The Nordam Group, Inc.

David H Lafevers

Daniel J Gallagher

David D Breckenridge

A system for reinforcing a sandwich panel, the panel having a first exterior skin, an intermediate skin and a second exterior skin, the skins being separated by first and second cores and having a hole bored therethrough of diameter A, the holes in the first and second exterior skins being enlarged to a diameter B, the system including a first tubular sleeve that is insertable into the hole in the first exterior skin and being of a length substantially equal to the spacing between the first exterior skin and the intermediate skin, a second tubular sleeve that is insertable into the hole in the second exterior skin and being a length substantially equal to the spacing between the second exterior skin and the intermediate skin, the first and second sleeves each having a diameter greater than A and slightly less than B, a bolt insertable through the tubular sleeves, the bolt having a head that contacts the exterior surface of the first exterior skin, first and second flare washers positioned on the bolt, one engaging the first tubular sleeve and the other engaging the second tubular sleeve and a nut threadably receivable on the bolt adaptable to contact the exterior surface of the second exterior skin.

System for reinforcing a sandwich panel

A method of reinforcing a sandwich panel having opposed first and second skins spaced apart by a core having a thickness 'F' in a manner to preserve the spacing between the skins, including the steps of boring an in-line hole through the panel to provide a hole in both skins and the core of a diameter 'A', enlarging the hole in the first skin to a diameter 'B', inserting a tubular sleeve into the in-line hole, the sleeve having a length substantially equal to 'F' and having an external diameter greater than 'A' and slightly less than 'B', the first end of the sleeve contacting the inner surface of the second skin, and flaring the second end of the sleeve to an external diameter greater than 'B' so that it engages the inner surface of the first skin, and inserting a bolt through the sleeve, the bolt having a head to contact the external surface of the first skin and applying a nut to the bolt to contact the external surface of the second skin so that the skins are held in fixed position by the bolt.

Growing community of inventors

Gordonville, TX, United States of America

David H Lafevers