US2880473A - Fibrous glass laminations - Google Patents

Description

April 7, 1959 B. sHwAYDER 2,880,473

FIBROUS GLASS LAMINATIONS l2 n l2 INVENTOR. FIG. 6 BEN sHwAYol-:R

Aorney April 7, 1959 B. SHWAYDER 2,880,473

FIBROUS GLASS LAMINATIONS Filed July 16. 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 '6) ls fus 'r' f J j \.$`YP..7, s

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BEN SHWAYnDER BY BAMMQYQQN Attorney United States Patent FIBROUS GLASS LAMINATIONS Ben Shwayder, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Shwayder Bros., Inc., Detroit, Mich.

Application July 16, 1954, Serial N0. 443,908

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-15) This invention relates to fibrous glass laminations and more particularly to a lamination consisting of an interior layer of fibrous material to which is permanently bonded a thin sheet of fibrous glass.

Fibrous glass, a material well known in the arts, consists of thin, generally exibie strands of glass. From these strands sheets of material may be fabricated, for example, by weaving in the manner that cloth is made in the textile industry, or by a process analogous to paper making or felting. In the latter process, the fibrous glass strands are chopped into short lengths and then these short strands are superposed upon one another and subjected to heat and pressure to form a sheet material.

Numerous commercial objects are manufactured from fibrous glass and fibrous glass sheet material. This material can be so formed as to have relatively high strength characteristics and to be impervious to liquids such as water, etc. However, the primary `disadvantage in the use of fibrous glass is the high cost of this material when compared to most metals and many synthetic plastic materials. In addition, unless an extremely thick sheet of fibrous glass is used, the sheet bends quite easily under light pressure.

Thus, it is an object of my invention to provide a fibrous glass sheeting or lamination which is relatively cheap and which has a high resistance to bending when presented in its commercial forms. To accomplish this result, I use a lamination comprising a cheap and strong interior layer and a thin outer layer of fibrous glass permanently bonded to said interior layer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a fibrous glass lamination formed from one or more inner layers of an inexpensive fibrous material such as Masonite, kraft paper, or other heavy paper with a thin layer of fibrous glass covering the surfaces of the inner layer and bonded to said inner layer.

A further object of my invention is to provide a lamination of an inner layer of fibrous material and an outer layer of fibrous glass in which the surface fibers of both layers are permanently bonded together to yield a construction having greater strength than either of the layers separately, a high resistance to bending and being water impervious.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a lamination of an inner layer of relatively inexpensive material with a thin outer layer of fibrous glass bonded thereto whereby the moisture content of the inner layer is kept constant due to the water impervious fiberglas thereby eliminating expansion, contraction and warping from humidity changes.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a lamination consisting of an inner layer within which is laminated a wire mesh or a plurality of reinforcing bars with the surfaces of said inner layer being covered by a thin layer of fibrous glass bonded thereto.

A further object of my invention is to provide a lamination of a relatively thick inner layer having hollow ICC portions or trunnels extending therethrough and an outer layer of a thin sheet of fibrous glass bonded to said inner layer. In this manner a relatively thick composite structure is produced, which structure is highly resistant to bending.

Also, it is an object of my invention to provide a lamination consisting of an inner layer having a plurality of reinforcing bars of suitable cross-sectional configuration lying transversely upon one or both of the surfaces of said layer, with a thin outer layer of fibrous glass cover ing both the bars and the inner layer and being bonded to the surface area of the inner layer which are exposed between said bars.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide a double panel construction formed of a pair of laminations, each lamination consisting of a somewhat flexible inner layer having spaced parallel tubes lying on one surface thereof with a thin outer layer of fibrous glass covering the tubes and bonded to the surfaces of said inner layer; the two laminations being interconnected and frictionally retained together by pressing the tubes of one lamination into the spaces between the tubes of the other lamination.

In addition, it is an object of my invention to provide a pipe formed of an inner tube the surfaces of which are covered by a thin layer of fibrous glass bonded to the inner layer, and further including, where desirable, a plurality of reinforcing bars placed upon the tube outside or inside surface which bars are also covered by the fibrous glass outer layer.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of which the attached drawings form a part.

Referring to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross section View of a lamination having an inner layer to which is bonded a thin outer layer of fibrous glass.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 1, but in which a hole or slot has been cut.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional View of a lamination having a metallic mesh enclosed within the inner layer.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional View of a lamination having a plurality of spaced tubes included within the inner layer.

Figure 5 is a View taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 and illustrates the use of tapered tubes within the inner layer.

Figures 6-8 show cross-sections of panels having L- shaped, V-shaped, and tubular reinforcing bars respectively upon the surface of the inner layer.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a double panel construction. each of the panels being constructed in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 8.

Figures 10 and 11 each illustrate a pipe formed of an inner tube to which is bonded a thin layer of fibrous glass. In Figure l0, reinforcing bars are positioned on the outer surface of the tube and in Figure 11 on the inner surface.

Figure 12 illustrates the method of assembling the double panel of Figure 9.

Figure `13 shows a front view of one of the panels forming the double panel construction of Figure 9.

Figure 14 illustrates a modification similar to that shown in Figure 5, however here the tapered tubes are removable to form a hollowed panel structure.

Figure 15 shows the tapered tubes being removed from the panel of Figure 15, and

Figure 16 is an end view taken in the direction of arrow 17 of Figure 15.

The basic lamination of my invention comprises an inner layer to which is bonded a thin layer of fibrous glass. The inner layer may be some relatively hard rigid mate rial such as that which is commonly known as Masonite,

or it may be formed of heavy cardboard, kraft paper or other heavy paper or some other such suitable material. In order to meet the desired thickness and rigidity requirements the inner layer may be formed of more than one lamina, with each of the lamina being laminated together with a suitable adhesive, or some other suitable fastening means such as staples, rivets, grommets, or the like.

Thus, in Figure 1, I show an inner layer formed of two laminae 1 and 2 which are secured together by a coating of a-dhesive 3. A thin layer of fibrous glass 4 is bonded to the inner layer, preferably under heat and pressure. By this means the fibers of the two contiguous surfaces join together and form a permanent connection. The fibrous glass sheet completely surrounds the inner layer.

Since the fibrous glass layer is water impervious, the moisture content of the inner layer remains constant. Consequently, changes in outside humidity have no effect upon the lamination and the lamination will not warp or expand or contract due to these changes.

It should be understood, however, that there are times when it may not be desirable to coat the ends of the inner layer with the fibrous glass. This may be particularly true where it is desired to abut two or more panels in end to end relationship and then seal the joints.

In Figure 2, the inner layer 5 is provided with a slot or hole 6. The fibrous glass outer layer 7 is then bonded not only to the outer surfaces of the inner layer but also coats the sides of the slot or hole. These holes with their fibrous glass coatings may be provided for various construction purposes. In addition, where the inner layer comprises more than one lamina, the fibrous glass Within the hole helps to seal the laminae against movement relative to one another.

Where desired, a grommet may be inserted into hole 6, to act as a means into which a screw may be threaded and supported. Further, where the inner layer of the panels is formed of two or more laminae, this hole o-r slot may be provided in only one of such laminae, such as one of the outermost laminae, whereby a headed fastening means such as a screw, or the like, may be held in said opening with the head of the fastening means clamped between the lamina which is provided with the hole and the next adjacent lamina. This modification is not illustrated 'since it is believed that the structure thereof is apparent from the views of Figures l and 2.

Referring next to Figure 3, there is illustrated a lamination similar to Figure l. However, a wire mesh 8 is provided between the two inner laminae and the laminae and mesh may be held together by some suitable adhesive.

The laminations described above have a strength much greater than the strength of either of the layers taken separately. This is due, to a large degree, to the interconnecting by heat and pressure of the surface fibers of each of the layers. Moreover, the panel is highly resistant to bending because o-f the thick skin of fibrous glass which acts to resist the tension -of bending forces upon the panel.

At times, it may be desirable to form the inner layer of some material which is not fibrous. An example of this may be sheet steel. In such a case, where the inner layer is not fibrous, it i-s desirable to roughen the surface of the inner layer as by scratching or the like whereby the glass fibers will adhere to and permanently bond to the inner layer surfaces under the application of suitable heat and pressure.

Next, in Figure 4, where extremely high strength is desired, reinforcing bars may be located within the inner layer. In the illustration, tubes 9 which may be formed of aluminum are shown.

To form the inner layer 10 the tubes 9 may be surrounded with strands of glass fibers 11, with limp glass fibers woven fabric, or with some other suitable fabric. If desired this combination of Wrapped tubing may have a sheet of cardboard or the like placed upon either or both outer surfaces (not shown). Moreover, the inner layer may be formed of a more rigid material, such as Masonite,

or cardboard having hollowed out portions within which the tubes may be inserted.

In Figure 5, the tubes 9a are shown as being tapered. Here the tubes are staggered so that the small end of one tube lies between the large end of the tubes on either side thereof. The degree of taper is exaggerated in the drawing to make a clearer illustration. These tapered tubes may be used to increase the strength of the lamination, otherwise straight tubes may be used where desired.

Where large, rigid panels are required, bars or ribs may be placed transversely upon one or both surfaces of the inner layer. Thus, in Figure 6, L-shaped bars 12 are placed upon the inner layer 13 surface with one leg of the bar in Contact with the inner layer. In Figure 7, V-shaped bars 14 are used and in Figure 8 tubes 15 are shown. The tubes of Figure 8 may be flattened slightly to make a better contact with the inner layer or may be cylindrical.

The thin fibrous glass outer layer 16 is placed in complete contact with the outer surfaces of the reinforcement bars and is bonded directly to the inner layer in all areas not covered by the bars.

Next, referring to Figure 9, a double panel construction may be formed by using a pair of laminations as shown in Figure 8.

In this case, the tubes 18 of lamination 19 are positioned parallel to one another and are spaced apart a distance which is slightly less than the diameter of a tube plus the fibrous glass covering of said tube. The tubes 20 of the lamination 21 are likewise so positioned.

The two laminations may then be interconnected by pressing them together so that the tubes of one lamination are forced between the tubes of the second lamination. By pressing the two laminations tightly towards each other the center points of the tubes of one pass the center points of the tubes of the other and the tubes form a slight depression in the surface of the opposite lamination. Thus, since these tubes are slightly beyond the center points of one another, the inherent resiliency of the tubes lock them together to prevent withdrawal.

As shown in Figure l2, the two laminations 18 and 19 may be made of somewhat flexible material. In that case each of the laminations are bent (this bending is exaggerated in Figure l2 for purposes of clarification) and the tubes are successively interconnected. Consequently, the action of joining the two laminations is analogous to the action that takes place in a conventional zippen In this mannera double panel is formed which has a high degree of strength and yet which results in a finished surface on each side thereof.

In Figures 10 and ll, I illustrate pipes made in accordance with my invention. Here a tube 22, which may be formed of cardboard or heavy paper or other suitable material, is coated with a thin layer of fibrous glass on the outside surface 23 and on the inside surface 24. T his results in a relatively strong pipe which is impervious to liquids. Moreover, since fibrous glass is resistant to many types of corrosive liquids, this type pipe would be ideal for use in various chemical manufacturing operations.

In addition, the pipe may be made extremely rigid by placing reinforcing bars 25 on the outside surface of the inner tube beneath the fibrous glass layer, as shown in Figure 10.

Where it is desired to have not only a rigidk tube, but one in which fluid turbulence is reduced, the reinforcing ribs 26 may be placed on the inside surface of the inner tube 22, as illustrated in Figure 11. Here the ribs act as guide vanes for the uid flowing through the tube.

Lastly, Figures 14 and 15 are directed to a modification wherein the inner lamina is made relatively thick and yet is hollowed out to achieve both light weight and a reduction in cost.

This hollowing effect may be achieved by the use of tapered tubes 109, similar to that shown in Figure 4.

which tubes extend through the width of the panel 112. To form this structure, the tubes are surrounded with the material from which the inner layer 110 is to be constructed. Then the fibrous glass layer 111 is bonded to said inner layer with openings formed at the ends of tubes 109. Thereafter, the tubes are withdrawn as indicated by the arrows shown in Figure 15.

The result, of withdrawing these tubes, is a series of tapered tunnels 113 and 114 extending through the width of the panel 112.

This same effect could be obtained by the utilization of tapered bars of any suitable cross-sectional conguration. It can be seen that these tubes or bars function to provide a solid inner layer to which the required bonding pressure can be applied and also to act as a heat conducting means to distribute the heat of bonding the outer layer to the inner layer throughout the panel.

Of course, the inner layer may be likewise hollowed out by the use of two or more inner laminae with one or more of these laminae having hollow portions pre-formed therein. Assembly of these laminae would result in a hollowed out inner layer. However, the use of tapered tubes or bars, described above, is desirable since then the structure is more capable of withstanding the pressures required for fastening the inner and outer layers together.

My invention may be further developed within the scope of the following claims without departing from the essential features of the said invention. Accordingly, it is desired that the specification and drawings be read as being merely illustrative of practical embodiments of the same and not in a strictly limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A rigid, structural panel construction comprising two substantially rigid panels frictionally interlocked in face to face relationship to form a double panel; each of the two panels being formed of a large, substantially rigid sheet; a large number of identical, substantially cylindrical in cross-section, thin-wall, hollow tubes arranged across one face of each of the sheets, the entire length of each of the tubes being in contact with and permanently secured to the face of its respective sheet, thus rigidifying and reenforcing the sheets; all of the tubes being parallel with one another; each pair of adjacent tubes on each sheet being spaced apart a distance which is slightly less than the distance required for a single tube of the opposite sheet to pass freely between the spaced pair of tubes; each tube being substantially rigid, but the walls thereof being inherently resilient; the two panels being arranged in face to face, closely spaced, relationship, with each of the tubes of one sheet being inserted between a pair of adjacent tubes of the other sheet, in continuous line contact with the face of said other sheet, past the line of the shortest distance between the pair of tubes, the tubes of said one sheet being inserted and frictionally held between the pairs of tubes of the other sheet due to the inherent resiliency of the tube walls which resiliently yield for passage of the tubes of one sheet past the tubes of the other sheet upon forcing the panels towards each other face to face and which return to their original shape to prevent retraction of the respective tubes, thereby interlocking the two panels.

2. A construction as defined in claim l, and wherein the means for permanently securing the tubes to their respective sheets consists of a thin continuous, layer of sheet material permanently secured to all the exposed portions of each sheet between the tubes on that sheet and surrounding and being permanetly secured to all the exposed portions of the tubes on that sheet.

3. A rigid, structural panel construction comprising two substantially rigid panels frictionally interlocked in face to face relationship to form a double panel; each of the two panels being formed of a large, substantially rigid sheet; a large number of identical tubes arranged across one face of each of the sheets, the entire length of each tube being in contact with and permanently secured to its respective sheet, the tubes all being parallel with one another, each adjacent pair of tubes on each sheet being spaced apart, along a single plane parallel to and spaced a short distance in front of its respective sheet face, a distance which is slightly less than that required for a tube of the other sheet to pass freely therebetween, but the distances between the tubes in planes closer to and further away from their respective sheet being greater than the first mentioned tube spacing distance; each tube being substantially rigid, but the outer surfaces thereof being inherently resilient; the two sheets being held in closely spaced, face to face relationship, with each of the tubes of one sheet being inserted and frictionally held between an adjacent pair of tubes of the other sheet, in line contact with the face of the other sheet, past the shortest distance between the pair of tubes, due to the inherent resiliency of the tube surfaces which resiliently yield for passage of the tubes when the two sheets are forced together face to face and which resiliently return to their original shapes to frictionally grip each other.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 1,469,220 Kemp Oct. 2, 1923 2,151,384 Horn Mar. 2l, 1939 2,159,053 Saborsky May 23, 1939 2,175,226 Slayter Oct. 10, 1939 2,339,431 Slayter Jan. 18, 1944 2,372,048 Auxier Mar. 20, 1945 2,386,502 Peik Oct. 9, 1945 2,388,184 Ripper Oct. 30, 1945 2,444,183 Cahners June 29, 1948 2,482,798 Rheinfrank Sept. 27, 1949 2,531,843 Durey et al Nov. 28, 1950 2,577,205 Meyer et al Dec. 4, 1951 2,715,596 Hawley Aug. 25, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 847,483 Germany Aug. 25. 1952

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