Abstract: The present invention provides contoured crushable composite structural members and methods for making the same. The contoured structural members comprise composite materials sandwiching a support or stabilizing structure. The contoured structure can be provided by tube rolling (or roll wrapping) the composite materials and the support structure together and then, if necessary, bonding them or connecting them. The structural members are made crushable by incorporating an initiator into the structures of the members. With a contoured, crushable, and generally non-flat structure, applications for the structural members of the present invention are nearly limitless.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an rigid foam insulating panel is disclosed. The panel includes an rigid foam sheet with a plurality of grooves or recesses in which reinforcing strips are placed. Both sides of the sub-assembly are covered with a reinforcing sheet made of plastic, paper, foil, or a combination thereof. These reinforcing sheets are bonded to the surface of the rigid foam sheet and provide structural support to the sheet, as well as retaining the reinforcing strips in place. They also provide a vapor barrier on both sides of the sheet to prevent the migration of moisture through the sheet toward the wall covering, which will typically be attached to the side of the sheet in which the reinforcing strips are inserted.

Abstract: The fundamental technique of the method for making cellular cores is to make stacks of components which are configured such that cutting slices off the stacks produces cellular cores and, when needed, components used in stacks used to produce cellular cores. One of the basic components used in the stacks is termed a ribbed ply which is a ply (thin sheet of material such as wood) with a number of ribs (long thin strips of material such as wood) attached to the ply, parallel to each other. If the spaces between the ribs are filled with filler material such as foam plastic, the cells in the cellular core will be filled with the filler material. The filler material is introduced as layers of the material stacked alternately with plies and adhesively attached. Slices of such a stack, sliced parallel to the grain of the plies (if wood) are called ribbed fillers. Stacking ribbed fillers and plies produces a stack having a cross section which, when sliced, produces filled cell cellular cores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction element that comprises at least one first transparent pane and a parallel second pane that is at least partly transparent and contains a material that accumulates latent heat. The material that accumulates latent heat is dyed or pigmented so that it absorbs light in the infrared range of the solar spectrum. The construction element claimed by the invention is highly efficient in absorbing light directly in the material that accumulates latent heat.

Abstract: A heat insulating wall, and a method of manufacturing the same. A laminated body includes a first panel, a first plate-shaped insulating member made of plastic foam and having a predetermined thickness, a vacuum insulation member mounted on the insulating member, a second plate-shaped insulating member made of plastic foam, and a second panel. The area between the first and second panels surrounded by the first plate-shaped insulating member, the vacuum insulation member, and the second plate-shaped insulating member is filled with expanded plastic foam. The thickness of the first and second plate-shaped insulating members is set to a predetermined thickness S.

Abstract: A modular wall component with an insulative thermal break for preventing the creation of a continuous thermal path across the modular wall component. The modular wall component may be formed with an insulated frame structure that is fixed to an open frame structure with an insulative thermal break interposed therebetween. The insulated frame structure may be formed with a plurality of vertical track members coupled to an upper track member and a lower track member. At least one sheet of insulative material is interposed into the insulated frame structure. The open frame structure may have a plurality of vertical framing studs coupled to an upper framing track and a lower framing track.

Abstract: A building panel 20 is disclosed which is of sandwich construction having metal sheet structures 21, 22 interconnected by a core 23. The panel 20 includes profiled edge regions 24, 25 enabling the panel to interlock with a like panel. In one form a paper covering 27 is bonded to the metal sheet structure so that panel has a surface characteristic similar to that of plasterboard. A reinforcing element 40 is also disclosed which is arranged to be connected at the joint between abutting panels to improve the load bearing capacity of the panel 20.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle sound absorption system. An expandable material, such as an polymer-based foam, is disposed on a surface of a wall. Upon activation, the foam transforms, preferably during an automobile assembly operation, and remains bonded to surface for sound absorption.

Abstract: A composite wall panel having continuous upper and lower hollow horizontal chases and spaced hollow vertical chases formed throughout the panel to permit passage of electrical wiring and the like. The chases have protective barriers to protect the wiring from penetration and damage due to mechanical fasteners used to manufacture the panel and to construct load bearing walls using a plurality of manufactured panels. Further, the panel has a continuous header to provide structural rigidity and to permit rapid manufacturing of the panel without the need to frame openings, such as doors and windows, at the time of manufacture. Openings are cut in the panels and finished after the walls are constructed.

Abstract: An insulation panel for a poured concrete wall and a method of constructing an insulated concrete wall provide a pre-finished concrete wall structure that is ready for drywall installation and/or direct mounting of heavy objects such as cabinets or the like. The insulation panel includes a rigid structural substrate sheet, an insulation sheet secured to the rigid substrate sheet in substantially overlapping relationship, and a plurality of anchor members projecting from the insulation sheet, the anchor members being configured to be securely anchored in a poured concrete wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of chipboard comprising a centre layer (18) of coarse chips and outer layers (20) of chips whose fibres are oriented in the plane of the board. In order to be able to reduce the density of the finished board while retaining the intrinsic characteristic profile of the board, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the chips used to compose the centre layer (18) will comprise end-grain cut, flake-like chips (22) whose fibres are oriented in the thickness direction (24) of the chips, the chip fibres in the centre layer being oriented substantially transversely to the plane of the chipboard. The invention also relates to chipboard manufactured in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core is formed from plastics foam material having elongated porous and fibrous webs and/or rovings extending through the foam material. The rovings may extend angularly through the webs, and strips of the foam material may be helically wound with layers of crossing rovings to form the webs. Porous and fibrous skins for the core may be formed by the wound rovings and by parallel continuous rovings, and the foam strips may be formed with internal grooves adjacent the webs and connected by a feeder channel for infusing a hardenable adhesive resin into the grooves and outwardly through the webs to the skins with differential pressure on the resin.

Abstract: An extruded polycarbonate article suitable as an energy absorber is disclosed. The article includes a plurality of honeycomb chambers that are aligned substantially in the same direction, extend in the direction of the extrusion and are disposed adjacent to one another. A method of using the article entails aligning the honeycomb chambers in a direction parallel to the direction of the impact energy.

Abstract: An insulative panel with transverse fiber reinforcements is provided and which is adopted for use with a plurality of building materials such as concrete to create a lightweight, high strength building panel having superior insulative properties.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulation panel with an insulating core sealed within an envelope. The envelope formed from a single sheet of highly flexible material with a pair of opposing edge portions sealed together contiguously along the entire respective lengths thereof to form a sleeve with a single and two open ends. The sleeve may be folded to define sides. A longitudinal pleat may be formed in at least one of the sides of the envelope. One open end is sealed to form an envelope and a core of insulation material is inserted. The remaining open end is sealed and the envelope is evacuated.

Abstract: A modular insulated building panel is disclosed. The panel is configured for connection to a like adjacently positioned insulated panel to form a building system. The panel comprises a central core of insulating material having two major surfaces and two side surfaces, substantially flat sheets on the major surfaces of the central core. Extending beyond the side surfaces of the core are male connectors having a generally convex curved first male mating member, a generally convex curved second male mating member, and a generally concave curved member between said first male mating member and said second male mating member. The panel further comprises female connectors having a generally concave curved first female mating member configured to accept the first male mating member, a generally concave curved second female mating member configured to accept the second male mating member, and a generally protruding member between the first female mating member and the second female mating member.

Abstract: Bridges decks or panels for bridge decks made of a metal-plastic-metal sandwich with the plastic bonded to the metal plates so as to transfer shear forces therebetween. The sandwich plates may be constructed with either a solid plastic core or a composite core consisting of plastic, metal plates or structural shapes and forms within or without a frame of girders. Sandwich plate bridge panels without peripheral metal frames are held together only by the adhesion of the plastic to the metal plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to building panels used in the construction industry, and more specifically composite building panels comprised of an insulative core, concrete, and carbon fiber which are preformed, cast and transported to a building site for modular construction.

Abstract: A building system includes structural insulated panels having an inner insulating core such as of foam plastic or agri-board and strong thin facings such as of plastic impregnated/reinforced paper on opposed surfaces of the insulating core. The impregnated/reinforced paper provides the panel with high strength and facilitates attaching the panel to dimensional lumber or to similar adjacent panels. The opposed outer facings overlap/extend beyond the insulating core's edges in various configurations so as to provide several different panels, each adapted to satisfy a specific structural purpose. In a first configuration, three edges of the outer facings overlap respective edges of the insulating core for also overlapping a base plate, a top plate and an adjacent stud, panel, window or doorjamb.

Abstract: A light diffusing insulating glazing insert consists of a flexible thin-walled honeycomb transparent insulation, to which is bonded a diffusing sheet, on one or both sides This provides a practical solution to problems related to utilizing thin-walled flexible honeycombs in glazing units consisting of two sheets of glass, plastic, or similar and a spacer/frame, as standard for window and skylight applications. Use of such a glazing insert adds insulation and light diffusion to the glazing system.

Abstract: Improved synthetic doors having high impact resistance employ SMC skins having a layer of reinforcing extending throughout each skin, which skins are glued to rectangular frame forming the rails and stiles of said door and the cavity between the skins filled and a plastic foam. The process of making the doors include the steps of placing a layer of SMC in a compression mold, placing a flexible reinforcing sheet over this layer of SMC so that it covers the entire skin area, placing a second layer of SMC over said reinforcing sheet and curing said layers under heat and pressure in such mold to form the impact resistant skin.

Abstract: An office panel assembly and fabric covering therefor. The panel assembly includes a supporting frame and a covering of textile fabric. The textile fabric is of a stitch bonded construction including a stitch yarns extending in a repeating stitch arrangement through a nonwoven fibrous substrate such that the stitch yarns cooperatively form a patterned show surface across one side of the said textile fabric.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a connector used to join two or more panels having a foam core and having a cavity defined in a edge thereof. The connector includes a connector body having at least two attachment heads which are dimensioned to fit snugly within the corresponding cavities bounded by internal sidewalls defined in the foam core. Barbs provided on each attachment head are configured to pierce the internal sidewalls of the panels and inhibit withdrawal of the attachment head from the cavity defined in the foam core.

Abstract: A building structure offset uses hexagon structures assembled in an offset layering architecture to construct walls, floors and roofs. Hexagon building structures include interior panels adhered to both sides of a foam core. The structures also include radial cutouts the corners for offset layering assembly with another structure. Peg retainers selectively secure the hexagon building structures together. Fastening holes provide fastener locations for screwing or bolting through the layers of the hexagon structures. The holes align with an offset layer of hexagons when assembled in the axial direction. Conduit holes are selectively located depending on the fastening technique selected. The system includes five derivatives of hexagon building structures and a header, providing square, triangular, and curved geometries when assembled. Since hexagon buildings are built from hexagon building structures without customization, hexagon buildings can be rebuilt, modified, or recycled using the same materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a synthetic-core construction panel having a polyurethane core encased by a metal grid. The grid system comprises a first series of metal bars disposed in parallel to each other, equally spaced apart around the circumference of the core; a second series of metal bars, disposed in parallel to each other and perpendicularly to the first series of metal bars, equally spaced apart, are also disposed around the circumference of the core; and a plurality of diagonal cross-member reinforcements welded at their edges to each connecting point between the first series of metal bars and the second series of metal bars. The metal grid serves as a surface accepting masonry/plaster as a finish for the panel after installation. An apparatus for making the synthetic core construction panels is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A wall for making tanks includes two superimposed plates connected to each other at respective spaced apart connected points distributed on a surface of the plates, at least one of the two plates, between respective connecting zones, bulging outward, so that separation between the two plates increases in every radial direction with distance from each connected point to a maximum separation midway between neighboring connected points. The wall has a quilted appearance.

Abstract: Magnetic gypsum or drywall is a concept that adds value and application to a standard gypsum drywall panel by insertion of a various sized flat, thin gage ferrous metal sheet into the interior face or substrate of the drywall during the drywall manufacturing process. The drywall-finished product would then become a platform to accept the attachment of a variety of magnets and magnetic objects to its finished surface for display and storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi sandwich panel in which a cores material is partially formed in a portion which needs a strength and intensity between both surface finishing materials formed of a textile for thereby implementing a certain strength and intensity of a sandwich panel, so that it is possible to obtain a certain strength and intensity as a structure member which is a feature of a sandwich panel, and the number of fabrication processes is decreased, and the fabrication cost is decreased. A core material is inserted into a portion which needs a certain strength and intensity between both surface finishing materials formed of a textile.

Abstract: A modular wall panel system to facilitate modular home construction in remote locations. Each wall panel includes two complementary wall members secured in their relative positions via a panel slide lock. Each wall member is composed of layers of lightweight, thermal resistant insulation. The insulant layers are separated by reflective layers designed to attract and retain solar energy.

Abstract: Laminated interlocking stackable wall units are assembled using a large proportion of wood species unsuitable for use in the construction industry. The interlocking stackable wall units are used in combination with a laminated roof beam, and a roof panel to construct an earthquake-resistant buildings. Each building is tied together by composite steel bands that lend the structure flexibility and excellent resistance to wracking forces induced by natural phenomena, such as earthquakes and windstorms. The buildings are rapidly assembled with a minimum of labor, and are inexpensive to construct. The advantage is a high quality building constructed at reasonable cost.

Abstract: A generally planar, structural insulated panel for building construction includes a pair of outer facings disposed on opposed surfaces of a plastic foam core. One of the outer facings is of a gypsum or cementous composite for use on the panel's inner surface, while the other outer facing is of oriented strand board (OSB) or other conventional building material which forms the panel's outer surface. Disposed between and laminated to the inner surface of the gypsum or cementous composite facing and the plastic foam core by a conventional bonding agent is a sheet of paper impregnated with urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. The impregnated sheet of paper serves as a vapor barrier near the panel's inner surface to prevent moisture from permeating from the warm interior of the structure through the plastic foam insulation to the outside.

Abstract: A reverse molded fiberboard panel; a wainscot kit comprising a plurality of differently sized reverse molded panels, and a planar finishing or spacer panel, adapted to completely cover any size wall between a wall base board and a wall chair rail; and a method of reverse molding a loose cellulosic mat, in a single pressing step, to provide one or more relatively high density, raised panels without requiring preliminary pressing, or other pre-shaping step, such as scalping. The reverse-molded panels are molded in a conventional, multi-opening fiberboard press, in a single pressing step process, while achieving excellent transfer of mold detail (embossing fidelity) without visually noticeable fiber fracture.

Abstract: Installing insulation for a building member using a web member is provided. The web member is attached to a surface of the building member that is to be insulated. The web member has a number of spaces defined between its wire or solid elements. The insulating material is sprayed against the web member. The insulating material can include a foamable substance and insulating particles combined therewith. The insulating material is received in the spaces of the web member. The insulating material can be sprayed to pass through the thickness of the web member. The web member facilitates the holding or capturing of the insulating material.

Abstract: An evacuated panel (2) is provided which enables the thermal insulation of a cylindrical body (1) having two substantially rectangular main faces, formed of a flexible envelope (4) made of one or more barrier sheets, and containing a discontinuous or porous, inorganic or polymeric filling material (3). The panel has a thickness such that the ratio between this thickness and the minimum bending radius of the lateral wall of the cylindrical body is small enough so as to enable the winding of the panel without compromising the integrity thereof, and a length such that it allows at least two windings around the body (1).

Abstract: A modular wall panel for manufacturing an exterior wall is made from a substantially flat rectangular insulating foam core having two opposite surfaces, two opposite side edges, a width defined by the opposite side edges, opposite top and bottom edges, and a length defined by the top and bottom edges. The panel also has at least one elongated longitudinal support stud and at least one elongated transverse stud, each mounted to the foam core. The first side edge of the panel has a first face extending between the opposite surfaces and the second side edge has a second face extending between the opposite surfaces. Each face defines an elongated first channel when the first face of one panel is abutted against the second face of an adjacent panel and the first channel has an elongated first cavity and an opening extending to the first surface of the panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite panel for raised floors comprising a core bonded on its top to a tile of stony material and bonded on its bottom to a base of metallic material, wherein the stony material tile has a bottom surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, and has a perimeter recess formed at the bottom surface, wherein the core is bonded to the stony material tile through the central portion of the bottom surface, and wherein the base of metallic material consists of a metallic sheet having upturned edges to form a tray that is bonded to the core, the end portions of the upturned edges being folded up to bond the stony material tile at the peripheral portion of its bottom surface and in the perimeter recess.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a covering element for building surfaces and a method for the production thereof. The covering element includes a decorative visible side generally having a support plate having top and bottom surfaces, an upper transparent face sheet bonded to the top surface of the support plate, and a lower face sheet bonded to the bottom surface of the support plate. The upper face sheet has a support layer having cellulose in which an abrasion-resistant material is embedded in the form of corundum particles. In the present configuration, a decorative layer is applied to the bottom of the support layer by a color printing process. The decorative layer, which is underneath the support layer, is visible after all the layers have been pressed together under the application of heat. This process causes it to become transparent. The support layer and the decorative layer are covered with bonding material having melamine resin.

Abstract: A support panel for use in an air handling unit for both supporting equipment inside the unit and providing a thermal barrier to the flow of heat into and out of the unit. The panel includes a plastic frame that is enclosed by upper and lower covers to form an internal cavity. Support members are placed in the cavity between the covers to which equipment that is supported upon the panel can be secured. The support members are fabricated of a high strength composite material having a low thermal conductivity. A curable foam is then injected into the cavity to bond the panel components together in assembly. The frame, the support members and the curable foam all have a relatively low thermal conductivity and coact to create a thermal barrier to impede the flow of heat in or out of the unit.

Abstract: A generally planar, structural insulated panel for building construction includes a pair of outer facings disposed on opposed surfaces of a plastic foam core. One of the outer facings is comprised of a gypsum or cementous composite for use on the panel's inner surface, while the other outer facing is comprised of oriented strand board (OSB) or other conventional building material which forms the panel's outer surface. Disposed between and laminated to the inner surface of the gypsum or cementous composite facing and the plastic foam core by a conventional bonding agent is a sheet of paper impregnated with urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. The impregnated sheet of paper serves as a vapor barrier near the panel's inner surface to prevent moisture from permeating from the warm interior of the structure through the plastic foam insulation to the outside.

Abstract: A building panel formed by extruding a mixture of wooden and/or bamboo powder and a binding agent. Its panel body comprises (i) a door panel extending in the direction of extrusion, (ii) a pair of longitudinal frame members formed in the direction of extrusion on the right and left sides of the door panel, and (iii) a panel strip formed in the direction of extrusion at the center of the door panel. The door panel, the paired longitudinal frame members, and the panel strip are formed as a single piece. The door panel and the panel strip are cut short at their upper and lower ends so that the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal frame members stand out beyond the cut ends of the door panel and the panel strip, the standing-out portions constituting tenons.

Abstract: Structurally strong composite sandwich panels are made using phenolic resin adhesives to bond the face sheets to the honeycomb. Certain configurations and combinations of phenolic resins and fire protection agents were found to provide low flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) panels which have high structural strength.

Abstract: A support panel for use in an air handling unit for both supporting equipment inside the unit and providing a thermal barrier to the flow of heat into and out of the unit. The panel includes a plastic frame that is enclosed by upper and lower covers to form an internal cavity. Support members are placed in the cavity between the covers to which equipment that is supported upon the panel can be secured. The support members are fabricated of a high strength composite material having a low thermal conductivity. A curable foam is then injected into the cavity to bond the panel components together in assembly. The frame, the support members and the curable foam all have a relatively low thermal conductivity and coact to create a thermal barrier to impede the flow of heat in or out of the unit.

Abstract: A sandwich panel is manufactured-by providing: a first step (a), (b) of attaching another end portion of an insert 1 whose one end portion is made sharp to an inner side of a facing member 2 in which a hole is cut in advance; a second step (c) of pressing the insert 1 into the core member 4 such that the one end portion of the insert 1 force-cuts a core member 4; and a third step (d) of attaching another facing member 2 to a side of the core member 4 opposing the insert-inserting side thereof.

Abstract: A invention relates to a ceiling element (1) for a ceiling (D) consisting of several ceiling elements, comprising a lower metal support (4) which is divided up by links (7) and has holes; and an active sound layer (5) which is arranged in the metal support. The layer is a sound insulation layer or a sound absorption layer for example, especially in the form of an open-pore foam such as a melamine-resin foam. The active sound layer (5) is bonded to the metal support (4). According to the invention, the adhesive (6) is only applied to the link areas (11) and only the inner surfaces of the link areas (11) are bonded. This guarantees a simple, economical construction.

Abstract: A door member comprising a frame having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, a core positioned within the frame, and a molded skin attached to the first side of the frame. The skin is prepared from a molding compound which, when molded, has a shrinkage of between about −0.0003 to about +0.0015. The molding compound comprises a resin system comprising a curable polyester resin, a co-curable unsaturated monomer, and at least two low profile additives. The molding compound also comprises at least about 30 percent by weight, based on the weight of the molding compound, of filler material, and fibrous reinforcement in an amount of less than about 35 weight percent, based on the weight of the molding compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum heat-insulating block including a honeycomb core, wherein the block structure prevents the honeycomb core having a low bulk specific gravity from collapsing by atmospheric pressure, the block attaining flexibility and sound absorption property. The vacuum heat-insulating block 100 according to the present invention is basically composed of a core utilizing a plurality of layered honeycomb members 50 (formed by bonding a honeycomb core member 51 to a support plate 55) and covering the core with a cover member 70. Moreover, a woven or non-woven fabric 60 having air permeability is disposed between the layers of honeycomb core members 51.

Abstract: A generally planar structural insulated panel for use in the wall of a building structure includes an inner core of insulating material such as plastic foam. Disposed on and attached to opposed surfaces of the insulating core are outer facings in the form of thick sheets of paper impregnated with plastic such as urethane, polystyrene or polyisocyanurate. The plastic impregnated paper (PIP) sheets are 0.14″ to 0.70″ thick and extend several inches beyond the edges of the panel's insulating core. The PIP sheets provide the panel with high tensile strength and the peripheral edges of the PIP sheets are adapted to receive coupling pins such as nails, screws or staples for mounting the panel to 2× dimensional lumber members in the building structure. The high tensile strength of the PIP sheets also provides secure mounting of the panel to the adjacent structural members.

Abstract: A shapeable vacuum insulation panel containing a single core component is particularly useful for preparing thermally insulating containers.

Abstract: This invention generally pertains to a composite building material comprising a lightweight core with a thin fiber cement facing on one side of the core and a second facing material on the other side. The fiber cement facing that is used on at least one of the faces of the building material is {fraction (3/16)}″ or less, more preferably ⅛″ or less. The green fiber cement facing is preferably formed by a slurry-dewatering process to form a sheet that is in a plastic, uncured, state prior to manufacture of the composite. The composite building material is assembled in an uncured state and then cured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved casting process of mass producing complete lightweight cementitious house walls. More specifically, the invention relates to the manner in which thin cementitious skins are separately cast on either face of the wall against a sub-assembly of thick panels of insulation material shaped and located in a manner to control the movement of displaced cementitious fluid so that the exposed top and bottom chords of small vertical structural trusses, sandwiched between these the panels of insulation and other perimeter reinforcing members are encased with the least amount of cementitious material. The size and strength of each wall component can be varied to achieve the specific characteristics of the wall. Smooth or textured faces in the casting beds reproduce whatever profiles are of required on the finished walls. Accurate window and door openings are cast in such a manner as to eliminate the need for trim.