Patent ID: 7318281

Claim:
A method of producing a composite ring comprising: manufacturing a shank defined by a first arcuate segment and a second continuous integrally formed arcuate segment, with each segment defined by an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface; forming an elongated recess along said outer surface of said shank first segment; manufacturing an arcuate top piece having an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface; forming an elongated recess along said inner surface of said top piece; fitting said shank onto said top piece and along said first segment so that said recesses overly one another for defining an enclosed arcuate running channel; wherein said first manufacturing step includes forming a longitudinally extending blank and then rounding the blank in a die in order to produce such shank; and wherein said first manufacturing step further comprises stamping said blank along one surface thereof in order to produce a convex configured surface therealong such that the convex surface runs continuously along the inner surfaces of said first and second segments of said produced shank.