Abstract: A vehicle primarily a mass transit vehicle is formed primarily of composite materials which define a roof section and a floor section of two fiber reinforced sheets connected by an integral core and two rigid side wall sections each formed from welded steel or optionally bolted aluminum defining a series of window openings in a row along the side wall section in a ladder shape. The separate sections are connected to a front end cap and a rear end cap. Mountings for the seats are defined as well as conduits through the floor and roof for electrical and fluid connections. Releasable joints of adhesive are provided between the metal rails and the edges of the composite panels.

Abstract: A pole is mounted in a tubular filament wound support mounted in the ground and supporting the pole standing upwardly therefrom so as to provide an extension for the pole to increase its height or to replace a rotten lower end or to provide an environmentally friendly mounting which avoids toxic preservatives reaching the ground. The tubular body has a hollow interior with one end substantially closed by a dome shaped insert formed during the filament winding process and an opposed open end for receiving a bottom end portion of the pole as a loose fit. A first engagement arrangement on the tubular body is arranged adjacent the open mouth and includes three clamping screws mounted in a reinforcing ring formed by an annular rib of wound filament.

Abstract: A method for forming a structural panel such as for a bridge deck includes providing a first and a second sheet formed by fibers and settable resin and laminating the sheets with a plurality of parallel side by side connection members. The connection members are formed by filament winding around a core using primarily a large wind angle followed by a final shallow angle of wrap. The connection members are triangular in cross section and each is inverted relative to the next so that the sides are in contact. The connection members are connected together while the resin is uncured so that during lamination they cure together to allow integration of the resin, close matching of the shapes so that the resin at the junction remains thin and intermingling of the filaments. The connection members are dry wound on a core and the resin is applied by infusion. The core carries reinforcing members to tailor strength as required along the length of the member.

Abstract: Flooring for a farrowing crate particularly for pigs is formed of beams and support flanges which are manufactured of glass fiber reinforced resin so as to be electrically insulating. The beams span a pit for receiving manure. On top of the supporting structure is provided a flooring formed of a plurality of rectangular panels or tiles arranged side to side and edge to edge to form an array of the panels. An area under the sow is defined of pressure molded aluminum panels or extruded and welded aluminum bars and an area fully surrounding an island of aluminum panels is defined by panels of injection molded plastics which are again non-conductive. The steel structure of the farrowing crate is bolted to the plastics panels at positions forwardly and rearwardly of the island of aluminum panels.

Abstract: Window frames formed from pultruded glass fibre reinforced resin material are shaped so that a movable portion of the frame includes a hollow profile, an opening in which is closed by a separate strip interlocking with the profile and carrying a weatherstripping blade. A corner member is defined by a pair of plate-like legs interconnected at right angles, each of which slides into a slot in the profile defined by shoulders on the side walls and a recess on the outer wall. The corner member is then screwed to the part through the recess on the outer wall.

Abstract: Flooring for raising poultry and particularly broiler birds comprises a subfloor in the form of a grid formed by strips at right angles defining openings therebetween of the order of four inches across which will support the foot of a person but provides the openings for passage of waste material therethrough. An upper floor on top of the subfloor is formed of a molded grate or perforated flexible plastic sheet which is supported above the subfloor by vertical flexible pegs which are pressed into openings in the subfloor and are integral with the molded plastics floor. The pegs are resilient so that on compression by the foot of a person walking on the upper floor, the pegs compress completely so that the person walks effectively on the sub floor. The birds tend to sit between the pegs rather than on the pegs and thus flexible flooring cushions around them.

Abstract: A composite fibre reinforced body is formed from a first portion in which the reinforcing fibres thereof are exposed and splayed at one part upon which part is cast a settable liquid which wicks into the spaces between the splayed fibres to integrate the two portions. The fibre reinforced body is a pultrusion of glass fibre and thermosetting resin and a second portion is an aqueous plastic resin of viscosity less than 500 centipoise.