Abstract: A composite fender panel for protecting a harbor structure includes a resilient body member (20) having a front surface (42) and a rear mounting surface (40) spaced by a panel thickness (T) from a main portion of the front surface. Encapsulated within the body member is a cage frame (18) including a frame (21) having a plurality of intersecting beams, a grid (36) of steel reinforcing rods (38) having gripping projections formed thereon, and an attachment structure defining a spaced plurality of attachment elements (52) formed in respective boss members, each of the boss members being rigidly connected between respective front and rear flanges of the beams.

Abstract: A rod-reinforced cushion beam includes a rigid frame having a spaced of main rod members and a longitudinally paced plurality of connecting elements; and a plastic body encapsulating substantially solidly filling the frame. At least some of the transverse elements are shear panels. A preferred embodiment has least 90 percent by weight of the plastic body in a main polymeric component of linear low density polyethylene, and an additive component that does not contain filler material. Also disclosed is a method for forming a rod-reinforced cushion beam.

Abstract: A composite structure that can serve as a cushion or fender piling for moored or passing ships includes an elongate tubular member having a radially projecting resilient cushion extending over an upper portion of its length. In one embodiment, the material of the cushion also fills the tubular member, encapsulating an upper extremity of the tubular member. In another embodiment, the tubular member is filled with a different material such as concrete, and the material of the cushion can also encapsulate upper extremities of both the tubular member and the different filler material. Optionally, a reinforcing member such as a helically formed length of reinforcing bar engages an inside surface of the tubular member for resisting inward deflection of the tubular member when the piling is subjected to high bending and shear loading.