Reinforcing member for composite workpieces and associated methods

Abstract

Reinforcing members for securement of reinforced plastic composite components in restricted and confined space locations as a substitute for reinforcing stitching. The reinforcing members are highly effective for securing 'T' stiffeners and the like to a skin structure in confined and restricted locations where a stitching machine cannot be used. The composite pieces which are reinforced and secured together by the reinforcing members provide excellent damage tolerance, are highly resistant to delamination and are resistant to tensile pulling and plane shear properties. The reinforcing members primarily comprise a plurality of pins or spikes which are effectively formed by sewing through a disposable and eliminatable core such that when the core is removed, all of the pins, which originally constituted threads passing through the core are secured together in an array by an open mesh physical cross-linking of the pins.