Patent attributes
Non-textile fabric panels (FIG. 17) are either formed, formed and joined, or joined by using plates or elements 1, 2, 51, 52 having edges with connection structures of complementary shaped and spaced knuckles 54, 55, 58 that interfit with one another. The knuckles include surfaces 57, 56, 59, that interfit and engage similar structures on adjacent elements or plates. Aligned, interfitting connection structures or knuckles can hinge along major bending axes, giving the non-textile fabric made thereby the ability to flex and bend like textile fabric or leather. Buttressing surfaces 7, 57 between connected knuckles help prevent early disengagement of intermitting surfaces when the non-textile fabric is subjected to strong tensile forces. Elements 51, 52 having the overall shape of a right isoscoles triangle in the plane of the non-textile fabric formed therefrom thus provide four major bending axes for superior flexible strength. Knuckles 22, 24 on the free edges of non-textile fabric panels made according the invention can be interleaved in a post manufacturing operation to make strong and almost invisible seams between panels.
