Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A composite structural member consisting essentially of a central body in the form of an elongated member comprising material having first mechanical properties in expanded state and second mechanical properties higher than the first mechanical properties in a second compressed state, a sheath covering the central body said sheath consisting essentially of a heat-shrinkable plastic which is shrunk after being wrapped around said central body whereby said material is compressed and the assembly of central body and sheath has improved mechanical characteristics, said sheath containing at least two superimposed layers of heat-shrinkable film, the outer one of said layers being subjected to a more shrinking than the inner one, whereby the inner layer forms a slip member for reducing the friction between the central body and the outer layer during bending of the composite member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A composite structural member consisting essentially of a central body in the form of an elongated member comprising material having first mechanical properties in expanded state and second mechanical properties higher than the first mechanical properties in a second compressed state, a sheath covering the central body said sheath consisting essentially of a heat-shrinkable plastic which is shrunk after being wrapped around said central body whereby said material is compressed and the assembly of central body and sheath has improved mechanical characteristics, said sheath containing at least two superimposed layers of heat-shrinkable film, the outer one of said layers being subjected to a more shrinking than the inner one, whereby the inner layer forms a slip member for reducing the friction between the central body and the outer layer during bending of the composite member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A composite structural member according to claim 1, wherein the heat-shrinkable film has a shrinking rate in the longitudinal direction which is higher than the shrinking rate in the transverse direction, thus radially compressing the member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A composite structural member according to claim 1, wherein the sheath surrounding the central body further includes at its ends heat shrunk, free portions extending beyond the central body forming built-in straps to be used for positioning or securing the structural member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A composite structural member according to claim 3, wherein each strap is made of a twisted strip of film which has been subjected to a stretching before heat shrinking whereby the free portion is formed into a twisted rope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A composite structural member according to claim 1, wherein the central body further includes on each lateral side a plate and means securing the plate to said body for reinforcing said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composite structural member according to claim 5, wherein the plate includes a plugging-in tip provided with a central guiding channel for receiving a nail or a screw fastener.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composite structural member according to claim 1 in which the material is selected from the group consisting of expended polystyrene, foamed polyurethane, straw or agglomerated waste products.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A composite structural member according to claim 1 in which said film is formed of thin strips of heat-shrinkable plastic having overlapping edges which are thermally welded during heat shrinkage of said film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composite structural member according to claim 8 in which the strips of film are arranged parallel to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composite structural member according to claim 8 in which the strip of film is spirally wound on said central core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
A composite structural member consisting essentially of a central body in the form of an elongated beam or wedge formed of lightweight, porous material having first mechanical properties in expanded condition, a sheath covering said central body formed of strips of heat shrinkable plastic placed on the central body with adjacent edges overlapping, said strips being shrunk and said edges thermally welded by heat to form said sheath which compresses the core to form a composite having second higher mechanical properties.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A composite structural member consisting essentially of a central body in the form of an elongated beam or wedge formed of lightweight, porous material having first mechanical properties in expanded condition, a sheath covering said central body formed of strips of heat shrinkable plastic placed on the central body with adjacent edges overlapping, said strips being shrunk and said edges thermally welded by heat to form said sheath which compresses the core to form a composite having second higher mechanical properties.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composite structural member in accordance with claim 11 in which the strips are parallel to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composite structural member according to claim 11 in which the strip is continuous and is spirally wound on the central core.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite structural member according to claim 11 in which the plastic is cross-linked.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composite structural member according to claim 11 in which said strips contain perforations for venting gases during heat shrinking.