Fibrous reinforcement for composite article as well as method and apparatus for its manufacture

At certain locations, stitching (14) of a reinforcing thread (12) is oblique, passing through the substrate (1) at an angle (A) of up to 30 degrees with respect to its external face (1S). Independent claims are included for the corresponding method of making reinforcement for composite materials and for the equipment making it, the latter comprising essentially a sewing machine with inclined needle(s). Preferred features: The angle of inclination is up to 10 degrees . The thread forms at least a series of parallel lines of stitching in one direction, across the substrate. The fibrous substrate is layered, comprising parallel straight lengths of thread, the first defining a thread direction (X). Further layers are superimposed, each with threads in a different direction. The reinforcement has further mutually parallel lines of stitching with directions differing from the first, and also angled through the substrate. The angle of inclination is up to 30 degrees and is symmetrical with the first. Further mutually parallel, differently directed, similarly angled lines of stitching are superposed. Stitching directions are 45 degrees , 225 degrees , 135 degrees and 315 degrees . Ratios of dimensions in the assembly and its structure are further detailed.