Harness component

Abstract

A harness component may include at least one panel of fabric having longitudinal warp yarns. The at least one panel of fabric has at least one longitudinal fold, a first end portion having a first transverse width, a second end portion having a second transverse width, and a central portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The central portion has a third transverse width greater than the first transverse width and greater than the second transverse width. At least one stitch pattern crosses the warp yarns along the first end portion and along the second end portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A harness component comprising:
 at least one panel of fabric having longitudinal warp yarns, the at least one panel of fabric comprising:
 at least one longitudinal fold; 
 a first end portion having a first transverse width; 
 a second end portion having a second transverse width; and 
 a central portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the central portion having a third transverse width greater than the first transverse width and greater than the second transverse width; 
   at least one stitch pattern crossing the warp yarns along the first end portion and along the second end portion.   
     
     
         2 . The harness component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel of fabric comprises:
 a first portion;   a second portion folded with respect to the first portion along a first longitudinal fold and overlapping the first portion; and   a third portion folded with respect to the first portion along a second longitudinal fold and overlapping the second portion, wherein the stitching pattern passes through the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.   
     
     
         3 . The harness component of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion and the third portion have bias shifts so as to lay flat. 
     
     
         4 . The harness component of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one panel of fabric comprises:
 a first panel providing the first portion and the second portion; and   a second panel underlying the first portion providing the third portion.   
     
     
         5 . The harness component of  claim 4 , wherein the first panel has a current edge curved edge extending from the first end portion to the second end portion and overlying the second panel. 
     
     
         6 . The harness component of  claim 4  further comprising a layer sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion along the central portion. 
     
     
         7 . The harness component of  claim 4  further comprising a layer sandwiched between the second portion and the third portion along the central portion. 
     
     
         8 . The harness component of  claim 1  comprising:
 a first line having first splayed strands overlying portions of the first end portion; and 
 a second line having second splayed strands overlying portions of the second end portion. 
 
     
     
         9 . The harness component of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one stitch pattern crosses the first splayed strands and the second splayed strands. 
     
     
         10 . The harness component of  claim 8  further comprising a supplemental stitch pattern crossing the first splayed strands and extending into the at least one panel of fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The harness component of  claim 8 , wherein the first splayed strands are sandwiched between the first portion and the third portion along the first end portion and wherein the second splayed strands are sandwiched between the first portion and the third portion along the second end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The harness component of  claim 11  further comprising a layer sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion or the third portion, wherein the first splayed strands overlap the layer. 
     
     
         13 . The harness component of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one stitch pattern crosses the first splayed strands and extends into the layer. 
     
     
         14 . The harness component of  claim 11 , wherein the layer comprises a fabric having weft yarns longitudinally extending along the at least one panel. 
     
     
         15 . The harness component of  claim 1  further comprising a wideband portion having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the at least one panel comprises a wrapping panel wrapped about the upper edge and the lower edge, wherein the at least one stitch pattern extends into the wideband portion. 
     
     
         16 . The harness component of  claim 15 , wherein the wrapping panel covers at least 80% of a transverse width of the wideband portion along the first end portion. 
     
     
         17 . The harness component of  claim 15 , wherein the wrapping panel is wrapped about the wideband portion in a first direction, the harness component further comprising a second wrapping panel wrapped about the wideband portion and a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         18 . The harness component of  claim 15  further an elastic tubular braid receiving the wideband portion and the wrapping panel wrapped about the wideband portion, wherein the first stitch pattern extends through and across the elastic tubular braid, through and across the wrapping panel and into the wideband portion. 
     
     
         19 . The harness component of  claim 15 , wherein the wrapping panel completely covers a first face of the wideband portion and covers at least 20% of a maximum width of wideband portion. 
     
     
         20 . The harness component of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a wideband portion; and 
 a narrow extension portion having tension lines extending from an end of the narrow extension portion to form splayed end portions, the splayed end portions being connected to the wideband portion and the at least one panel of fabric.