US3972529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reinforced tubular materials and process
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-10-07
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1994-10-07
Abstract
Abstract This invention concerns hollow, tubular, lightweight metallic elements, particularly those of tubular aluminum, magnesium, titanium or other lightweight metals, having increased strength, stiffness and other properties. The invention involves the lengthwise application of unidirectional graphite fiber strips within recesses cut along the outer surface of metallic elements at least in key stress areas to provide the advantages enumerated above, the weight of the fiber strips being less than the weight of the metal removed to form said recesses.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter F. McNeil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:18
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B53/00; A63B53/12; A63B2209/00; A63B2209/02; A63B60/00; A63B60/06; A63B60/08; A63B60/10; A63B60/48; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1062; Y10T156/1064; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49616; Y10T29/49623; Y10T29/49631; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/1355; Y10T428/1372; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A reinforced metallic element having increased strength and stiffness comprising a thin-walled, hollow, tubular elongate metallic body having a first predetermined specific gravity and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots thereabout, each of said slots containing a continuous strip of unidirectional graphite fiber composition bonded therein to fill said slot and be flush with the outer surface of said metallic body, each of said strips being of a second predetermined specific gravity less than said first specific gravity of said metallic body whereby the weight of said metallic element is less than that which would result had said element been constructed solely of metal of said first predetermined specific gravity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A reinforced metallic element having increased strength and stiffness comprising a thin-walled, hollow, tubular elongate metallic body having a first predetermined specific gravity and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots thereabout, each of said slots containing a continuous strip of unidirectional graphite fiber composition bonded therein to fill said slot and be flush with the outer surface of said metallic body, each of said strips being of a second predetermined specific gravity less than said first specific gravity of said metallic body whereby the weight of said metallic element is less than that which would result had said element been constructed solely of metal of said first predetermined specific gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A reinforced element according to claim 1 in which said longitudinal slots extend from the outer surface of said tubular elongate metallic body inwardly into the wall thickness thereof to an extent less than the wall thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A reinforced element according to claim 1 in which said longitudinal slots comprise inwardly-directed channels in the wall of said tubular elongate metallic body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reinforced element according to claim 1 in which said elongate metallic body comprises a lightweight metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reinforced element according to claim 1 in which at least two of said longitudinal slots are equally-spaced on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A reinforced element according to claim 1 in which said tubular elongate metallic body is tapered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A reinforced element according to claim 1 in which said strips of unidirectional graphite fiber composition comprise a multiplicity of graphite fibers and a resinous binder material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A reinforced element according to claim 1 comprising a tapered aluminum golf club shaft having at least two equally-spaced slots therein having said strips of graphite fiber composition bonded therein by means of a resinous adhesive.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |