Hollow bodies and method of fabricating the same

Claim 2

A conduit comprising a first layer of roving braided into a tubular configuration and extending substantially the entire length of the conduit, a second layer of braided roving braided directly over the first layer and also extending substantially the entire length of the conduit, the smallest angle between the individual strands of roving in each layer of braiding being between about 30* and about 80*, and a fluidtight resin matrix in which each layer of roving is embedded, the resin of the matrix being closely consolidated about the roving of each layer of braiding and being cured so to form a tubular wall possessing substantial strength.

Claim 3

A conduit according to claim 1 wherein the tubular wall includes at least two intersecting branches, and wherein the braiding is continuous across the branches.

Claim 4

A conduit according to claim 1 and further characterized by a flange formed from braided roving impregnated with resin, the roving of the flange being braided integral with the roving of the tubular wall.

Claim 5

A conduit according to claim 3 wherein the second layer of braided roving at the flange is formed by back braiding across the first layer of braided roving so that the roving of two layers are joined at the periphery of the flange.

Claim 6

A conduit comprising a tubular wall having at least two intersecting branches which form a crotch and being formed from at least two layers of braided roving embedded in a substantially fluidtight resin matrix, the braiding of the roving being continuous across the branches, and a flexible diaper embedded in the resin matrix at the crotch.

Claim 7

A conduit comprising a tubular wall having at least two intersecting branches which form a crotch and being formed from at least two layers of braided roving embedded in a substantially fluidtight resin matrix, the braiding of the roving being continuous across the branches, and a flexible diaper embedded in the resin matrix at the crotch.

Claim 8

A conduit comprising a tubular wall formed from at least one layer of braided roving embedded in a substantially fluidtight resin matrix, and at least one attachment ear braided outwardly from the braided roving of the tubular wall and impregnated with the resin.

Claim 9

A conduit comprising a tubular wall formed from at least one layer of braided roving embedded in a substantially fluidtight resin matrix, and at least one attachment ear braided outwardly from the braided roving of the tubular wall and impregnated with the resin.

Claim 10

A conduit comprising a tubular wall formed from at least one layer of braided roving embedded in a substantially fluidtight resin matrix, and an elastomeric cuff at least one end of the tubular wall, a portion of the resin impregnated braided roving embracing the cuff so that when the conduit is subjected to elevated internal pressures the cuff will expand into tighter engagement with the braided roving.

Claim 11

A conduit comprising a tubular wall formed from at least one layer of braided roving embedded in a substantially fluidtight resin matrix, and an elastomeric cuff at least one end of the tubular wall, a portion of the resin impregnated braided roving embracing the cuff so that when the conduit is subjected to elevated internal pressures the cuff will expand into tighter engagement with the braided roving.

Claim 12

A hollow body having a wall structure comprising an inner layer of initially flexible material formed into a configuration which closes upon itself and is free of longitudinal seams; at least one additional layer of initially flexible material which also closes upon itself and is free of longitudinal seams, the second layer extending over and obscuring the inner layer and being at least as long as the inner layer; each layer comprising multiple strands which are initially flexible and are braided together so that the strands in each individual layer cross in a braided pattern; and a fluidtight resin matrix in which the layers are embedded, the resin matrix being closely consolidated about the strands of the layers, the resin of the matrix being initially fluent so that it thoroughly impregnates the braided layers and being subsequently cured so as to rigidify the strands and braided layers and secure them together.

Claim 13

A hollow body having a wall structure comprising an inner layer of initially flexible material formed into a configuration which closes upon itself and is free of longitudinal seams; at least one additional layer of initially flexible material which also closes upon itself and is free of longitudinal seams, the second layer extending over and obscuring the inner layer and being at least as long as the inner layer; each layer comprising multiple strands which are initially flexible and are braided together so that the strands in each individual layer cross in a braided pattern; and a fluidtight resin matrix in which the layers are embedded, the resin matrix being closely consolidated about the strands of the layers, the resin of the matrix being initially fluent so that it thoroughly impregnates the braided layers and being subsequently cured so as to rigidify the strands and braided layers and secure them together.

Claim 14

A hollow body according to claim 8 wherein the smallest angle between the individual strands in each braided layer is between about 30* and about 80*.

Claim 15

A hollow body according to claim 8 wherein each layer outwardly from the inner layer is formed by back braiding the strands across the previous layer.