Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A rod comprising a plurality of elongate members each having abutment faces which permit elongate members to be contacted and joined together in an assembly wherein: each elongate member has a generally T-shape cross-section and is formed from fibre reinforced sheet material, each member comprising two outwardly curved members each formed with first leg sections contiguously disposed and connected to form a web of the T-shape, and second leg sections extending at an angle to said first leg sections, and a planar cap member spanning and connected to said second leg sections to form the cap of the T-shape, said cap member having opposite ends which define abutment faces, each curved member having a curved radius portion between said leg sections, said curved radius portion and said planar cap defining a space therebetween which is filled with a filler material; said first leg sections of said elongate members extending in a direction towards a common axis; and said cap members are joined together so that said abutment faces of adjacent cap members are contiguous, thereby forming said assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A rod comprising a plurality of elongate members each having abutment faces which permit elongate members to be contacted and joined together in an assembly wherein: each elongate member has a generally T-shape cross-section and is formed from fibre reinforced sheet material, each member comprising two outwardly curved members each formed with first leg sections contiguously disposed and connected to form a web of the T-shape, and second leg sections extending at an angle to said first leg sections, and a planar cap member spanning and connected to said second leg sections to form the cap of the T-shape, said cap member having opposite ends which define abutment faces, each curved member having a curved radius portion between said leg sections, said curved radius portion and said planar cap defining a space therebetween which is filled with a filler material; said first leg sections of said elongate members extending in a direction towards a common axis; and said cap members are joined together so that said abutment faces of adjacent cap members are contiguous, thereby forming said assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rod as claimed in claim 1 wherein the T-shaped elongate members are reduced in cross-section towards one end such that said assembly is tapered towards said end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A rod as claimed in claim 1 wherein each elongate member has areas on either side of said web and below said cap, each said area being outwardly defined by a plane passing through the ends of said first and second leg sections, said areas being filled with a filler material that produces, in section, a wedge shaped member whose tapered faces can be butt joined to adjacent elongate members similarly formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
A rod as claimed in claim 1, wherein each curved member has a longitudinal axis and comprises a composite body formed with at least one reinforcing extending therethrough in a predetermined pattern which in planar form comprises a first array of fibres or filaments extending parallel to the length of the curved member, a second array of fibres or filaments arrayed across said first array, and a third array of fibres or filaments arrayed oppositely to the second array and cutting across both the first and second arrays; and wherein the reinforcing layer is folded or curved about an axis which is parallel to said longitudinal axis and said first array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rod as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elongate members are reduced in cross-section towards one end and their assembly produces a rod that is tapered to that end.