| 摘要 |
A reinforced structural member is provided which includes a reinforcing member received in the cavity (92) of a structural member (22). The reinforcing member (20A) includes a carrier (28) having divergent, intersecting legs (54,56) which preferably engage and rest upon the structural member (22), a thermally expandable reinforcing material (30), and a fastener (32) for coupling the reinforcing material (30) to the carrier (28). The thermally expandable reinforcing material (30) is preferably provided as separate elements positioned on the carrier (28), whereby upon activation by heat, the expandable material (30) melts, foams and expands so that after curing, the structural member (22) is bonded to the carrier (28). The shape of the carrier (28) in combination with the expanded reinforcing material (30) serves to stiffen and reinforce the structural member (20). The thermally expandable material (30) is preferably initially dry and non-tacky, and the fasteners (32) serves to maintain the relative position of the reinforcing material elements (34,36,38,40) on the carrier (28) prior to activation of the reinforcing material (30). <IMAGE> |
