Structural reinforcements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016348367-A1
Application number	US-201615236675-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 15, 2016
Priority date	Jul 25, 2006
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention is predicated upon the provision of systems and methods for reinforcement of a structural member. More particularly, the present invention is predicated upon unique carrier configurations and application of reinforcing material thereto. In one configuration, the application of reinforcing material is achieved without the use of fasteners, adhesives, or both, for placement, locating and restrictive movement of the reinforcing material onto the carrier.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A structural reinforcement comprising:
a carrier having a first surface and second surface, a length extending between a first end and a second end, the carrier including one or more sidewalls joined together to form one or more cavities, the carrier including a cross-sectional shape roughly corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of interior walls of a hollow structural member; an activatable material placed over at least a portion of the carrier without the use of fasteners, the activatable material configured to expand upon application of heat and adhere to the interior walls of the hollow structural member to provide reinforcement to the same; one or more restricting features located on or integrated with the one or more sidewalls of the carrier, the one or more restricting features being configured to receive the activatable material and limit movement of the activatable material with respect to the carrier; and a plurality of ribs integrally formed with the carrier; and wherein the first surface includes a plurality of ribs and the second surface includes a substantially flat portion and is free of any of the plurality of ribs.

2 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the activatable material includes an expandable adhesive material.

22 . The structural reinforcement of claim 21 , wherein the adhesive material is placed over at least a portion of the first surface of the carrier and the second surface including a substantially flat portion is free of the activatable material.

23 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes one or more locators integrally formed with the carrier for locating the carrier within a structural member.

24 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes one or more locators comprising one or more mechanical fasteners for engaging the carrier and structural member and locating the carrier within a structural member.

25 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is formed of polymeric material.

26 . The reinforcement system of claim 21 , wherein the polymeric material is polyimide.

27 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is formed of a metallic material.

28 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is formed by molding.

29 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier is contoured along its length.

30 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes a plurality of cavities extending along the length of the carrier which are similar in shape.

31 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes a plurality of cavities extending along the length of the carrier which differ in shape.

32 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the activatable material is located onto the carrier having a substantially uniform thickness prior to expansion.

33 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the activatable material is molded onto the carrier.

34 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more restricting features includes one or more wall tabs extending from the one or more carrier sidewalls.

35 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more restricting features include one or more intermediate restrictors and wherein the one or more intermediate restrictors are a recess formed on a portion of the one or more carrier sidewalls.

36 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more restricting features include one or more intermediate restrictors and wherein the one or more intermediate restrictors are comprised of an outward projection from at least one carrier sidewall.

37 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more restricting features include one or more openings formed through the one or more carrier sidewalls.

38 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more restricting feature includes a slotted portion that extends along the length of the one or more carrier sidewalls.

39 . The structural reinforcement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more restricting features include a groove located on an outer portion of the carrier for receiving the activatable material.

Assignees

• Zephyros Inc

Inventors

• Schneider Dean J
• Bolton Joseph L

Classifications

• B60J5/0452

  including foams or expanded materials · CPC title

• B62D29/001 Primary

  characterised by combining metal and synthetic material · CPC title

• E04C3/29

  built-up from parts of different material, {i.e. composite structures} · CPC title

• B29C44/18

  Filling preformed cavities {(B29C44/1204 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B62D29/002 Primary

  a foamable synthetic material or metal being added in situ (shaping of substances in a plastic state by foaming, in general B29C44/00) · CPC title