Blow-molded rib structure
AssigneeDongguan Shichang Metals Factory Ltd.
InventorChen-Kang LIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A blow-molded structural panel has a stiffening rib structure in which the height and width of the rib structure varies over its length. For example, the rib structure may have three tall portions separated by two short portions, with a gradual slope in height between the various portions. The rib structure is preferably wider in the short portions than it is in the tall portions. The lower height of the rib structure in some portions enhances the stiffness of the panel, while also using less material because the plastic does not have to be drawn so deeply into the mold in the short portions.
Claims11
A blow-molded structural panel comprising:
- a panel surface;
- and
- a stiffening rib structure extending outward from the panel surface, the stiffening rib structure comprising:
- a first end portion;
- a second end portion disposed opposite the first end portion;
- a first tall portion disposed adjacent the first end portion, the first tall portion having a first tall portion height;
- a second tall portion disposed adjacent the second end portion, the second tall portion having a second tall portion height;
- and
- one or more short portions disposed between the first tall portion and the second tall portion, each short portion having a short portion height that is less than the first tall portion height and less than the second tall portion height.
A blow-molded structural panel comprising:
- a panel surface;
- and
- a stiffening rib structure extending outward from the panel surface, the stiffening rib structure comprising:
- a first tall portion having a first tall portion height and a first tall portion width;
- a second tall portion having a second tall portion height and a second tall portion width;
- and
- one or more short portions disposed between the first tall portion and the second tall portion, each short portion having a short portion height that is less than the first tall portion height and less than the second tall portion height, each short portion having a short portion width that is greater than the first tall portion width and greater than the second tall portion width.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.