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:
Feb. 27, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 15, 1997
John M. Gagas, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Donald H. Mullett, Hartland, WI (US);
Bradley Corporation, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
Abstract
A structure according to the invention comprises a series of interconnected structural members. The structural members, such as panels, are made of a composition comprising as its first essential ingredient a cured (cross-linked) resin having sufficient strength when filled as described below to support weights up to about 700 pounds without significant buckling, but which has sufficient resilience to flex and rebound from impacts such as low speed collisions with small boats or dropping of heavy human-carried objects without cracking or breaking. The cured resin matrix contains a first filler consisting essentially of inorganic particles effective to improve the impact resistance and flame resistance of the structure, and an amount of a second filler consisting essentially of fibers effective to enhance the rigidity of the structure and reduce crack propagation therein. An optional third filler consisting essentially of plastic microspheres may be added in an amount effective to reduce the weight of the panel by at least 10 % without significantly affecting the other essential properties of the cross-linked resin and first and second fillers, namely flexural strength, flame resistance, impact resistance, rigidity, resistance to crack propagation, and resistance to outdoor environments, particularly marine environments. Piers and docks made from panels of the composite of the invention provide superior performance as compared to conventional materials used to build such structures.