U.S. patent application number 10/654081 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for woven metallic reinforcement and method of fabricating same.
Invention is credited to Dow, Richard M., Ellis, Timothy W..
Application Number | 20050055933 10/654081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34273430 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050055933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dow, Richard M. ; et
al. |
March 17, 2005 |
Woven metallic reinforcement and method of fabricating same
Abstract
A triaxial woven structure is provided including a first rigid
member having a serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of
peaks and a first plurality of troughs. A second rigid member has a
serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks and a
second plurality of troughs. A peak of the first rigid member is
disposed within a trough of the second rigid member. A third rigid
member has a substantially linear shape and is disposed within a
trough of the first rigid member and a peak of the second rigid
member.
Inventors: |
Dow, Richard M.;
(Philadelphia, PA) ; Ellis, Timothy W.;
(Doylestown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P O BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482-0980
US
|
Family ID: |
34273430 |
Appl. No.: |
10/654081 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 5/0627 20130101;
E04C 5/04 20130101; E04C 5/06 20130101; E04C 5/0618 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/506.01 |
International
Class: |
E04B 002/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A triaxial woven structure comprising: a first rigid member
having a serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of peaks and
a first plurality of troughs; a second rigid member having a
serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks and a
second plurality of troughs, a peak of said first rigid member
disposed within a trough of said second rigid member; and a third
rigid member having a substantially linear shape and disposed
within a trough of said first rigid member and a peak of said
second rigid member.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said third rigid
member locks said first, second, and third rigid members
together.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said first rigid
member, said second rigid member, and said third rigid member form
a triangle.
4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein an angle between
said first rigid member and said second rigid member is between
about 19 degrees and 71 degrees.
5. The structure according to claim 3, wherein an angle between
said first rigid member and said third rigid member is between
about 19 degrees and 71 degrees.
6. The structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said first,
second, and third rigid members has a substantially circular
cross-section.
7. The structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said
first, second, and third rigid members has a substantially
rectangular cross-section.
8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said first, second,
and third rigid members are a reinforcing bar material.
9. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said first, second,
and third rigid members are formed from a solid material.
10. The structure according to claim 9, wherein said first, second,
and third rigid members are formed from at least one of i) steel,
ii) aluminum, iii) copper, and iv) a polymer.
11. The structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
said first, second, and third rigid members is formed from a hollow
material.
12. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure has
a substantially planar form.
13. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure has
a substantially circular cross-section.
14. A triaxial woven structure comprising: a first rigid member
having a serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of peaks and
a first plurality of troughs; a second rigid member having a
serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks and a
second plurality of troughs, wherein said second rigid member is a
mirror-image of said first rigid member; a third rigid member
having a serpentine shape comprising a third plurality of peaks and
a third plurality of troughs, a peak of said first rigid member
disposed within a trough of said third rigid member; a fourth rigid
member having a serpentine shape comprising a fourth plurality of
peaks and a fourth plurality of troughs, wherein said fourth rigid
member is a mirror-image of said third rigid member, a peak of said
fourth rigid member is disposed within a trough of said second
rigid member, and another peak of said fourth rigid member is
disposed within a trough of said third rigid member; and a fifth
rigid member disposed within said troughs of said first, third, and
fourth rigid member and said peaks of said second, third, and
fourth rigid member.
15. The structure according to claim 14, wherein i) a first portion
of said plurality of peaks and said plurality of troughs of said
third rigid member are substantially orthogonal to a remaining
portion of said plurality of peaks and said plurality of troughs of
said third rigid member, and ii) a first portion of said plurality
of peaks and said plurality of troughs of said fourth rigid member
are substantially orthogonal to a remaining portion of said
plurality of peaks and said plurality of troughs of said fourth
rigid member.
16. The structure according to claim 14, wherein said structure has
a substantially I-shaped cross-section.
17. A composite structure comprising: a substrate comprising: i) a
first rigid member having a serpentine shape comprising a first
plurality of peaks and a first plurality of troughs, ii) a second
rigid member having a serpentine shape comprising a second
plurality of peaks and a second plurality of troughs, a peak of
said first rigid member disposed within a trough of said second
rigid member, and iii) a third rigid member having a substantially
linear shape disposed within a trough of said first rigid member
and a peak of said second rigid member; and a first layer of
material coupled to a first surface of said substrate.
18. The structure according to claim 17, wherein said third rigid
member has a substantially linear shape.
19. The structure according to claim 17, wherein said third rigid
member has a substantially spiral shape.
20. The structure according to claim 17, further comprising a
second layer of the material coupled to a further surface of said
substrate, wherein said first layer of material is adhered to said
substrate by one of welding and an adhesive.
21. A triaxial woven structure comprising: a first rigid member
having a serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of peaks and
a first plurality of troughs; a second rigid member having a
serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks and a
second plurality of troughs, a peak of said first rigid member
disposed within a trough of said second rigid member; and a third
rigid member having a substantially spiral shape and disposed
within a trough of said first rigid member and a peak of said
second rigid member.
22. The structure according to claim 21, wherein said structure has
a substantially planar form.
23. A triaxial woven structure comprising: a pair of first rigid
members adjacent one another, each having a serpentine shape
comprising a first plurality of peaks and a first plurality of
troughs; a pair of second rigid members adjacent one another, each
having a serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks
and a second plurality of troughs, a peak of said first rigid
members disposed within a trough of said second rigid members; and
a third rigid member having a substantially linear shape and
disposed within a trough of a first one of said pair of first rigid
members and a peak of a second one of said first rigid members, and
a trough of a first one of said pair of second rigid members and a
peak of a second one of said pair of second rigid members.
24. The structure according to claim 23, wherein said third rigid
member locks said first, second, and third rigid members
together.
25. The structure according to claim 23, wherein said first rigid
member, said second rigid member, and said third rigid member form
a triangle.
26. The structure according to claim 25, wherein an angle between
said first rigid member and said second rigid member is between
about 19 degrees and 71 degrees.
27. The structure according to claim 25, wherein an angle between
said first rigid member and said third rigid member is between
about 19 degrees and 71 degrees.
28. The structure according to claim 23, wherein each of said
first, second, and third rigid members has a substantially circular
cross-section.
29. The structure according to claim 23, wherein at least one of
said first, second, and third rigid members has a substantially
rectangular cross-section.
30. The structure according to claim 23, wherein said first,
second, and third rigid members are a reinforcing bar material.
31. The structure according to claim 23, wherein said first,
second, and third rigid members are formed from a solid
material.
32. The structure according to claim 31, wherein said first,
second, and third rigid members are formed from at least one of i)
steel, ii) aluminum, iii) copper, and iv) a polymer.
33. The structure according to claim 23, wherein at least one of
said first, second, and third rigid members is formed from a hollow
material.
34. The structure according to claim 23, wherein said structure has
a substantially planar form.
35. A method of forming a triaxial woven structure comprising the
steps of: a) providing a first rigid member and a second rigid
member; b) shaping each of said first rigid member and said second
rigid member into a serpentine by forming a respective plurality of
peaks and a respective plurality of troughs therein; c) placing a
peak of said first rigid member within a trough of said second
rigid member; and d) inserting a third rigid member having a
substantially linear shape within a trough of said first rigid
member and a peak of said second rigid member.
36. The method according to claim 35, further comprising the steps
of repeating steps c) and d).
37. A method of forming a triaxial woven structure comprising the
steps of: a) providing a first rigid member and a second rigid
member; b) shaping each of said first rigid member and said second
rigid member into a serpentine by forming a respective plurality of
peaks and a respective plurality of troughs therein; c) placing a
peak of said first rigid member within a trough of said second
rigid member; and d) rotating a third rigid member having a
substantially spiral shape within a trough of said first rigid
member and a peak of said second rigid member.
38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the steps
of repeating steps c) and d).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to triaxial structures. More
specifically, the present invention relates to triaxial structures
that provide reinforcement support.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of reinforcing members in the construction industry
is well known. Such reinforcing members include what is commonly
known as "rebar" or reinforcing bar made from a heavy gauge wire.
In construction, such rebar members are laid out in a pattern with
one set of members overlying an orthogonal set of members in a
biaxial configuration. These members are then tied together to
prevent movement of the members using tie wires.
[0003] This approach has drawbacks, however, because of the time
necessary to tie together the reinforcing members at each cross
point. This structure also has a tendency to shift during assembly
or thereafter because the members are not locked together.
Furthermore, although these reinforcing members are useful in
structures in which the reinforcing members are encased, such as in
a concrete support, stand-alone reinforcing members are not
adequate to provide support.
[0004] There is a need for a structural assembly that is capable of
withstanding transverse and lateral loads without shifting, and
capable of ease of assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect of this invention, a triaxial woven
structure includes a first rigid member having a serpentine shape
comprising a first plurality of peaks and a first plurality of
troughs. A second rigid member has a serpentine shape comprising a
second plurality of peaks and a second plurality of troughs. A peak
of the first rigid member is disposed within a trough of the second
rigid member. A third rigid member has a substantially linear shape
and is disposed within a trough of the first rigid member and a
peak of the second rigid member.
[0006] According to another aspect of this invention, a triaxial
woven structure includes a first rigid member having a serpentine
shape comprising a first plurality of peaks and a first plurality
of troughs. A second rigid member has a serpentine shape comprising
a second plurality of peaks and a second plurality of troughs. The
second rigid member is a mirror-image of the first rigid member. A
third rigid member has a serpentine shape comprising a third
plurality of peaks and a third plurality of troughs. A peak of the
first rigid member is disposed within a trough of the third rigid
member. A fourth rigid member has a serpentine shape comprising a
fourth plurality of peaks and a fourth plurality of troughs. The
fourth rigid member is a mirror-image of the third rigid member. A
peak of the fourth rigid member is disposed within a trough of the
second rigid member. Another peak of the fourth rigid member is
disposed within a trough of the third rigid member. A fifth rigid
member has a substantially linear shape and is disposed within the
troughs of the first rigid member and the third rigid member and
the peaks of the second rigid member and the fourth rigid
member.
[0007] According to yet another aspect of this invention, a
composite structure includes a substrate comprising a first rigid
member having a serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of
peaks and a first plurality of troughs. A second rigid member has a
serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks and a
second plurality of troughs. A peak of the first rigid member is
disposed within a trough of the second rigid member. A third rigid
member is disposed within a trough of the first rigid member and a
peak of the second rigid member. A first layer of material is
coupled to a first surface of the substrate.
[0008] According to another aspect of this invention, a triaxial
woven structure includes a first rigid member having a serpentine
shape comprising a first plurality of peaks and a first plurality
of troughs. A second rigid member has a serpentine shape comprising
a second plurality of peaks and a second plurality of troughs. A
peak of the first rigid member is disposed within a trough of the
second rigid member. A third rigid member has a substantially
spiral shape and is disposed within a trough of the first rigid
member and a peak of the second rigid member.
[0009] According to yet another aspect of this invention, a
triaxial woven structure includes a first rigid member having a
serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of peaks and a first
plurality of troughs. A second rigid member has a serpentine shape
comprising a second plurality of peaks and a second plurality of
troughs. A peak of the first rigid member is disposed within a
trough of the second rigid member. A third rigid member has a
substantially linear shape and is disposed within a trough of the
first rigid member and a peak of the first rigid member, and a
trough of the second rigid member and a peak of the second rigid
member.
[0010] According to another aspect of this invention, a method of
forming a triaxial woven structure includes providing a first rigid
member and a second rigid member. Each of the first rigid member
and the second rigid member is shaped into a serpentine by forming
a respective plurality of peaks and a respective plurality of
troughs therein. A peak of the first rigid member is placed within
a trough of the second rigid member. A third rigid member having a
substantially linear shape is inserted within a trough of the first
rigid member and a peak of the second rigid member.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of this invention, a method
of forming a triaxial woven structure includes providing a first
rigid member and a second rigid member. Each of the first rigid
member and the second rigid member is shaped into a serpentine by
forming a respective plurality of peaks and a respective plurality
of troughs therein. A peak of the first rigid member is placed
within a trough of the second rigid member. A third rigid member
having a substantially spiral shape is rotated within a trough of
the first rigid member and a peak of the second rigid member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
triaxial woven structure having a substantially planar form
according to aspects of this invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the triaxial woven structure
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the assembly configuration of a first
rigid member;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the triaxial woven structure
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the assembly configuration of a
second rigid member;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment
of a triaxial woven structure having a substantially circular
cross-section according to aspects of this invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an end view of the triaxial woven structure
illustrated in FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the triaxial woven structure
illustrated in FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary
embodiment of a triaxial woven structure having a substantially
I-shaped cross-section according to aspects of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded end view of the triaxial woven
structure illustrated in FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an exploded top view of the triaxial woven
structure illustrated in FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a triaxial woven structure having a first and second
layer of material according to aspects of this invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a front view of the triaxial woven structure
having a first and second layer of material illustrated in FIG.
10;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary
embodiment of a triaxial woven structure having a substantially
planar form according to aspects of this invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a triaxial woven structure having a substantially
planar form according to aspects of this invention; and
[0025] FIG. 14 is a top view of the triaxial woven structure
illustrated in FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various
modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range
of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the
invention.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a triaxial woven
structure 10 having a substantially planar form. Triaxial woven
structure 10 includes first rigid members 12, each having a
serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of peaks 14 and a
first plurality of troughs 16. Each second rigid member 18 has a
serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks 20 and a
second plurality of troughs 22. Peaks 14 of first rigid members 12
are disposed within troughs 22 of second rigid members 18. Each
third rigid member 24 has a substantially linear shape and is
disposed within troughs 16 of first rigid member 12 and peaks 20 of
second rigid member 18. Third rigid members 24 lock the first 12,
second 18, and third 24 rigid members together.
[0028] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the assembly configuration of the
rigid members with respect to one another. More specifically, FIG.
2 illustrates that first rigid member 12 is inserted in a downward
direction "D," while FIG. 3 illustrates that the second rigid
member 18 is inserted in an upward direction "U." Peaks 14 of first
rigid members 12 are disposed within troughs 22 of second rigid
members 18. In other words, first 12 and second 18 rigid members
are not interlaced, and first rigid members 12 remain configured on
top of second rigid members 18. Such an arrangement creates open
spaces between peaks 20 of second rigid members 18 and troughs 16
of first rigid members 12 through which linear-shaped third rigid
members 24 may be inserted. The insertion of third rigid members 24
locks the first 12, second 18, and third 24 rigid members together.
This locking feature is a key characteristic of the triaxial woven
structure 10, providing ease of assembly and structural integrity
as will described subsequently.
[0029] The configuration of the triaxial woven structure 10 is such
that the first 12, second 18, and third 24 rigid members form
triangles. The angle between first rigid member 12 and second rigid
member 18 is between about 19 degrees and 71 degrees. The angle
between first rigid member 12 and third rigid member 24 is between
about 19 degrees and 71 degrees. In one exemplary embodiment, the
angle between first rigid member 12 and second rigid member 18 is
about 60 degrees, and the angle between first rigid member 12 and
third rigid member 24 is about 60 degrees.
[0030] In one exemplary embodiment, each of the first 12, second
18, and third 24 rigid members has a substantially circular
cross-section, The cross-sectional shape of the first 12, second
18, and third 24 rigid members is not limited to circular, as each
of first 12, second 18, and third 24 rigid members may have a
substantially rectangular cross-section, or any other suitable
shape capable of maintaining the structural integrity of the
triaxial woven structure 10.
[0031] The first 12, second 18, and third 24 rigid members are
formed from a solid material. Such material may be steel, aluminum,
copper, a polymer, or any other suitable material strong enough to
maintain its shape and rigid enough to maintain the structural
integrity of the triaxial woven structure 10. The formation of the
first 12, second 18, and third 24 rigid members is not limited to
solid material, as each of the first 12, second 18, and third 24
rigid members may be formed from a hollow material.
[0032] The configuration of the rigid members with respect to one
another allows for easy assembly of triaxial woven structure 10.
More specifically, the locking feature achieved by the insertion of
third rigid members 24 eliminates the necessary step of tying
together reinforcing members at each cross point for conventional
rebar. Such ease of assembly saves valuable production time.
Furthermore, the rigidity of triaxial woven structure 10 due to the
material selection combined with the locking feature helps to
ensure the structure is capable of withstanding transverse and
lateral loads without shifting during assembly or thereafter. The
rigid members may be assembled off-site to form triaxial woven
structure 10. Alternatively, the rigid members may be assembled at
the application site to form triaxial woven structure 10.
[0033] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a triaxial woven structure 40 having a
substantially circular cross-section. Similar to the triaxial woven
structure 10 described previously with reference to FIGS. 1-3,
triaxial woven structure 40 includes first rigid members 42, each
having a serpentine shape comprising a first plurality of peaks 44
and a first plurality of troughs 46. Each second rigid member 48
has a serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks 50
and a second plurality of troughs 52. Peaks 44 of first rigid
members 42 are disposed within troughs 52 of second rigid members
48. Each third rigid member 54 has a substantially linear shape and
is disposed within troughs 46 of first rigid member 42 and peaks 50
of second rigid member 48. Third rigid members 54 lock the first
42, second 48, and third 54 rigid members together.
[0034] The assembly and configuration of the rigid members of this
embodiment with respect to one another are essentially the same as
those of the substantially planar triaxial woven structure 10
described previously with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In other words,
triaxial woven structure 40 having a substantially circular
cross-section is essentially substantially planar triaxial woven
structure 10 rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape.
[0035] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a triaxial woven structure 70 having a
substantially I-shaped cross-section. Triaxial woven structure 70
includes first rigid members 72, each having a serpentine shape
comprising a first plurality of peaks 74 and a first plurality of
troughs 76. Each second rigid member 78 has a serpentine shape
comprising a second plurality of peaks 80 and a second plurality of
troughs 82. Second rigid members 78 are mirror-images of first
rigid member 72. Each third rigid member 84 has a serpentine shape
comprising a third plurality of horizontal peaks 86H and vertical
peaks 86V and a third plurality of horizontal troughs 88H, 88H' and
vertical troughs 88V. Peaks 74 of first rigid members 72 are
disposed within horizontal troughs 88H of third rigid members 84.
Each fourth rigid member 90 has a serpentine shape comprising a
fourth plurality of horizontal peaks 92H and vertical peaks 92V and
a fourth plurality of horizontal troughs 94H, 94H' and vertical
troughs 94V. Fourth rigid members 90 are a mirror-images of third
rigid members 84. Horizontal peaks 92H of fourth rigid members 90
are disposed within troughs 82 of second rigid members 78. Vertical
peaks 92V of fourth rigid members 90 are disposed within vertical
troughs 88V of third rigid members 84. Each fifth rigid member 96
has a substantially linear shape and is disposed within troughs 76,
88H', 94V/94H' of first rigid members 72, third rigid members 84,
and fourth rigid members 90 respectively, and peaks 80, 86H/V, 92H
of second rigid members 78, third rigid members 84, and fourth
rigid members 90 respectively.
[0036] The assembly and configuration of the rigid members of this
embodiment with respect to one another are essentially the same as
those of the substantially planar triaxial woven structure 10
described previously with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In other words,
triaxial woven structure 70 having a substantially I-shaped
cross-section is essentially substantially planar triaxial woven
structure 10 configured in substantially perpendicular planes.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown an exemplary
composite structure 98 that includes a substrate 100 comprising
first rigid members 112, each having a serpentine shape comprising
a first plurality of peaks 114 and a first plurality of troughs
116. Each second rigid member 118 has a serpentine shape comprising
a second plurality of peaks 120 and a second plurality of troughs
122. A peak 114 of the first rigid member 112 is disposed within a
trough 122 of the second rigid member 118. Each third rigid member
124 has a substantially linear shape and is disposed within a
trough 116 of the first rigid member 112 and a peak 120 of the
second rigid member 118. A first layer of material 126 is coupled
to a top surface of the substrate 100, while a second layer of
material 128 is coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate 100.
In one exemplary embodiment, the first 126 and second 128 layers of
material are adhered to the substrate 100 by welding, for example.
The present invention is not limited to welding, however, as the
first 126 and second 128 layers of material may be adhered to the
substrate 100 via an adhesive, or any other suitable means of
adhering the components. The mating areas of the top and bottom
surfaces of the substrate 100 that are coupled to the first 126 and
second 128 layers of material respectively may be flattened (not
shown) if desired to increase the available surface area.
[0038] The assembly and configuration of the rigid members of this
embodiment with respect to one another are essentially the same as
those of the substantially planar triaxial woven structure 10
described previously with reference to FIGS. 1-3.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a triaxial woven
structure 130 having a substantially planar form. Triaxial woven
structure 130 includes first rigid members 132 having a serpentine
shape comprising a first plurality of peaks 134 and a first
plurality of troughs 136. Each second rigid member 138 has a
serpentine shape comprising a second plurality of peaks 140 and a
second plurality of troughs 142. Peaks 134 of first rigid members
132 are disposed within troughs 142 of second rigid members 138.
Each third rigid member 144 has a substantially spiral shape and is
disposed within troughs 136 of first rigid members 132 and peaks
140 of second rigid members 138.
[0040] The assembly and configuration of the rigid members of this
embodiment with respect to one another are essentially the same as
those of the substantially planar triaxial woven structure 10
described previously with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Unlike
linear-shaped third rigid members 24 of triaxial woven structure 10
that are inserted through open spaces as explained previously,
however, spiral-shaped third rigid members 144 of triaxial woven
structure 130 are rotated through open spaces created between
troughs 136 of first rigid members 132 and peaks 140 of second
rigid members 138. The rotation of third rigid members 144 through
the open spaces locks the first 132, second 138, and third 144
rigid members together.
[0041] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a
triaxial woven structure having a substantially planar form.
Similar to the triaxial woven structure 10 described previously
with reference to FIGS. 1-3, triaxial woven structure 150 includes
first rigid members 152, each having a serpentine shape comprising
a first plurality of peaks 154 and a first plurality of troughs
156. Each second rigid member 158 has a serpentine shape comprising
a second plurality of peaks 160 and a second plurality of troughs
162. Peaks 160 of second rigid members 158 are elongated, and are
disposed within troughs 156 of first rigid members 152, which are
also elongated. Each third rigid member 164 has a substantially
linear shape and is disposed within peaks 154 and troughs 156 of
first rigid members 152, and peaks 160 and troughs 162 of second
rigid members 158. Third rigid members 164 lock first 152, second
158, and third 164 rigid members together.
[0042] The elongated feature of peaks 160 of second rigid members
158 and troughs 156 of first rigid members 152 provides greater
surface area for adherence to first and second layers of material
to form a composite structure, similar to exemplary composite
structure 98 described previously with reference to FIGS. 10 and
11.
[0043] The assembly and configuration of the rigid members of this
embodiment with respect to one another are essentially the same as
those of the substantially planar triaxial woven structure 10
described previously with reference to FIGS. 1-3, with some notable
differences. The first 152, second 158, and third 164 rigid members
of triaxial woven structure 150 are configured in parallel pairs.
Each first 152 and second 158 rigid member is positioned offset
relative to its adjacent member. Furthermore, unlike the
arrangement of the first 12 and second 18 rigid members of triaxial
woven structure 10, which creates open spaces between peaks 20 of
second rigid members 18 and troughs 16 of first rigid members 12
through which linear-shaped third rigid members 24 may be inserted,
the arrangement of the first 152 and second 158 rigid members of
triaxial woven structure 150 creates open spaces between both peaks
154, 160 and troughs 156, 162 of the first 152 and second 158 rigid
members, respectively, through which linear-shaped third rigid
members 164 may be inserted.
[0044] The exemplary embodiments of triaxial woven structures 10,
40, 70, 98, 100, 130, and 150 described herein are typically
utilized as rebar encased within concrete structures. Applications
include, but are not limited to, highways, bridges, building
foundations and support columns, parking garages, and coastal
facilities. However, the present invention is not limited to
encased rebar. Due to their structural strength and integrity,
triaxial woven structures 10, 40, 70, 98, 100, 130, and 150 may be
utilized as stand-alone structures.
[0045] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments
are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes
and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is
intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *