Nestable structural hollow body and related methods

Abstract

A multi-piece interconnected body for use in at least structural support and / or in creating internal cavities for an improved strength-to-weight ratio in a variety of structures is nestable prior to its assembly and use. When assembled, the device preferably forms a generally spherical and hollow body, with (1) one or more ribs or similar structural support network associated with and / or integrally formed in the body; (2) at least one latch mechanism to help hold the pieces in a desired assembled relationship with each other; and (3) a hinge or other interconnecting element that facilitates nesting and / or stacking of a plurality of the bodies with each other prior to assembly, association of the multiple parts of each body with each other prior to assembly, and ready repositioning of those parts into a desired assembled position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to structural components and related methods, and more specifically to a nestable spherical hollow body that is convenient to use and assemble at least for structural support and / or creating internal cavities in concrete or similar applications. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Many concrete or similar structural components conventionally are relatively thick and heavy, compared to their weight bearing capacity. The formation of voids within concrete can improve the economics, performance, and versatility of the concrete and its implementation. [0003] Prestressed, prefabricated concrete elements with extended cross sections and internal hollow cylindrical cavities have been used to reduce the weight “problems”, but they typically only span in a “single” direction. In other words, they are typically relatively long and narrow concrete beams with one or more web elements extending significantly below the concrete “deck.” ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The invention is directed to a nestable hollow body that, among other things, is useful for at least structural support and / or creating internal cavities for an improved strength-to-weight ratio in a variety of concrete or other structures. Rather than a series of loose components separate from each other (see, for example, FIGS. 3-5 of the aforementioned '747 patent), the present invention preferably provides a single connected element whose parts can be easily moved (via hinges or otherwise) from an “open” or nestable position into a “closed” or assembled position. The invention provides for, among other things, nestabilty in a hollow body, and provides for space saving and efficient methods of manufacturing, handling, storing, transporting, and / or assembling the hollow bodies. The invention further facilitates additional structural support within the hollow body itself, to increase the load bearing capacity of the hollow body when subjected to external forces such as those commonly imposed on it by concrete or when otherwise used for its intended purposes.

[0008] Methods of fabrication, transportation, and use related to the aforementioned apparatus are also described herein. Among other things, such methods improve the efficiency of storage and transport and assembly of the void-making devices prior to their use in a concrete or similar construction application.

Problems solved by technology

Many concrete or similar structural components conventionally are relatively thick and heavy, compared to their weight bearing capacity.

That single piece hollow body construction apparently has a generally uniform wall thickness sufficient to withstand the stress imposed by the surrounding concrete material, but that solid fixed single piece construction limits at least the shipping and handling characteristics of the inserts (balls) prior to use, and can also affect the stress handling capacity of the plastic balls.

Thus, the weight advantages of systems such as the BubbleDeck balls are compromised by certain disadvantages inherent in their design.

Among other things, because they are blow-molded spheres, they are cannot be efficiently stored or transported prior to their use on a jobsite.

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