US6298622B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-supporting construction element of expanded plastics, in particular for manufacturing floor elements and walls of buildings in general
Assignee: Plastedil SA
•
Filing: 1999-10-22
•
Granted: 2001-10-09
•
Expires: 2019-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A self-supporting construction element ( 1, 101 ) of expanded plastics, in particular for manufacturing floor elements and walls of buildings in general comprises: ( 1 ) a central body ( 2 ), substantially parallelepipedic in shape and having two opposite faces ( 6, 7 ); at least one reinforcing section bar ( 8,9 ) transversally extending across the central body ( 2 ) between the faces ( 6,7 ) thereof and embedded in the expanded plastics; a lath ( 16 ) for supporting at least one layer ( 17 ) of a suitable covering material, associated to a fin ( 11,12 ) of the reinforcing section bar ( 8,9 ) lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces ( 6,7 ) of the construction element ( 1,101 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Piero Cretti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:37
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14311; E; E04; E04B; E04B5/00; E04B5/02; E04B5/026; E04B5/16; E04B5/17; E04B5/18; E04B5/19; E04B5/32; E04B5/36; E04B5/38; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A self-supporting construction element of expanded plastics, comprising: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite faces; b) at least one reinforcing section bar transversely extending across the central body between said opposite faces and embedded in the expanded plastics; and c) a first stretched mesh for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material, said stretched mesh being associated with a fin of said reinforcing section bar lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said construction element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A self-supporting construction element of expanded plastics, comprising: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite faces; b) at least one reinforcing section bar transversely extending across the central body between said opposite faces and embedded in the expanded plastics; and c) a first stretched mesh for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material, said stretched mesh being associated with a fin of said reinforcing section bar lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said construction element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing section bar is longitudinally extending within the central body along substantially the entire length thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing section bar has a thickness of form 0.4 to 1.2 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , wherein the first stretched mesh for supporting at least one covering layer comprises opposite lateral portions lying at least in part flush with opposite lateral sides of the construction element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , wherein the stretched mesh essentially consists of a rhomb-shaped mesh having a length-to-height rhomb ratio of 2:1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , wherein the stretched mesh as a thickness of from 0.4 to 1.5 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , further comprising a layer of plaster, cement, or cement reinforced with fibers of s suitable fire-retarding or fire-resistant material, associated to the first stretched mesh.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing section bar transversely extends across the central body through the whole thickness thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Construction element according to claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing section bar comprises a pair of opposite fins lying flush with and substantially parallel to the faces of the construction element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Construction element according to claim 9 , further comprising a second stretched mesh for supporting at least one covering layer, the first and the second meshes being respectively associated to the opposite fins of the reinforcing section bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Construction element according to claim 9 , further comprising a rigid covering element associated to the reinforcing section bar at a side opposite with respect to the first stretched mesh.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Construction element according to claim 11 , wherein the rigid covering element is one of a panel of gypsum paperboard, wood, a rigid plastics, a decorating material, and a structural material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
Construction element according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing section bar is provided with a plurality of openings formed in a central portion thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Construction element according to claim 13 , wherein the openings have a total area comprised between 10% and 60% of the overall surface areas of the reinforcing section bar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Construction element according to claim 13 , wherein the openings have a circular cross-section with a diameter of from 15 to 150 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
Construction element according to claim 13 , wherein the openings are peripherally provided with a lip protruding from the central portion and fully embedded in the expanded plastics.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
Construction element according to claim 13 , wherein the openings are provided with one or more protrusions being distributed around their peripheral edge and angularly offset from one another, the protrusions being fully embedded in the expanded plastics.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of manufacturing a construction element according to any one of claims 1 - 17 , comprising the steps of: associating a stretched mesh for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material to a fin extending from one end of a reinforcing section bar; positioning the thus associated reinforcing section bar and stretched mesh into a molding seat of a suitable apparatus for molding plastics; feeding expandable plastics granules into the molding seat; and expanding and then boding together the plastics granules in the molding seat so as to embed the reinforcing section bar into a mass of expanded plastics having a predetermined shape and to maintain the stretched mesh at least in part substantially flush with the mass of expanded plastics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein the stretched lath and the reinforcing section bar are associated with each other by welding.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the stretched mesh is a stretched metallic lath essentially consisting of a rhomb-shaped mesh having a length-to-height rhomb ratio of 2:1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 18 , further comprising an additional step of enucleating at least part of the stretched mesh from the mass of expanded plastics.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 21 , wherein the stretched mesh is enucleated from the mass of expanded plastics by means of a thermal treatment carried out by feeding onto the mass a sheet of warm air heated at a temperature of from 220° to 260° C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 22 , wherein the thermal treatment is preceded by a step of scraping a skin layer off the mass of expanded plastics.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of manufacturing a construction element according to any one of claims 1 - 17 , comprising the steps of: positioning a reinforcing section bar, provided with at least one fin at one end, into a molding seat of a suitable apparatus for molding plastics; feeding expandable plastics granules into the molding seat; expanding and then bonding together with plastics granules in the molding seat so as to embed the reinforcing section bar into a mass of expanded plastics having a predetermined shape and to maintain the at least one fin substantially flush with the mass of expanded plastics; and associating a stretched mesh for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material to the at least one fin of the reinforcing section bar.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 24 , further comprising an additional step of enucleating the at least one fin of the reinforcing section bar from the mass of expanded plastics.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein the at least one fin is enucleated from the mass of expanded plastics by means of a thermal treatment carried out by feeding onto the mass a sheet of warm air heated to a temperature of from 220° to 260° C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
158 words
A self-supporting construction element of expanded plastics, comprising: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite faces; b) a plurality of reinforcing section bars transversely extending across the central body between said opposite faces embedded in the expanded plastics; the reinforcing section bars being substantially Z-shaped and arranged in mirror image relationship about a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the construction element and comprising a central portion and a pair of respectively lower and upper fins extending perpendicularly in opposite directions from the ends of the central portion; at least one of said lower and upper fins lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of said opposite faces of the construction element; and c) a sheet-like member for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material associated to said at least one fin lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said construction element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
158 words
A self-supporting construction element of expanded plastics, comprising: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite faces; b) a plurality of reinforcing section bars transversely extending across the central body between said opposite faces embedded in the expanded plastics; the reinforcing section bars being substantially Z-shaped and arranged in mirror image relationship about a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the construction element and comprising a central portion and a pair of respectively lower and upper fins extending perpendicularly in opposite directions from the ends of the central portion; at least one of said lower and upper fins lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of said opposite faces of the construction element; and c) a sheet-like member for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material associated to said at least one fin lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said construction element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
A self-supporting construction element according to claim 27 , wherein said upper fin of the reinforcing section bar has a first portion, extending substantially perpendicularly to the central portion of the reinforcing section bar and a second end portion which is bent toward the central portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A self-supporting construction element according to claim 27 , wherein said upper fin of the reinforcing section bar extends from the central portion of the reinforcing section bar towards a lateral side of the construction element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
Construction element according to claim 27 , wherein the reinforcing section bar transversely extends across the central body through the whole thickness thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
Construction element according to claim 27 , wherein the reinforcing section bar is longitudinally extending within the central body along substantially the entire length thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
Construction element according to claim 27 , wherein the sheet-like member for supporting at least one covering layer comprises opposite lateral portions lying at least in part flush with opposite lateral sides of the construction element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
Construction element according to claim 27 , wherein the sheet-like member for supporting at least one covering layer is a stretched metallic lath essentially consisting of a rhomb-shaped mesh having a length-to-height rhomb ratio of 2:1.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
Construction element according to claim 33 , further comprising a layer of plaster, cement or cement reinforced with fibers material, associated to the supporting lath.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
Construction element according to claim 27 , wherein the reinforcing section bar is provided with a plurality of openings formed in a central portion thereof.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
Construction element according to claim 35 , wherein the openings are peripherally provided with a lip protruding from said central portion and fully embedded in said expanded plastics.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
Construction element according to claim 35 , wherein the openings are provided with one or more protrusions being distributed around their peripheral edge and angularly offset from one another, the protrusions being fully embedded in the expanded plastics.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
Construction element according to claim 27 , wherein the reinforcing section bar comprises a pair of opposite fins lying flush with and substantially parallel to the opposite faces of the construction element.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
Construction element according to claim 38 , further comprising a second lath for supporting at least one covering layer, the first and the second laths being respectively associated to the opposite fins of the reinforcing section bar.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
Construction element according to claim 38 , further comprising a rigid covering element associated to the at least one fin of the reinforcing section bar.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
Construction element according to claim 40 , wherein the rigid covering element is one of a panel of gypsum paperboard, wood, and a rigid plastic.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
142 words
A construction assembly comprising: a plurality of element of expanded plastics arranged side-by-side, said element including: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite upper and lower faces and with opposite lateral sides; b) at least one reinforcing section bar transversely extending across the central body between said upper and lower faces and embedded in the expanded plastics; c) a sheet-like member for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material, said sheet-like member being associated to a fin of said reinforcing section bar lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said construction element; a concrete casting housed in a cavity defined between said opposite lateral sides of adjacent element of said plurality of elements of expanded plastics; and means for stably anchoring the sheet-like member to said concrete casting.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
142 words
A construction assembly comprising: a plurality of element of expanded plastics arranged side-by-side, said element including: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite upper and lower faces and with opposite lateral sides; b) at least one reinforcing section bar transversely extending across the central body between said upper and lower faces and embedded in the expanded plastics; c) a sheet-like member for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material, said sheet-like member being associated to a fin of said reinforcing section bar lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said construction element; a concrete casting housed in a cavity defined between said opposite lateral sides of adjacent element of said plurality of elements of expanded plastics; and means for stably anchoring the sheet-like member to said concrete casting.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
32 words
A construction assembly according to claim 42 , wherein said reinforcing section bar is longitudinally extending within said central body of the elements of expanded plastics along substantially the entire length thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
A construction assembly according to claim 42 , wherein said reinforcing section bar is provided with a plurality of openings formed in a central portion thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
50 words
A construction assembly according to claim 42 , wherein said means for stably anchoring the sheet-like member to the concrete casting comprises an end portion of the sheet-like member extending in a substantially vertical direction and lying partly flush with the opposite lateral sides of said elements of expanded plastics.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
40 words
A construction assembly according to claim 45 , wherein said end portion of the sheet-like member extends flush with said element of expanded plastics within grooves longitudinally formed lengthwise in the opposite lateral sides of said elements of expanded plastics.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
A construction assembly according to claim 42 , wherein said sheet-like member for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material is a stretched metallic lath essentially consisting of a rhomb-shaped mesh having a length-to-height rhomb ratio of 2:1.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
A construction assembly according to claim 47 , further comprising a layer of plaster, cement, or cement reinforced with fiber material, associated to said sheet-like member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
A construction assembly according to claim 42 , wherein said elements of expanded plastics further comprise a pair of lugs laterally and longitudinally extending along the opposite sides of said central body.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
A construction assembly according to claim 49 , further comprising a substantially mating joint for stably connecting side-by-side said elements of expanded plastics.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
A construction assembly according to claim 50 , wherein said substantially mating joint comprises a groove and a rib of mating shape laterally formed in the lugs of the elements of expanded plastics and longitudinally extending along the full length thereof.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
36 words
A construction assembly according to claim 49 , further comprising a plurality of reinforcing rods embedded in the concrete casting housed in the cavity defined between said opposite lateral sides of adjacent elements of expanded plastics.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
A construction assembly according to claim 52 , further comprising means for supporting said plurality of reinforcing rods at a predetermined distance from the lugs of the elements of expanded plastics.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
34 words
A construction assembly according to claim 53 , wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality of ribs extending from the lugs of the elements of expanded plastics and pitchwise arranged along the length thereof.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
159 words
A construction assembly for erecting bearing and partition walls in a building comprising: a plurality of wall elements of expanded plastics arranged side-by-side, said elements including: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite upper and lower faces and with opposite lateral sides and with at least one cavity; b) at least one reinforcing section bar transversely extending across the central body between said upper and lower faces and embedded in the expanded plastics; c) a sheet-like member for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material, said sheet-like member being associated to a fin of said reinforcing section bar lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said wall elements; and a concrete casting housed in the at least one cavity defined within the central body of said wall elements and between opposite lateral sides of adjacent elements of said plurality of wall elements of expanded plastics.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
159 words
A construction assembly for erecting bearing and partition walls in a building comprising: a plurality of wall elements of expanded plastics arranged side-by-side, said elements including: a) a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, provided with opposite upper and lower faces and with opposite lateral sides and with at least one cavity; b) at least one reinforcing section bar transversely extending across the central body between said upper and lower faces and embedded in the expanded plastics; c) a sheet-like member for supporting at least one layer of a suitable covering material, said sheet-like member being associated to a fin of said reinforcing section bar lying flush with and substantially parallel to at least one of the faces of said wall elements; and a concrete casting housed in the at least one cavity defined within the central body of said wall elements and between opposite lateral sides of adjacent elements of said plurality of wall elements of expanded plastics.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
A construction assembly according to claim 55 , wherein said reinforcing section bar is provided with a plurality of openings formed in a central portion thereof.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
A construction assembly as set forth in claim 55 , wherein said partition walls comprise at least one cavity filled with concrete.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
30 words
A construction assembly according to claim 55 , wherein said sheet-like member is a stretched metallic lath essentially consisting of a rhomb-shaped mesh having a length-to-height rhomb ratio of 2:1.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
A construction assembly according to claim 58 , further comprising a layer of plaster, cement, or cement reinforced with fiber material, associated to said sheet-like member.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
A construction assembly according to claim 55 , wherein said reinforcing section bar transversely extends across said central body through the whole thickness thereof.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
A construction assembly according to claim 60 , wherein said reinforcing section bar comprises a pair of opposite fins lying flush with and substantially parallel to the faces of said wall element.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
36 words
A construction assembly according to claim 61 further comprising a pair of sheet-like members for supporting at least one covering layer, said sheet-like members being respectively associated to said opposite fins of the reinforcing section bar.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
26 words
A construction assembly according to claim 61 , wherein said reinforcing section bar is longitudinally extending within said central body along substantially the entire length thereof.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
30 words
A construction assembly according to claim 61 , further comprising a rigid covering element associated to said reinforcing section bar at a side opposite with respect to said sheet-like member.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
A construction assembly according to claim 64 , wherein said rigid covering element is one of a panel of gypsum paperboard, wood, and a rigid plastic.
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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) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |