The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 1991
Filed:
Feb. 12, 1990
John R Hulls, Point Reyes, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A composite structural member includes a substantially planar composite panel portion and an integrally formed joint-forming edge structure along at least one edge of the panel portion. The joint-forming edge structure is adapted to be bonded to a complementing joint-forming edge structure of a complementing composite structural member to form a load-bearing joint structure that is capable of withstanding loads that the panel portion of the composite structural member is unable to withstand. A core material sandwiched between two composite skin layers makes up the panel portion of the composite structural member. The joint-facing edge structure may include a flange portion extending from one panel skin, a flange-receiving portion extending from the other panel skin, and a web portion extending between the flange portion and the flange-receiving portion. In one form of the invention, the flange and flange-receiving portions of the joint-forming edge structure each include at least one layer of composite material with high-strength fibers extending parallel to the joint-forming structure. This fiber orientation provides strength with respect to loads acting in the direction of the joint edge of the member. The web portion may include at least one layer of composite material with fibers oriented approximately perpendicularly to the joint-forming structure to provide strength with respect to hinging loads. The various portions of the joint-forming structure may also include preformed members made of either composite or non-composite material.