This invention relates generally to a weaving apparatus and method therefor, and more specifically, though not exclusively, it relates to a weaving apparatus and method for weaving webbing.

Webbing, for example the webbing used in seat belts or safety belts in vehicles, is usually required to have a relatively high transverse stiffness. One reason for this is to ensure the webbing remains flat against the user's body for example when the webbing is used as a car safety belt. It is also desirable that webbing remains relatively stiff in order that when an automatic seat belt retractor winds in slack seat belt it is taken up evenly by the seat belt retractor.

In order to obtain the aforementioned transverse stiffness a weft of different thickness or stiffness (to a warp) has been used. However, this has sometimes resulted in webbing having a rough or uneven selvedge on its woven edge, causing discomfort to the user.

To some extent this problem has been alleviated by using two wefts, only one of which weaves in the edge of the webbing this is looped back to encase the selvedge.

However, this has resulted in a thicker webbing than might otherwise be produced.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a weaving apparatus comprising: a support for a first group of warp yarns; a support for a second group of warp yarns; a first weft needle; a second weft needle, the first weft needle arranged to pass a first weft yarn through a warp shed defined by the first group of warp yarns and the second weft needle arranged to pass a second weft yarn through a separate warp shed defined by the second group of warp yarns .

Preferably the group of warp yarns taken from the second group of warp yarns is a group proximal to an edge of the first group of warp yarns. The first and second weft yarns may be of the same size. Warp ends formed during the weaving process along lateral edges of the webbing are preferably knitted together with a locking thread. This may be achieved by using a latch needle.

For purposes of clarity the woven webbing formed by weaving the first weft between the first warp yarns will be referred to as the major webbing. The woven webbing formed by weaving the second weft yarn between the second warp yarns, will be referred to as the minor

webbing. It will be understood that these terms are not intended to limit or describe the physical size of webbing so formed, rather to assist in the understanding of the apparatus .

Preferably, the two webbings are bound together by warpthreads that weave in both sheds at a position along the lateral edge of the minor webbing.

Preferably, the weft needle which passes through the minor warp shed and the associated weft thread interlaces with warp ends of the minor shed and in conjunction with the lock thread are knitted by the latch needle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of weaving comprising the steps of: passing a first weft yarn through a warp shed formed by a first group of warp yarns; and passing a second weft yarn through a second warp shed formed by the second group of warp yarns .

Preferably the group of warp yarns from the second group form a warp shed along a lateral edge of the first group of yarns.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in

which : -

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a webbing with an edge attached in "flat form";

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a webbing with an edge attached in "tubular form";

Figure 3 shows an example of a weaving apparatus; of the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatical key of warp threads motion in order to form sheds.

Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of the webbing in which a shows the major webbing and b the minor webbing, in flat form, bound to the major webbing at the junction d.

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the webbing in which a shows the major webbing and b the minor webbing, in tubular form, which is bound to the major webbing at junction d.

Figure 3 shows one method of constructing a webbing 10 suitable for use, in one embodiment, as a car safety belt. A weft needle 12 passes through a major shed 14

interlacing weft threads 16 with warp threads 18A and 18B. Thus construction of a major webbing 10 is achieved. Weft needle 20 passes through a minor shed 22. The minor shed 22 is formed from a relatively small number of warp yarns close to the edge of the webbing 10. Weft thread 24 interlaces with warp ends of the minor shed 22 to form a minor webbing 29 and a lock thread 26. The weft and lock thread are knitted by a latch needle 28 to form a knitted edge 30. The knitted edge 30 forms a row of stitches at the junction of the material formed in bulk of the webbing (the major webbing 10) and that formed in the lateral edge (the minor webbing 29) .

Figure 4 shows diagrammatically the lift of the warp threads. The key used is intended to illustrate the lifts of respective warp threads so as to indicate which warps are lifted to generate the major or minor sheds and which warps weave in both sheds and when this is achieved relative to formation of the next shed. An "X" indicates a lift of selected warp threads into the top position, a "/" indicates a lift of the warp threads into the centre position and a blank box indicates lift of the warp threads into the bottom position.

It will be appreciated that variation to the above

embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the relative sizes of the major and minor webbings may be varied or selected warp yarns may be taken from the first group instead of the second group. Similarly the sizes of each webbing could be the same.