Abstract: A method of forming a fibre reinforced polymer structure, comprises the steps of: —providing a first bundle of fibres arranged in an array and having a first fibre volume fraction (FVF); forming a node region in the bundle wherein a transverse dimension of the first bundle is increased and a second perpendicular dimension of the bundle is decreased so that the first FVF is maintained at an approximately constant value; providing a second bundle of fibres extending in angular relation to the first bundle, arranged in an array and having a second FVF; forming a node region in the second bundle wherein a transverse dimension of the second bundle is increased and a perpendicular dimension of the second bundle is decreased so that the second FVF is maintained at an approximately constant value; wherein the node region of the second bundle overlies the node region of the first bundle to form an assembly; infusing the assembly with a polymer resin; and curing the resin to form the structure.

Abstract: A fibre reinforced polymer structure comprises a plurality of first and second bundles of substantially unidirectional fibres; a first bundle overlying a second bundle in angular relation to form a node; wherein the fibre volume fraction (FVF) of each bundle remains approximately constant as it passes through the node.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite material structure comprising a plate having an upper side, an under side and at least first and second beams, each beam having a plurality of faces comprising at least an upper face and a base face and a pair of spaced apart side faces intermediate to and adjoining the upper and base faces, each beam being attached to the underside of the plate at the upper face wherein the first beam has an open ended passage extending between the side faces and the second beam extends through the open ended passage.

Abstract: A bridge superstructure comprises a first aspect of the present invention, a bridge structure comprises a contact surface supported by a decking mounted on a superstructure. The superstructure includes a mounting for the decking. The decking comprises a panel composed of a fiber reinforced polymer composite, the panel comprising a plate having an upperside and an underside, a plurality of first and second beams, each beam having an upper face and a base face and side faces, the upper face of each beam being integral with the underside of the plate, a first beam having an aperture extending between the side faces, wherein a second beam extends through the aperture. The panel further comprises means for attachment to the superstructure and a layer of wear-resistant material on the upper side of the plate.

Abstract: A bridge superstructure comprises a first aspect of the present invention, a bridge structure comprises a contact surface supported by a decking mounted on a superstructure. The superstructure includes a mounting for the decking. The decking comprises a panel composed of a fibre reinforced polymer composite, the panel comprising a plate having an upperside and an underside, a plurality of first and second beams, each beam having an upper face and a base face and side faces, the upper face of each beam being integral with the underside of the plate, a first beam having an aperture extending between the side faces, wherein a second beam extends through the aperture. The panel further comprises means for attachment to the superstructure and a layer of wear-resistant material on the upper side of the plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite material structure comprising a plate having an upper side, an under side and at least first and second beams, each beam having a plurality of faces comprising at least an upper face and a base face and a pair of spaced apart side faces intermediate to and adjoining the upper and base faces, each beam being attached to the underside of the plate at the upper face wherein the first beam has an open ended passage extending between the side faces and the second beam extends through the open ended passage.

Abstract: A clamp for coupling mating radially projecting flanges, each flange having a tapered outer face. The clamp includes at least a pair of component halves. Each half includes a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile having a base portion and two opposing side limbs projecting from the base portion defining a recess intermediate the side limbs for receiving the mating flanges and a bolt and a lug for fastening the component halves together. Each side limb has a contact face for abutting a tapered face of a flange and a non-contact face. The base portion has a non-contact face. The contact faces of the side limbs are remote from the non-contact face of the base portion.

Abstract: A post mounting arrangement for ground installation of a post comprising a tubular body portion (6) which is adapted to be installed into the ground and has an open end adapted to receive a post (2) to be supported. The open end of the tubular body portion comprises an enlarged flange portion defining a head portion (14) of the tubular main body portion (6). The head flange portion (14) includes a resilient retaining collar (12, 12?) adapted to receive and engage the post, and a strengthening band (8). The head portion (14) comprises a first recess (22) defined therein within which the said collar (12, 12?) is engaged and mounted, and a second recess (20) defined in the head portion adapted to receive the said strengthening band (8). The collar may comprise a shock absorbing element (12?) having a groove (42) capable of receiving an expansion ring (44) to lock the element into place and seal it both to the post (2) and the head portion (14).

Abstract: A method of producing an anti-slip surface on a component which comprises firstly applying to the surface of the component a layer of fibre reinforcement, and then a layer of a mineral material, and binding the two with a thermosetting resin matrix. Within the surface there may be a tread pattern, and located below the bottom of the recesses of this pattern is a highly reinforced layer of glass fibre composite. The functions of the latter is primarily to link the blocks of tread together and hence prevent them being peeled from the surface of the cover. Secondly it helps strengthen the bond to the cover surface by reinforcing the resin at the bond interface.

Abstract: A pipe seal is disclosed which comprises a main body portion (1) adapted to be fixed to the wall (12) of a chamber, tank, or the like, a face plate (6) adapted to be secured to the body portion to surround, in use, a pipe (14) to be sealed, the body and face plate between them housing a deformable member (9) in contact with a seal (8), such that, on forcing the face plate toward the body portion, the deformable member, in use, deforms and presses the seal into sealing contact with the pipe. The design of this pipe seal allows the pipe to enter the chamber wall at an angle of, for example, up to 12 degrees from a right angle. Hence the end of a pipe could generate a cone of movement with an included angle of 24 degrees. The seal therefore permits considerable positional movement of the pipe to allow connection of the pipe to its termination point within the chamber.

Abstract: A fishing rod handle is gripped in the palm of a hand with the third, fourth and fifth phalange being wrapped around an outwardly diverging part of a handle and with the second phalange being located alongside those phalanges. The thumb extends along the handle such that the rod can be cast.