Patent ID: 8033302

Claim:
A stiffener for an elongated structure comprising a. An elongated elastomer body having a longitudinal center bore, b. A termination interface affixed to at least one end of the elongated elastomer body, c. A first reinforcement layer of a woven fiber material, said woven material comprising a plurality of filaments braided into bundles that are woven together, said woven material being circumferentially disposed within the elastomer material of the elongated body and arranged at least partially along the longitudinal length of the elongated body, and d. A second reinforcement layer disposed within the elastomer material of the elongated body, said second layer comprising a plurality of at least partially unwoven and unbraided filaments in continuous extension from the material of the first reinforcement layer, said filaments engaging a retention member of the termination interface and passing back along the length of the elongated body, at least partially overlapping the first reinforcement layer.