of being produced in the form of a regularly meshed network including closed loops 5 relatively close to each other. others both in succession parallel to the warp threads 1 and transversely in the weft direction from one pair of reinforcing threads to another.

Thus, this regularly meshed network offers perfectly homogeneous resistance to blunt or cutting stresses which can be applied to it according to a normal or intersecting trajectory in rectilinear or curvilinear directions. In particular, such a reinforcing mesh presents, by the succession and the presence of the metallic cables 3 , 4 , a great resistance to incisive and cutting actions from a sharp and resistant blade. On the other hand, it should be appreciated that such a lacing nevertheless offers a suitable aptitude for cutting by shearing action, which makes it possible to give it any geometric shape necessary, useful or compatible with the conformation of the product, object or article to which it must be associated to ensure its reinforcement.

In the foregoing, it has been indicated that the lacis comprises a plurality of chain son 1 extending parallel to each other. These wires 1 can be established in a ply or, on the contrary, in two plies between which the pairs of reinforcing wires are arranged. In such a case, the connection points 10 then ensure the connection between all the wires concerned at the crossing and / or superposition points.

The reinforcing mesh L described above can be completed by the affixing, on one of its faces, of a substrate comprising a layer of adhesive material and a peelable protector. In this way, the lacis knows a relative mechanical "holding" in its plane and can be more easily handled or conditioned. During use, it is enough to remove the peelable protector to apply the lacis to an object, product or article by its face coated with adhesive material. Lacis constitutes, in this form, a coating complex. The lacis can still be completed, as illustrated in fig. 3 , by the addition, on one of its faces, of a layer 15 of flexible material having at least on the surface an adhesive character. Lacis L is then associated with such a layer with which it constitutes a coating complex, one of the faces of which corresponds to the structure of the lacis, while the other, which may be flat, smooth or, on the contrary, dimpled, makes it appear. adhesive on contact. The material which can be used to constitute such a layer does not properly fall within the scope of the invention, since it must be considered to be commercially available to a person skilled in the art. It may be a polymer-based composition, such as silicone, neoprene or hot melt with a permanent adhesive nature. As illustrated by the presence of the dashed line in FIG. 3 , it can then advantageously be provided to cover the adhesive surface of the layer 15 with a protector 16 of peelable nature, the removal of which can be easily obtained when it is appropriate to apply the lacis on any support to be reinforced and on which such a mesh is placed to be linked to the latter by the adhesive nature of the layer 15 .

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the lacis L is coated with a matrix 17 which meets the preceding characteristics of the layer 15. In such a case, the matrix 17 can then be associated with two peelable protectors 18 and 19.

Fig. 5 shows a possibility of making the lacis according to FIGS. 3 and 4 by involving a press 20 comprising, for example, an endless belt 21 and a pressing cylinder 22 between which is taken care of the lacis L , on the one hand, and the layer 15 provided with its protector 16, d 'somewhere else.

The passage between the conveyor 21 and the cylinder 22 ensures the intimate connection between the lacis L and the layer 15 into which it is caused to penetrate through the surface opposite the protector 16.

The same arrangement can be implemented to ensure the formation of a lacis of the type of FIG. 4 by then involving a complex, such as 15 _a and 16 _a , supplied to be deflected in line with the cylinder 22 directly above the conveyor belt 21 so as to cover the lacis L partially embedded in the complex 15, 16 .

It goes without saying that different methods can be adopted industrially to achieve the same result. These different methods should be considered as technical equivalents within the reach of the skilled person usually coating-pressing operations.

Fig. 6 shows a further development in which the lacis ( L ) constitutes a structure or a reinforcing core of a coating complex designated as a whole by the reference 30 . Such a complex comprises, for example, a fabric 31 , of the velvet or similar type, on the rear face of which the lacis L is attached by gluing in its original form or in one of those illustrated in FIGS. 3 or 4 , as appears respectively in the right and left part of FIG. 6 .

Such a complex advantageously constitutes a finished product allowing the covering all or part of the surface of a structure, a product, a object or article whose resistance must be improved at the same time as the aesthetic comfort.

Depending on the embodiment and production of the coating complex, the application to the surface of the product, of the article or of the object may take place directly by taking advantage of the adhesive or adherent face of the lacis, of the layer 15 or of the matrix 17 or else by applying beforehand as an interface layer an adhesive product or else a product with controlled polymerization over time.

Such a complex 30 meets the characteristics set out above of flexibility, draping, possible conformity and custom cutting by shearing to present in plan the developed form of the object produced or article to be covered.

Given the presence of the lacis L on the internal face, any cutting or blunt action applied to the covering or fabric 31 , will have no other consequence than the presence of a barely visible notch, without risk of complete deterioration of the complex likely to reveal by a gaping opening thus produced, the nature of the product, object or protected article.

Such a characteristic is particularly advantageous in a specific application aimed at lining vehicle seats more particularly reserved for public or public transport. Fig. 7 shows such an application in relation to a seat cushion 40 which is only shown in relation to a seat structure not directly concerned with the subject of the invention.

To cover such a seat 40 , for example formed wholly or partly by a foam filling 41 , it suffices to cut the covering complex 30 in a shape such as that illustrated in the drawing. Such a cut can be carried out by retaining for a given direction a total dimension D corresponding to the elementary measurements, d ₁ equal to the width l of the seat, twice d ₂ equal to the thickness e of the seat and two times d ₃ equal to returns e.

Thus, the simple addition of the measures d ₁ , 2d ₂ and 2d ₃ makes it possible to cut the covering complex 30 to the suitable measure and then to proceed to the simple draping on the seat cushion 40 on which said complex is linked by the adhesive character. in particular of layer 15 or of matrix 17 .

Since the shearing cuts can be easily undertaken from the coating complex 30 , it is understood that the lining of the seat 40 can be made to order, quickly and efficiently.

However, it should also be remembered that the intrinsic flexibility of the lacis L makes it possible, if necessary, not to make the angular cuts, as shown in FIG. 7 , and to produce an angular layup by overfolding providing an additional reinforcing effect.

In view of what has been said above, it is understood that an action or attempted laceration carried on the fabric 31 can in no case degrade or deteriorate the cushion 41 generally produced based on a complex of synthetic material developed in foam, due to the presence of the barrier that constitutes the lacis L.

It should be considered that the reinforcing mesh according to the invention certainly responds positively to providing improved strength against cutting or blunt actions.

However, due to its own structure, the lacis according to the invention allows also offer good resistance to the so-called "corkscrew" test.

Indeed, some attempts at vandalism consists in introducing a corkscrew screwed through the upholstery or external facing so as to take loads one of the constituent elements of a possible stiffening structure or reinforcement in an attempt to extract it by pulling action.

Generally, such tests produce the destruction and extraction of fibers metallic or not, of a cutting nature which further increase the disorders voluntarily worn.

In the present case, if such an attempt is made, the corkscrew has no other effect than taking over a wire 3 or 4 which is pulled during the pulling action, without being subject to breakage , since its conformation in successive half-loops and its absence of rigid connection allow it to unwind without being subjected to rupture.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment in which at least one of the sides of the lacis L is produced as said with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 but from yarns 3a and 4a based on synthetic material, the composition of which may be identical or analogous to that of warp yarns 1 . The wires 3a and 4a thus form an edge or selvedge 50 having an even more flexible character to favor the extreme draping, turning and stapling in particular in the application to the upholstery of a seat. In such a case, the width of lacis L , including for example two selvedges 50, can advantageously correspond to dimension D.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION:

The object of the invention is particularly suitable for anti-vandalism reinforcement seats of public transport vehicles.

Claims (17)

1. A reinforcing web, constituted by substantially parallel and spaced-apart warp threads (1) and by pairs (2) of reinforcing threads (3 and 4) each shaped in the form of successive half-loops (6, 7, 8, 9) alternating in a weft direction, the successive half-loops of the reinforcing threads in each pair extending in opposite directions, at least some of the reinforcing threads being constituted by metal tows, the web being characterised in that the pairs of threads being spaced apart from one another in such a manner that the half-loops of the threads corresponding to two successive pairs overlap and together define closed loops (5) which are set by means of flexible binding stitches (10) formed in the overlap zones between the half-loops and the warp threads.
2. A reinforcing web according to claim 1, characterised in that the reinforcing threads (3a, 4a) corresponding to at least one side of the web are made of a non-metal material and form a lateral strip or margin (50).
3. A reinforcing web according to claim 1, characterised in that the metal tows are constituted in part by a plurality of stranded elementary strands.
4. A reinforcing web according to claim 1, characterised in that the warp threads occupy a single sheet.
5. A reinforcing web according to claim 1, characterised in that the warp threads occupy two parallel sheets with the reinforcing threads disposed between them.
6. A reinforcing web according to claim 1, characterised in that the binding stitches are set on either side of each warp thread.
7. A reinforcing web according to claim 3, characterised in that the metal tows are selected from those corresponding to a 3 x 1 structure to a 7 x 7 structure and to diameters lying in the range 0.3 mm to 1 mm.
8. A reinforcing web according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it is associated, on at least one of its faces, with a surface adhesive.
9. A reinforcing web according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it is associated, on at least one of its faces, with a layer (15) of flexible material possessing at least one surface of adhesive nature.
10. A reinforcing web according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it is embedded in a matrix (17) coating the warp threads and the reinforcing threads, and presenting on at least one face an adhesive nature.
11. A reinforcing web according to claim 8, 9, or 10, characterised in that the adhesive face is associated on its surface with a peel-off protection (16).
12. A reinforcing web according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it is presented in the form of a rolled-up strip.
13. A reinforcing web according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it is presented in the form of flexible formatted plates.
14. A strong covering composite comprising a facing layer (31) and a reinforcing web according to one of claims 1 to 13 and bonded to one of the faces of said facing layer.
15. A strong covering composite according to claim 14, characterised in that the facing layer is made of a flexible material.
16. A strong covering composite according to claim 14, characterised in that the facing layer is constituted by a fabric.
17. A public transport vehicle seat comprising padding or the like covered on its surface with a composite according to one of claims 13 to 15, such a composite being fitted to said padding or the like via its face which is associated with the reinforcing web.

Images