Pipes and tubular conduits – With closures and plugs – Inflatable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-12
2001-11-27
Brinson, Patrick (Department: 3752)
Pipes and tubular conduits
With closures and plugs
Inflatable
C138S172000, C138S089000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321793
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bladder system for reinforcing a portion of a structural member. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bladder system for reinforcing a portion of a structural member having either an open or closed center portion, wherein the bladder system includes a flexible barrier member and a reinforcing material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior barrier systems used for reinforcing a portion of a structural member having an open center using a two component pumpable product have included a metal or rigid barrier member placed within the open center. In many instances, the structural nature of the barrier member limited the applications for which the barrier system could be used. For instance, the structure and location of the member being reinforced made it difficult to insert a barrier member therein after the structural member had been incorporated into a frame system, e.g., an automobile frame. For example, once an automobile has been completed or partially assembled, the insertion of a barrier member into the center portion of a cavity of a structural member is often difficult and time consuming. Thus, there is needed a system and method that will permit local reinforcement of a structure at various stages throughout the manufacturing or assembly process concerning the member being reinforced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a bladder system for reinforcing at least a portion of a structural member. The bladder system includes a flexible barrier member for dividing at least a portion of the structural member into one or more sections; and a reinforcement material for filling one or more sections bounded by the flexible barrier member. The reinforcement material filling one or more sections of the structural member is a material that can be pumped, and the flexible barrier member is a polymeric material, that may or may not have adhesive characteristics.
The flexible barrier membrane is a thermosetting polymer with cure characteristics that may be activated in a variety of ways. For example heat, catalyst, or a combination of two or more chemically reactive ingredient may be used to activate the polymer.
The invention is also directed to a method for using the bladder system. The method for reinforcing at least a portion of a structural member having either an open or closed center, includes the steps of providing a structure; supporting a flexible barrier member along a portion of the structural member for dividing the area of the structural member into one or more sections; and filling one or more of the sections of the structural member with the reinforcement material.
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Coon Thomas L.
Czaplicki Michael J.
Brinson Patrick
Dobrusin & Thennisch PC
L&L Products
LandOfFree
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