Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In a fabric construction, constituting an article of manufacture useful for covering and assuming a compound-curved shape wherein is included the combination of at least two plies, characterized as outer plies of flexible material between which is sandwiched a series of spaced-apart, parallel aligned, springy plastic elements of elongate shape, each element constructed with fibers impregnated with resin, cured, and thereby reinforced to form a semi-rigid or rigid material, the outer plies and the springy plastic elements being bonded one to the other to form the sandwich structure, the voids between adjacent springy plastic elements containing fibers in the form of yarns or rovings, the improvement wherein said plies consist of parallel aligned continuous pliable filaments bonded to said springy plastic elements, each filament being laterally aligned with respect to said springy plastic elements, whereby the springy elements can be directionally displaced one toward another, and longitudinally displaced so that the fabric construction can cover and assume the shape of a compound-curved structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a fabric construction, constituting an article of manufacture useful for covering and assuming a compound-curved shape wherein is included the combination of at least two plies, characterized as outer plies of flexible material between which is sandwiched a series of spaced-apart, parallel aligned, springy plastic elements of elongate shape, each element constructed with fibers impregnated with resin, cured, and thereby reinforced to form a semi-rigid or rigid material, the outer plies and the springy plastic elements being bonded one to the other to form the sandwich structure, the voids between adjacent springy plastic elements containing fibers in the form of yarns or rovings, the improvement wherein said plies consist of parallel aligned continuous pliable filaments bonded to said springy plastic elements, each filament being laterally aligned with respect to said springy plastic elements, whereby the springy elements can be directionally displaced one toward another, and longitudinally displaced so that the fabric construction can cover and assume the shape of a compound-curved structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fabric construction of claim 1 wherein the springy plastic elements are constituted of textile fibers impregnated with resin and cured to form a semi-rigid or rigid material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The fabric construction of claim 1 wherein the springy plastic elements are constructed of an admixture of resin and a material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass fibers, carbon fibers, graphite fibers, boron filaments and high strength organic fibers, cured to form a semi-rigid or rigid material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fabric construction of claim 2 wherein the fibers have a tensile strength of at least about 200,000 p.s.i.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fabric construction of claim 2 wherein the fibers have an average cross-sectional diameter of no more than about 10 mils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fabric construction of claim 1 wherein the voids between the elongate plastic elements are filled with textile fibers, aligned in the same direction as the elongate plastic elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fabric construction of claim 6 wherein the fibers are selected from the group consisting of fiberglass fibers, carbon fibers, graphite fibers, boron filaments and high strength organic fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fabric construction of claim 6 wherein the fibers have a tensile strength of at least about 200,000 p.s.i.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fabric construction of claim 6 wherein the fibers have an average cross-sectional diameter of no more than about 10 mils.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fabric construction of claim 1 wherein the outer plies are constructed of yarns or rovings bonded to the elongate plastic elements.