Tubular structural reinforcing member with thermally expansible foaming material

摘要

A reinforcing member (10) for receiving thereon a thermally expansible reinforcing material (22) includes a tubular carrier (20) and a fastener (26) mechanically affixing the reinforcing material (22) to the carrier (20). The tubular carrier (20) preferably has a continuous arcuate wall (30) with the reinforcing material (22) received on the exterior thereof. The reinforcing material (22) may be provided as a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular elements (34,36,38), an elongated sleeve, or a plurality of prism-shaped elements. Upon heating, the reinforcing material (22) expands and bonds the carrier (20) to the structural member to provide additional strength and stiffness.