THEREOF

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001J This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/942,473, filed February 20 _} 2014, and U.S. Utility Application Serial No. 14/627,462, filed February 20 _s 2015, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 , Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates generally to knit wrappabie protective textile sleeves for protecting elongate members,

2. Related Art

[0003] It is known to utilize textile sleeves to protect elongate members from a variety of external environmental conditions, including braided, knit or woven textile sleeves. Knit sleeves can either be formed having a seamless _> tabular wall, or an open, wrappabie wall having opposite lengthwise extending edges configured to overlap one another. Wrappabie knit sleeves are typically constructed with relatively stiff weft monofilament yams along the full _s uninterrupted length of the sleeve (also referred to as fill yams) that extend widthwise, circumfereniially about the wall to provide the sleeve with high hoop strength, thereby inhibiting the sleeve from being crushed or flattened. Unfortunately, although knit sleeves having sdff weft yarns attain high hoop strength, they have limited flexibility along their length, thereby inhibiting the ability to ronte the sleeves about cireuitous _} meandering paths, and if bent too much, cause the sleeve wall to open along a seani between the overlapping edges and/or kink. In some cases _f in order to provide a more flexible sleeve when increased flexibility is necessary to route the sleeve over a meandering path, knit wrappabie sleeves are fabricated along their entire, uninterrupted length from multifilament weft yams having an increased flexibility, or entirely from very t ne, small diameter weft monofilaments; however, these sleeves, although having an Increased flexibility, suffer from having a greatly reduced hoop strength, and thus, are prone to being easily crushed or flattened in use, thereby subjecting the elongate members being protected therein to damage.

[0004] Woven sleeves can be similarly constructed as discussed above, namely, including either relatively stiff weft monofilament yams, or smaller, more flexible monofilament yams, or more flexible multifilament yams, however, the same drawbacks are encountered as discussed above, namely, having a high hoop strength with greatly limited flexibility, or an increased flexibility with a greatly reduced hoop strength. In addition, in weaving constructions, if the weft yam is laid in, also referred to as inserted, the construction is less stable in that the laid in weft yarn Is generally free to move, bom relative to one another and to the warp yam. As such, both the construction process can become complicated as a result of yams having moved from their intended position, and the end product can have unintended, undesirable openings between yams, thereby resulting in a less than optimal coverage being provided to the enclosed members being protected.

[000S] Accordingly, what is needed is a textile sleeve that combines the benefits of a high hoop strength and flexibility, thereby providing protection against being crushed,, while at the same time, being flexible and non-kinking when routed over circuitous, meandering paths, including around corners of 90 degrees or more. Furthermore, what is needed is a sleeve that maintains structural integrity throughout the entire manufacturing process, while also having yams that remain in their intended position to provide optimal protective coverage, in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a wrappable textile sleeve is provided. The wrappable textile sleeve includes an elongate, wrappable wall extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The wall has opposite free edges extending lengthwise along the longitudinal axis between the opposite ends, The wall is knit from at least one warp yam extending lengthwise between the opposite ends and a plurality of weft yarns extending circumferential!y between the opposite free edges. The weft yams form a plurality of discrete, annular bands alternating in adjacent relation along the longitudinal axis, The weft yam of one of the adjacent bands has a first diameter and the weft yam of the other of the adjacent bands has a second diameter,, wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter.

[0007] in accordance with another aspect of the invention, the weft yams are 1 aid-in and fixed in position by the at least one warp yarn,

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one warp yam can be knit having closed chain stitches looped about the weft yarns.

[0009] in accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one warp yam can be knit having open chain stitches looped partially about the weft yams.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the weft yarn of one of the adjacent bands floats along the longitudinal axis over the weft yarn of the other of the adjacent bands.

[001 1] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the weft yarn in every other band can be provided having the same diameter.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the weft yam in every other band can be knit as a single, continuous, monolithic strand of yarn.

[0013J In accordance with another aspect of the invention, each of the weft yams is inserted in a plurality of said bands,

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the respective ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter of the weft yams can be provided between about 1 : ,5 to 1 :2, [0015] in accordance with another aspect of the Invention, the wall has an outer surface and further as outer layer can be laminated to the outer surface,

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, at least one of t!ie weft yarns can be heat-set to bias the opposite free edges into overlapping relation with one another.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one warp yam can be provided as a multifilament.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one warp yam can include a plurality of warp yams, at least some of the warp yams being knit having chain stitches, and at least some of the warp yarns being laid-in.

[001 ] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the plurality of bands adjacent one another can include three or more bands having weft yams of differing diameters from one another, thereby providing an alternating sequence of bands, such as A, B ₅ C... A, B, C , . ,Α, B, C... A, B, C, wherein each of Hie bands A, SB, C .have weft yams of differing diameters from one another.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the adjacent bands can include different weft yam types from one another, such that some of the bands can include solely monofilament weft yams, while others of the bands can includes solely multifilament weft yams, or different bands can include different combinations of monofilament welt yams and multifilament weft yams.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a wrappable textile sleeve is provided. The method includes warp knitting an elongate wall from at least one lengthwise extending warp yam extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends and a plurality of circumferentialiy extending weft yams extending circumferentially between opposite free edges extending lengthwise between the opposite ends. Further, forming a plurality of discrete, circumferentiaily extending, annular bands extending between the opposite edges with the weft yams during the warp knitting process, with adjacent bands being formed with weft yams having different diameters from one another.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can farther include !aying-in the weft yams and fixing the weft yarns in position with the at least one warp yarn.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include knitting at least some of the warp yarn using a chain stitch.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include laying-in at least some of the warp yam.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include forrnirig floats with the weft yams, the floats extending along the longitudinal axis from one band, over an adjacent band.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include laying-in the weft yam in every other band from a single, continuous, monolithic strand of yarn.

[0027] In accordance with another aspect of he invention, the method can further include laying-in each of the weft yarns in a plurality of the bands.

[0028] in accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing the first diameter and the second diameter of the weft yams having a respective ratio of about 1 :1.5 to 1 :2.

[0029] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include bonding an outer layer on the warp knit wall.

[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include heat-setting at least one of the weft yams to bias the opposite free edges into overlapping relation with one another. [0031 ] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include providing the at least one warp yarn as a multifilament,

[0032] In accordance with another aspect of the invention,, the method can further include providing the plurality of weft yams as one of a monofilament, multifilament, or a combination thereof.

[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can further include forming each of the bands of smaller first diameter yams extending over an increased axial length of the sleeve wall relative to each of the bands of larger second diameter yarns.

[0034] The knit, wrappabk sleeve constructed in accordance with the invention provides the desired protection to elongate members contained therein, while also having an enhanced degree of flexibility to allow the sleeve to be routed about corners of 90 degrees or more without kinking, as well as having an enhanced structural integrity compared to that of a woven sleeve. The enhanced flexibility is provided by alternating the adjacent, discrete bands of weft yarn with one anot!ier, The bands with weft yams having an increased diameter relative to the adjacent bands provide enhanced hoop strength to the wall of the sleeve. Meanwhile, the bands with weft yams having a reduced diameter, relative to the adjacent bands _s provide enhanced flexibility to the sleeve wall, while at the same time also being able to impart a heat-set bias on the sleeve wall, if at least some of the weft yams within these bands are heat-set. The enhanced structxtral integrity is provided by having the warp yams at least partially looped about the weft yams, thereby fixing the weft yams in position, though the weft yams are laid~in. Accordingly, the sleeve provides reliable protection to the elongate member contained therein without fear of kinking and having inadvertent openings formed along the overlapped edges, and without fear of the knit yams inadvertently moving out of their intended locations relative to one another, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a knit, wrappable sleeve constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention shown wrapped about an elongate member;

[0037] Figures 2A-2D illustrate enlarged partial plan views of various kiiil stitch patterns used to construct a wail of the sleeve of Figure 1 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is a knit stitch diagram of an open pillar stitch that can be used in the construction of a sleeve constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0039] Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a knit, wrappable sleeve constructed in accordance with another aspect of the invention shown wrapped about an elongate member; and

[0040] Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a knit, wrappable sleeve constructed in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention shown wrapped about an elongate member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Referring in more detail to the drawings, Figure I illustrates a warp knit textile sleeve 10 constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention wrapped about an elongate member 12 (e.g. flexible cable or wire harness or other flexible member) to be protected. The sleeve 10 has an elongate wall 14 that extends along a longitudinal axis 16 between opposite ends 18, 20 with lengthwise extending opposite free edges 22, 24 extending parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 between the opposite ends 18, 20, As best shown in Figures 2A-2D, in accordance with different respective embodiments of the invention, the wall 14 is warp knit including lengthwise extending warp yams 26 and eireumferentiaUy extending weft yams, shown here by way of example and without limitation as a pair of differently sized weft yams 28, 29. The weft yams 28, 29 are knit to form a plurality of adjacent discrete annular bands, shown by way of example and without limitation as first and second bands, represented respectively by A, B, that alternate with one another along the length of the sleeve 10. The bands A, B have respective widths wl, w2 that extend along the longitudinal axis 16, wherein the widths wl _s w2 are of indi idual arially extending lengths to provide the desired flexibility and hoop strength to the sleeve 10, without necessarily sacrificing one of flexibility and hoop strength over the other. What distinguishes the bands A, B from one another are the diameters, and possibly yam type (i.e. monofilament versus multifilament) of the respective weft yams 28 ₅ 29 used to form the bands A, B, wherein the immediately adjacent bands A _s B have weft yams of different diameters from one another, The bands A are knit consisting entirely of the weft yams 28 having a diameter no greater than a first diameter, while the bands B are knit entirely with the weft yams 29 having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, As such, the bands A, B of the sleeve 10 are termed having different physical properties from one another ₉ wherein the different physical properties alternate along the length of the sleeve 10. The differing physical properties are directly attributable to the different diameters _s and possibly yam types, of the weft yams 28, 29 used to form the respective bands A, B. The bands A are knit with smaller first diameter weft yarns 28, such as from monofilaments, multifilaments, or a combination thereof, to provide the sleeve 10 with enhanced flex regions that result in an enhanced ability of the sleeve 10 to flex and bend around comers, including comers of 90 degrees or more _} without kinking and without forming openings or gaps between the overlapping edges 22, 24. Meanwhile, the bands B are knit with larger second diameter weft yarns 29, such as from monofilaments, multifilaments, or a combination thereof, to provide the sleeve 10 with relatively stiff, relatively rigid regions relative to the bands A, thereby providing the wall 14 with enhanced hoop strength to prevent the wall 14 from being flattened or crushed under a radially applied force. As such, the elongate member 12 contained within the sleeve 10 is able to be routed about comers as desired as a result of the relativel flexible bands A, while also being protected against damage from being crushed as a result of the increased hoop strength bands B.

[0042] The warp yam 26 can be provided of any suitable yam material, including monofilament and/or multifilament yarn, and in any suitable number of ends, depending on the overall construction of the slee e as discussed further below. To enhance coverage protection provided by the wall 14 to the enclosed elongate member 12, the warp yam 26 can be provided at least in part, or entirely, of multifilament yarn,

[0043] The weft yarns 2B, 29 can be provided solely as monofilament yarn, or as a combination of monofilament and multifilament yarn, and can be provided at least in pari as heat-settable monofilament yam, if desired to facilitate heat-setting the wall 14 into a thermally formed, self-wrapping wall The alternating bands A, B, as discussed above, have differently sized weft yams from one another, whether provided solely as monofilaments or as a combination of monofilament and multifilament yam ₅ thereby providing the sleeve 10 with Increased flex bands A including the smaller diameter yam having a relatively high level of flexibility, and increased hoop strength bands B including the larger diameter yam having a relatively low level of flexibility and a relative high hoop strength compared to bands A, Irs accordance with one embodiment of the invention, wherein the sleeve 10 is a "standalone" structure, and thus, does not have any layers other than the knit wall 1 , the weft yams 28 in the flexible bands A and the weft yams 29 in the more rigid bands B have a respective ratio of diameters of about 1 :1.5. In any case, the bands A, B are sized in axially extending widths relative with one another to provide the desired amount of flex and hoop strength, while at the same time preventing the wall 14 from kinking and forming openings/gaps along the seam between die overlapping edges 22, 24. If the relative widths of the bands A, B is not maintained, the wall 14 can either sacrifice the needed hoop strength such as if the bands A are too wide relative to the bands B, or the wall can be too stiff and inflexible, thereby kinking and forming openings/gaps along the seam between the edges 22 _f 24, such as if the bands B are too wide relative to the bands A. Accordingly, it should be recognized that a balance needs to be maintained between the respective widths of the bands A, B to provide the sleeve 10 with the ability to flex without kinking and forming openings/gaps, while also retaining the desired hoop strength without being too stiff.

[0044] If the sleeve 10 is intended to be used as a "standalone" sleeve, thereby being free of any additional layers, then the wall 14 is knit having a relatively high density of yams in both the warp and weft directions. Otherwise, as shown in an alternate embodiment of the invention in Figure 4 _f wherein the same reference numerals, offset by a factor of 100, are used to identify like features, a sleeve 110 has an outer layer 30 bonded to the wall 114, such as a layer of foil 30, by way of example, then the density of the warp yam should be significantly reduced from that for the standalone sleeve 10 shown in Figure 1, such as between about 25-50% less warp ends than the sleeve 10 not having an additional layer, by way of example. The reduced density of the warp yam 26 in the sleeve 1 10 allows the sleeve 110 to remain flexible without causing the foil layer 30 to tear, while also avoiding the unwanted increase in bulk, It should be recognized the sleeve 110 has knit bands A, B similarly as discussed for the wall 14, wherein relatively small diameter weft yarns 28 are knit in the flexible bands A and relatively large diameter weft yarns 29 are knit in the more rigid bands B, such that the ratio of the respective weft yams 28, 29 is preferably about 1 :2.

[0045] In the Figures 2A-2D, various knit stitch patterns are shown in accordance with different knit embodiments. In Figure 2A, each warp yam 26 is warp knit in a closed chain stitch (pillar stitch) with the weft yams 28 _s 29 _» thereby forming loops that are looped entirely about the weft yarns 28, 29, while the weft yams 28, 29 alternate with one another along the lengthwise direction to form the discrete bands A, B, with the weft yams 28, 29 being laid-in with the knit warp yams 26. The bands A, B of the weft yams 28, 29 alternate in lengthwise relation with one another as a result of respective floats 32, 33 of each weft yam 2S, 29 that float or skip along the longitudinal axis 16 over the weft yam of the immediately adjacent band to form the next band on an opposite side of the immediatel adjacent band. Accordingly, the floats 32 of the weft yam 28 forming the bands A float over the adjacent bands B, while the floats 33 of the weft yarn 29 forming the bands B float over the adjacent bands A, It should be recognized that the plurality of bands A are formed via at least one, continuous, monolithic strand of weft yarn 28, while the bands B are formed via at least one, continuous, monolithic strand of yam 29.

[0046] in Figure 2B ₈ the knit structure is similar to that of Figure 2A, however, additional warp yams 26' are laid-in between the closed chain stitch warp yams 26 to provide added coverage to the wall.

[0047] In Figure 2C _} the knit structure is similar to that of Figure 2 A, however, rather than the floats 32, 33 of the weft yams 28 _f 29 being exposed along the edges 22, 24, the floats 32 extend inwardly from the edges 22, 24, and thus, are essentially hidden to form a "clean", smooth edge with no exposed monofilaments in the float regions.

[0048] In Figure 2D, as with Figure 2C, again the floats 32, 33 are hidden, and so too is the entirety of the weft yams 28, 29 along the edges 22, 24. This results from the incorporation of laid-in warp inserts 34 along the edges 22, 24 in combination with warp knit ends 26, shown knit in a closed chain stitch, with the laid-in warp inserts 34.

[0049] The embodiments shown in Figures 2A-2D are shown with the warp ends 26 being knit In a closed chain stitch, extending in looped fashion entirely about the weft yarns 28 ₃ 29 to fix the weft yams 28, 29 in position,, however, additional embodiments of the invention can be knit with warp ends 26 in an open chain stitch, as shown in Figure 3, wherein the warp ends 26 extend at least partially about the weft yams 28, 29 to fix the weft yarns 28 _s 29 in position.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a sleeve 210 constructed in accordance with another aspect of the invention, wherein the same reference numerals, offset by a factor of 200, are used to identify like features as discussed above, The sleeve 210 has a wall 214 constructed as above, having a plurality of bands adjacent one another to provide the desired flexibility and hoop strength, however, rather than only having a pair of different band types A, B, the sleeve has three or more different types of alternating bands A, B, C... Accordingly, the sleeve 210 includes a plurality of bands adjacent one another, wherein the bands adj cent one another have weft yarns of differing diameters from one another, thereby providing an alternating sequence of bands, such as A, B, C... A, B, C ...A, B _s €, , , A, B ₅ C, wherein each of the bands A, B, C...have weft yams of differing diameter from one another. t should also be recognized that adjacent bands A, B, C can include different types of weft yams from one another, such that one band could include only monofilament weft yarn, while and adjacent band could include only multifilament yam or a combination of monofilament and multifilament yams, by way of example and without limitation. Ultimately, the number of different types of bands and different types of weft yam used will be driven by the performance characteristics desired for the intended protective sleeve application.

[0051] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described, and that the scope of the invention is defined by any ultimately allowed claims.