A composite shaft for transmitting torsional forces between end pieces of
the shaft. The shaft includes an inner tube member with an end piece
mounted at each end of the tube. A composite material is provided
covering the inner tube member and at least a portion of the end pieces.
The composite material includes elongated fibers oriented at a
predetermined angle which optimizes the strength of the shaft for a
desired shaft performance, and the shaft is constructed to provide
multiple load paths between the end pieces.