Abstract: A method of forming a thermoactive binder composite product is performed by injecting a hot dry gas to activate the thermoactive binder. In the preferred embodiment, the hot dry gas is air. The method is particularly beneficial as applied to forming thermoplastic composite products and particularly thermoplastic/cellulose composites. Also part of the present invention is a two stage pressing process in which hot gas is injected during the first stage and the press charge is precompressed. The press charge is then placed in a second consolidation press where the hot gas is no longer injected and it is consolidated and cooled. Machinery for practicing the method includes a platen with a (platen press which includes upper and lower platens with a plurality of hot air injection jets disposed on the surface of each platen. The platens are spaced apart and surrounded on the sides by an air-permeable containment shell structure to form a compression chamber to hold the base material to be pressed.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermoactive binder composite product is performed by injecting a hot dry gas to activate the thermoactive binder. In the preferred embodiment, the hot dry gas is air. The method is particularly beneficial as applied to forming thermoplastic composite products and particularly thermoplastic/cellulose composites. Also part of the present invention is a two stage pressing process in which hot gas is injected during the first stage and the press charge is precompressed. The press charge is then placed in a second consolidation press where the hot gas is no longer injected and it is consolidated and cooled. Machinery for practicing the method includes a platen with a platen press which includes upper and lower platens with a plurality of hot air injection jets disposed on the surface of each platen. The platens are spaced apart and surrounded on the sides by an air-permeable containment shell structure to form a compression chamber to hold the base material to be pressed.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a reinforced thermoplastic composite is disclosed. The apparatus is designed for making such composite from a dry blend of expanded thermoplastic pieces and filler particles of ambient temperature. The thermoplastic composite includes a quantity of expanded thermoplastic pieces and a quantity of filler particles suspended by the pieces, with the quantity being up to 60% by weight of the blend. The apparatus includes a first elongate compartment defining a low-pressure compression chamber, and a feeder for sequentially transferring the blend to the first compartment in preselected amounts. A second elongate compartment defines a high-pressure compression chamber with open ends and an entry section structured with a port. The second compartment is positioned adjacent the first compartment so that the chambers are in communication with each other via the port.

Abstract: An ambient temperature, dry blend for forming a thermoplastic composite is disclosed including a quantity of expanded thermoplastic pieces and a quantity of filler particles suspended by the pieces, with the quantity being up to 60% by weight of the blend. Also disclosed is a method of making a thermoplastic composite including dry mixing at ambient temperature a quantity of filler particles with a quantity of expanded thermoplastic pieces to form a blend. The method also includes forming the blend into a thermoplastic composite. Also disclosed is a thermoplastic composite formed by compressing heated compressing and dispensing an ambient temperature blend of thermoplastic pieces and filler particles. Finally, apparatus is disclosed for making a reinforced thermoplastic composite from a dry blend of expanded thermoplastic pieces and filler particles.

Abstract: A span-adjustable open-web support braket is intended for use in a truss having an upper chord member with a slot in an end thereof, a lower chord member, and a plurality of spaced web members interconnecting the chord members. The bracket includes a length-adjustment mechanism which is attached adjacent the end of the upper chord for adjusting in the length of the upper chord. A web-member length adjustment mechanism is attached to a web member adjacent the chord-length-adjustment-mechanism. An interlock is disposed between the mechanisms for coordinating chord length and web-member length adjustments.

Abstract: A bracket apparatus for attachment of a structural support, such as a truss, receives a pin in the form of a bolt which extends laterally through side edges of chord members of the support and a hole in a web member. The bracket apparatus includes two cooperating bracket members each including an upper plate portion, an internal tab portion, and external flange portion which extends in the same direction as the tab portion generally perpendicular from the upper plate portion. The tab portion and flange portion include holes which receive the pin extending laterally through the chord member. The bracket apparatus provides additional support to the pin in providing additional bearing surfaces in the form of the inner surface of the holes in the tab portion and external portion and thus reduces the amount of pin bending. Accordingly, lower grade steel can be used in the pin or a higher reaction load can be carried by the truss for a given pin.

Abstract: An open web structural support member such as a truss is described whose length may be adjusted in predetermined increments and which employs an incremental adjustment means for adjusting the effective length of the end web in order to compensate for adjustment in the length of the truss to maintain a rigid and stable truss. An apertured chord plate is attached to the upper chord member by a pin placed in a selected one of the adjustment holes in such chord plate for adjusting the length of the truss. The chord plate is connected to a mounting bracket at the end of the upper chord member. The incremental adjustment means for the web includes an adjustable link means connected to an end web member to form an end web assembly of adjustable length attached between the mounting bracket and the lower chord member.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus including a mounting bracket, for attachment of an open web structural support to an end support such as a support wall enables the upper chord member of the structural support to be mounted flush to the top of a bearing plate on the top of the support wall. The bracket is comprised of an angled plate member which is securable to the bearing plate and includes a chord receiving portion having outwardly extending channel members which receive opposite side edges of the ends of the upper chord member. Adjustable length end web members are connected to the angled plate member to accommodate a change of length of the structural support. An adjustable spacer apparatus is provided in the channel members between the end of the upper chord member and angled plate member for accommodating structural supports of different lengths.