Internally tensioned structural member and method of assembling same

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A structural member having an enlongated body shell, which may be fiber glass, and a pair of end caps enclosing the ends of the shell. A plurality of bands extend through the shell connecting the caps and pulling them toward each other, thus rigidifying the member and securing the caps. Contact between the interior surfaces of the shell and the side edges of the bands causes the shell to resist collapse. At one end of the member the bands, are secured to the end cap by movable anchor piece. A tensioning member threadedly engages the anchor piece so that tension can be applied to the bands by rotating the tensioning member. At a predetermined tension a drive, piece connected to the …