US4584226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Load transfer structure and method of making the same
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1984-04-30
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Granted: 1986-04-22
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Expires: 2004-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A load transfer structure in which laminated sheets and fiber strands are formed into webs directed to intersect at a common junction and integrated by resin using heat and pressure. The fiber strands are inserted between the laminated sheets by a method of continuously winding such a strand in a repetitive weave pattern around primary spaced supports or mandrels carrying the laminate sheets, and then combining with the wound laminate sheets other laminate sheets supported on secondary mandrels. The mandrels with the sheets and wound fiber strand are cured in a heating and pressure step so that the load transfer structure has its several components integrated into rigid and hard webs directed outwardly from the common zone where the fiber strands cross each other without interruptions.
Inventors
- 👤 Mario L. Vitale
- 👤 Victor A. Finazzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:46
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D99/00; B29D99/0003; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/56; B29C53/564; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/06; B29C70/08; B29C70/083; B29C70/085; B29C70/28; B29C70/30; B29C70/34; B29C70/347; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/08; B29K2105/0809; B29K2105/10; B29K2105/101; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/902; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1028; Y10T156/103; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24058; Y10T428/24074; Y10T428/24091; Y10T428/24099; Y10T428/24124; Y10T428/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of producing a load transfer structure of cruciform configuration having planar webs intersecting at a common zone, the method comprising: (a) forming a first plurality of sheets of laminated cloth and tape formed of carbon fiber strands into cruciform related webs in which the webs have a common junction from which they extend in predetermined cruciform directions; (b) supporting the cruciform first plurality of laminated sheets so the webs at the common junction are in spaced positions; (c) winding a carbon fiber strand alternately around the first plurality of supported laminated sheets so the winding strands cross each other in the space between the webs of the first laminated sheets; (d) supporting other laminated sheets over the first laminated sheets for encasing the carbon fiber strands lying over the webs of the first laminated sheets; and (e) integrating the first and other laminated sheets with the carbon fiber strand therebetween such that the first and other laminated sheets and carbon fiber strands assume a substantially rigid load transfer structure of cruciform configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of producing a load transfer structure of cruciform configuration having planar webs intersecting at a common zone, the method comprising: (a) forming a first plurality of sheets of laminated cloth and tape formed of carbon fiber strands into cruciform related webs in which the webs have a common junction from which they extend in predetermined cruciform directions; (b) supporting the cruciform first plurality of laminated sheets so the webs at the common junction are in spaced positions; (c) winding a carbon fiber strand alternately around the first plurality of supported laminated sheets so the winding strands cross each other in the space between the webs of the first laminated sheets; (d) supporting other laminated sheets over the first laminated sheets for encasing the carbon fiber strands lying over the webs of the first laminated sheets; and (e) integrating the first and other laminated sheets with the carbon fiber strand therebetween such that the first and other laminated sheets and carbon fiber strands assume a substantially rigid load transfer structure of cruciform configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first and other laminated sheets and fiber strands are impregnated with a resin material, and the integrating step is performed by application of heat and pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first and other laminated sheets angularly oriented relative to the tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tape is angularly oriented relative to the fiber strand.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of producing a load transfer structure of cruciform configuration having planar webs in intersecting planes along a common junction comprising: (a) forming first sheets laminated from resin impregnated cloth and tape with carbon fibers directed in predetermined angular relationships in the cloth and tape into cruciform related webs extending outwardly from a common junction; (b) supporting first laminated sheets in adjacent positions with respect to the common junction with spaces therebetween; (c) winding a continuous length of a resin impregnated carbon fiber strand over and between the first supported laminated sheets such that the carbon fiber strand crosses in the space at the common junction between the supported laminated sheets, the winding proceeding alternately from one to the other of the supported laminated sheets; (d) placing other laminated sheets adjacent the first supported laminated sheets wound with the carbon fiber strand; and (e) curing the resin impregnated sheets of cloth, tape and the carbon fiber strand to integrate the same into a substantially unitary structure in which the laminated sheets and carbon fiber strand are formed into webs lying in intersecting planes to assume the cruciform configuration.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of producing a load transfer structure of cruciform configuration having planar webs in intersecting planes along a common junction comprising: (a) forming first sheets laminated from resin impregnated cloth and tape with carbon fibers directed in predetermined angular relationships in the cloth and tape into cruciform related webs extending outwardly from a common junction; (b) supporting first laminated sheets in adjacent positions with respect to the common junction with spaces therebetween; (c) winding a continuous length of a resin impregnated carbon fiber strand over and between the first supported laminated sheets such that the carbon fiber strand crosses in the space at the common junction between the supported laminated sheets, the winding proceeding alternately from one to the other of the supported laminated sheets; (d) placing other laminated sheets adjacent the first supported laminated sheets wound with the carbon fiber strand; and (e) curing the resin impregnated sheets of cloth, tape and the carbon fiber strand to integrate the same into a substantially unitary structure in which the laminated sheets and carbon fiber strand are formed into webs lying in intersecting planes to assume the cruciform configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method set forth in claim 5 and including applying pressure upon the laminated sheets during the curing step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method set forth in claim 5 and upon completion of the curing step removing the portions of the fiber strands that are free of contact with the laminated sheets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cruciform configured load transfer structure comprising: (a) a plurality of first and second laminate components formed into webs angularly divergent from a common junction; (b) carbon fiber strands extending between said webs and intersecting in a common junction where said carbon fiber strands cross over each other; and (c) resin means impregnated in said laminate components and carbon fiber strands for integrating said components and carbon fiber strands into the cruciform configured load transfer structure in which tensile loads on said webs are transferred by said carbon fiber strands through said common junction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cruciform configured load transfer structure comprising: (a) a plurality of first and second laminate components formed into webs angularly divergent from a common junction; (b) carbon fiber strands extending between said webs and intersecting in a common junction where said carbon fiber strands cross over each other; and (c) resin means impregnated in said laminate components and carbon fiber strands for integrating said components and carbon fiber strands into the cruciform configured load transfer structure in which tensile loads on said webs are transferred by said carbon fiber strands through said common junction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The load transfer structure set forth in claim 8 wherein the fiber strands in said webs extend through said common junction in substantially parallel direction within each of said webs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The load transfer structure set forth in claim 8 wherein said plurality of webs are arranged in pairs and said fiber strands extending through said common junction from a first pair of webs are continuous and intersect with fiber strands extending through said common junction from other pairs of webs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The load transfer structure set forth in claim 8 wherein said resin means is curable for integrating said fiber strands and laminated components into a substantially rigid structure for transferring loads in tension in said fiber strands through said common junctions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The load transfer structure set forth in claim 11 wherein said curable resin integrates said fiber strands and laminated components in each web against peeling reaction in webs adjacent any two webs under tension loads passed through said common junction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-21 | 1989-10-21 | 1990-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-21 | 1993-10-21 | 1994-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-21 | 1997-10-21 | 1998-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |