REINFORCEMENT DEVICE

• US 20090091157A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sika Technology Ag (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA)
• Original Assignee: Sika Technology Ag (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA)
• Inventors: Robertson, Taylor S., Niezur, Michael C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,641,264 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/187.02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/00 Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/002 a foamable synthetic material or metal being added in situ shaping of substances in a plastic state by foaming, in general B29C44/00

Abstract

Reinforcement components for structural members are disclosed. The reinforcement components have expansible reinforcement material that adheres to and reinforces structural members following activation. Methods of reinforcing are disclosed. Reinforced structural members are described.

Claims

1. A reinforcement system, comprising:

a structural member having a first cavity with a longitudinal axis, a second cavity with a second longitudinal axis, the first and second longitudinal axes being substantially parallel and the first and the second cavities being separated by a barrier with an opening therein, the opening joining the first and the second cavities;

a reinforcement component having;

a first portion in the first cavity;

a second portion in the second cavity;

wherein, the first portion and the second portion are connected at a region that fits through the opening such that the first cavity and the second cavity become substantially separate and the opening becomes substantially closed upon said fitting;

wherein, expansible reinforcement material is disposed on a section of at least one of the first portion or the second portion; and

wherein, upon exposure to heat, expansible reinforcement material is adherable to the structural member in at least the first cavity or the second cavity.

2. The reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed.

3. The reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein expansible reinforcement material is disposed on a section of the first portion and a section of the second portion, wherein upon exposure to heat, expansible reinforcement material is adherable to the structural member in the first cavity and expansible reinforcement material is adherable to the structural member in the second cavity.

4. The reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein expansible reinforcement material is disposed on a section of the first portion, and wherein upon exposure to heat, expansible reinforcement material is adherable to the structural member in the first cavity.

5. The reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein expansible reinforcement material is disposed on a section of the second portion, and wherein upon exposure to heat, expansible reinforcement material is adherable to the structural member in the second cavity.

6. The reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein an expansible baffle material is disposed on a top area of at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

7. A reinforced structural member comprising:

a structural member comprising a first cavity and a second cavity, the first and second cavities being separated by a barrier;

a reinforcement component in the structural member such that a first portion of the component is within at least a portion of the first cavity and a second portion of the component is within at least a portion of the second cavity; and

expanded expansible reinforcement material on at least the first portion or the second portion, the material being adhered to a wall of the structural member.

8. The reinforced structural member of claim 7, wherein expanded expansible reinforcement material on the first portion is adhered to a wall of the structural member in the first cavity, and expanded expansible reinforcement material on the second portion is adhered to a wall of the structural member in the second cavity.

9. The reinforced structural member of claim 7, wherein expanded expansible reinforcement material on the first portion is adhered to a wall of the structural member in the first cavity.

10. The reinforced structural member of claim 7, wherein expanded expansible reinforcement material on the second portion is adhered to a wall of the structural member in the second cavity.

11. The reinforced structural member of claim 7, wherein an expansible baffle material is disposed on a top area of at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

12. The reinforced structural member of claim 7, wherein the structural member is a B-pillar of an automobile.

13. A method of reinforcing a structural member comprising:

providing a structural member having a first cavity with a longitudinal axis, a second cavity with a second longitudinal axis, the first and second longitudinal axes being substantially parallel and the first and the second cavities being separated by a barrier with an opening therein, the opening joining the first and the second cavities;

inserting a reinforcement component into the structural member, the reinforcement component having a first portion that is sized and shaped to fit through the opening and a second portion, at least one of the first portion or the second portion having expansible material disposed on a section thereof;

maneuvering the first portion into the first cavity such that the first portion occupies at least a portion of the first cavity and that the second portion occupies at least a portion of the second cavity;

securing the reinforcement component to the barrier; and

curing the expansible material such that the material expands and adheres to a wall of the structural member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the maneuvering step comprises pivoting the first portion about an edge of the opening in the barrier.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the maneuvering step comprises rotating the first portion about an edge of the opening in the barrier.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the securing step comprises applying force against the second portion such that a prong on the reinforcement component passes through a bore in the barrier and becomes engaged with the barrier.

17. A reinforcement system, comprising:

a structural member having a first cavity with a longitudinal axis, a second cavity with a second longitudinal axis, the first and second longitudinal axes being substantially parallel and the first and the second cavities being separated by a barrier with an opening therein, the opening joining the first and the second cavity;

a reinforcement component having;

a first portion in the first cavity, the first portion having expansible reinforcement material disposed on at least a section thereof;

a second portion in the second cavity, the second portion connected with the first portion, the second portion having expansible reinforcement material disposed on at least a section thereof;

wherein, the second portion and the first portion are connected at a region that fits through the opening such that, upon said fitting, the first cavity and the second cavity are substantially separate and the opening becomes substantially closed; and

a top area of the second portion having an expansible baffle material disposed thereon;

wherein, upon exposure to heat,

expansible reinforcement material is adherable to the structural member in the first cavity;

expansible reinforcement material is adherable to the structural member in the second cavity; and

expansible baffle material is adherable to the structural member.

18. The reinforcement system of claim 17, wherein the expansible baffle material is disposed directly on the structural member.

19. The reinforcement system of claim 17, wherein the expansible baffle material is on a carrier to form a baffle unit, the baffle unit being disposed directly on the structural member.