Structural sandwich members
OwnerStephen John Kennedyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structural sandwich plate member (2) formed of outer metal plates (3) and a plastics or polymer core (4) which bonds the outer metal plates (3) together with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween has a hollow member (1) embedded in the elastomer core to define a void within the elastomer. The hollow member is made of moulded or extruded plastic.
Claims20
A structural sandwich plate member comprising:
- first and second outer metal plates;
- a plastics or polymer core bonded to said outer metal plates with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween;
- and a hollow member defining a space in the core free of the core material wherein the hollow member is made of moulded or extruded plastic.
A structural sandwich plate member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hollow member is made of expanded polypropylene.
A structural sandwich plate member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hollow member is provided with at least one internal reinforcing rib.
A structural sandwich plate member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said hollow member is provided with at least one external rib for reinforcing and/or spacing the hollow member from the outer metal plates of the structural sandwich plate member or from other hollow members included in the structural sandwich plate member.
A structural sandwich plate member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said hollow member is provided with support means for receiving and locating at least one reinforcing plate.
A structural sandwich plate member according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least two layers of hollow members.
A structural sandwich plate member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the core is made of an elastomer.
A moulded or extruded plastic hollow member to be disposed within a structural sandwich plate member comprising first and second outer metal plates and a plastics or polymer core bonded to said outer metal plates with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween;
- said hollow member defining a space within the core free of the core material.
A method of manufacturing a structural sandwich plate member comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second outer metal plates in a spaced apart relationship with a moulded or extruded plastic hollow member having an internal space located therebetween;
- injecting uncured plastics or polymer to fill the space defined between said outer metal plates save for the internal space of said moulded or extruded plastic hollow member;
- and allowing said plastics or polymer to cure to bond said outer metal plates together with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween.
A structural sandwich plate member constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A hollow member for a structural sandwich plate member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.