Structural member and a method of manufacturing said member

Abstract

The structural member (1) has a generally U-shaped cross-section and comprises a base portion (2) and two leg portions (3) extending at substantially right angles from said base portion. The member comprises at least one thin sheet or foil which is corrugated in a continuous waveform in the longitudinal direction of the member. Each leg portion (3) includes a first section (3a) forming an inner wall of the leg portion and a second section (3b) parallel with said first section and joining the first section along a first joining line (4) and the base portion along a second joining line (5). The structural member according to the invention is flexible so that it may conform to the surface to which it is to be fastened, but is after fastening to the surface resistant to bending, torsional, tensile and compressive forces and creates a good base for placement of load-carrying composite material, primarily on the base portion. The corrugated structure makes it possible to use a material having a substantially reduced thickness in relation to other elements having corresponding properties with respect to rigidity and strength. The structural member is intended to be connected with a structure to be reinforced or in order to provide eg. heating or ventilation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.