Jack C Rogers

US Patent:

59504579, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

May 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/864195

Inventors:

Carl P. Wagner - Cheraw SC
Jack S. Rogers - Greensboro NC

Assignee:

Highland Industries, Inc. - Greensboro NC

International Classification:

D04B 2312

US Classification:

66192

Abstract:

A warp knit, weft inserted fabric substrate for use as a strength component in vinyl coated and laminated backlit signs, awnings and in other applications where stability and uniform geometry is desired. The stable knit construction of the fabric is achieved by doubling the number of stitches or courses per inch of fabric. To avoid changing the industry-wide standard fabric construction of 18x12 with the stitch doubling, weft yarns are inserted every other stitch. In a fabric having an 18 x 12 construction, the number of stitches doubles from 12 to 24. The final fabric construction is 18 warp ends per inch, 12 weft ends per inch, and 24 courses per inch. Although the course count increases from 12 to 24 stitches per inch, only one weft yarn is inserted for every two stitches rather than every stitch as currently done in the prior art. By doubling the number of stitches through shortening the stitch length, the weft or filling yarns area forced to remain in a restricted are of the fabric. As a result, the final fabric exhibits enhanced stability and exceptional visual geometry.