Materials and processes for fabricating formed composite articles and use in shoe arch
US5401564A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/3309
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A strong, lightweight composite material having beneficial flexing characteristics is made using a unique reinforcement material. The reinforcement material comprises a fabric incorporating glass rovings with graphite tows in an architectural combination that retains the properties of both materials. Composite structures made using this reinforcement material with a thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix are extremely lightweight, with desirable anisotropic flexing properties. The finished composite structure is extremely useful as an arch support in a shoe to absorb and distribute the forces generated by walking. In distributing forces on the foot such a support will provide the desired stiffness along the longitudinal axis while allowing increased flexibility along the transverse axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.