Patent ID: 6287666
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B29C,B60J,B60R,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A reinforcement shell for being inserted into and reinforcing a channel shaped structural member comprising a carrier, said carrier being arch shaped having a pair of ends interconnected by an intermediate portion, said intermediate portion having diverging sloping walls for distributing force over a generalized area away from concentration points at locations where said shell would be interconnected to the structural member and for maximizing resistance to bending and buckling, said carrier having an outer surface, said carrier being made of a thin and lightweight and high strength material, an expandable resin layer on said outer surface of said carrier, said resin layer being disposed in a cross sectional pattern on said outer surface having opposite end portions of said pattern separated from each other by said ends of said carrier being between said opposite end portions of said pattern whereby said resin layer would be located toward an inner surface of the structural member, and said resin layer being made of a material which upon expanding is capable of intimately bonding to said outer surface and to the inner surface of the structural member into which said carrier may be inserted whereby upon expanding said resin layer material would form a structural foam for reinforcing the structural member.