US 6,263,629 B1Granted

Structural reinforcement member and method of utilizing the same to reinforce a product

AssigneeClark-Schwebel Tech-Fab Company

InventorGordon L. Brown, Jr.

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Abstract

A reinforcing grid which advantageously includes fibers of both a first type and a second type is provided. The first type of fibers have a strength sufficient to reinforce the hardenable structural material, such as concrete, after hardening. The first type of fibers also have a higher resistance to degradation in the hardenable material than the second type of fibers. As such, the first type of fibers will continue to reinforce the hardened material in the event the fibers of the second type become corroded in the hardened material. Consequently, a less expensive type of fiber can be used as the second type of fiber and can corrode in the hardenable material without concern for the strength of the hardened structural product. According to one embodiment, the first type of fibers comprises carbon fibers and the second type of fibers comprises glass fibers.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A structural member for reinforcing a product formed of a hardenable structural material after hardening of the material, said structural member being in the form of a reinforcing grid including first and second types of fibers in which one of said types of fibers has a higher strength sufficient to reinforce the hardenable material after hardening and a higher resistance to degradation in the hardenable material than the other type of fibers and the other of said types of fibers is less expensive than the one type of fibers to reduce the cost of said structural member, said reinforcing grid comprising:

a set of warp strands wherein at least some of said warp strands are spaced apart, and at least some of said warp strands are formed of fibers of one of said first or second type of fibers;
a set of weft strands wherein at least some of the strands are spaced apart and disposed at substantially right angles to said set of warp strands to define an open structure through which the hardenable material can pass before hardening, and at least some of said weft strands are formed of the other of said first or second types of fibers;
whereby, said gridwork is partially formed of fibers of the first type which will continue to reinforce the hardened material in the event the fibers of the second type become corroded in the hardened material.

A reinforced structural product comprising:

a hardened structural material formed into the desired final shape of the structural product;
and
a reinforcing grid including first and second types of fibers in which one of said types of fibers has a higher strength sufficient to reinforce said hardened structural material after hardening and a higher resistance to degradation in said hardened material than the other type of fibers and the other of said types of fibers is less expensive than the one type of fibers to reduce the cost of said reinforcing grid, said reinforcing grid comprising a set of warp strands wherein at least some of said warp strands are spaced apart and at least some of said warp strands are formed of fibers of one of said first or second type of fibers;
a set of weft strands wherein at least some of the strands are spaced apart and disposed at substantially right angles to said set of warp strands to define an open structure through which the hardenable material can pass before hardening and at least some of said weft strands are formed of the other of said first or second types of fibers;
whereby, said gridwork is partially formed of fibers of the first type which will continue to reinforce the hardened material in the event the fibers of the second type become corroded in the hardened material.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/422,701Filed 21 Oct 1999 · continuation in part
Priority: 4 Aug 1998
Granted: 24 Jul 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

E04C 2/044
Of concrete or other stone-like material; of asbestos cement; of cement and other mineral fibres: of concrete
E04C 2/382
With attached ribs, flanges, or the like, e.g. framed panels: with a frame of concrete or other stone-like substance
E04C 5/04
Of low bending resistance, i.e. of essentially one-dimensional [1D] or two-dimensional [2D] extent: mats
E04C 5/07
Reinforcing elements, e.g. for concrete; Auxiliary elements therefor: reinforcing elements of material other than metal, e.g. of glass, of…