US 2001/0039780 A1 · Devices and methods for reinforcing hollow structural members

Abstract

Reinforcement devices (10, 10′, 110, 110′) may be inserted into a cavity (6) of a hollow structural member (1) in order to reinforce the hollow structural member (1). The reinforcement devices (10, 10′, 110, 110′) may include a first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) having at least one mating surface (15a, 17a, 115a) extending along a longitudinal axis of the first part (11, 111) and a second elongated reinforcement part (12, 121) having at least one mating surface (25a, 27a, 125a) extending along a longitudinal axis of the second part (12, 121). An adhesive resin material preferably adheres the first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) to the second elongated reinforcement part (12, 121). The adhesive resin material may comprise a thermosetting resin that thermosets when heated. Thus, a thermoset product (31, 136) will connect the reinforcement parts (11, 12, 111, 121) after heating. In addition or in the alternative, the adhesive resin material may comprise a foamable resin that foams when heated. Thus, a foamed product (31, 136) will connect the reinforcement parts (11, 12, 111, 121) after heating.

Claims40

Dependent claims

An apparatus adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a hollow structural member and to reinforce the hollow structural member, comprising:

a first elongated reinforcement part having at least one mating surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the first elongated reinforcement part,
a second elongated reinforcement part having at least one mating surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the second elongated reinforcement part and
an adhesive resin material adhering the first elongated reinforcement part to the second elongated reinforcement part.

An apparatus (10, 10′, 110, 110′) disposed within a cavity (6) of a hollow structural member (1) in order to reinforce the hollow structural member (1) comprising:

a first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) having at least one mating surface (15a, 17a, 115a) extending along a longitudinal axis of the first part (11, 111),
a second elongated reinforcement part (21, 121) having at least one mating surface (25a, 27a, 125a) extending along a longitudinal axis of the second part (21, 121), wherein at least one of the first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) or the second reinforcement part (12, 121) comprises a synthetic resinous material and wherein at least one of the first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) or the second reinforcement part (21, 121) is a substantially light-weight hollow part that comprises at least one supplemental wall (15, 25, 115, 125) constructed to impart strength and rigidity to the part (11, 21, 111, 121) and
at least one elongated connecting rod (30, 130) adhering the mating surface (15a, 17a, 115a) extending along the longitudinal axis of the first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) to the mating surface (25a, 27a, 125a) extending along the longitudinal axis of the second elongated reinforcement part (21, 121), wherein the at least one elongated connecting rod (30, 130) comprises a thermosetting, foamable resin and wherein a thermoset, foamed product is formed upon heating and the thermoset, foamed product will bonds the first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) to the second elongated reinforcement part (21, 121) and will fit the first elongated reinforcement part (11, 111) and the second elongated reinforcement part (21, 121) within the cavity (6).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Devices and methods for reinforcing hollow structural members

Life of this patent

Devices and methods for reinforcing hollow structural members

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40