Reinforced connecting link means

Claim 2

Link means for connecting two components comprising a pair of attachment members spaced relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the link means and a reinforcement structure connecting said attachment members for the transmission of both tension and compression loads therebetween, said reinforcement structure comprising an endless band of reinforcement material extending between said attachment members, said band having two side portions disposed to extend generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the link means and two end portions each disposed around a respective attachment member each said attachment member having in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the link a length which is greater than the transverse width of said reinforcement structure whereby said attachment member extends beyond either side of a respective end of said reinforcement structure, and respective fastening means comprising reinforcement material extending to either side of said reinforcement structure and wrapped around each attachment member and the adjacent end portion of said band at each side of the reinforcement structure for securing said attachment members to said bank whereby the link means is able to withstand applied tension or compression loads.

Claim 3

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement structure is embedded in a solidifiable matrix material.

Claim 4

Link means according to claim 2 wherein said matrix material is applied subsequent to forming said reinforcement structure.

Claim 5

Link means according to claim 2 wherein said matrix material is applied to said reinforcement material of said reinforcement structure prior to forming said reinforcement structure.

Claim 6

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement material of said reinforcement structure comprises a single continuous element.

Claim 7

Link means according to claim 5 wherein said element is selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord and cable.

Claim 8

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement material of said reinforcement structure comprises a strip formed by a plurality of parallel elongate elements arranged side-by-side.

Claim 9

Link means according to claim 7 wherein each element is selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord and cable.

Claim 10

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means is embedded in a solidifiable matrix material.

Claim 11

Link means according to claim 9 wherein said matrix material is applied subsequent to forming said fastening means.

Claim 12

Link means according to claim 9 wherein said matrix material is applied to said reinforcement material of said fastening means prior to forming said fastening means.

Claim 13

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement material of said fastening means comprises a single continuous element.

Claim 14

Link means according to claim 12 wherein said element is selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord and cable.

Claim 15

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement material of said fastening means comprises a strip formed by a plurality of parallel elongate elements arranged side-by-side.

Claim 16

Link means according to claim 14 wherein each element is selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord and cable.

Claim 17

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means is formed by winding said reinforcement material transversely backwards and forwards over said attachment members and said adjacent end portions of said band.

Claim 18

Link means according to claim 1 wherein each attachment member comprises a bush consisting of rigid inner and outer tubular parts and an intermediate layer of elastomeric material.

Claim 19

Link means according to claim 17 wherein each bush has its longitudinal axis normal to said longitudinal axis of said link means.

Claim 20

Link means according to claim 17 wherein each bush has a circumferential channel in which said adjacent end portion of said reinforcement structure is received.

Claim 21

Link means according to claim 17 wherein a saddle member is secured to an outer surface of the bush to extend beyond either side of a respective end of said reinforcement structure and wherein the fastening means is arranged to extend around the saddle member and adjacent end portion of said band at each side of the reinforcement structure.

Claim 22

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means is reinforced at each edge by a respective edge reinforcement.

Claim 23

Link means according to claim 21 wherein each edge reinforcement is embedded in a solidifiable matrix material.

Claim 24

Link means according to claim 21 wherein each edge reinforcement comprises a single continuous element selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord and cable.

Claim 25

Link means according to claim 21 wherein each edge reinforcement comprises a strip formed by a plurality of parallel elongate elements arranged side-by-side, each element being selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord and cable.

Claim 26

Link means according to claim 1 wherein said reinforcement structure is reinforced along at least part of the axial length thereof by hoop means.

Claim 27

Link means according to claim 25 wherein said hoop means comprises reinforcement material extending between and wrapped around said side portions of said reinforcement structure.

Claim 28

Link means according to claim 25 wherein said hoop means is embedded in a solidifiable matrix material.

Claim 29

Link means according to claim 25 wherein said hoop means comprises a single continuous element selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord, and cable.

Claim 30

Link means according to claim 25 wherein said hoop means comprises a strip formed by a plurality of parallel elongate elements arranged side-by-side, each element being selected from the group consisting of a filament, strand, cord and cable.

Claim 31

Link means for connecting two components comprising a pair of attachment members spaced relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the link means and a reinforcement structure connecting said attachment members for the transmission of both tension and compression loads therebetween, said reinforcement structure comprising an endless band of reinforcement material extending between said attachment members, said band having two side portions disposed to extend generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the link means and two end portions each disposed around a respective attachment member each said attachment member having in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the link a length which is greater than the transverse width of said reinforcement structure whereby said attachment member extends beyond either side of a respective end of said reinforcement structure, and respective fastening means comprising reinforcement material extending to either side of said reinforcement structure and comprising reinforcement material wound transversely backwards and forwards over a respective attachment member and adjacent end portion of the band so as to extend to either side of said reinforcement structure and be wrapped around each attachment member and the adjacent end portion of said bank at each side of the reinforcement structure for securing said attachment members to said band whereby the link means is able to withstand applied tension or compression loads.

Claim 32

Link means for connecting two components comprising a pair of attachment members spaced relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the link means and a reinforcement structure connecting said attachment members for the transmission of both tension and compression loads therebetween, said reinforcement structure comprising an endless band of reinforcement material extending between said attachment members, said band having two side portions disposed to extend generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the link means and two end portions each disposed around a respective attachment member each said attachment member having in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the link a length which is greater than the transverse width of said reinforcement structure whereby said attachment member extends beyond either side of a respective end of said reinforcement structure, and respective fastening means comprising reinforcement material extending to either side of said reinforcement structure and comprising reinforcement material wound transversely backwards and forwards over a respective attachment member and adjacent end portion of the band so as to extend to either side of said reinforcement structure and be wrapped around each attachment member and the adjacent end portion of said bank at each side of the reinforcement structure for securing said attachment members to said band whereby the link means is able to withstand applied tension or compression loads.