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:
Dec. 17, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 15, 2000
Norman E. Blank, Wayne, NJ (US);
Abstract
An expansible reinforcer for reinforcing a hollow structural member of an automobile, aircraft, boat, etc. is provided. The reinforcer is flexible/bendable and comprises a synthetic, resin-based expansible reinforcing material secured thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcer comprises a plurality of supports pivotally connected to one another in a train-like arrangement. The reinforcing material is formed of a thermally expansible composition which preferably has an expansion temperature similar to the temperatures achieved in specific stages of a particular manufacturing process (e.g., such as the temperature at which the paint bake or powder bake stage is carried out in the automobile manufacturing process). The inventive reinforcer is capable of being fed into the opening of a tight cavity on a structural member so as to provide uniform reinforcement of the structural member.