CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to ET.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/721,722, filed August 23, 2018, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a rope structure and, more particularly, to a braided rope structure.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one independent embodiment, a braided rope structure may generally include a plurality of strands extending continuously between opposite ends of the structure, the structure having a first segment in which the strands are braided with a first braid pattern and a second segment in which the strands are braided with a second braid pattern different than the first braid pattern.

[0004] In some constructions, the first segment may include a body, and the second segment may include a number of legs furcated from the body. The plurality of strands may include a number of strands. The body may include the number of strands, and the legs together may include the number of strands. The length of the body may be at least about four times the diameter of the body.

[0005] The structure may include an axial member separate from the plurality of strands, the axial member having a characteristic or property different than the plurality of strands. The axial member may be braided with the plurality of strands. The plurality of strands may be provided around the axial member as a core member.

[0006] In another embodiment, a braided rope structure may generally include a first segment and a second segment. The first segment may have a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first segment may include strands braided into a first braid pattern. The second segment may have a third end coupled to the second end. The second segment may include the strands braided into a second braid pattern different than the first braid pattern. The strands may extend continuously along the first segment and the second segment.

[0007] In another embodiment, a braided rope structure may generally include a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The first segment may include strands braided into a first braid pattern. The second segment may be furcated from the first segment and may include a number of the strands braided into a second braid pattern different than the first braid pattern. The third segment may be furcated from the first segment in a different direction than the second segment and may include a number of the strands braided into a third braid pattern different than the first braid pattern. The strands may extend and braided continuously along the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment

[0008] In yet another embodiment, a braided rope structure may generally include strands braided into a first braid pattern along a first segment; a number of the strands furcated from the first segment and braided into a second braid pattern different than the first braid pattern along a second segment; and a number of the strands furcated from the first segment and braided into a third braid pattern different than the first braid pattern along a third segment. The second segment and the third segment may furcate from a common point.

[0009] Other independent aspects of the disclosure may become apparent by consideration of the detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. l is a schematic view of a braid segment.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the braid segment of FIG. 1, arranged in a first braided rope structure.

[0012] FIG. 3 A is a schematic view of the braid segment of FIG. 1, arranged in a second braided rope structure. [0013] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a segment of the second braided rope structure of FIG. 3 A, illustrating an interlocking braid.

[0014] FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the braid segment of FIG. 1, arranged in a third braided rope structure.

[0015] FIG. 4B is a schematic view of the third braided rope apparatus of FIG. 4 A, illustrating a working position.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a first axial member.

[0017] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views of a second axial member.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a third axial member.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a fourth braided rope structure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the fourth braided rope structure of FIG. 8, arranged around the second axial member of FIG. 6A.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an alternative construction of the fourth braided rope structure of FIG. 8.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a segment of a fifth braided rope member.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a first embodiment the fifth braid rope structure of

FIG. 11.

[0024] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a second embodiment the fifth braid rope structure of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Before any independent embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0026] Use of“including” and“comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of “consisting of’ and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms“mounted”, “connected”,“supported”, and“coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

[0027] Relative terminology, such as, for example,“about”,“approximately”,

“substantially”, etc., used in connection with a quantity or condition would be understood by those of ordinary skill to be inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (for example, the term includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of, tolerances (e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.) associated with the particular value, etc.). Such terminology should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression“from about 2 to about 4 also discloses the range“from 2 to 4 The relative terminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10% or more) of an indicated value.

[0028] Also, the functionality described herein as being performed by one component or structure may be performed by multiple components/structures in a distributed

manner. Likewise, functionality performed by multiple components/structure may be consolidated and performed by a single component or structure. Similarly, a component or structure described as performing particular functionality may also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure that is“configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0029] In general, the present disclosure relates to an elongated braided structure. The braided structure includes a plurality of uninterrupted or continuous strands extending between the opposite ends of the structure and braided into a first portion or segment (e.g., a body) with one braid pattern and a second portion or segment (e.g., a plurality of legs) with a second braid pattern.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, a braided rope structure is formed from a plurality of continuous strands or ends. Each strand may be wound around a carrier (not shown), and the plurality of (twisted) strands are braided together in order to form a braid unit or segment 10. As illustrated, each braid segment 10 includes a rope body 14 and a plurality of legs 18 extending from the rope body 14. In the illustrated embodiment, four legs 18 extend from the body 14 and are arranged generally in an X-shape. The continuous strands extend continuously through the body 14, with one braid pattern, and the legs 18 with another braid pattern (or patterns).

[0031] Each braid segment 10 has opposite ends 22, 24. In the illustrated embodiment, a first leg l8a and a second leg 18b are positioned adjacent the first end 22, and a third leg l8c and a fourth leg 18d are positioned adjacent the second end 24. The braid segment 10 forms a continuous braid between the ends 22, 24. In other words, as mentioned above, each strand extends continuously from the first end 22 to the second end 24 such that the braid segment 10 is formed as a continuous structure.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the braided unit 10 is symmetrical. The strands are initially braided into the first leg l8a and the second leg 18b, each leg l8a, 18b including a number of strands (the same number in each, as illustrated) and having a braid pattern (the same for each, as illustrated).

[0033] As the braid extends, the strands of the first leg l8a and of the second leg 18b converge into the body 14 at a convergence point 26. In other words, the braid pattern of the braided unit 10 changes after a given length from the pattern of the leg(s) l8a, 18b so that all of the stands of the first and second legs l8a, 18b are braided together to form the body 14 with another braid pattern. Changing of the braid pattern is done in a continuous process so that the strands are continuously braided and do not need to be spliced.

[0034] After forming the body 14, in the illustrated construction, the braiding pattern changes again so that the strands of the body 14 furcate into the third leg l8c and the fourth leg 18d at a furcation point 30, each leg l8c, 18d including a number of strands (the same number in each, as illustrated) and having a braid pattern (the same for each, as illustrated). In other words, the braid pattern changes so that strands that form the body 14 are braided into two distinct legs l8c, 18d.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, a braid segment 10 may be formed into a braided rope structure, such as a double-eyed basket sling lOa. In the illustrated embodiment, the sling lOa is formed from a twenty-four carrier braid. In other words, twenty-four strands are utilized in braiding the sling lOa with the body 14 consisting of twenty-four strands and each leg l8a-l8d consisting of twelve strands. In other embodiments, legs l8a-l8d may include an unequal number of strands (e.g., the sling lOa could furcate into legs 18 with eight and sixteen strands respectively).

[0036] At the first end of the sling lOa, the first and second legs l8a, 18b are spliced together at a first connection point 34. Similarly, at the second end of the sling lOa, the third and fourth legs l8c, 18d are spliced together at a second connection point 38. Each splice 34, 38 forms an eye or loop 42 defined by two legs (e.g., the first and second legs l8a, 18b or the third and fourth legs l8c, 18d) and the corresponding furcation and connection points (e.g., the first points 26, 34 or the second points 30, 38, respectively). In the illustrated embodiment, the connection points 34, 38 are formed after the braid segment 10 is complete.

[0037] The body 14 has an elongated length Li, and each of the legs 18 have an elongated length L ₂ (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the length Li of the body 14 is a significant portion of a total length L of the braid segment 10 (e.g., the length Li is at least one-third the total length L). A larger length Li provides a greater surface area to support a mass.

[0038] The body 14 may have a rectangular or flattened cross-section compared to a rounded cross-section of the legs 18. As more strands are utilized in a braid pattern, the braid can begin to flatten out. A flattening threshold may be between sixteen and twenty strands. Accordingly, a twelve strand braid, as utilized in the legs 18, may not include enough strands to produce the flattened cross-section, but a twenty-four strand braid, as utilized in the body 14, may produce a flattened cross-section. The illustrated flattened cross-section may provide better bending performance than a rounded cross section. In other words, it is easier to bend a braided structure with a flattened cross section than with a rounded cross section. [0039] In other embodiments, the body 14 may include more than a twenty-four strand braid (e.g., a thirty-two strand braid, a seventy-two strand braid, etc.). Adding additional strands increases a density and a diameter of the body 14. Adding additional strands above the flattening threshold increases the likelihood of producing a flattened cross-section.

[0040] To facilitate braiding of the sling lOa, different braid angles (measured with respect to an axis A (FIG. 1) orthogonal to the body 14) may be used along different segments of the sling lOa. For example, higher braid angles facilitate splicing and may be incorporated into the legs 18 to, therefore, facilitate the formation of the loops 42. Lower braid angles may provide improved tensile performance and may, therefore, be utilized along the body 14. A lower braid angle would assist the body 14 in supporting and bending as a result of the force of a supported load.

[0041] The loops 42 may be configured to be placed over hooks (not shown) and a load (not shown) may supported by the body 14. The flattened cross-section of the body 14 may allow the sling lOa to bend while supporting the load. The body 14 may form a U-shaped segment which may be used to seat the load. The lower braid angle of the body 14 allows the sling lOa to support the force of the load on the U-shaped segment.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3-4, a number of braid segments 10 may be incorporated into the braided rope structure. The braided rope structure may be formed in a chain-line manner consisting of braid segments 10 formed end-to-end over the length of the braided rope structure.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3 A, a plurality of braid segments 10 form a second braided rope structure, such as a chain lOb. The braid segments 10 are braided together as a continuous braid over the length of the chain lOb. In other words, in a braided rope structure with a plurality of braid segments 10, the third and fourth legs l8c, 18d of one braid segment 10 provide the first and second legs l8a, 18b of a subsequent braid segment 10 and are furcated to form the body 14 of the subsequent braid segment 10.

[0044] The chain lOb is braided from a first end 46 to a second end 50. In the illustrated construction, the first end 46 includes a first braid segment 10 with free first and second legs 54, 58. The second end 50 includes a last braid segment 10 with free third and fourth legs 62, 66. In other words, in the illustrated construction, the first and last braid segments 10 in the chain lOb are not braided to additional braid segments 10 on both sides of these braid segments 10.

[0045] The first and second legs 54, 58 of the first braid segment 10 and the third and fourth legs 62, 66 of the last braid segment 10 are therefore not connected to any other leg 18 after the braid pattern is concluded. These free legs 54, 58, 62, 66 may remain as free legs, be spliced together (e.g., the first leg 54 with the second leg 58 and/or the third leg 62 with the fourth leg 66) to form an associated loop (not shown) at the end 46, 50, be spliced to the legs at the opposite end (e.g., to form the braided rope structure into a continuous loop), be cut off from the chain lOb, etc.

[0046] The chain lOb extends a length L ₃ , and along the length L ₃ is a plurality of interlocking braids or bodies 14, each between the convergence and furcation points 26, 30. Two legs l8a, 18b bifurcate from the interlocking braid l4a, and two legs l8c, 18d converge or refurcate into the interlocking braid l4b. Each interlocking braid 14 is formed as a continuous braid so that the total number of strands in the chain lOb is braided together into the interlocking braid 14. In other words, each interlocking braid 14 is formed of the total number of strands in the associated legs 18.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3B, each interlocking braid 14 has a length and a thickness, both of which are significantly less than the length L ₃ of the chain lOb. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of an interlocking braid 14 is greater than its thickness. In some constructions, the length of the interlocking braid 14 may be at least about twice and up to about six times (or more) its thickness. In the illustrated construction, the length of the interlocking braid 14 is at least about four times its thickness. In other words, the thickness of all strands braided together in the interlocking braid 14 is about one quarter its length.

[0048] Eyes or loops 42 are formed along the length of the chain lOb. A loop 42 can be defined by the two adjacent interlocking braids 14 and the legs 18. Alternatively, loops 42 proximate an end of the chain lOb may be defined when the free legs 54, 58, 62, 66 of the first or last braid segments 10 are spliced together. In the illustrated embodiment, each loop 42 has substantially the same size. [0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the interlocking braids 14 may have a rectangular or flattened cross-section compared to the rounded cross-section of the legs 18. As mentioned above, as more strands are utilized in a braid pattern, the braid may begin to flatten out, and a flattened cross-section may provide better bending performance than a rounded cross section. As also mentioned above, to facilitate braiding of the chain lOb, different braid angles (measured with respect to an axis B parallel to the body l4b) may be used along different segments of the chain lOb.

[0050] A tensile force may be applied longitudinally from either end of the chain lOb or laterally to opposite sides of a loop 42. The length-to-thickness ratio of the interlocking braids 14 provides the chain lOb with increased strength necessary to withstand such forces applied to the chain lOb. Each interlocking braid 14 is capable of withstanding the applied force, so that the interlocking braid 14 does not unravel. The low braid angle in the interlocking braid 14 also helps to support the tensile load.

[0051] Synthetic strands used to braid the chain lOb are lighter than metal, which may make the chain lOb lighter than a traditional metal link chain (not shown). Synthetic materials are corrosion resistant, which may provide another advantage the chain lOb compared to a metal link chain.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4 A, a plurality of braid segments 10 may form a third braided rope structure, such as a soft shackle lOc. The braid segments 10 are braided together as a continuous braid over the length of the shackle lOc. In other words, in a braided rope structure with a plurality of braid segments 10, the third and fourth legs l8c, 18d of one braid segment 10 are the first and second legs l8a, 18b of a subsequent braid segment 10. The soft shackle lOc is similar to the chain lOb (FIGS. 3A-3B), and only differences will be described below.

[0053] The illustrated shackle lOc includes at its opposite ends 70, 72 respective knots 74,

76. In the illustrated embodiment, the knots 74, 76 are substantially spherical in shape. The knots 74, 76 may be braided with the shackle lOc or formed after braiding (e.g., manually tied from the ends 70, 72, provided by separate structure attached to shackle lOc, etc.). [0054] The interlocking braid or body 14 may include an elongated length. In the illustrated embodiment, the interlocking braid 14 of the soft shackle lOc is longer than the interlocking braid l4a or l4b of the chain lOb (FIG. 3B). The interlocking braids 14 of the shackle lOc may have different lengths in order to, for example, provide more or fewer or differently-spaced loops 42 along its length.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4B, the knots 74, 76 may be positioned with the loops 42 in order form secondary loops 80 to define a working configuration. The knots 74, 76 may be positioned within any of the loops 42 along the length of the shackle lOc in order to adjust a working length of the shackle lOc. A shackle lOc with shorter interlocking braids l4c includes more loops 42, and the increased number of loops 42 allows a user to make more finite length adjustments to the shackle lOc.

[0056] A tensile force may be applied longitudinally from either end of the shackle lOc or laterally to opposite sides of a loop 42. As with the chain lOb, the length-to-thickness ratio of the interlocking braids 14 provides the shackle lOc with increased strength necessary to withstand such forces applied to the shackle lOc. Each interlocking braid 14 is capable of withstanding the applied force, so that the interlocking braid 14 does not unravel. The low braid angle in the interlocking braid 14 also helps to support the tensile load.

[0057] In order to provide different characteristics or properties (e.g., increased tensile strength, rigidity, ability to be sensed, color, etc.) to the braided rope structures lOa, lOb, or lOc, axial members 84 may be included as part of the braid patterns. Axial members 84 are various components that may be captured in a braid. For example, the components may be made from different materials (e.g., metal, a different synthetic material, etc.) than the braided rope structure.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, axial members 84 may be incorporated into the braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc in a variety of positions. In the illustrated embodiment, each braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc includes a single type of axial member 84, as described below. However, in other constructions (not shown), a braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc may include more than one of the below or other axial members 84 in the same or different positions along its length. [0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc may include axial members 84a that run parallel to a braid 14 and are interwoven into the wall of a braid 14. In other words, the axial member 84a would be woven into the braid 14 in the direction of the braid 14. The axial member 84a would be part of the braid 14.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc may include one or more core members 84b through an interior (e.g., a center) of the braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc. A core member 84b extends along a length of the braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc, and braids 14 are formed over the core member 84b. The core members 84b may also furcate in a manner similar to the legs 18 so that each leg 18 includes a core member 84b (FIG. 6B).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc includes a catch cord braid 84c similar to an axial member 84a (FIG. 5). One or more axial members 84 are braided into the wall of the braid 14 as catch cord loops 84c. Unlike the axial members 84a which are woven onto the wall of the braid 14, the catch cord loops 84c extend away from the wall of the braid 14. In other words, loops 88 are formed between the outer wall of the braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc along the length of the catch cord 84c. The catch cord 84c (or the axial members 84a) could also be used to add lubrication elements at known wear points, like the interlocking braids 14 (FIG. 3B).

[0062] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a fourth braided rope structure, such as a multiple tie-off sling 92. The sling 92 is similar to the sling lOa (FIG. 2) but includes multiple furcation and convergence points 96, 100.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiments, the sling 92 may be formed from twenty-four strands (FIG. 8) or thirty-two strands (FIGS. 9-10). The sling 92 extends a length L ₄ between a first end and the second end. Along the length L ₄ , the braided rope structure furcates at various points, and, at each point, the braided rope apparatus 92 splits into a number of legs 18, similar to the previous braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc. For example, at a first furcation point 96, a braid body 104 bifurcates into a first leg l8a and a second leg 18b. In other embodiments, the sling 92 may include more than thirty-two strands (e.g., seventy-two strands). Increasing the number of strands in the sling 92 increases the number of potential legs 18 or the combinations of strands per leg 18.

[0064] The furcations in the sling 92 are not symmetrical as in the previous braided rope structure lOa, lOb, or lOc. Each furcation forms an odd numbered leg (e.g., first leg l8a, third leg l8c, etc.) and an even numbered leg (e.g., second leg 18b, fourth leg 18d, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the even numbered legs (e.g., 18b, l8d) have at least the same number of strands as the odd numbered legs (e.g., l8a, l8c). In other words, after a furcation point 96, an odd numbered leg (e.g., l8a, l8c) never has more strands than an even numbered leg (e.g., 18b,

18d).

[0065] The braid of the sling 92 begins at the first end 108, and the braid body 104 extends to a first furcation point 96a, where the braid body 104 bifurcates into the first leg l8a and the second leg 18b. The legs l8a, 18b extend a length before the second leg 18b reaches a second furcation point 96b, where the second leg 18b splits into a third leg l8c and fourth leg 18d.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, each odd numbered leg (e.g., l8a, l8c) has the same number of strands, and each even numbered leg (e.g., 18b, 18d) decreases in the number of strands from the previous even numbered leg (e.g., 18b, 18d) by the number of strands in the odd numbered legs (e.g., l8a, l8c). In other words, after each furcation point (e.g., 96a, 96b), the total number of strands of the resulting two legs (e.g., l8c and 18d) equals the total number of stands in the previous even numbered strand (e.g., 18b), and the new even numbered strand (e.g., 18d) has the same number of strands as the previous even numbered strand (e.g., 18b), minus the number of strands in an odd numbered strand (e.g., l8c).

[0067] The braid may continue to bifurcate until the resulting odd and even numbered legs 18 have the same number of strands. Once the legs 18 have an equivalent number of strands (or at another point), the process is reversed, and the legs 18 are refurcated in the reverse order in which they were bifurcated (FIG. 10). This process continues along the length L ₄ of the sling 92 until the last legs (i.e., l8a, 18b) have been refurcated. [0068] As shown in FIG. 8, the first and the second end of the sling 92 may be splice back on themselves in order to form a first loop 116 at the first end 108 and a second loop 120 at the second end 112.

[0069] A tensile force may be applied longitudinally from either end of the sling 92 or laterally to opposite sides of a loop 112, 116 or a leg 18. As with the above-described structures, the sling 92 is capable of withstanding the applied force, so that the loops 112, 116 and/or legs 18 do not unravel. The different numbers of strands means that each leg 18 may support a different maximum force.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, the sling 92 that may be braided over a core 84b. In this case, the core 84b may be spliced on itself in order to form a first loop 124 at a first end 126 and a second loop 128 at a second end 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the core 84b has a greater strength than a rope body 132 and is, therefore, capable of supporting a greater force than the rope body 132. A core 84b may extend through the legs 18 (FIG. 6B). This provides each leg 18 with the strength of the core 84b plus the number of braided strands in that leg 18, which enables the leg 18 to support a greater force.

[0071] The sling 92 may be formed from a continuous run between the first end 124 and the second end 128. In other words, the sling 92 may be formed from a continuous, interwoven braid. The interwoven strands can provide different characteristics or properties to different parts of the sling 92 depending on the number of strands in the legs 18.

[0072] A user may cut the sling 92 along a middle axis F orthogonal an axis E. The middle axis F intersects the sling 92 after the last bifurcation but before the first refurcation. The cut forms two substantially identical slings 92, where there are no refurcation points. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of all of the legs 18 would have the same number of strands. In other words, new legs 18 are furcated from a previous leg 18, as described above, but the legs 18 are not furcated back together. A user may tie-off the sling 92 at a desired location based on an intended use. For example, the sling 92 may be used in applications such as helicopter slings, parachutes, and chain-like applications to lift multiple objects at the same time. [0073] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a fifth braided rope structure, such as a braided net 136. The braided net 136 is similar to the chain lOb (FIG. 3) but includes multiple braid units 10 joined together at lateral convergence/furcation points 140.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 11, the braided net 136 is formed from a series of net segments or tandem braided bifurcations 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the tandem braided bifurcations 144 begin with four free legs l48a-l48d, which each contain eight strands; although in other embodiments, different numbers of free legs l48a-l48d and/or stands per leg may be used.

[0075] After a predetermined length, each of the free legs l48a-l48d bifurcate into two legs at a furcation point 150. In the illustrated embodiment, two of the free legs l48a, l48d (e.g., the outermost free legs 148) bifurcate into a first or outer leg 152 and a second or inner leg 156. The other two free legs l48b, l48c (e.g., the inner free legs 148) bifurcate into two inner legs 156. In the illustrated embodiment, both the outer and inner legs 152, 156 have the same number of strands (e.g., four strands); although in other embodiments, the outer legs 152 may have a different number of stands than the inner legs 156.

[0076] After a given length, the inner strands 156 converge to form interlocking braid bodies 14 at convergence/furcation points 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the tandem braided bifurcations 144 includes three convergence/furcation points 140. An inner stand 156 that originated from one free leg 148 forms an interlocking braid body 14 with an inner strand 156 that originated from an adjacent free leg 148 (e.g., an inner leg 156 that originated from the second free leg l48b converges with the adjacent inner leg 156 that originated from the third free leg l48c). Inner legs 156 furcate from the body 14, and there are again eight total legs 152, 156. In the illustrated embodiment, the each leg 152, 156 has an equal number of stands after the convergence/furcation points 140.

[0077] As the inner legs 156 converge and furcate, the outer legs 152 extend unimpeded. A given length after the convergence/furcation points 140, the legs 152, 156 that originated from the same free leg l48a-l48d converge at second convergence/furcation points 160 (e.g., the outer leg 152 and the inner leg 156 that originally furcated from the first free leg l48a converge at a second convergence/furcation point 160). [0078] As shown in FIG. 12, the tandem braided bifurcations 144 immediately repeat, and outer and inner legs 152, 156 furcate from the second convergence/furcation points 160. The pattern of first and second convergence/furcation points 140, 160 (i.e., inner legs 152 converge and furcate, followed by the convergence and furcation of the legs 152, 156 that originated from the same free leg l48a-l48d) may continue as many times as required. Repetition of this pattern forms eyes 42, which makes up the structure of the braided net 136.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 13, legs l64a-l64d separate each of the tandem braided bifurcations 144. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the legs l64a-l64d has the same number of strands as the free legs l48a-l48d (e.g., eight strands). The legs l64a-l64d create second eyes 168, which are larger than the eyes 42. The lengths of the legs l64a-l64d may be larger or smaller in order to adjust the size of the second eyes 168, for various user applications.

[0080] The embodiment s) described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the elements and their configuration and/or arrangement exist within the spirit and scope of one or more independent aspects as described.

[0081] One or more independent features and/or independent advantages of the present disclosure may be set forth in the claims.