Polymer covered advanced polymer/wood composite structural member
AssigneeAndersen Corporation
InventorsSherri M. Serino, Anthony L. Garofalo, Maurice N. Goeser, Michael J. Deaner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite structural member of the invention comprises a linear member having a first end and a second end attached to each end of the linear member as an end piece or end cap structure. Covering the composite member is a thermoplastic envelope preferably adherently bonded to the composite member. The end caps or end pieces are preferably thermoplastic materials typically thermoplastic composites comprising a thermoplastic resin and a fiber. Such a member is environmentally stable, resists moisture absorption, forms strong mitered joints and can be used in the assembly of fenestration products for commercial and residential real estate.
Claims35
A structural member comprising:
- (a) a linear member with a first shaped end and a second shaped end;
- (b) an end piece with a conforming shaped end to the linear member, each end piece shaped end joined to each of the first shaped end and the second shaped end of the linear member, each end piece having a length greater than about 5 cm;
- each end piece comprising a thermoplastic composition comprising a resin;
- and
- (c) an envelope, covering and uniformly adhesively bonded to the linear member and end pieces, the envelope comprising an extruded thermoplastic composition comprising a resin.
A structural member adapted for the manufacture of a window, said structural member comprising:
- (a) a wooden linear member having a first shaped end and a second shaped end;
- (b) an end piece, having a shaped end, joined to each of the first shaped end and the second shaped end of the linear wooden member forming a joint between the end piece shaped end and the linear member shaped end, each end piece having a length greater than about 5 cm, each end piece comprising a thermoplastic composite comprising polyvinylchloride and a fiber;
- and
- (c) an envelope comprising a polyvinylchloride covering the formerly joined linear member and each end piece, the envelope uniformly adhesively bonded to each end piece and uniformly adhesively bonded to the wooden linear member throughout the interface between each end piece and the linear member with the envelope using a thermosetting adhesive composition.
A method for making a structural member adapted for window construction, the method comprising:
- (a) forming a linear member comprising wood having a first shaped end and a second shaped end;
- (b) forming an end piece having at least one end piece shaped end matching at least one shaped end of the linear member, each end piece having a length greater than about 5 cm, each end piece comprising a thermoplastic composition comprising a resin;
- (c) forming a composite member comprising the linear member and one end piece adjoined to each of the first shaped end and the second shaped end of the linear member;
- and
- (d) forming, with extrusion, an envelope surrounding the formerly joined composite member wherein the envelope is uniformly adhesively bonded to the composite member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.