Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to reinforcement assemblies for matrix materials, and more specifically to reinforcement assemblies for continuous loop members with reinforced matrix materials.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/661,196, entitled “Reinforced Continuous Loop Matrix Member; Continuous Loop Reinforcement Assembly; Flexible Cylindrical Reinforcement Band; and Axially Reinforced Cylindrical Coil” which was filed on Mar. 12, 2010, and which is entirely incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to reinforcement assemblies for matrix materials, and more specifically to reinforcement assemblies for continuous loop members with reinforced matrix materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrated as the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  having a first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100 , a intermediate resilient spacer  200 , and a second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 . 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a partial view of two embodiments of the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  from  FIG. 2 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a partial view of two embodiments of the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  from  FIG. 4 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the intermediate resilient spacer  200  from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  with a break out illustrating another embodiment of the intermediate resilient spacer  200 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  with a break out illustrating yet another embodiment of the intermediate resilient spacer  200 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  with the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100 , the intermediate resilient spacer  200 , and the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 , and further including a second intermediate resilient spacer  400 , and a third flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  500 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an embodiment of the present invention illustrated as the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 . The continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  provides reinforcement for a matrix material, such as polyurethane or epoxy, in a continuous loop member, such as a belt, hose, wheel, or roller. The continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  is porous for receiving the matrix material and being embedded within the continuous loop member. The continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  in the present invention is flexible in the radial direction to provide for distributing radial forces applied to the device reinforced by the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  includes a first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100 , a second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 , and a intermediate resilient spacer  200  disposed between the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  and the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 . 
         [0013]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  has a first band inner surface  101  and a first band outer surface  102 . The second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  has a second band inner surface  301  and a second band outer surface  302 . The intermediate resilient spacer  200  has a spacer inner surface  201  that engages the first band outer surface  102 , and a spacer outer surface  202  that engages the second band inner surface  301 . 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the first flexible cylindrical band  100  is a cylindrical member with flexibility in the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the first flexible cylindrical band  100  has a flexibility wherein the first flexible cylindrical band  100  can be subjected to a bend radius that is one-tenth or less of its normal inside diameter in the continuous loop reinforcing assembly  10  without experiencing a permanent set to the material. Because the first flexible cylindrical band  100  is a reinforcing component of the continuous loop reinforcing assembly  10 , the Young&#39;s Modulus of the material in the first flexible cylindrical band  100  in the tangential direction will be greater than the Young&#39;s Modulus of the matrix reinforced by the first cylindrical band  100 . In one preferred embodiment, the Young&#39;s Modulus of the first flexible cylindrical band  100  is at least 1,000 times greater than the Young&#39;s Modulus of the matrix reinforced by the first flexible cylindrical band  100 . 
         [0015]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first flexible cylindrical band  100  comprises a continuous band of a coil  110 , such as a coil formed from one or more yarns or cables  111  wound into a helix, each cable  111  making at least three revolutions around the first flexible cylindrical band  100 . What is meant by a “continuous band” is that the band continues around to itself without the use of a seam across the band. The cables  111  have high longitudinal tension and compression stiffness, and flexibility in the tangential direction. Preferred materials for the cables  111  would include high modulus materials such as metal, steel, carbon, aramid, or glass fibers. Multiple retainers  112  can attach to cable  111  for maintaining the integrity of the coil  110 . The retainers  112  can be a polymeric material woven into the cables  111 , a metal strip crimped to the cables  111 , or the like. The retainers  112  provide an axial stiffness to the first flexible cylindrical band  100  prior to incorporation of the matrix material with the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 . 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there are shown two embodiments of the first flexible cylindrical band  100  with the retainers  112  comprising reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b . The reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  can be different ends of a single yarn, or two different yarns. The reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  122   b  are woven or knitted longitudinally into the coil  110  in between the cables  111 . The reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  need to be flexible enough to incorporate into the coil  110 , but provide axial stiffness to the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100 . 
         [0017]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in one preferred embodiment at least one of the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  comprise polymeric yarn with a higher melt temperature material and a lower melt temperature material. In a preferred embodiment, both of the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  comprise polymeric yarns with a higher melt temperature material and a lower melt temperature material. Prior to any melt bonding of the two melt temperature materials, the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  are incorporated into the coil  110 . In this manner, the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  are flexible enough to be incorporated into the coil  110  with minimum difficulty. After the reinforcing yarns are incorporated into the coil  110 , the subassembly is subjected to a temperature above the melt temperature of the lower melt temperature material, and below the melt temperature of the higher melt temperature material. After the lower melt temperature material is melted, the temperature is lowered below its melt temperature, melt bonding the lower melt temperature material to the higher temperature material thereby creating a fused reinforcing spacing yarn. By fusing the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b , the retainer  111  formed by the yarns becomes more rigid. This extra rigidity provides the first flexible cylindrical band with an increased axial stiffness. In order to help maintain axial stability of the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  through the process of incorporation of the matrix with the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 , it is preferred that the lower melt temperature material of the reinforcing yarns have a melt temperature above the formation or cure temperature of the matrix. 
         [0018]    Referring still to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  using different melt temperature materials can be formed of a fiber or fibers having the materials with the different melting points, such as core/sheath fibers, or can be formed from a combination of fibers having different melting points. The reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  can be monofilament yarns, multifilament yarns, or staple fiber yarns. When selecting yarns for the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b , attention should be given to selecting yarns that will withstand the friction forces of assembly and any processing of the continuous loop reinforcing assembly  10  prior to incorporation with the matrix, such as washing. It is preferable that the higher melt temperature material of such reinforcing yarns be selected to have sufficient elasticity to reduce the likelihood of assembly problems. It is also preferable that the higher melt temperature material of such reinforcing yarns be selected to have low shrinkage characteristics, particularly when subjected to the heat of fusing the reinforcing yarns and incorporation of the matrix material into the continuous loop reinforcement assembly. In one embodiment the filament or fibers are a core and sheath configuration with the higher melt temperature polymer being the core and the lower melt temperature polymer being the sheath. In another embodiment, the yarn comprises filaments or fibers of the higher melt temperature polymer and separate filaments or fibers of the lower melt temperature polymer. 
         [0019]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , reinforcing yarn  112   a  is illustrated as a structural yarn and reinforcing yarn  112   b  is illustrated as a tie yarn. The structural reinforcing yarn  112   a  is stiffer and heavier than the tie reinforcing yarn  112   b . The structural reinforcing yarn  112   a  provides axial rigidity to the coil  100 . The reinforcing yarn  112   a  can be secured to the outside or the inside of the coil  110 . In one embodiment, the structural reinforcing yarn  112   a  is a monofilament yarn. The tie reinforcing yarn  112   b  secures the cables  111  of the coil adjacent to the structural reinforcing yarn  112   a . In one embodiment the tie reinforcing yarn  112   b  includes a lower melt temperature polymer material as described above, and can include a higher melt temperature polymer material as described above. The melt temperature of the lower melt temperature polymer material in the tie yarn is a lower temperature than the primary materials in the structural reinforcing yarn  112   a . In this manner, the tie reinforcing yarn  112   b  can be used to better secure the cables  111  of the coil  110  to the structural reinforcing yarn. When using a tie reinforcing yarn  112   b  having a polymer with a lower melting temperature, it is preferred that the structural reinforcing yarn  112   a  have low shrinkage when subject to the melting temperature of the lower melting temperature polymer in the tie reinforcing yarn  112   b , such as with a heat set polymer yarn. In one embodiment, the tie reinforcing yarn  112   b  includes filaments or staple fibers with the lower melt temperature, and filaments or staple fibers of the higher melting temperature. When the tie reinforcing yarn  112   b  includes filaments or staple fibers of both lower melt temperature and high melt temperature polymer, it is also preferred that the filament with the high melt temperature polymer have some shrink during melting of the lower melt temperature polymer, such as with a yarn that is not heat set, thereby cinching up the connection between the structural reinforcing yarn  112   a  and the at least one cable  111  of the coil  110 . 
         [0020]    Referring still to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there are shown two different patterns for the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b . In  FIG. 3A , the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  secure the cables  111  of the coil  110  with a weave pattern. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  are woven into the coil  110  in a leno weave, with cross-overs of the yarns occurring between cables. However, the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  could be incorporated into the coil  110  with other weave patterns. In  FIG. 3B , the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  secure the cables  111  of the coil  110  with a Malimo style stitch knit pattern. However, the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  could be incorporated into the coil  110  with other knit patterns. Although  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the reinforcing yarns  112   a  and  112   b  as being incorporated into the coil  110  with a weave or knit pattern, a series of single reinforcing yarns  112  could also be wound through the coil  110 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the second flexible cylindrical band  300  is a cylindrical member with flexibility in the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the second flexible cylindrical band  300  has a flexibility wherein the second flexible cylindrical band  300  can be subjected to a bend radius that is one-tenth or less of its normal inside diameter in the continuous loop reinforcing assembly  10  without experiencing a permanent set to the material. Because the second flexible cylindrical band  300  is a reinforcing component of the continuous loop reinforcing assembly  10 , the Young&#39;s Modulus of the material in the second flexible cylindrical band  300  in the tangential direction will be greater than the Young&#39;s Modulus of the matrix reinforced by the second flexible cylindrical band  300 . In one preferred embodiment, the Young&#39;s Modulus of the second flexible cylindrical band  300  is at least 1,000 times greater than the Young&#39;s Modulus of the matrix reinforced by the second flexible cylindrical band  300 . 
         [0022]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the second flexible cylindrical band  300  comprises a continuous band of a coil  310 , such as a coil formed from one or more cables  311  wound into a helix, each cable  310  making at least three revolutions around the second flexible cylindrical band  300 . What is meant by a “continuous band” is that the band continues around to itself without the use of a seam across the band. The cables  311  have high longitudinal tension and compression stiffness, and flexibility in tangential direction. Preferred materials for the cables  311  would include high modulus materials such as metal, steel, carbon, aramid, or glass fibers. Multiple retainers  312  can attach to cable  311  for maintaining the integrity of the coil  310 . Retainers  312  can be a polymeric material woven into the cables  311 , a metal strip crimped to the cables  311 , or the like. The retainers  312  provide an axial stiffness to the second flexible cylindrical band  300  prior to incorporation of the matrix material with the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , there are shown two embodiment of the second flexible cylindrical band  300  with the retainers  312  comprising reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b . The reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  can be different ends of a single yarn, or two different yarns. The reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  are woven longitudinally into the coil  310  in between the cables  311 . The reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  need to be flexible enough to incorporate into the coil  310 , but provide axial stiffness to the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 . 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in one preferred embodiment at least one of the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  comprise polymeric yarn with a higher melt temperature material and a lower melt temperature material. In a preferred embodiment, both of the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  comprise polymeric yarns with a higher melt temperature material and a lower melt temperature material. Prior to any melt bonding of the two melt temperature materials, the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  are incorporated into the coil  310 . In this manner, the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  are flexible enough to be incorporated into the coil  310  with minimum difficulty. After the reinforcing yarns are incorporated into the coil  310 , the subassembly is subjected to a temperature above the melt temperature of the lower melt temperature material, and below the melt temperature of the higher melt temperature material. After the lower melt temperature material is melted, the temperature is lowered below its melt temperature, melt bonding the lower melt temperature material to the higher temperature material thereby creating a fused reinforcing spacing yarn. By fusing the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b , the retainer  311  formed by the yarns becomes more rigid. This extra rigidity provides the first flexible cylindrical band with an increased axial stiffness. In order to help maintain axial stability of the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  through the process of incorporation of the matrix with the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 , it is preferred that the lower melt temperature material of the reinforcing yarns have a melt temperature above the formation or cure temperature of the matrix. 
         [0025]    Referring still to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  using different melt temperature materials can be formed of a fiber or fibers having the materials with the different melting points, such as core/sheath fibers, or can be formed from a combination of fibers having different melting points. The reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  can be monofilament yarns, multifilament yarns, or staple yarns. When selecting yarns for the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b , attention should be given to selecting yarns that will withstand the friction forces of assembly and any processing of the continuous loop reinforcing assembly  10  prior to incorporation with the matrix, such as washing. It is preferable that the higher melt temperature material of such reinforcing yarns be selected to have sufficient elasticity to reduce the likelihood of assembly problems. It is also preferable that the higher melt temperature material of such reinforcing yarns be selected to have low shrinkage characteristics, particularly when subjected to the heat of fusing the reinforcing yarns and incorporation of the matrix material into the continuous loop reinforcement assembly. In one embodiment the filament or fibers are a core and sheath configuration with the higher melt temperature polymer being the core and the lower melt temperature polymer being the sheath. In another embodiment, the yarn comprises filaments or fibers of the higher melt temperature polymer and separate filaments or fibers of the lower melt temperature polymer. 
         [0026]    Still referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , reinforcing yarn  312   a  is illustrated as a structural yarn and reinforcing yarn  312   b  is illustrated as a tie yarn. The structural reinforcing yarn  312   a  is stiffer and heavier than the tie reinforcing yarn  312   b . The structural reinforcing yarn  312   a  provides axial rigidity to the coil  300 . The reinforcing yarn  312   a  can be secured to the outside or the inside of the coil  310 . In one embodiment, the structural reinforcing yarn  312   a  is a monofilament yarn. The tie reinforcing yarn  312   b  secures the cables  311  of the coil adjacent to the structural reinforcing yarn  312   a . In one embodiment the tie reinforcing yarn  312   b  includes a lower melt temperature polymer material as described above, and can include a higher melt temperature polymer material as described above. The melt temperature of the lower melt temperature polymer material in the tie yarn is a lower temperature than the primary materials in the structural reinforcing yarn  312   a . In this manner, the tie reinforcing yarn  312   b  can be used to better secure the cables  311  of the coil  310  to the structural reinforcing yarn. When using a tie reinforcing yarn  312   b  having a polymer with a lower melting temperature, it is preferred that the structural reinforcing yarn  312   a  have low shrinkage when subject to the melting temperature of the lower melting temperature polymer in the tie reinforcing yarn  312   b , such as with a heat set polymer yarn. In one embodiment, the tie reinforcing yarn  312   b  includes filaments or staple fibers with the lower melt temperature, and filaments or staple fibers of the higher melting temperature. When the tie reinforcing yarn  312   b  includes filaments or staple fibers of both lower melt temperature and high melt temperature polymer, it is also preferred that the filament with the high melt temperature polymer have some shrink during melting of the lower melt temperature polymer, such as with a yarn that is not heat set, thereby cinching up the connection between the structural reinforcing yarn  312   a  and the at least one cable  311  of the coil  310 . 
         [0027]    Referring still to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , there are shown two different patterns for the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b . In  FIG. 5A , the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  secure the cables  311  of the coil  310  with a weave pattern. As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  are woven into the coil  310  in a leno weave, with cross-overs of the yarns occurring between cables. However, the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  could be incorporated into the coil  310  with other weave patterns. In  FIG. 5B , the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  secure the cables  311  of the coil  310  with a Malimo style stitch knit pattern. However, the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  could be incorporated into the coil  310  with other knit patterns. Although  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the reinforcing yarns  312   a  and  312   b  as being incorporated into the coil  310  with a weave or knit pattern, a series of single reinforcing yarns  312  could also be wound through the coil  310 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is a resilient material that applies a constant pressure to the first band outer surface  102  and the second band inner surface  301 . What is meant by resilient is that the resilient spacer generates increasing reaction forces with increasing amounts of compression. The thickness of the intermediate resilient spacer  200  in the radial direction is greater than the space created between the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  and the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  in the radial direction. In this manner, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  exerts constant pressure between the two flexible cylindrical reinforcement bands  100 ,  300 , around the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 . To help create a uniform pressure around the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 , the intermediate resilient spacer  200  preferably has a substantially uniform thickness and is substantially uniform in composition. This constant even pressure maintains the spatial relationship between the first flexible cylindrical band  100  and the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 . The even pressure between the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  and the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  creates a force equilibrium that will maintain centering of the two bands even if there are variations in the diameter of the first or second flexible cylindrical bands  100 ,  300 . In designing the intermediate resilient spacer  200 , caution must be exercised to prevent excessive pressure on the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100 . When the intermediate resilient spacer  200  exerts excessive pressure on the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100 , the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  will buckle deforming the shape. In one embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  can elastically recover from at least 30% compression. In another embodiment, the materials forming the intermediate resilient spacer  200  can elastically recover from greater than an 80% compression. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  holds itself and the two reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 , in place without additional fixation. Typically, the normal pressure and resulting friction between the intermediate resilient spacer  200  and the two reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 , is sufficient to stabilize the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 , even during incorporation of the matrix material when forming a cylindrical member. When the intermediate resilient spacer  200  exerts a pressure between the two flexible cylindrical reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 , it also creates a bulge of the spacer material between the cables  111 ,  311 . This bulge between the cables  111 ,  311 , results in further stabilization of the continuous loop reinforcing assembly  10  and helps stabilize the position of the individual cables  111 ,  311 , within the flexible cylindrical reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 , respectively. In other embodiments, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  can use a material with very small protrusions or arms that hold the cables  111 ,  311 , thereby stabilizing the position of the individual cables  111 ,  311 , within the cylindrical reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 , respectively. The stabilization of the reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 , and the intermediate resilient spacer  200  can be improved with adhesives and material geometry that provides a gripping effect between the intermediate resilient spacer  200  and the flexible cylindrical reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 . Increased friction, adhesion, or gripping between the intermediate resilient spacer  200  and the first flexible cylindrical reinforcing band  100  will also increase the pressure that can be exerted by the intermediate resilient spacer  200  to the first flexible cylindrical reinforcing band  100  before the onset of buckling of the first flexible cylindrical reinforcing band  100 . 
         [0030]    In addition to providing a spring like constant pressure between the two reinforcement bands  200 ,  300 , the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is also porous for receiving the matrix material that is reinforced. Preferably, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is porous without closed voids or torturous flow paths that reverse flow direction or create dead end flows. A porous material will include voids reducing the volume of the mass making up the porous material. It is preferable to increase the void area in a porous material by reducing the volume of the mass in a porous material to the minimum practical amount. As an example, the volume of the mass forming the porous material may have a maximum volume of fifteen percent (15%). In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the mass forming the porous material has a maximum volume of five percent (5%). Additionally, in one preferred embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  comprises the same material as in the matrix, such as polyurethane. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is a flexible member. Flexing of the intermediate resilient spacer  200  facilitates the assembly of the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 , and allows the final reinforced matrix member to flex without functional damage to the components of continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  or the matrix. Similar to the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  and the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 , it is preferable that the intermediate resilient spacer  200  as a flexibility wherein the intermediate resilient spacer  200  can be subjected to a bend radius that is one-tenth or less of its normal inside diameter in the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  without experiencing a permanent set to the material. In another preferred embodiment, the intermediate spacer  200  has a greater flexibility than the cylindrical reinforcement bands that it engages. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  can be a strip of material that is cut to the desired thickness, width, and length, and then inserted between the first reinforcement band  100  and the second reinforcement band  300 . In one embodiment, the ends of the strip of material are attached to form the intermediate resilient spacer  200 . In another embodiment, the strip of material placed between the first reinforcement band  100  and the second reinforcement band  300  as the intermediate resilient spacer  200 , is a strip of material that is not attached at the ends with the ends loosely abutting each other. In some instances, it may be acceptable to have a small gap between the ends of a material forming the intermediate resilient spacer  200 . Also, the axial width of the intermediate resilient spacer  200  does not always need to equal the full width of the reinforcement bands  100  or  300 . 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is a foam material. In order to provide a spacer with the porous characteristics, the foam material can be an open cell foam material. In particular, a reticulated foam material provides a porous resilient material for the intermediate resilient spacer  200 . In reticulated foam, cell walls are removed by methods such as passing a controlled flame or chemical etching fluid through the medium. The remaining material of the reticulated foam can also provide arms that secure the cables  111 ,  311 , within the cylindrical reinforcing bands  100 ,  300 . In addition, the foam material can be the same material as the matrix to be reinforced. For example, polyurethane foam can be used as the intermediate resilient spacer  200  in a cylindrical reinforcing member  10  to reinforce a polyurethane matrix. 
         [0034]    In yet another embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is a nonwoven material. One type of nonwoven material that could be used as the spacer is a nonwoven material with thick filaments which are formed into a three-dimensional shape, such as a two or three dimensional corrugated configuration. Nonwovens with thickness oriented, or “z” oriented, fibers can provide resilient properties to the nonwoven. 
         [0035]    In yet even another embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is a spacer fabric. A spacer fabric is a knit or woven fabric that has two face layers separated by fibers or yarns extending between the two layers. The fibers between the two layers provide a spring-like force that opposes the compression of the spacer fabric. Considerations for the spacer fabric would be openness, pore shape, pore size, stiffness, direction of the separating fiber or yarn, ability of material to adhere to the matrix material, and the like. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown an embodiment of the present invention with the intermediate resilient spacer  200  having a width smaller than the width of the first cylindrical reinforcement band  100  or the second cylindrical reinforcement band  300 . In this embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacer  200  is centered in the width direction of the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10 . The flexible cylindrical reinforcement bands  100 ,  300 , are designed to maintain a constant spatial relationship between each other at widths beyond the intermediate resilient spacer  200 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an embodiment of the present invention with the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  and the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  being spaced apart by two intermediate resilient spacers  200   a  and  200   b . In this embodiment, the intermediate resilient spacers  200   a  and  200   b  are narrower than the flexible cylindrical reinforcement bands  100 ,  300 , and are disposed towards opposing outer edges of the flexible cylindrical reinforcement bands  100 ,  300 . By splitting the intermediate resilient spacer into two bands disposed at the outer edges of the flexible cylindrical reinforcement members  100 ,  300 , the continuous loop reinforcement assembly  10  will have better resistance to out of plane rotational disturbances. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an embodiment of the present invention where a third flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  500  is disposed outside of the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300 , and a second intermediate resilient spacer  400  is disposed between the second flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  300  and the third cylindrical reinforcement band  500 . The third flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  500  has the same properties and characteristics as the first flexible cylindrical reinforcement band  100  or the second flexible reinforcement band  300 . The second intermediate resilient spacer  400  also has the same properties and characteristics as the intermediate flexible resilient spacer  200 . It is contemplated that the cylindrical reinforcement assembly of the present invention could have multiple layers of cylindrical reinforcement bands separated by one or more intermediate resilient layers. 
         [0039]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.