MXPA00002449A - Wire carrier with reduced elongation - Google Patents

Abstract

A wire carrier for use in the manufacture of weather seals is disclosed comprising a wire (4) folded into a zig-zag configuration and having a plurality of generally parallel limbs for carrying a plurality of polymeric warp threads (16, 22) secured to the wire (4) and at least one ribbon (30), having stiffening elements along its longitudinal axis, secured to the wire carrier such that the ribbon(s) runs substantially perpendicularly to the limbs of the wire. The ribbon (30) may be secured to the wire by adhesive, by weaving, or by at least one row of warp thread. The resulting wire carrier is prevented from elongating during extrusion and thus a resulting product does not experience shrinkage. Methods for manufacturing the carrier are also disclosed.

Description

WIRE SUPPORT WITH REDUCED EXTENSION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a wire support, such as a wire support used for reinforcement of an elastomeric strip used when sealing, as, for example, to grip and cover the edge flanges that surround an opening in a vehicle body, and more particularly to a wire support that is not stretched during an elastomeric extrusion process and which in turn does not shrink after finally being dimensioned, installed, and throughout its duration. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wire supports typically include a continuous weft of wire formed in a zigzag configuration with substantially parallel limbs interconnected by connection regions at each end of the limbs on whose web weave, sew, thread, or otherwise dispose a plurality of warp threads. These warp yarns are typically a synthetic resin or a natural fiber. Such wire support is widely used, mainly as a reinforcing frame for coated polymeric products, especially extrusion coated products, such as weather strips in motor vehicles. During the manufacture of the weather strips, the support is passed through an extruder and is thus subjected to stresses and temperatures which can cause the warp yarns to laterally shift, stretch longitudinally and degenerate both physically and chemically. This can result, for example, in the breakage of the warps and the distortion of the wire support which affects the extrusion process and results in reduced quality and performance of the corresponding weatherstrip. In forming and extrusion processes, the displacement of the warp yarns can produce air bubbles and exposure of the wire at the end seal. Finally, when the warp yarns are thus processed with a tensile stress during the extrusion, the resulting product may undergo shrinkage after finally being dimensioned and installed, which turns out to be a problem for the end customer. It has been necessary for a long time to develop a stable wire support for extruded and molded polymer products that overcomes these problems and some attempts have been made without complete success. The prior art has shown attempts to solve some of the problems described above. An attempt to solve the problem of lateral warp displacement formed adjacent zigzag loops in the form of a propeller or banana, but this is difficult to control, and has little effect in preventing lateral warp displacement. In another attempt to solve the warp displacement problem, Beck et al., EP application number 0175818, have suggested a woven wire support with knotted joints between the warp yarns and the wire weft. Both the warp yarns and the wire weft include polymeric or polymer-coated material and the polymer material of the warp and weft must be melted to form a weld or fusion at the crossing points. This structure has several drawbacks. It is difficult and expensive to provide a wire frame coated with polymer, or the combination of an uncoated wire web with a polymeric material that is fed to the weaver with the wire. In addition, the use of fusible polymeric materials in the warp and weft increases the cost of wire support. These disadvantages increase both the costs that could not be used commercially. EP 0384613 describes a woven wire support in which the sewn warp yarns include two yarns of polymeric material having different melting points such that when the melting point of the lower melting yarn is exceeded, the wire cast make the other thread join the wire frame. This structure makes it possible to join single strands of warp yarn folded with a fusible filament to the wire support whenever they are woven. Equally, U.S. Patent No. 5,416,961 issued to Vinay discloses a woven wire support that includes at least one fusible filament placed in at least two adjacent warp yarns, so that, upon heating, the molten filament causes them to minus two adjacent warp yarns are attached to the wire and / or to each other to stabilize the resulting wire support against the warp displacement. Although the previous constructions resolve the warp displacement, they do not resolve the elongation. The use of various materials for warp yarns tampocs solves the problem of elongation. That is, even the use of warp yarns made from materials with zero to very low elongation factors completely prevents a wire support from experiencing eventual elongation and shrinkage. For example, although fiberglass yarns, which have a very low elongation factor, such as warp yarns on a wire support, the knotted joints of the yarns wound around the support decrease the ability of the yarns to avoid completely lengthening. Although the short pieces of yarn between the knots may be free of elongation during extrusion, the knots themselves are apt to be tightened further during extrusion and to loosen after the treatment. Thus, tying knots in fiberglass yarns or other yarns with very low elongation factors decreases their ability to effectively prevent elongation throughout the wire support. Thus, none of the constructions described above provides a completely satisfactory structure for a wire support with warp threads attached to a wire support for use in a weatherstrip because none faces the problem of shrinkage in the final product resulting from the elongation of the threads. of warp during extrusion. Thus, shrinkage of the final product must be reduced by reducing the elongation of the wire support during pre-forming, extrusion, and post-forming. In addition, it is necessary to reduce the shrinkage that takes place in short-term weather stripping after extrusion, during secondary operations, and after a prolonged time in situ. In addition, it is necessary to retain the separation between generally parallel limbs of a wire frame during the extrusion process for the prevention of elongation. A simple, inexpensive, elongation prevention mechanism is also needed to solve the above needs. Such an elongation prevention mechanism is also needed which is easy to incorporate into the fabrication of a wire support. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wire support with an elongation prevention mechanism that avoids the shrinkage that occurs in weather stripping after extrusion and after a prolonged period of time in situ . Another object of the present invention is to provide an elongation prevention mechanism that substantially retains the relative spacing between adjacent limbs in a wire frame. Another object of the present invention is to provide an elongation prevention mechanism that is inexpensive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape usable as an elongation prevention mechanism and fixable to a wire support. Another object of the present invention is to provide reinforcing elements, such as fiberglass or carbon fiber yarns, along the longitudinal axis of the belt. Another object of the present invention is to fix the tape to the wire support using warp yarns. Another object of the present invention is to fix the tape to the wire support using adhesive. Another object of the present invention is to fix the tape to the wire support by interweaving. Another object of the present invention is to provide methods for manufacturing a wire support employing a tape elongation prevention mechanism. Other objects will be evident in part and in part appear later. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wire support for use in a weatherstrip can include a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions to support polymeric wires. of warp in the parallel limbs, the wire support having a width defined substantially by a length of one of the plurality of generally parallel limbs, a plurality of warp yarns, such as warp, woven, sewn, threaded, or warp polymeric yarns; otherwise fixed to the wire to encircle the wire within one stitch of each row of warp yarn fabric, and at least one tape having reinforcement elements along its longitudinal axis. The tape (s) is preferably fixed to the wire such that the reinforcing elements extend substantially perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel bars. The tape can be fixed with adhesive on at least one row of warp yarns by providing an adhesive coating on the back surface of the tape to form a tape. Alternatively, the tape can be trapped along its longitudinal axis between a warp yarn fixing row and the wire. Alternatively, the tape can be woven through the wire frame. The reinforcing elements may include carbon or fiberglass yarns, or other elements with a zero to low elongation factor. The reinforcement elements can be fixed together in a fabric by a weft thread. The wire support can use a single ribbon placed in a central position along the plurality of generally parallel limbs. Alternatively, a first belt may be placed between a first set of warp yarns and a second belt placed between a second set of warp yarns, such that the first belt, the second belt, the first set of warp yarns, and the second set of warp yarns are spaced along the width of the wire support. Alternative configurations also fall within the scope of the invention. In a method for manufacturing a wire support as described in the present invention, the steps of forming a wire in a zigzag configuration having a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions to support wires can be followed. of warp in the parallel limbs, feeding a plurality of warp yarns to the wire, securing the warp yarns in the wire, such as by weaving, sewing, or threading, to encircle the wire within one stitch of each row of yarn warp, and join at least one tape having reinforcement elements along its longitudinal axis to the wire support such that the at least one tape is fixed substantially perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel limbs. The step of attaching the tape (s) may include feeding the tape (s) to the wire and catching the at least one tape along its longitudinal axis between at least one row of warp yarn and the tape. wire or interweave the tape (s) through the parallel limbs of the wire. Alternatively, the tape (s) can be fixed with adhesive on at least one row of warp yarn, and then the wire support can be passed through pressure rollers to increase adhesion. The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be understood very readily and will be fully understood by the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 depicts a top view of a prior art wire support having rows of warp yarns. Figure 2 depicts a top view of an improved wire support having an elongation prevention mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 represents a top view of an improved wire support having an elongation prevention mechanism in another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 depicts a top view of an improved wire support having an elongation prevention mechanism in another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 represents a top view of an improved wire support. Figure 6 depicts a top view of a tape for use as a prevention-elongation mechanism in the present invention. Figure 7 represents a detailed view from above; ba of a tape for use as an elongation prevention mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 depicts a side view of a tape for use as an elongation prevention mechanism in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 4. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A wire support according to this invention is depicted in FIG. Figure 1 of the drawing. The support 2 includes a piece of wire support 4, preferably uncoated, formed in a frame with a zigzag configuration of generally parallel limbs 6, 8, 10 interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions 12, 14 defining the edges of the support. The zigzag configuration of the wire can be extended to any desired length to support the warp yarns. Preferably, the wire 4 has an uncoated length of about 0.76 mm (30 mils) in diameter steel wire, for example carbon steel or 301 stainless steel wire. The wire can be coated with a layer protective, non-fusible, for example, with a protective coating against rust. A plurality of warp yarns or threads 16, 18, 20, 22, for example, are fixed to the wire support 4, such as by weaving, sewing, or threading, to reinforce the wire support 4 and form a wire support 2. The warp threads surround the wire 4 within a stitch of each row of warp yarn. The ur-dread yarns are attached to the wire 4, preferably with chain stitch to minimize warp displacement and the warp yarns are prestressed, for example, at 0.5-2 pounds (0.2-9 N) per warp end, preferably one pound (0.4 N). The warp yarns preferably include a polymeric material. Polymeric means a polymer based on organic chemistry or organosilicone. The polymer can be a synthetic resin or a natural fiber such as cotton. Synthetic resins are more durable and resistant to stresses, although not free from them, produced during the manufacture of the coated product, for example during extrusion, and are preferred. Suitable polymeric materials include, for example, polyesters, polypropylenes and nylons. Polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, is especially suitable. Preferably, the warp yarns have a size of about 1,000 denier. If the separation between the generally parallel limbs 6, 8, 10 increases due to elongation of the wire support during extrusion, then there will be a considerable risk of shrinkage, at least to some degree, in the final product because when the limbs extend, the warp threads 16, 18, 20, and 22 are processed with a tensile stress. After finally dimensioning the product, installing it, and during the entire duration of the product, as the tensile stress in the warp yarns decreases, the entire product will experience shrinkage. Therefore, although the elongation can not significantly affect the manufacture of a wire support, the customer receiving the final product may not be satisfied with the product due to shrinkage. The present invention overcomes this shrinking problem by preventing the separation between generally parallel limbs 6, 8, 10 from increasing during extrusion processes. A belt or strip 30 containing a reinforcing element, such as, but not limited to, fiberglass or carbon yarns, along its longitudinal axis, is inserted and becomes a part of the wire support, as shown. in figures 2-5. In Figure 2, a relatively small wire support 28 with warp threads 16 and 22 adjacent to the connecting regions 12 and 14 is represented by the tape 30 inserted along a middle portion of the wire support 28. The tape 30 is fixed to the wire support 28 by warp yarns 40 which are bonded on the wire 4 correspondingly to the method of joining the warp yarns 16 and 22, such as by chain stitch, although alternative sewing methods, Stitching, or weaving fall within the scope of this invention. The tape 30 is trapped between the wires 40 and the wire 4. As shown in FIG. 3, a larger wire support 46 is shown with warp threads 16, 18, 20, and 22 as in FIG. 1. improved support 46 is provided with a reinforcement tape 30 placed between warp yarns 16 and warp yarns 18, and a reinforcement tape 30 placed between warp yarns 20 and warp yarns 22. Thus, the largest wire support 46 it is provided with elongation prevention mechanisms evenly distributed around the width of the support 46. Although two specific embodiments of wire supports and the placement of reinforcement ribbons 30 are depicted, it should be understood that alternative assemblies of warp yarns and ribbons fall. within the scope of the present invention. For example, some or all of the warp yarns 16, 18, 20, and 22 could be used to secure the tape 30 to the wire 4. Turning now to Figure 4, an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the wire support 48 is shown with warp yarns 16, 18, 20, and 22 as in Figure 1, the warp yarns 18 and 20 being shown in transparency. The reinforcement tape 50 is placed over warp yarns 18 and 20 and between warp yarns 16 and 22. The reinforcement tape 50 can be attached with adhesive to the warp yarns 18 and 20. Alternatively, a ribbon could be adhered 30. (not shown) to the wire frame 4 such as by a latex cover. Although not shown, the warp yarns 16 and 22 could also be covered with separate reinforcement ribbons 50. In addition, any warp yarn assembly used and then covered by the tape 50 would fall within the scope of this invention. The reinforcing tape 50 prevents the wire support 48 from elongating during processing and prior art wire supports can be made by simply adding a wrapping step as opposed to changing some prior manufacturing step. Another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the wire support 60 is shown with warp threads 16, 18, 20, and 22 as in Figure 1. The tapes 30 are shown placed between warp yarns 16 and 18 and between warp yarns 20 and 22, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, however, the ribbons 30 are interwoven within the wire weft 4 in such a way that the tapes 30 pass over and under alternate generally parallel limbs 6, 8, 10, thus eliminating the need for additional rows of fixing warp yarns 40. The above described embodiments are illustrative of some embodiments for incorporating a mechanism of prevention of elongation to a wire support. Other embodiments not described herein fall within the scope of this invention provided that the wire support is prevented from elongating during extrusion to avoid shrinkage in a final product. As represented in figure 6, the belt 30 is provided with reinforcing elements 32 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 of the belt 30. The reinforcing elements 32 may include fiberglass or carbon fiber yarns, although they may also include any other element with a factor of Lengthening from zero to very low. As shown in Figure 7, where the size of the elements has been exaggerated for clarity, the reinforcement elements 32 can be held together in a fabric by a weft thread 36. The weft thread 36 can also be a fiberglass or carbon fiber, or another element with a factor of elongation from zero to very low, although its composition is irrelevant for the prevention of the alárgamiento in the wire support. As shown in FIG. 8, the tape 30 may be provided with a lower layer of adhesive 52 to form the tape 50 for use in making the improved wire carrier illustrated in FIG. 4. Since the reinforcing elements 32 in FIG. the tape or strip 30, 50 are not attached or sewn individually to the wire support, they do not experience tightening or loosening around the wire support as the warp yarns do. The reinforcing elements 32 pass over, or above and below, the wire support without forming a loop around the wire support, ie, without causing any of the reinforcing elements 32 to cross over in such a way that each reinforcement element passes through each limb only once. The tape 30 or strip 50, being an integral part of the wire support, prevents elongation of the wire support during the following manufacturing operations. The prevention of this elongation avoids that the warp threads are processed with a tensile force that after extrusion of rubber can cause the part to "shrink" after its final sizing, installation and during all its duration.

The tape or strip can be applied to all wire support products using any yarn or yarns having elongation during subsequent processing in extrusion boxes. The reinforcement element in the belt / strip prevents the wire support from being stretched initially while it is being processed, and, once encapsulated with rubber or other compounds, will not allow the other threads or strands to be crushed and / or buckled leaving that the finished part retains its original length. Some of the advantages deriving from the present invention include a support that is provided with greater resistance to elongation, the number of other threads and strands in the wire support is reduced, and there is more accurate control of the length in the operations Finishing. Since the reinforcing elements 32 on the tape or strip 30, 50 are not individually bonded or stitched to the wire support, they do not experience tightening or loosening around the wire support as the warp yarns do. The reinforcing elements 32 pass over, or above and below, the wire support without forming a loop around the wire support, ie, without causing any of the reinforcing elements 32 to cross over in such a manner. that each reinforcement element passes through each limb only once. The tape 30 or strip 50, being an integral part of the wire support, prevents elongation of the wire support during the following manufacturing operations. The prevention of this elongation avoids that the warp threads are processed with a tensile force that after extrusion of rubber can cause the piece to "shrink" after being finally dimensioned, installed and during all its duration.

The tape or strip can be applied to all wire support products using any yarn or yarns having elongation during the subsequent treatment in extrusion boxes. The reinforcement element in the tape / strip prevents the wire support from being stretched initially while it is processed, and, once encapsulated with rubber or other compounds, will not allow the other threads or strands to be crushed and / or buckled allowing the finished part retains its original length. Some of the advantages thus deviated from the present invention include a support which is provided with greater resistance to elongation, the number of other threads and threads in the wire support is reduced, and there is a more accurate control of the length in finishing operations. In a method for forming the wire support of the present invention, the wire is fed from a supply drum through the wire guide to form the wire frame of the support in a zigzag configuration in which the warp yarns they are fixed, for example, with a chain stitch. A plurality of warp yarns are fed to the wire from a beam or a plurality of supply cones, under a tension of from about 0.5-2 pounds (0.2-9 N) per warp end, preferably about 1. pound (0.4 N). In the embodiment using tape 30 without adhesive, the tape can be fed from a cone and fixed by warp yarns simultaneously as any alternative assemblies, such as two tapes 30 placed between the warp yarns 16 and 22 of Figure 2 , or a tape 30 placed between warp yarns 18 and 20 of Figure 3, or a broad tape 50 covering all of the warp yarns in Figure 4, or various weaving formations in Figure 5, fall within reach of the present invention,

Claims (37)

1. A wire support for use in a weatherstrip including: a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions for supporting warp yarns in the parallel limbs, having the support of wire a width defined substantially by a length of one of the plurality of generally parallel limbs; and a plurality of warp yarns attached to the wire to encircle the wire within a stitch of each warp yarn row, characterized in that the wire support includes at least one ribbon having reinforcement elements along its longitudinal axis for substantially avoiding that the separation between adjacent limbs increases during an extrusion process by substantially eliminating the tensile stresses that could otherwise be formed in the plurality of warp yarns during the extrusion process, the at least one tape being attached to the such that the reinforcing elements extend substantially perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel limbs. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one tape is secured with adhesive on at least one row of warp yarns. 3. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing elements include glass fiber yarns. The wire support of claim 3, wherein the glass fiber strands are fixed to one another in a fabric by a weft yarn. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one tape includes a single tape positioned substantially perpendicular to and in a central position along the plurality of generally parallel limbs. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one tape includes a first tape positioned between a first set of warp yarns and a second tape placed between a second set of warp yarns, the first tape being separated, the second tape, the first set of warp yarns, and the second set of warp yarns along the width of the wire support. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one belt is trapped along its longitudinal axis between a warp wire and the wire. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one tape is fixed to the wire by chain stitches in the warp yarn fixing row. The wire support of claim 8, wherein the plurality of warp yarns includes at least one row of warp yarns on both sides of the at least one tape, where each row of warp yarns is spaced at length of the width of the woven wire support. 10. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one tape includes a tape with an adhesive coating on one side of the tape. 11. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one belt is woven through the plu- rality of generally parallel limbs. 1

2. The wire support of claim 1, wherein the at least one tape is fixed to the latex wire. 1

3. A wire support for use in a weatherstrip comprising: a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions for supporting warp yarns in the parallel limbs; and a plurality of warp yarns attached to the wire to encircle the wire within a stitch of each row of warp yarn; characterized in that the wire support includes at least one tape having reinforcement elements along its longitudinal axis, the at least one tape being fixed to the wire in such a way that the reinforcing elements extend substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of generally parallel limbs. 1

4. The wire support of claim 13, wherein the at least one tape is fixed with adhesive on at least one row of warp yarns. 1

5. The wire support of claim 13, wherein each reinforcement element in the at least one tape crosses each limb in the plurality of generally parallel limbs only once. 1

6. The wire support of claim 13, wherein the at least one belt is formed by a weft yarn that secures the reinforcement elements together in a fabric. 1

7. A wire support including a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions, characterized in that the wire support includes a plurality of reinforcement elements. individual and substantially parallel pieces connected in juxtaposition relations to form a single tape, the tape having a width defined by the combined width of the reinforcing elements, where the tape is fixed to the wire in such a way that the reinforcing elements cross each limb in the plurality of generally parallel limbs only once and extending substantially perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel limbs. 1

8. The wire support of claim 17, wherein the tape is attached with adhesive to the wire. The wire support of claim 18, further including a plurality of rows of warp yarns attached to the wire to encircle the wire within one stitch of each row of warp yarns, where the tape is secured with adhesive on at least one a row of warp threads. 20. The wire support of claim 17, wherein the reinforcing elements are fixed to one another in a fabric by a weft yarn. The wire support of claim 17, wherein the tape is trapped along its longitudinal axis between a warp yarn fixing row and the wire. 22. The wire support of claim 17, wherein the ribbon is interwoven through the plurality of generally parallel limbs. 23. The wire support of claim 17, wherein the ribbon is fixed to the wire with latex. 24. The wire support of claim 17, wherein the tape is a tape with an adhesive coating on one side of the tape. 25. A wire support including a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions, characterized in that the wire support includes a reinforcement tape having a factor of low elongation, where the tape is fixed to the wire in a fabric by passing the tape over alternating rows of limbs and under alternating rows of limbs such that a longitudinal axis of the tape extends substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of limbs generally parallel and where the ribbon crosses each limb in the plurality of generally parallel limbs only once. 26. A wire support including a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions, characterized in that the wire support includes at least one reinforcing element that includes a non-metallic strand of zero or low elongation factor, wherein the reinforcing element is fixed to the wire in such a way that a longitudinal axis of the reinforcing element extends substantially perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel limbs and where the element of reinforcement crosses each limb in the plurality of generally parallel limbs only once. 27. The wire support of claim 26, wherein the reinforcing element is at least one fiberglass or carbon yarn. 28. The wire support of claim 27, wherein the reinforcing element is a fiberglass ribbon. 2

9. A wire support, including a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions, the bent wire having a length generally perpendicular to the limbs and being able to stretch along the length of the wire. length, characterized in that the wire support includes an elongated band having a very low elongation factor and connected to the bent wire to substantially prevent elongation of the bent wire along its length, the elongate band extending substantially perpendicular to the wire. plurality of generally parallel limbs and crossing each limb in the plurality of generally parallel limbs only once and being able to move along a limb. 30. A wire support, including a wire bent in a zigzag configuration so as to have a plurality of generally parallel limbs spaced apart from one another and interconnected at alternative ends by connection regions, the bent wire having a length generally perpendicular to the limbs and being able to stretch along the length, characterized in that the wire support includes an elongated band which substantially excludes the elongation of the bent wire while allowing compression of the wire by allowing the distance between parallel limbs to shorten, wherein the elongated web extends substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of generally parallel limbs and crosses each limb in the plurality of generally parallel limbs only once. 31. A method for manufacturing a wire support as claimed in claim 13, said method including the steps of: forming a wire in a zigzag configuration having a plurality of generally parallel limbs interconnected at alternate ends by regions of co- nexion to support warp yarns in parallel limbos; feeding a plurality of warp yarns to the wire; securing the warp threads on the wire to encircle the wire within one stitch of each row of warp yarn; joining at least one belt having reinforcement elements along its longitudinal axis to the wire support such that the at least one belt is fixed substantially perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel limbs. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of joining the at least one tape includes feeding the at least one tape to the wire and trapping the at least one tape along its longitudinal axis between at least one row of tape. warp yarn and wire. 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of joining the at least one tape includes the step of adhesively securing the at least one tape on at least one weave of warp yarn. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of fixing with adhesive includes the step of passing the wire support through pressure rollers to increase adhesion. 35. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of joining the at least one tape includes weaving the at least one tape through the plurality of generally parallel limbs. 36. A method for producing an extruded weft with reduced shrinkage of the final product, including the steps of: providing a wire holder as claimed in claim 13; and coating the wire support with an elastomeric material during an extrusion process. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one belt having the reinforcement elements eliminates the tensile strength in the rows of warp yarns that would otherwise occur during the extension process.