GB2145969A - Vehicle body - Google Patents

Vehicle body Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2145969A
GB2145969A GB08321082A GB8321082A GB2145969A GB 2145969 A GB2145969 A GB 2145969A GB 08321082 A GB08321082 A GB 08321082A GB 8321082 A GB8321082 A GB 8321082A GB 2145969 A GB2145969 A GB 2145969A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
layer
vehicle body
mixture
roof
polyester resin
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08321082A
Other versions
GB8321082D0 (en
GB2145969B (en
Inventor
Kenneth Burce John Horlock
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB08321082A priority Critical patent/GB2145969B/en
Publication of GB8321082D0 publication Critical patent/GB8321082D0/en
Publication of GB2145969A publication Critical patent/GB2145969A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2145969B publication Critical patent/GB2145969B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/245—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it being a foam layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/18—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/32—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2260/00—Layered product comprising an impregnated, embedded, or bonded layer wherein the layer comprises an impregnation, embedding, or binder material
    • B32B2260/02—Composition of the impregnated, bonded or embedded layer
    • B32B2260/021—Fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2260/00—Layered product comprising an impregnated, embedded, or bonded layer wherein the layer comprises an impregnation, embedding, or binder material
    • B32B2260/04—Impregnation, embedding, or binder material
    • B32B2260/046—Synthetic resin
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2266/00—Composition of foam
    • B32B2266/02—Organic
    • B32B2266/0214—Materials belonging to B32B27/00
    • B32B2266/0278—Polyurethane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
    • B32B2307/304—Insulating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2419/00—Buildings or parts thereof
    • B32B2419/06—Roofs, roof membranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2605/00—Vehicles

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

A caravan body has its roof moulded integrally with two of its sides, and the two other sides are each moulded in one piece and joined to the integral roof-and-sides unit. The roof and each of the sides is constructed from a laminate comprising at least one layer of fibreglass reinforced resin, the or each such layer being joined to a layer of thermally insulating material by a composition which comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres. The mixture comprises polyester resin and glass microspheres in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:2 by volume, and the thermally insulating material is a rigid layer of foamed polyurethane. The caravan body is self-supporting in that it has no internal stress-bearing framework.

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle body The present invention relates to vehicle bodies, and more particularly to self-supporting vehicle bodies made of an improved constructional laminate.
Vehicle bodies embodying the invention may be used for caravans, either motorised or towed, boat superstructures, van or lorry bodies and the like.
It is well-known to construct such vehicle bodies with a wooden framework to which is attached plywood sheeting, or even metal sheeting. Generally a layer of thermally insulating material is then placed between the framework and an internal plywood sheeting added. This system has the twin disadvantages of being bulky, i.e. the thickness of the walls takes up valuable amounts of the limited space available, and also comparatively heavy in that the wood frame is necessarily substantial.
It is also known to construct vehicle bodies from glass fibre reinforced resin laminates, but in order to achieve the necessary strength, these have hitherto consisted of at least two and generally more layers of glass fibre matting each impregnated with resin.
This is a lengthy and expensive procedure.
It has also been proposed to use a single layer of glass fibre reinforced resin in combination with a layer of rigid thermally insulating material. However, the glues available to bond these two layers cure exothermically, and the heat given out distorts the single layer of glass fibre reinforced resin.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above difficulties and to provide a vehicle body which combines minimum thickness with adequate strength.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a self-supporting vehicle body without a stress bearing framework internal of the body, and of which at least two walls and a roof are of a material which comprises at least one layer of fibreglass reinforced resin, the or each such layer being joined to a layer of rigid thermally insulating material by a composition which comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres.
Preferably the thermally insulating material comprises foamed polyurethane.
Advantageously, the composition comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres mixed in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:2 by volume.
A layer of fibreglass reinforced resin disposed outwardly of the layer of firmly insulating material may comprise either one ounce or one-and-a-half ounce glassfibre matting. There may optionally be a layer disposed inwardly of the insulating layer, which layer may comprise one ounce glass/fibre matting.
The foamed polyurethane used as the thermally insulating layer may be of density between one-anda-half and five Ibs/cu ft, advantageously three Ibs/cu ft.
There may also be provided an outermost layer of a thixatropic resin to give the vehicle body a smooth appearance.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a laminate comprising at least one layer of fibreglass reinforced resin, the or each such layer being joined to a layer of foamed polyurethane by a composition which comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres.
Preferably the mixture comprises polyester resin and glass microspheres mixed in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:2 by volume.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle body in which a roof thereof is moulded integrally with two sides of the vehicle body, and two other sides are each moulded in one piece and joined to the roof and sides unit, each of the said roof and sides being constructed from a laminate comprising at least one layer of fibreglass reinforced resin, the or each such layer being joined to a layer of thermally insulating material by a composition which comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres.
Preferably the mixture comprises polyester resin and glass microspheres in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:2 by volume, and the thermally insulating material is a rigid layer of foamed polyurethane.
An embodiment of the invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates in perspective view a caravan embodying the present invention.
The drawing illustrates a caravan having a roof and two ends formed as an integral unit from a laminate material described in more detail below.
Each of the two sides is also formed integrally from such a material and is then bonded to the roof unit.
The body shell formed thereby is self-supporting in that it has no stress bearing framework other than the strength imparted by the material.
A floor unit comprising wheels, drawbar, and stand, all of which are conventional may be added to the vehicle body. Apertures may be provided in the body shell for windows, door and roof ventilators.
Into these apertures may be placed respectively windows made either of glass or plastics material, a door made either of the constructional material described below or a conventional material, and a conventional roof ventilator.
The interior of the caravan or other vehicle may be fitted out as conventional with cupboards, beds, sink etc. which may, where appropriate, be constructed from glassfibre reinforced resin. These are not considered to be structural framework members.
The material used in the construction outlined above is a layer of rigid foamed polyurethane of density approximately three Ibs/cu. ft. On the outer surface of this is adhered a layer of glassfibre reinforced resin, over most of the surface of the kind known as one ounce matting, although at certain points of the structure one-and-a-half ounce matting may be used. The resin is a polyester resin.
The outermost layer is a very thin "gel coat" formed of a thixotropic resin.
Internally of the foamed polyurethane layer, there may either be provided a polyester resin wash layer, or a second glassfibre reinforced layer adhered to the polyurethane in a similar manner to the other.
The composition used to join the polyurethane and glassfibre reinforced resin layers is a mixture in equal volumes of a polyester resin and glass microspheres. The preferred polyester resin is manufactured by Scott Bader and designated 471-PA. This resin cures very rapidly and enables demoulding to take place within twenty-four hours.
The preferred glass microspheres are sold under the trade name ARMOFORM. They have a specific gravity of 0.6, a bulk density of 0.25g/cm3,, and a size between 10 and 250 micron. In a 1:1-2:1 mixture with the polyester resin, the result is a brushable liquid which cures without giving off sufficient heat to distort the relatively thin glassfibre reinforced resin outer layer or layers.
The method of joining the layers is to allow the single matting thickness of glassfibre reinforced resin to cure, brush on the mixture of polyester and glass microspheres and immediately lay on the blocks of polyurethane film. When this has set a second layer of glassfibre reinforced resin can be attached to the other face, or alternatively a polyester resin wash can be applied. If the blocks of polyurethane foam are laid and set unevenly, the gaps and irregularities can be filled with a mixture of polyester and glass microspheres. In this case, however, the proportions are changed so that there are considerably more microspheres present and the mixture then has a trowelling consistency. However, at these proportions the mixture is too dry to give satisfactory adhesion between polyurethane and glassfibre reinforced resin.

Claims (10)

1. Ala minate comprising at least one layer of fibreglass reinforced resin, the or each such layer being joined to a layer of foamed polyurethane by a composition which comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres.
2. A laminate according to claim 1 in which the mixture comprises polyester resin and glass micros pheres mixed in a ratio in the range 1:1 to 1:2 by volume.
3. Avehicle body in which a roof thereof is moulded integrally with two sides of the vehicle body, and two other sides are each moulded in one piece and joined to the roof and sides unit, each of the said roof and sides being constructed from a laminate comprising at least one layer of fibreglass reinforced resin, the or each such layer being joined to a layer of thermally insulating material by a composition which comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres.
4. A vehicle body according to claim 3 and in which the mixture comprises polyester resin and glass microspheres in a ratio in the range of 1:1 to 1:2 by volume, and the thermally insulating material is a rigid layer of foamed polyurethane.
5. A self-supporting vehicle body without a stress bearing framework internal of the body, and of which at least two walls and a roof are of a material which comprises at least one layer of fibreglass reinforced resin, the or each such layer being joined to a layer of rigid thermally insulating material by a composition which comprises a mixture of polyester resin and glass microspheres.
6. A vehicle body according to claim 5, in which the thermally insulating material comprises foamed polyurethane and the resin and glass microspheres are mixed in a ratio in the range of 1:1 to 1:2 by volume.
7. A vehicle body according to any of claims 3 to 6 and in which a layer of fibreglass reinforced resin disposed outwardly of the layer of firmly insulating material comprises either one-ounce or one-and-ahalf ounce glassfibre matting.
8. A vehicle body according to any of claims 3 to 7 and in which a layer of material disposed inwardly of the insulating layer comprises one-ounce glassfibre matting.
9. A laminate or a vehicle body according to any of the preceding claims and in which the foamed polyurethane or other thermally insulating layer is of density in the range one-and-a-half to five ibs/cu.ft., advantageouslythreelbs/cu.ft.
10. A vehicle body substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
GB08321082A 1983-08-04 1983-08-04 Vehicle body Expired GB2145969B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08321082A GB2145969B (en) 1983-08-04 1983-08-04 Vehicle body

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08321082A GB2145969B (en) 1983-08-04 1983-08-04 Vehicle body

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8321082D0 GB8321082D0 (en) 1983-09-07
GB2145969A true GB2145969A (en) 1985-04-11
GB2145969B GB2145969B (en) 1986-12-03

Family

ID=10546826

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08321082A Expired GB2145969B (en) 1983-08-04 1983-08-04 Vehicle body

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2145969B (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2287971A (en) * 1994-03-31 1995-10-04 Christopher David Trippear Building construction
GB2391841A (en) * 2002-08-12 2004-02-18 Adam Dale Ind Ltd Caravan having cellular panels
EP1470956A1 (en) * 2003-04-26 2004-10-27 Clifford Jack Hobbs Caravan
NL1024289C2 (en) * 2003-09-12 2005-03-15 Teardrop B V I O Caravan, has free standing cabin with sandwich panels forming floor, walls and roof
WO2006015257A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-09 Bfs Diversified Products, Llc Construction laminates
EP4353473A1 (en) * 2022-10-11 2024-04-17 3D Core GmbH & Co. KG Layered composite with fire-retardant composite material

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2287971A (en) * 1994-03-31 1995-10-04 Christopher David Trippear Building construction
GB2287971B (en) * 1994-03-31 1998-04-22 Christopher David Trippear Building construction
GB2391841A (en) * 2002-08-12 2004-02-18 Adam Dale Ind Ltd Caravan having cellular panels
GB2391841B (en) * 2002-08-12 2005-12-07 Adam Dale Ind Ltd Caravan and construction method therefor
EP1470956A1 (en) * 2003-04-26 2004-10-27 Clifford Jack Hobbs Caravan
NL1024289C2 (en) * 2003-09-12 2005-03-15 Teardrop B V I O Caravan, has free standing cabin with sandwich panels forming floor, walls and roof
WO2006015257A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-09 Bfs Diversified Products, Llc Construction laminates
EP4353473A1 (en) * 2022-10-11 2024-04-17 3D Core GmbH & Co. KG Layered composite with fire-retardant composite material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8321082D0 (en) 1983-09-07
GB2145969B (en) 1986-12-03

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee
PCPE Delete 'patent ceased' from journal

Free format text: 5221, PAGE 912

732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19960804