(19)

(11)

EP 1 226 384 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/31 (21) Application number: 00978904.1 (22) Date of filing: 04.10.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16L 47/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US0041/073 (87) International publication number: WO 0125/674 (12.04.2001 Gazette 2001/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 04.10.1999 US 157614 P 03.10.2000 US 678577 (71) Applicant: Fiberspar Corporation West Wareham, MA 02576 (US)	(72) Inventors: BROTZELL, Arthur, D. Calgary, N.W. T2M 3J7 (CA) FOWLER, Stewart, H., Jr. Spring, TX 77379 (US) (74) Representative: Casey, Lindsay Joseph et al F. R. Kelly & Co.27 Clyde RoadBallsbridge Dublin 4 Dublin 4 (IE)