Composite Paddles and Methods for Forming same

Abstract

The present teachings contemplate a paddle comprising a striking portion defining a central axis, a handle portion. and a tapered portion contiguous with both the handle portion and the striking portion: a sandwich structure comprising a core layer and a first skin coupled with the core layer, the first skin comprising a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer coupled with the first fabric layer.

1 . A paddle comprising:
 a striking portion defining a central axis, a handle portion, and a tapered portion contiguous with both the handle portion and the striking portion;   a sandwich structure comprising:
 a core layer; and 
 a first skin coupled with the core layer, the first skin comprising:
 a first fabric layer comprising one or more natural fibers and having a weight of from about 50 to about 200 gsm; and 
 a second fabric layer comprising one or more natural fibers and having a weight of from about 50 to about 200 gsm coupled with the first fabric layer. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The paddle of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate interposed between the core layer and the first skin, the substrate configured to facilitate coupling of the core layer and the first skin. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the core layer is a honeycomb structure including one or more cells; and   the substrate is a non-woven polymeric fabric, the non-woven polymeric fabric configured to prevent a resin from seeping into the one or more cells of the honeycomb structure.   
     
     
         4 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first fabric layer is a hemp fabric of between 100 and 170 gsm. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first fabric layer includes a weave pattern that is positioned between −10 degrees and 10 degrees relative to the central axis. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the second fabric layer is a twill flax fabric of between 200 and 300 gsm. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the second fabric layer includes a weave pattern positioned at between −10 degrees and 10 degrees relative to the central axis. 
     
     
         8 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the first skin and a second skin comprises at least 6 distinct layers stacked in a helical pattern. 
     
     
         14 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the first skin and a second skin are formed of the same materials. 
     
     
         32 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the first skin and a second skin are formed of different materials. 
     
     
         33 . The paddle of  claim 3 , wherein a nonwoven substrate is located between the first skin and the core layer. 
     
     
         34 . The paddle of  claim 3 , wherein a nonwoven substrate is located between a second skin and the core layer. 
     
     
         35 . The paddle of  claim 33 , wherein the nonwoven substrate comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         36 . The paddle of  claim 33 , wherein the nonwoven substrate comprises a polypropylene or polyester material. 
     
     
         37 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer, or both comprise a plain weave hemp having a density of at least about 120 g/cm 2 , but less than about 150 g/cm 2 . 
     
     
         42 . The paddle of  claim 3 , wherein the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer, or both include a unidirectional weave. 
     
     
         43 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer, or both includes a bidirectional weave having threads extending in a first x-direction and having threads extending in a first y-direction. 
     
     
         44 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer, or both include a +45/−45-degree weave, where the first x-direction is substantially perpendicular to the first y-direction. 
     
     
         45 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer, or both include a 90/0-degree weave. 
     
     
         46 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A sandwich panel comprising:
 a first composite skin comprising:
 a first fabric layer having flax fibers, the first fabric layer having an areal weight of between 200 and 300 grams per square meter, inclusive; 
 a second fabric layer having hemp fibers, the second fabric having an areal weight of between 100 and 200 grams per square meter, inclusive; 
   a second composite skin comprising;
 a third fabric layer having flax fibers, the third fabric layer having an areal weight of between 200 and 300 grams per square meter, inclusive; 
 a fourth fabric layer having hemp fibers, the fourth fabric having an areal weight of between 100 and 200 grams per square meter, inclusive; and 
   a core structure interposed between and coupled to both the first composite skin and the second composite skin.   
     
     
         67 - 81 . (canceled)