Abstract: The present invention relates to sports gear and in particular to sports gear that is capable of being manufactured to achieve specific performance criteria. As an example, a baseball bat is described herein. However, other sports gear where “bat-ball” type of collision is expected is also within the scope of the present invention. The sports gear can be made of a long thin-walled structure. The wall itself has long discontinuous fibers. A three dimensional (3D) structure is therefore provided. The sports gear is designed to achieve specified performance criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three dimensionally fiber-reinforced riser and to the unitary or single-step methods of making the same. In one embodiment (a cross bow riser for example), the riser has an interior support with opposed side members and a front brace. The front brace has a depression centrally located therein. Two side ribs are also provided for structural support. Two pockets each optionally having a divider wall defining a top and bottom section are provided for receiving respective top and bottom pieces of a split limb, when a split limb is used. The riser can be made of a composite material having fibers aligned there within in the directions of the highest stresses for enhancing the structural strength of the riser. Other bow parts or components can likewise be made via composite material as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three dimensionally fiber-reinforced riser and to the unitary or single-step methods of making the same. In one embodiment (a cross bow riser for example), the riser has an interior support with opposed side members and a front brace. The front brace has a depression centrally located therein. Two side ribs are also provided for structural support. Two pockets each optionally having a divider wall defining a top and bottom section are provided for receiving respective top and bottom pieces of a split limb, when a split limb is used. The riser can be made of a composite material having fibers aligned there within in the directions of the highest stresses for enhancing the structural strength of the riser. Other bow parts or components can likewise be made via composite material as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to road spikes that can made of long fiber reinforced thermoplastics that, when deployed, are geometrically positioned to puncture or disable a tire. The spikes can be formed of a long fiber reinforced thermoplastic containing 10-70% long fibers by weight. Spikes of this material can be made as direct and/or alternative replacements for existing metal spikes or as unique integrated devices. One integrated component is a device having several piercing elements that are deployed in a vertically divergent manner spaced about a vertical axis wherein at least one piercing element is directed towards the direction of the oncoming vehicle. In one embodiment deployable from a string, this is accomplished through the use of spikes with six piercing elements that are self-leveling and self-centering. In another embodiment, several clusters can be fixed to a tube that is foldable and extendable.

Abstract: An improved reinforcing element, and devices and methods for producing a wrapped assembly reinforcing element comprising at least one center core member formed from at least one center core strand, wherein the at least one center core member is wrapped with a reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising complete fiber strand dispersion and wet out without breaking fiber filaments after cutting the fiber to a designated length in the wrapping resin. The resulting wrapped assembly may be used in a variety of ways, including virtually any construction project requiring a lightweight reinforcing member with high tensile and compression strength.

Abstract: An improved reinforcing element, and devices and methods for producing a wrapped assembly reinforcing element comprising at least one center core member formed from at least one center core strand, wherein the at least one center core member is wrapped with a reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising complete fiber strand dispersion and wet out without breaking fiber filaments after cutting the fiber to a designated length in the wrapping resin. The resulting wrapped assembly may be used in a variety of ways, including virtually any construction project requiring a lightweight reinforcing member with high tensile and compression strength.

Abstract: Improved reinforced thermoplastic resin, and devices and methods for producing the improved reinforced thermoplastic resin. The invention comprises complete fiber strand dispersion and wet out without breaking fiber filaments after cutting the fiber to a designated length. Certain embodiments of the present invention may comprise a zero-shear down screw which rotates very slowly. Thus, the resin and glass fiber bundles are slowly kneaded and the individual filaments unbundled from the fiber bundles resulting in complete wet-out of each filament without creating a pressure flow path for the substrate material and the entrained glass fibers and unbundled filaments. Optimized geometrically-controlled openings may be provided at the end of the down screw, providing further breakage-free kneading of the individual filaments. Certain embodiments may comprise an extended length cutting chamber which allow cutting very long individual fiber lengths.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of a coated, long fiber reinforcing composite structure suitable for the preparation of shaped articles. The process is characterized by impregnating a plurality of continuous lengths of reinforcing fiber strands with a first thermoplastic resin material while continuously drawing the fiber strands to produce a long fiber reinforcing composite structure followed by coating a second thermoplastic resin material containing additives onto the long fiber reinforcing composite structure to produce a coated, long fiber reinforcing composite structure. The coating additives may be selected from mineral reinforcing agents, lubricants, flame retardants, blowing agents, foaming agents, ultraviolet light resistant agents, heat sensitive pigments, etc. The coated, long fiber reinforcing composite structure prepared according to the process is suitable for the preparation of shaped articles exhibiting good physical and chemical properties.