Reinforced Objects

Abstract

A reinforced object of the invention comprises: at least one structural layer; and at least one reinforcing rod positioned on or within the at least one structural layer, wherein the object is an elongated object, with the at least one reinforcing rod longitudinally positioned essentially parallel to a central axis thereof. A method of manufacturing the reinforced object comprises steps of: providing a mold; and positioning the at least one reinforcing rod such that it is positioned on or within the at least one structural layer in the reinforced object formed in the mold.

1 . A reinforced object, comprising:
 at least one structural layer; and   at least one reinforcing rod that is at least partially encapsulated within a layer of material positioned on or within the at least one structural layer,   
       wherein the object is an elongated object, with the at least one reinforcing rod longitudinally positioned essentially parallel to a central axis thereof. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the object comprises a lacrosse stick or a hockey stick. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the object and the at least one reinforcing rod has a cross-sectional shape, with respect to a section taken transverse to the central axis, selected from the following shapes: circle, ellipse, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, and octagon. 
     
     
         6 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the object is hollow. 
     
     
         10 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the object is solid. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structural layer comprises a carbon fiber-reinforced composite material. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing rod comprises carbon. 
     
     
         15 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structural layer comprises an outermost structural layer of the object. 
     
     
         16 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing rod comprises a material not contained within an outermost structural layer of the object. 
     
     
         17 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing rod is at least partially encapsulated within a layer of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         18 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing rod is at least partially encapsulated within a layer of rigid material. 
     
     
         19 . The reinforced object of  claim 36 , wherein the bonding layer comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         20 . The reinforced object of  claim 36 , wherein the bonding layer comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         21 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing rod is positioned between adjacent structural layers within the object. 
     
     
         24 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of manufacturing the reinforced object of  claim 1 , the method comprising steps of:
 providing a mold; and   positioning the at least one reinforcing rod such that it is positioned on or within the at least one structural layer in the reinforced object formed in the mold.   
     
     
         32 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the object comprises a rectangular cross-section with the at least one reinforcing rod positioned at each of four corners of the rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         33 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the object comprises an octangular cross-section with the at least one reinforcing rod positioned at each of eight corners of the octangular cross-section. 
     
     
         34 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one reinforcing rods has a diameter that is about 0.5 to about 2.0 times maximum wall thickness within the object. 
     
     
         35 . The reinforced object of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing rod comprises a material contained within an outermost structural layer of the object. 
     
     
         36 . A reinforced object, comprising:
 at least one structural layer; and   at least one reinforcing rod positioned on the at least one structural layer with a bonding layer disposed therebetween,   
       wherein the object is an elongated object, with the at least one reinforcing rod longitudinally positioned essentially parallel to a central axis thereof.