Hollow Wall Composite Tube

Abstract

A one piece composite tube having a hollow wall structure. The outside and inside of the tube have a standard surface and shape for bonding or fastening. The hollow wall reduces vibration and allows consistent flexure and torsion. The shape of the hollow wall may be tuned to maintain light weight and optimize strength for a given application.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hollow wall composite tube for improving performance in sports shafts and lightweight structural members, comprising:
 means for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric;   means for providing a reinforcing fiber matrix for saturation with epoxy, spirally wrapped or braided to said means for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind filaments or fabric;   means for reducing weight, reinforcing, providing a path for the core to be evacuated, conformally wrapped around said means for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric;   
     
     
         2 . The hollow wall composite tube in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric comprises a flexible core. 
     
     
         3 . The hollow wall composite tube in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for reducing weight, providing a path for the core to be evacuated comprises an adjustable shape hollow. 
     
     
         4 . The hollow wall composite tube in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for forming the wall of the invention comprises a constituent tube. 
     
     
         5 . A hollow wall composite tube for improving performance in sports shafts and lightweight structural members, comprising:
 a flexible core, for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric;   tow or fabric, for providing a reinforcing fiber matrix for saturation with epoxy, spirally wrapped or braided on said core;   an adjustable shape hollow, for reducing weight, providing a path for the core to be evacuated, tightly conformed to said core; and   a constituent tube, for forming the wall of the invention.