Abstract: A wheelchair includes a chassis having a pair of side frame assemblies that are rigidly connected to each other by a seat pan. Mounted on each side frame assembly is an interchangeable axle receiving platform for orienting drive wheels at a desired camber angle. One end of a seat member is pivotally attached to a foot member for adjustment of the seating angle. By moving an opposite end of the seat member along a curved portion of a bottom member of each side frame assembly, the seat angle is changed. A one piece caster assembly is disposed forward of the drivewheels on the chassis. Through the one-piece caster assembly, each caster can be simultaneously adjusted to a particular location along the frame.

Abstract: A multipurpose patient support surface is provided with support surface segments connected to one another in series. The segments are formed of a sandwich laminate including a top and a bottom load bearing skin layer separated by a core material. The segments are connected to one another at transverse edges by a hinge area and are locked in position relative to one another to form substantially planar support surface.

Abstract: A generally hollow or foam filled, light-weight wheelchair chassis is constructed from composite materials preferably by compression molding using sheet molding compound for volume production, or by resin transfer molding for the production of smaller numbers of units. Each chassis side may be formed in one or two side portions Two-portion side construction is preferred for compression, and the portions may be molded as a left segment and a right segment that are joined vertically, or as an upper segment and a lower segment that are joined horizontally. Joining may be by conventional pin and socket devices, lap joints, or tongue and groove joints. Manufacture by resin transfer molding is preferred when each chassis side is to be made in one-piece. Metallic elements may be placed into the molds prior to curing, or bonded to the chassis following curing. Reinforcing ribs may also be integrally formed with the sides, or separately formed and attached by suitable bonding or attachment techniques.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for wetting fiber reinforcements with plastic or resin matrix materials. The fibers are impregnated with matrix material, associated into a tow, passed through a pultrusion die and degassed by applying a reduced pressure. The apparatus includes a pultrusion die having an elongated body having a longitudinally extending channel through which the tow is pulled, entrance and exit ports, a first, enlarged diameter cavity portion, at least one matrix material injection port for injecting matrix material under pressure into the first cavity and into the tow, and a second enlarged cavity portion having a low pressure application port for applying a pressure substantially below that of the first cavity. The apparatus may alternatively have only one enlarged cavity portion, with both injection and vacuum application ports, or alternatively, may be used with conventional wet bath equipment, where an enlarged cavity portion is used for vacuum application.

Abstract: A corrugated composite panel has improved strength and load carrying abilities. Two layers of transverse unidirectional filaments sandwich a layer of unidirectional filaments which are parallel with the corrugations. The layers are impregnated with resin. Also, one or more layers of chopped randomly oriented filaments are included.

Abstract: A composite member is formed having improved strength and load carrying abilities by drawing a web of backing material toward a pair of primary rollers. A layer of transverse unidirectional filaments is laid down onto the backing web and a web of unidirectional filaments is drawn through the primary rollers simultaneously with the transverse layer and web of backing material. A resin is applied to the web of materials exiting the primary rollers and a second transverse layer of unidirectional filaments is laid onto the top of these materials to form a composite web. The composite web of materials is drawn to an oven where it is shaped and cured to produce the finished composite member. The finished member has a center ply of unidirectional filaments which is encapsulated by upper and lower transverse layers of unidirectional filaments. The transverse layers retain the shape of the unidirectional filaments, adding to the strength of the finished member.

Abstract: A method of constructing a fiberglass structure features that enable a gelcoat protective layer to be applied to an article formed in an automatic process. In the process, a web of fiberglass is drawn through a bath of structural resin to impregnate the fiberglass with the structural resin. A web of organic, porous veil material is drawn through a bath of gelcoat resin simultaneously with the structural resin impregnated web of fiberglass. The two webs are squeezed together, and the resin metered to provide a composite web having a layer of resin and a layer of gelcoat. A mold draws the composite web off of the rollers. Once a section has been drawn onto the mold, the web is sheared. Then the mold is moved into an oven for heating and curing the article.

Abstract: A fiberglass footbridge comprising a floor, handrails, and a web between the floor and the handrails, all of fiberglass. A continuous layer of fiberglass filaments that extend parallel with the bridge are formed in the handrails and the corners of the floor. U-shaped supporting members are attached around the web and the floor, and are spaced between the ends of the bridge. A subfloor or torque box is formed between the supporting members below the floor.

Abstract: A fiberglass ladder comprising a pair of rails and a plurality of rungs interposed at selected intervals. Each rung and each rail has a continuous layer of fiberglass filaments extending parallel to its respective length. At the intersection of the rails with the rungs, the filaments bend with a portion of the filaments in the rung extendingin one direction along the rail, and a portion of the filaments in the rung extending in the other direction along the rail. The ladder is cast in a mold in a solid integral piece. Woven fiberglass is placed in the channels of the mold over a coating of resin. The fiberglass filaments are placed over the fabric in the bottoms of the channels. The channels are then filled wth a rigid plastic foam and the ladder is allowed to cure.