Fabrics with lightguides woven into them are generally known because of the lighting effect which may be imparted to the lightguides by emission.

This allows manufacture of fabrics with light effects and thereby a great signal value.

The specification of US 6 628 885 discloses an example of the use of fibre optics in the form of lightguides which are woven together to form a woven fabric with light-conducting fibres. Breaking of fibres at suitable locations on the individual lightguides will result in light emission at the locations con- cerned.

A corresponding weave is known from US 4 234 907, where the individual light-conducting fibre threads are broken at the locations where light emis- sion is desired.

Both of these known weaves are limited in terms of their possibilities of light emission, viz. to the specific points on the fibres which all extend in the same direction and are mutually parallel. This one-sidedly extending light- guide bundle restricts the possibilities of establishing various light and col- our changes to the extent and the predetermined position of the lightguides in the weave.

Obiect of the invention The object of the invention is to improve the possibilities of the woven fabric such that the light emission may be chosen to be more intensive while be- ing more homogenous, just as the possibility of individual light conditions at predetermined locations may be ensured, and this is achieved by weaving the lightguides essentially into each other in crossing directions in the fabric.

This woven cross field of lightguides provides surprising options and effects because of the improved combination possibilities both with respect to in- tensity and change of colour.

Allowing the positions of the lightguides to be individual, as stated in claim 2, provides for increased use of light effects at the desired locations.

When, as stated in claim 3, the threads and the lightguides are pressed together, these will be deformed and possibly broken, in particular where they cross each other, thereby achieving light emission which causes a light effect in the form of"luminous fabric", as the light emission takes place between the lightguides.

To this should be added that the fabric is flattened with a relatively even surface.

When, as stated in claim 4, the fibres are broken by means of e. g. laser light, light-emitting points may be established at the desired locations to form figures, etc.

When, as stated in claim 5, prints are provided on the fabric, it is addition- ally possible to make the print luminous by suitable provision of light emis-

sion.

When, as stated in claim 6, a holder is used and provided with the light- emitting equipment, the fibres ending in the holder may be supplied with light in a practical and expedient manner, just as the holder may be used for suspension and the like.

When, as stated in claim 7, the light source is incorporated in a holder, the whole is gathered along the lateral edge of the fabric in the holder.

Finally, as stated in claim 8, it is expedient to be able to mount the light source separately from the woven fabric and to use a light-guiding con- necting cable between the parts.

The drawing An example of a woven fabric and its mounting according to the invention will be described more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which fig. 1 shows an enlarged section of the fabric and the holder, fig. 2 shows an enlarged section through the woven fabric, fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a piece of fabric and the holder with the light source prior to assembly, and fig. 4 shows an example of a piece of woven fabric with printed motif mounted in holders.

Description of embodiments

The basis of the invention is the fabric 3 which comprises weave threads, binder threads 2, which are woven together with lightguides 1, as indicated in figs. 1 and 2.

It will be possible to weave lightguides 1 which extend in just one direction, and they may also be woven transversely thereof.

The purpose of the crossing lightguides is to achieve an evenly distributed fine-meshed net of cross points for overlying lightguides and thereby for the light emission.

The lightguides 1 may be configured so as to be sidelighting.

As indicated in fig. 2, a subsequent rolling of the weave at a suitably high temperature will cause the lightguides 1 to be deformed particularly in the cross field and the cross-sectional profile to be changed to an oval by the flattening of the guides.

As a result, the woven fabric 3 will be compressed and have a relatively plane surface.

The weaving and the subsequent rolling cause the lightguides to diffuse light 10 in a direction out from the lateral edges of the lightguides, which will contribute to imparting a luminous effect to the weave.

If the fabric 3 is hot-rolled, the lightguides 1 will (optionally additionally) be sidelighting at the points where the lightguides cross either thread or light source. The lightguides 1 will be deformed and be softened and thereby be pressed together with the thread 2 or lightguide which extends transversely.

This will result in a light loss in all the crosses and thereby make the fabric 3 more evenly sidelighting, no matter whether the lightguides 1 are woven

in one or two directions.

As mentioned, laser treatment of the lightguides 1 is also a subsequent treatment and is a technique which may be used on rolled and non-rolled fabric, and fabric with woven sidelighting and non-sidelighting lightguides.

If there is a need for specific luminous locations or fields, ruptures may be burnt in the guides by means of laser light, which may be used for the crea- tion of specific luminous points/extents in the weave.

The supply of light is to take place at the end faces of the lightguides, and in this respect the light-guiding holder shown in fig. 1 is suitable.

The holder comprises a base part 7 and a top part 6 which together form a holder 5 as shown in figs. 3 and 4.

Where the light source is present in the housing 5 itself, the light-emitting diode and the battery 8 as well as an optimal light lens 9 are positioned such that the light is emitted into the lightguides, as indicated in fig. 1.

In the event that the woven parts 3 must be capable of being exchanged, the holder 5 may be formed with a receiving slot 12, as indicated in fig. 3, into which a rail 4 secured on the weave 3 may be inserted.

This rail 4, applied to the lateral edge or edges of the weave, may be pressed into the holder 5, and the guides 1 are fed from the light source via a generally known light supply 11.

In the example shown in fig. 3, the battery and the diode 14 are connected to the holder via a lightguide cable 13.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a piece of woven fabric 3 on which a motif 15 has been printed, said fabric being mounted between two rails and holders 5.

As needed, the lightguides are treated for light emission at the desired lo- cations so that the motif 15 appears luminous.

By suitable selection of generally known control technique the light may be modulated to a desired luminance and colour. This makes it possible to create many types of luminous motifs and designs.

The weave 3 according to the invention may be used for various purposes, including garments which may be provided with e. g. warning light, just as it is possible to cover walls and the like and provide them with light-emitting figures or other practical directions or instructions which, where appropriate, may give out light in case of an emergency.

This multiplicity of options for visual attention and influence has been made possible in that the weave has an unprecedentedly good light distribution and light emission because of the fine-meshed weave and the evenly dis- tributed crosses between oppositely extending lightguides in the weave.