Patent ID: 7524387

Claim:
A method of reinforcing a panel that has been reduced in thickness in use and is part of an existing metal structure comprising the steps of: providing a reinforcing metal layer in spaced apart relation to said panel to form at least one cavity between said panel and said reinforcing metal layer; injecting an intermediate layer comprised of an uncured plastics material into said at least one cavity; and curing said plastics material so that it adheres to said panel and said reinforcing metal layer with sufficient shear strength to transfer shear forces between said panel and said reinforcing metal layer such that said panel, said reinforcing metal layer and said intermediate layer act mechanically together as a composite structural member, wherein supporting members are arranged in said at least one cavity in contact with said panel and said reinforcing metal layer, and wherein said step of providing a reinforcing metal layer comprises the steps of: adhering at least one spacer to said panel, and adhering said reinforcing metal layer to said at least one spacer, and wherein said at least one spacer is metallic and said steps of adhering comprise welding.