Wood I-beam with synthetic fiber reinforcement
US5974760A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2105/101
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention includes wood I-beams with synthetic fiber reinforcement. In a preferred embodiment, a wood I-beam includes an opposed pair of elongated wood flanges and a substantially continuous web positioned between them. In one embodiment, the web includes multiple metal tubes that extend between the wood flanges and form a zig zag pattern. The ends of the metal tubes are flattened parallel to the plane of the metal web so the ends can fit within either slots in the top surface of the bottom wood flange or slots in the bottom surface of the top wood flange. Metal pins pass through the sides of the wood flanges and the flattened ends of the metal tubes to secure the tubular metal web to the flanges. In other embodiments the web includes oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. Synthetic reinforcements are adhered to the wood flanges so that the metal pins also pass through the reinforcements. The synthetic reinforcements preferably include multiple synthetic fiber strands held within a resin matrix.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.