Joints for metalic members and structures formed using the same
OwnerStephen J. Mulleninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joint for metallic members including a body portion and extending portion in one member and an opening in a second member. The body portion of one member at least partially overlaps the opening in the second member to create a joined opening. A bonding agent, e.g. adhesive, is applied in the joined opening to create a strong joint relying on the sheer strength of the cured bonding agent rather than its peel strength. Slot-to-slot and tab-to-slot joints using joined openings are provided. A drum and mechanical structure constructed using laser cutting techniques on metallic plates and utilizing the disclosed joints are also provided.
Claims24
A joint comprising:
- a first metallic member having portions defining a first opening, said first opening comprising a body portion and an extending portion;
- a second metallic member having portions defining a second opening, said second member having a portion disposed in said extending portion of said first opening with said second opening at least partially overlapping said body portion to define a joined opening between said first and second members;
- and
- a bonding agent disposed in said joined opening.
A slot-to-slot joint comprising:
- a first metallic member having portions defining a first slot, said first slot comprising a body portion and an extending portion;
- a second metallic member having portions defining a second slot, said second slot comprising a body portion and an extending portion, said second member having a portion disposed in said first extending portion of said first slot with said body of said second slot at least partially overlapping said body of said first slot to define a joined opening between said first and second members;
- and
- a bonding agent disposed in said joined opening.
A tab-to-slot joint comprising:
- a first metallic member having a tab and portions defining a cutout at least partially disposed in said tab;
- a second metallic member having portions defining a slot, said slot comprising a body portion and an extending portion, said tab from said first member disposed in said slot of said second member with said cutout of said first member at least partially overlapping said body of said second member to define a joined opening between said first and second members;
- and
- a bonding agent disposed in said joined opening.
A flow through drum structure comprising:
- at least two annular metallic members;
- a plurality of metallic ribs coupled to said annular members via associated joints, said joints comprising:
- at least one annular member having portions defining a first opening, said first opening comprising a body portion and an extending portion;
- at least one rib member having portions defining a second opening, said rib member having a portion disposed in said extending portion of said first opening with said second opening at least partially overlapping said body portion to define a joined opening between said at least one annular member and at least one rib member;
- and
- a bonding agent disposed in said joined opening.
A method of joining a first to a second metallic member comprising:
- forming a first opening in said first member, said first opening comprising a body portion and an extending portion;
- forming a second opening in said second member;
- aligning a portion of said second member in said extending portion of said first opening with said second opening of said second member at least partially overlapping said body portion to define a joined opening between said first and second members;
- and
- applying bonding agent in said joined opening.
A method of joining a first to a second metallic member in a slot-to-slot configuration comprising:
- forming a slot in each of said members, said slots each having a body portion and an extending portion;
- sliding said members together such that said body portion of said first member partially overlaps said body portion of said second member to define a joined opening between said first and second members;
- and
- applying bonding agent in said joined opening.
A method of joining a first to a second metallic member in a tab-to-slot configuration comprising:
- forming a tab on said first member and a cutout at least partially disposed in said tab;
- forming a slot in said second member, said slot having a body portion and an extending portion;
- aligning said tab in said slot such that said cutout of said first member at least partially overlaps said body portion of said second member to define a joined opening between said first and second members;
- and
- applying bonding agent in said joined opening.
A metallic structure comprising:
- first and second metallic plates;
- and
- a cell structure disposed between said plates, said cell structure comprising intersecting metallic ribs, at least one of said ribs comprising a tab extending therefrom and through a corresponding slot in said first plate to form a joint between said at least one of said ribs and said first plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.