The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 28, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 23, 1993
Frank F Lee, Danville, CA (US);
Thomas K Owen, San Jose, CA (US);
William J Swanson, Livermore, CA (US);
James R Watts, Manteca, CA (US);
Susan M Brinkerhoff, Martinez, CA (US);
Hexcel Corporation, Pleasanton, CA (US);
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.