BRAIDED TUBULAR ARTICLE WITH RESTRAINING ELEMENT

摘要

A braided tubular article (10) comprises a tubular form of helically braided yarns (12) to which is coupled a plurality of spaced axially extending restraining elements (14), conveniently as warp elements braided with the tubular form. The yarns (12) are braided with a small helix pitch that permits the tubular form to be extended axially and contract radially onto a substrate as a protective sleeve. The warp elements are essentially inextensible and frictional coupling between them and the braid yarns inhibits extension of the article, permitting it to be handled and passed over a substrate before applying a deliberate extension force to overcome the friction and contract it into the substrate. The restraining elements may be other than branded warp elements and the extension-inhibiting coupling may be a disruptable bond instead of, or supplementing, friction. Frictionally acting warp elements permit the extended article to assume a bent form in one or more directions. The warp elements may be positionally floating or anchored with respect to the braid yarns.