Multi-prong connectors used in making highly insulated composite wall structures
First Claim
1. A multi-prong connector used in making a composite wall structure which includes first and second structural layers comprising a hardenable material and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, wherein the connector comprises an insulating material and includes:
- (a) a gripping segment having a bridging structure;
(b) a plurality of elongate prongs attached together by and extending from the bridging structure, each prong having a penetrating segment distal to the bridging structure and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating segment and the gripping segment;
(c) a penetrating tip disposed on an end of at least one of the prongs and having a reduced cross-section width relative to the rest of the prong;
(d) first anchoring means disposed within the penetrating segment of at least one of the prongs for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened; and
(e) second anchoring means within the gripping segment for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-pronged insulating connectors used in manufacturing insulative composite wall structures. At least a substantial portion of the connector is injection molded in a single step from an appropriate resinous material or moldable plastic. One or more prongs of the connector have a substantially pointed end for facilitating penetration of the connector through an insulating layer and an unhardened structural material, such as concrete. The opposite end, or gripping segment, includes a bridging structure for connecting the multiple prongs together and structure for facilitating gripping of the connector during placement in the insulating layer and first unhardened structural layer. The connectors include structures for helping to anchor the connectors within the structural layers upon hardening.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A multi-prong connector used in making a composite wall structure which includes first and second structural layers comprising a hardenable material and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, wherein the connector comprises an insulating material and includes:
-
(a) a gripping segment having a bridging structure; (b) a plurality of elongate prongs attached together by and extending from the bridging structure, each prong having a penetrating segment distal to the bridging structure and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating segment and the gripping segment; (c) a penetrating tip disposed on an end of at least one of the prongs and having a reduced cross-section width relative to the rest of the prong; (d) first anchoring means disposed within the penetrating segment of at least one of the prongs for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened; and (e) second anchoring means within the gripping segment for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A multi-prong connector used in making a composite wall structure which includes first and second structural layers comprising a hardenable material and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, wherein the connector comprises an insulating material and includes:
-
(a) a gripping segment having a bridging structure; (b) a plurality of elongate prongs attached together by and extending from the bridging structure in a substantially parallel orientation, each prong having a penetrating segment distal to the bridging structure and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating segment and the gripping segment; (c) a substantially pointed tip disposed on an end of each of the prongs; (d) at least one recess disposed within the penetrating segment of each of the prongs for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened; (e) second anchoring means within the gripping segment for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened; and (f) abutment means for limiting penetration of the connector through the insulating layer during placement of the connector.
-
-
17. An insulating composite wall structure comprising first and second structural layers made from a hardenable material and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second structural layers, the first and second structural layers and the insulating layer being secured together by means of a plurality of multi-prong connectors comprising an insulating material and including:
-
(a) a gripping segment having a bridging structure; (b) a plurality of elongate prongs attached together by and extending from the bridging structure, each prong having a penetrating segment distal to the bridging structure and a mesial segment disposed between the penetrating segment and the gripping segment; (c) a penetrating tip disposed on an end of at least one of the prongs and having a reduced cross-section width relative to the rest of the prong; (d) first anchoring means disposed within the penetrating segment of at least one of the prongs for anchoring the connector within the first structural layer when substantially hardened; and (e) second anchoring means within the gripping segment for anchoring the connector within the second structural layer when substantially hardened. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification