Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A sheet-like structure comprising a substantially non-conductive polymeric material, and at least one conductive fiber in the plane of the sheet, said fiber said having an electrically conductive non-metallic or semi-metallic core and at least one thin, uniform, firmly adherent, electrically conductive layer of at least one electrodepositable metal thereon, the fiber further defining a continuous electrical pathway ending in at least two terminals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A sheet-like structure comprising a substantially non-conductive polymeric material, and at least one conductive fiber in the plane of the sheet, said fiber said having an electrically conductive non-metallic or semi-metallic core and at least one thin, uniform, firmly adherent, electrically conductive layer of at least one electrodepositable metal thereon, the fiber further defining a continuous electrical pathway ending in at least two terminals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is a thermoset or a thermoplastic and said fiber comprises nickel coated, silver coated or gold coated graphite fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethers, polycarbonates, epoxies, epoxy-novolacs, epoxy-polyurethanes, urea-type resins, phenolformaldehyde resins, thiourea resins, melamine resins, urea-aldehyde resins, alkyd resins, polysulfide resins, vinyl organic prepolymers multifunctional vinyl ethers, cyclic ethers, cyclic esters, polycarbonate-co-esters, polycarbonate-co-silicones, polyetheresters, polyimides, polyamides, polyesterimides, polyamideimides, polyetherimides and polyvinylchlorides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the semi-metallic core of said fiber is selected from the group consisting of carbon, boron and silicon carbide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive metal layer is formed of an electrodepositable metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, silver, zinc, copper, lead, arsenic, cadmium, tin, cobalt, gold, indium, iridium, iron, palladium, platinum, tellurium, tungsten, and mixtures of any of the foregoing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the bond strength of the electrodepositable metal layer to the core of said fiber is at least sufficient to provide that when the composite fiber is sharply bent, the coating on the tension side of the bend will break when its elastic limit is exceeded and on the compression side of the bend will remain bonded to the core and will not crack circumferentially.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is present with a woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric, sheet or mat comprising said fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is a polyester.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composite comprising a plurality of sheets at least one of which is a structure as defined in claim 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A shaped article of manufacture formed from a structure as defined in claim 1.