Structural member

Claim 1

A structural element for incorporation into structures such as private and public buildings and for retaining wall components and the lIke which comprises: an elongate molded body having at least two generally flat surfaces disposed in parallel planes and formed of an expanded synthetic polymer composition; and a sheet metal member encased in the molded body generally coextensive with the molded body longitudinally thereof and said sheet metal body having a Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration and being formed of a metal having sufficient stiffness to provide self maintenance of the Z-shaped crosssection yet having a penetrability to accommodate the driving of nails therethrough and so disposed in said molded body as to have the portions representing the arms of the Z-shape occupying planes generally parallel to and spaced inwardly from the aforementioned flat faces of the molded body and the intermediate portion of the Z-shape extending obliquely of the arms between opposite ends of the said arms of the Z-shape to accommodate penetration of the embedded sheet metal member by nails of appropriate length driven into the molded body from either of the aforementioned flat faces and also nails driven into the molded body between and generally parallel to arms of said Z-shape with resultant deformity of the sheet metal into the portion of the molded body that is backing the sheet metal on the side opposite the side of penetrative entry of the nail.