Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced composite shaft with yoke member of a universal joint (8) having a tubular portion (10) integrally connected with the yoke portion (12). The yoke portion (12) has a pair of opposed axially extending arms (20) which extend beyond the tubular portion (10). The yoke arms (20) contain diametrically opposed holes (22) centrally located and near the end of each arm (20). A portion of the braided fiber reinforcement extends continuously around the tubular portion (10), into the axially extending arms, around the respective holes (22) and back around the tubular portion (10).

Abstract: A method for treating articles with heat and pressure is disclosed. The articles are placed in an isostatic press, the press is evacuated of air and thereafter filled with an inert gas, the pressure and temperature of which is raised to predetermined levels. These predetermined levels are maintained for a period of time sufficient to effect the treatment, and thereafter the inert gas is circulated to promote cooling of the gas and reduce the cooling time of the press and the article treated.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating articles by heat and pressure and then cooling by forced circulation may have a pressurized heated chamber for holding such items to be treated, this chamber being positioned within a cooled, pressure sustaining enclosure, a pressure developing mechanism may be positioned at one side of this enclosure and may include a valving function for selectively drawing inert gas into the enclosure and into the heated chamber the heated chamber including a wall having a plurality of openings spaced throughout into the item-holding chamber, a passageway may extend from one end of this item-holding chamber, past the cooled area of the sustaining enclosure and onto the pressure developing mechanism whereby the valving function may be selectively operated allowing the pressure developing mechanism to circulate the gaseous medium within the apparatus more evenly and uniformly over all items held within the chamber, the heating operation of the chamber being selectively disabled during this circulati

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating articles with heat and pressure is disclosed. Included in the apparatus is a furnace in which the articles are to be treated. The articles are placed in the furnace and, the furnace is evacuated, then filled with an inert gas the pressure and temperature of which is raised to predetermined levels. These predetermined levels are maintained for a period of time sufficient to effect the treatment, and, thereafter the inert gas is circulated to promote cooling of the gas and reduce the cooling time of the furnace and the article treated.