Patent ID: 6912821

Claim:
A structural assembly, comprising: a baseplate formed from a first composite matrix comprising reinforcing fibers in a polymer resin, said baseplate comprising: a generally planar base section having a first side corresponding to a first of upper and lower faces thereof and a second side corresponding to another of said of upper and lower faces; a plurality of ribs extending from said first side of said base section; a plurality of open channels disposed between said ribs and generally bounded by adjacent said ribs and said first side of said base section; and a top plate formed from a second composite matrix of reinforcing fibers in a polymer resin, said top plate secured to said baseplate so as to generally enclose said channels for at least a portion thereof; wherein said baseplate is generally horizontally disposed; wherein said ribs extend from said first side of said base section generally perpendicular thereto in an extension direction and spaced from a center of said base section in a direction generally transverse to said extension direction; said ribs comprising laterally extending cap sections disposed distal from and generally parallel to said first side of said base section; wherein said open channels are laterally defined by said ribs of the same baseplate; wherein said first composite matrix includes a plurality of first strands of reinforcing fibers, said first strands oriented in a first direction generally parallel to said channels; wherein said second composite matrix includes a plurality of second strands of reinforcing fibers, said second strands oriented generally perpendicular to said first strands; and wherein said top plate is removably secured to said baseplate.