Structural component
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorJeffrey C. Bishop
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Structural components are traditionally made by rolling or extruding to define a desired shape. Such processes lead to extra costs and inflexibility with regard to custom design. By providing a structural component comprising plates having edges extending regularly in a cruciform appropriate structural components can be provided. The plates are secured together through lock tabs passing through lock apertures and twisted into locking engagement. Either side of the locking tabs respective orientation tabs are provided to engage orientation apertures to facilitate local stability in the plates for robust locking location. Components can be formed from sheet materials and the outer profile of the components specifically shaped for particular requirements.
Claims21
A structural component, comprising:
- a core element defining an aperture row that includes a plurality of aperture sets, each aperture set having a lock aperture and an orientation aperture disposed on either side of the lock aperture;
- and
- first and second side elements each having a core edge defining a plurality of tab sets, each tab set including a lock tab and an orientation tab spaced to allow the lock tab to enter the lock aperture and the orientation tab to enter the orientation aperture, the plurality of tab sets of the first side element being staggered relative to the plurality of tab sets of the second side element, each lock tab having an end that is configured to be distortable out of alignment for retention of the lock tab in the lock aperture, each orientation tab and aperture being configured to maintain orientation and to lock a local position of the side element.
A structural component, the component comprising:
- a core element defining an aperture row, the aperture row including at least one aperture set, each aperture set having a lock aperture and an orientation aperture;
- and
- first and second side elements each disposed on either side of the core element, the first and the second side element having a core edge defining a plurality of tab sets, each tab set including a lock tab and an orientation tab spaced to allow the lock tab to enter the lock aperture and the orientation tab to enter the orientation aperture, the plurality of tab sets of the first side element being staggered relative to the plurality of tab sets of the second side element, each lock tab having an end that is configured to be distortable out of alignment for retention of the lock tab in the lock aperture, each orientation tab and aperture being configured to maintain orientation and to lock a local position of the side element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.