Patent US5791047A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5791047A
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US
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Method of making a reinforced structural member
Assignee: Stanley Victor Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-26
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Granted: 1998-08-11
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Expires: 2015-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a reinforced structural member comprising a solid structural member of recycled plastic having a reinforcing bar inserted therein, extending inwardly from one surface. The solid structural member is formed by extrusion into a desired shape. A notch is formed in the solid structural member extending inwardly with respect to the surface against which force is to be exerted. An untensioned reinforcing bar formed of a material having characteristics of resilience and compressibility different from that of the structural member is inserted and locked into the notch. The reinforcing bar is complementary in shape to the notch, and is held in place by the density of the solid structural member and fasteners. In this way, two dissimilar materials, neither of which alone has sufficient strength, rigidity, or "memory" can be combined to create a durable, inexpensive set of components which substantially exceed the mechanical qualities of either material by itself.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald P. Skalka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:03
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C2/00; E04C2/02; E04C2/10; E04C2/20; E04C2/22; B; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/0026; B29B17/0042; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/07; B29C65/00; B29C65/56; B29C65/562; B29C66/00; B29C66/70; B29C66/74; B29C66/742; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/26; B29C70/68; B29C70/82; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/009; B29C48/001; B29C48/0019; B29C48/12; B29C48/13; B29C48/16; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/524; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/20; B29K2105/26; B29K2305/00; B29K2305/08; B29K2305/12; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/62; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49616; Y10T29/49618; Y10T29/49623; Y10T29/49632; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49947; Y10T29/49963; Y10T29/49964; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/19; Y10T428/192; Y10T428/22; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24058; Y10T428/24132; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/2457; Y10T428/24579; Y10T428/24612
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of producing a reinforced structural member, comprising the steps of: a) extruding a plastic to form a relatively incompressible solid structural member having a surface defining a major plane and having a lengthwise dimension; b) forming at least one elongated notch along the lengthwise dimension of the solid structural member extending inwardly with respect to the major plane and with a a side edge extending inwardly with respect to the major plane; and c) inserting into the notch an untensioned reinforcing bar which is substantially complementary in shape to the notch, and substantially fills the notch and affixing the reinforcing bar in the notch using fasteners extending substantially traversely to the reinforcing bar, wherein the solid reinforcing bar has characteristics of resilience and compressibility relative to that of the structural member such that a reinforced structural member formed by insertion of the reinforcing bar into the structural member is less subject to deformation and has greater resilience and strength than either the solid structural member or the reinforcing bar alone, and is of sufficient strength to permit its usage as a load support in place of a wooden structural member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of producing a reinforced structural member, comprising the steps of: a) extruding a plastic to form a relatively incompressible solid structural member having a surface defining a major plane and having a lengthwise dimension; b) forming at least one elongated notch along the lengthwise dimension of the solid structural member extending inwardly with respect to the major plane and with a a side edge extending inwardly with respect to the major plane; and c) inserting into the notch an untensioned reinforcing bar which is substantially complementary in shape to the notch, and substantially fills the notch and affixing the reinforcing bar in the notch using fasteners extending substantially traversely to the reinforcing bar, wherein the solid reinforcing bar has characteristics of resilience and compressibility relative to that of the structural member such that a reinforced structural member formed by insertion of the reinforcing bar into the structural member is less subject to deformation and has greater resilience and strength than either the solid structural member or the reinforcing bar alone, and is of sufficient strength to permit its usage as a load support in place of a wooden structural member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said step b), the notch is formed by milling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said step b), the notch is formed contiguous with the surface defining the major plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said step b), the notch is formed recessed from the surface defining the major plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said step c), the inserted sides of said reinforcing bar are in direct contact with the sides of said notch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said step a), the plastic is relatively incompressible and at least partially recycled.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of producing a reinforced structural member, comprising the steps of: a) forming a plastic into a relatively incompressible, solid elongated structural member having a surface defining a major plane and having a lengthwise dimension; b) forming at least one elongated notch along the lengthwise dimension of the solid structural member extending inwardly with respect to the major plane and with a side edge extending inwardly with respect to the major plane; and c) inserting into the notch an untensioned reinforcing bar which is substantially complementary in shape to the notch and substantially fills the notch and affixing the reinforcing bar in the notch using fasteners extending transversely to the reinforcing bar, and wherein the reinforcing bar has characteristics of resilience and compressibility relative to that of said structural member such that a reinforced structural member formed by insertion of said reinforcing bar into said structural member is less subject to deformation and has greater resilience and strength than either said solid structural member or said reinforcing bar alone, and is of sufficient strength to permit its usage as a load support in place of a wooden structural member.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of producing a reinforced structural member, comprising the steps of: a) forming a plastic into a relatively incompressible, solid elongated structural member having a surface defining a major plane and having a lengthwise dimension; b) forming at least one elongated notch along the lengthwise dimension of the solid structural member extending inwardly with respect to the major plane and with a side edge extending inwardly with respect to the major plane; and c) inserting into the notch an untensioned reinforcing bar which is substantially complementary in shape to the notch and substantially fills the notch and affixing the reinforcing bar in the notch using fasteners extending transversely to the reinforcing bar, and wherein the reinforcing bar has characteristics of resilience and compressibility relative to that of said structural member such that a reinforced structural member formed by insertion of said reinforcing bar into said structural member is less subject to deformation and has greater resilience and strength than either said solid structural member or said reinforcing bar alone, and is of sufficient strength to permit its usage as a load support in place of a wooden structural member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7, wherein in said step c), the inserted sides of said reinforcing bar are in direct contact with the sides of said notch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7, wherein in said step b), the notch is formed by milling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step b), the notch is formed contiguous with the surface defining the major plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7, wherein in said step b), the notch is formed recessed from the surface defining the major plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7, wherein in said step c), the inserted sides of said reinforcing bar are in direct contact with the sides of said notch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7, wherein in said step a), the plastic is relatively incompressible and at least partially recycled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |