Sulzer Brothers Limited

Sulzer Medizinaltechnik

Hansjorg Gysin

Wilhelm Servis

Robert M Streicher

An endoprosthesis of compact thermoplastics including composite materials is disclosed. The endoprosthesis includes a plurality of prefabricated fibers such as carbon or aramid. Thermoplastics such as polyacrylates, polyaryl ether ketones, polycarbonates, polyether sulphones, polyethylenes or polyproplyenes are used as a binding agent. The prefabricated fibers have an internal core with predominately longitudinally oriented fibers and an enclosing covering with mutually intersecting fibers. The prefabricated fibers are cut to a length which is preferably five times their minimum diameter. The fibers are oriented substantially parallel to the major axis of the endoprosthesis. During molding and even in shallow cross- sections relative to the major axis of the endoprosthesis, each prefabricated fiber is at least partially overlapped by an adjoining prefabricated fiber. It is preferred that the prefabricated fibers at their ends take various forms including tapering, bevelled, and may have scooped, spherical or dished areas. A compression mold is used. The compression mold defines a female cavity which contains the elongate male profile of the endoprosthesis. Preheated prefabricated fibers are placed into the compression mold of the endoprosthesis. The fibers are all generally parallel to the major axis of the mold. Relative to cross-sections taken across the major axis of the mold, the number and array of the fibers varies as the particular cross-section varies. Specifically, at large cross-sections many fibers are found; at small cross-sections, the fibers are reduced in number.

Method of making an endoprosthesis of compact thermoplastic composite

A flat shaft rod of a heald frame for a loom has two half-shells (16) made of a thermoplastic, fiber-reinforced composite which forms mechanically interconnected, rigid hollow sections (15). A rigid longitudinal reinforcement (17) is disposed on the outside of the hollow section and a carrier or support rail or bar (18) is disposed on the inside, the elements (17, 18) both being mechanically rigidly connected to the half-shells. These shaft rods are rigid and heald frames made with them are of simple construction.

Shaft rod and heald frame for a loom

A flat, lightweight shaft rod of a heald frame for a loom, is constructed as a sandwich having a light sandwich core (15) and, connected thereto, covering layers (16) made of a thermoplastics composite having industrial endless fiber reinforcements. A rigid longitudinal reinforcement member (17) is disposed on the outside of the shaft rod and a carrier bar (18) on the inside thereof, the reinforcement (17) and bar (18) both being rigidly connected mechanically to the covering layer (16).

Shaft rod and a heald frame for a loom

The shaft rod of a heald frame for a loom, the rod having a corrugated or cross-section, has a shell (16) made of a thermoplastics composite having industrial endless fibers. A rigid longitudinal reinforcement (17) is disposed on the outside of the section and a carrier or support rail or bar or the like (18) is disposed on the inside, the elements (17, 18) both being rigidly connected mechanically to the shell (16). Light rigid low-cost shaft rods and heald frames of simple construction are therefore provided.

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Winterthur, Switzerland

Hansjorg Gysin