Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite tubular member includes providing a mandrel having a central longitudinal axis and wrapping a plurality of composite fiber layers around said mandrel wherein the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel. The composite tubular member produced does not have any longitudinal seams and is thus considerably stronger and more durable than prior art composite tubes.

Abstract: A ball glove having a plurality of pads on the palm side of the glove to facilitate glove closure based on the true axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the fingers and the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. The pads include a triangular shaped palm pad placed between the wrist, the center axis of rotation of the thumb carpometacarpal joint and the center axis of rotation of the small finger and the ring finger metacarpalphalangeal joints. A finger pad is disposed distally of the center axis of rotation of the ring finger and small finger metacarpalphalangeal joints and a thumb pad is positioned distally of the center axis of rotation of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb.

Abstract: A knee protector includes a plurality of pads positioned to cover a patella, a lower portion of the distal femur, the femoral condyles, the upper end of the fibula and an upper end of the proximal tibia with spacings between said pads to accommodate the flexion and extension of the knee when in use from a standing to a squatting position by a wearer.