Abstract: A trowel for use in troweling a fluid resin-hardener mixture into the interstices of reinforcing filaments disposed about a rotating pipe-forming mandrel is provided. The trowel is semicircular in cross-section and is biased upwardly against the rotating mandrel as it moves along the length thereof. The trowel has substantially universal movement enabling it to maintain constant contact with the rotating pipe periphery.

Abstract: A method of forming corrosion-resistant fiber reinforced resin bodies is provided. The method comprises saturating longitudinal and substantially transversely wound spiral filaments with a hardenable resin prior to winding the same about a body form. The filaments are applied in such manner as to assure the absence of air entrapment with resultant superior strength. The filaments follow a predetermined path so as to assure saturation thereof and maintain resin wastage at a minimum. Apparatus employed in the provided method enables the forming method to be carried out in a highly efficient manner whereby glass-reinforced objects such as fittings are rapidly formed in a minimum amount of time and wastage of the materials of formation is maintained at a minimum.

Abstract: A rod construction has an inner core of high tensile strength such as a rod or bar of high tensile steel. The reinforcement core has a plurality of surface indentations, preferably uniformly arranged at spaced intervals along the length of the core periphery. Layers of tensioned longitudinal and spiral filaments embedded in a resin matrix are formed about the core periphery so as to provide a rod of excellent strength and corrosion resistance. Also a rod is formed by spirally winding on a rotating assemblage of longitudinal filaments.

Abstract: In forming a reinforced fitting, an inner shell is first formed of alternate layers of glass filaments arranged transversely and parallel to the central axis of the tubular fitting portion of which comprising a part; the filaments are embedded in a matrix of cured resin such as epoxy resin. A rigid reinforcing metal cage is welded over the inner shell and a curable resin paste is applied to the outer surface of the cage so as to fill in all interstices between the cage and inner shell as well as interstices between the cage portions so as to form a substantially smooth outer surface in the partially-formed body with no voids therein. Additional resin-saturated glass filaments are then disposed over the smooth shell outer surface in a substantially uniform manner to provide a fitting construction of desired dimensions.

Abstract: A rod construction has an inner core of high tensile strength such as a rod or bar of high tensile steel. The reinforcement core has a plurality of surface indentations, preferably uniformly arranged at spaced intervals along the length of the core periphery. Layers of tensioned longitudinal and spiral filaments embedded in a resin matrix are formed about the core periphery so as to provide a rod of excellent strength and corrosion resistance.In a further embodiment, the rod may have male threads disposed at opposed ends for engagement with femal threads of a coupling. In yet another embodiment, the rod is integrally formed at opposed ends with male and female threads. The female threads are formed adjacent the inner periphery of a band reinforcement concentrically embedded in one rod end.