Polymer-based structural member

• US 20070258765A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Theresa Goden, Thomas Coyle
• Original Assignee: Theresa Goden, Thomas Coyle
• Inventors: Goden, Theresa, Coyle, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/405,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20070258765A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/19
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/24 Methods or arrangements for preventing slipperiness or protecting against influences of the weather measures taken in connection with the foundation E01C3/06; paving elements with anti-slip inlays E01C5/22; aggregates resisting to grinding E01C7/085, E01C7/142, E01C7/182; specially for surface layers E01C7/35; reinforcements extending up to the surface E01C11/16, E01C11/18, E01C11/185; drainage E01C11/22; windscreens E01F7/02; snow fences E01F7/02; combating fog E01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/26 Permanently installed heating or blowing devices specially for combating fog E01H; built-in melting devices for dislodged snow E01H5/102; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/20 made of units of plastics, e.g. concrete with plastics, linoleumE01C5/18 takes precedence; of textiles made of synthetic fibres E01C5/008
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/00 Stairways, ramps, or like structures mounting or marking-off stairways E04F21/26; of temporary use during building construction E04G27/00; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00; Balustrades; Handrails ladders permanently attached to fixed structures E06C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/02161 Floor elements with grooved main surface
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/10 of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard , or with a top layer of other materials
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2203/04 comprising a plurality of internal elongated cavities arranged in substantially parallel rows
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2290/023 for heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 3/14 incorporated in a ceiling, wall or floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a polymer-based structural member for constructing floors and walkways. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one surface of the polymer-based structural member includes a number of traction ridges. The traction ridges provide a gripping surface to promote ease of motion when moving across a floor or walkway constructed from one or more polymer-based structural members.

Claims

1. A polymer-based structural member for constructing floors and walkways, the polymer-based structural member comprising:

a top containing a number of traction ridges;

a bottom;

a first open end;

a second open end opposite to the first open end;

a first side;

a second side opposite to the first side; and

a number of support walls extending from the top to the bottom.

2. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the polymer-based structural member is fabricated using one of:

an extrusion process; and

a pultrusion process.

3. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the polymer base includes one or more of the following additives:

minerals;

fiber;

anti-fungal treatment;

rice hulls;

wood;

glass; and

nut shells.

4. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the polymer-based structural member further includes a number of traction ridges on the bottom.

5. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the traction ridges are roughly linear in shape.

6. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the traction ridges extend the length of the polymer-based structural member, from the first open end to the second open end.

7. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the traction ridges are grouped into traction-ridge sets, each traction-ridge set including a number of roughly parallel traction ridges.

8. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the number of interior walls extend from the first open end to the second open end.

9. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 wherein the number of interior support walls are roughly parallel to the first side.

10. The polymer-based structural member of claim 1 further including a number of interior mounts for mounting one or more of the following transmission media:

pipes;

conduits;

tubes; and

wires.

11. The polymer-based structural member of claim 10 wherein the interior mount includes an aperture.

12. The polymer-based structural member of claim 10 wherein the interior mounts are sized and shaped to be fit in a space in the interior of the polymer-based structural member partially created by two or more of:

the top;

the bottom;

the first side;

the second side; and

one or more interior support walls.

13. The polymer-based structural member of claim 10 further including an end cap to cap off one or more of:

the first open end; and

the second open end.

14. The polymer-based structural member of claim 13 wherein the end cap further includes a number of insert tabs that can be inserted into one of:

the first open end; and

the second open end.

15. The polymer-based structural member of claim 13 wherein the end cap further includes an end aperture for passing enclosed transmission media out of capped polymer-based structural member.

16. A method for constructing floors and walkways, the method comprising:

providing a number of polymer-based structural members, each polymer-based structural member including a top containing a number of traction ridges, a bottom, a first open end, a second open end opposite to the first open end, a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a number of support walls extending from the top to the bottom; and

affixing the polymer-based structural members to a floor or walkway frame.

17. The method from claim 16 wherein the polymer-based structural members further include a number of traction ridges on the bottom.

18. The method from claim 16 wherein the traction ridges are grouped into traction-ridge sets, each traction-ridge set including a number of roughly parallel traction ridges.

19. The method from claim 16 wherein the polymer-based structural members further include an end cap to cap off one or more of:

the first open end; and

the second open end.

20. The method from claim 16 further including a number of interior mounts for mounting one or more of the following transmission media:

pipes;

conduits;

tubes; and

wires.