Structural element and method of making
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorKevin T. Slattery
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A structural element comprising a first member and a second member interengaged with one another. Each member has an inner layer formed from a machinable material and having a substantially smooth outer surface, and an outer layer having a substantially smooth inner surface of a shape generally complementary to the shape of the outer surface of the inner layer. The inner and outer layers are joined together such that the outer surface of the inner layer and the inner surface of the outer layer are in substantially continuous, face-to-face engagement with each other. The inner layer of the first member has a first formation machined therein. The structural element further comprises an element for interconnecting the first formation of the first member with the second member thereby to form the structural element.
Claims20
A structural element comprising a first member and a second member interengaged with one another, each member comprising an inner layer formed from a first machinable material and having a substantially smooth outer surface, and an outer layer formed from a second material different from said first material and having a substantially smooth inner surface of a shape generally complementary to the shape of the outer surface of the inner layer, the inner and outer layers being joined together such that the outer surface of the inner layer and the inner surface of the outer layer are in substantially continuous, face-to-face engagement with each other, the inner layer of the first member having a first formation machined therein, and means for interconnecting the first formation of the first member with the second member thereby to form the structural element.
A structural member for use in forming a structural element having the structural member and another structural member interengaged with one another, the structural member comprising an inner layer formed from a first machinable material and having a substantially smooth outer surface and an outer layer formed from a second material different from said first material and having a substantially smooth inner surface of a shape complementary to the shape of the outer surface of the inner layer, the inner and outer layers being joined together such that the outer surface of the inner layer and the inner surface of the outer layer are in substantially continuous, face-to-face engagement with each other, the inner layer having an interlocking formation machined therein for interconnecting the structural member with said other structural member.
A method of forming a structural element comprising the steps of:
- joining an inner layer formed of a first machinable material to an outer layer formed from a second material different from said first material so that the inner and outer layers are in face-to-face relationship to form a first member;
- machining a first interlocking formation into the inner layer of the first member;
- machining a second interlocking formation into a machinable element;
- engaging the first and second interlocking formations to form said structural element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.