Previous posts described how braid structures form from directional crossings and how XHeliX structures emerge when opposing filament systems interlace.
A further structural development occurs when the filaments within each lateral system link to neighboring filaments while also interlacing with an opposing system. This configuration forms what we refer to here as ALX patterning.
This concept aligns with structures described in Bradford C. Jamison’s patent, Plexus of Filaments with Linked Members, which describes textile structures as networks of filament groups that are both linked internally and interlaced with other filament groups.
Patent reference:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10905188B2/en?q=(bradford)&inventor=c+jamison
Linked and Interlaced Filament Systems
X and Y lateral filament systems move in opposed directions, interlacing with each other across the structure.
In this configuration two filament groups move laterally through the textile:
- an X filament system
- a Y filament system
Each system travels diagonally across the structure in an opposing direction. As they intersect, the filaments interlace repeatedly, forming a stable patterned network.
ALX Structure Formation
When lateral filament systems are both linked internally and interlaced with opposing systems, a continuous plexus of filaments is formed.
In the ALX configuration, filaments within each lateral group link to neighboring filaments in the same group while simultaneously interlacing with filaments in the opposing group. This combination produces a continuous plexus of filaments, where multiple filament
paths weave through the structure in repeating trajectories.
The Jamison patent describes these patterned filament systems as organized plexuses, where the structure emerges from repeatable crossing and linking rules rather than from traditional woven or knitted constructions.
Why This Matters
Viewing textiles as linked and interlaced filament networks reveals a deeper structural logic behind lace braiding. By controlling: filament direction, linking sequences, and crossing frequency designers can create textile structures that can be tuned for flexibility, expansion, load distribution, and structural stability, behaving as engineered lattice systems rather than simple decorative fabrics.