Patent ID: 8945455
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A support apparatus configured for providing structural support to any apparatus, mold, tooling, or shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus for forming composite parts, the support apparatus comprising: an adjustable, rigid structural member having adjustable cross-sectional dimensions, wherein the rigid structural member comprises an inner mandrel having a substantially “C”-shaped or split-ring cross-section configured to flex when edges thereof are squeezed together or forced apart from each other; and a plurality of shape memory polymer (SMP) support components comprising shape memory polymer, each spaced apart from each other and fixed to an outer surface or end portion of the adjustable rigid structural member, wherein the SMP support components are configured to transition between a rigid state and a malleable state and to be independently deformable in the malleable state when pressure is applied thereto.