Abstract: A method of fabricating an energy absorbing structure for a vehicle comprises the steps of (a) winding a continuous resin wetted filament around a number of attachment points at the opposite ends of a jig to form an array of parallel strands, (b) displacing and tensioning the strands by means of first cross bars substantially at right angles to the strands, (c) winding a second array of parallel strands between the attachment points over said first cross bars, (d) displacing said second array onto said first array by means of second cross bars lying parallel and in between the first cross bars, (e) laying a third array of strands over said first and second cross bars and between said attachment points, and (f) curing the structure. The structure may then be fixed to the interior of a vehicle door panel.

Abstract: A cured structural building element formed by winding and curing resin saturated glass fibre on a former. The element takes the form of a rod or beam having pairs of projections pointing towards each other at an angle to the rod or beam. The heads of the projections are arranged to lock together upon bending of the rod or beam to form a curved rigid element.