Patent ID: 7640961

Claim:
A 360° tool for making a 360° composite tubular structure, the tool being adjustable between a molding position and a non-molding position, the tool comprising: a base; at least one fixed segment that is fixed relative to the base, the at least one fixed segment having a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end; a first door having a first circumferential end hingedly connected to the first circumferential end of the at least one fixed segment; a second door having a first circumferential end hingedly connected to the second circumferential end of the at least one fixed segment; a third door hingedly connected to the second door and configured to fit between the second door and first door and complete the 360° circumferential extent of the tool; and a sealing member between the at least one fixed segment and each of the first and second doors and also between each of the first and second doors and the third door; wherein: the third door has a circumferential extent no greater than one-quarter of a circumferential extent of the smaller of the first and second doors, and wherein the first door, the second door and the third door are manually operable without external tooling being needed to move any of the doors between an open position and a closed position.