Method of forming a composite link fitting

A method of forming a series of composite link fittings, the method including:

• joining two opposed bearing supports with an inner laminate core having a longitudinal axis extending there between, each bearing support including a bearing bore, a first stepped portion, a separate second stepped portion and a recess formed therein, the bearing bore formed as an aperture extending from one side of each bearing support to an opposed side of the bearing support, the recess extending toward the bearing bore between an extent of the first and second stepped portions to a recess bottom, wherein between the recess bottom and an inner wall of the bearing bore a bearing support thickness separates the bearing bore from the recess, the inner laminate core including a central elongate layer, a first outer layer and a second outer layer, the first and second outer layers disposed on opposed first and second sides of the central elongate layer, the first outer layer engaging the first side of the central elongate layer and a portion of the first stepped portion on each of the two bearing supports, the second outer layer engaging the second side of the central elongate layer and a portion of the second stepped portion on each of the two bearing supports, the central elongate layer including longitudinally opposed first and second ends, the first end disposed within the recess of one of the two bearing supports and the second end disposed within the recess of the other of the two bearing supports;
• wrapping an outer band around the two bearing supports and the inner laminate core to form a composite link fitting blank;
• and
• cutting the formed composite link fitting blank longitudinally to form the series of composite link fittings.