United States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 4,855,173
Dore [45] Date of Patent: Aug. 8,1989
FIG 1
[54] REPAIR PROCESS FOR A FIBRE REINFORCED STRUCTURE
[76] Inventor: Peter B. Dore, 57 Old Belair Rd., Mitcham, Australia
[21] Appl. No.: 230,917
[22] Filed: Aug. 11,1988
[51] Int. CI.4 B32B 35/00
[52] U.S. CI 428/63; 29/402.09;
138/98; 156/94; 156/98; 156/294; 264/36;
273/73 F
[58] Field of Search 29/402.09, 402.11;
138/98, 99; 156/94, 98, 294; 264/36; 273/73 F;
428/63
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,666,586 5/1972 Lacey 156/98
4,409,270 10/1983 Faber et al 428/63
4,429,873 2/1984 Van Raemdonck 273/73 F
4,588,626 5/1986 Cologna et al 428/63
4,737,330 4/1988 Rau 264/36 X
4,793,879 12/1988 Mimbs 156/98
Primary Examiner—Robert A. Dawson
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Nixon & Vanderhye
[57] ABSTRACT
A repair process for a damaged fibre-reinforced structure, such as the frame of a sports racquet, comprises the steps of making a window in the structure across the damaged area and filling the exposed cavity at the damaged area with a combination of reinforced fibres wetted out with a curable resin, and a plug. The plug is preferably a short length of solid rod, for instance of fibre-glass and polyester material, and is packed to either side in the structure with the reinforcing fibres which may be provided by Kevlar rovings. The repair is further reinforced by a curable overlay.
20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
