US20080127608A1

US20080127608A1 - Composite Box (C-B) System

Info

Publication number: US20080127608A1
Application number: US11/306,342
Authority: US
Inventors: Marcus Eaton Williamson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-23
Filing date: 2005-12-23
Publication date: 2008-06-05

Abstract

The Composite-Box (C-B) System consists of various composite components that can be connected in a combination of methods to form a wide variety of items. The main components include a square panel, an adjustable square panel, a half-panel, poles and different straps and accessories. The panels, poles and accessories can be connected and released without any adhesives. Panels are connected to one another using tongue and groove connections and can be secured using composite straps with screws attached to recessed screw threads on panels. Accessories and poles are connected using screw or plug connections. C-B System components uses include, but are not limited to, cubes for material transportation or force protection, barriers, various size structures, temporary roads and helicopter pads, bunkers, guard towers and numerous other uses. Panels have a tongue-and-groove edge so they can be connected end to end or at 90 degree angles to other panels. Panels have screw threads across both sides of the panel (threads are recessed, but do not go through entire panel), a center panel that has a 2″ screw plug that can be removed or a 4″×4″ swing panel that can be opened and carbon fiber straps with screws (screws have a fold-down wing handle for easy attachment) extend from the edges of the panels (carbon straps can extend from tongue-and-groove teeth or lower on panel depending on customer request).

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to building and logistics material, and more particularly, to a reusable, multipurpose composite system having panels, poles and accessories that can be connected to form a variety of products.
2. Related Art
Logistics material includes use of items such as wooden pallents, cardboard boxes, shrink-wrap and metal containers. These conventional logistic materials are not used to transform the container into other uses.
Conventional building materials, such as plywood and sheetrock, do not offer the ballistic and durability of composite materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar. These materials also require adhesives, nails or screws to construct containers or structures.
Another disadvantage with conventional building materials or logistical material is their difficulty to quickly transform into a variety of structures. Therefore, there is a need for a self interlocking composite block system that can be easily transformed for a variety of uses while meeting structural, durability and ballistic needs.
Another disadvantage of the conventional building material is the need for specialized tools. The composite block system easily connects using thumb screws, slotted connections, slip connections or tongue and groove connections eliminating the need for additional tools.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The self interlocking composite block system of the present invention solves the problems with conventional logistical material and building material by providing a durable, reusable multi-use composite block system.
The composite panel has a tongue and groove surface around four edges and recessed screw holes on the front and back of the panel. Two edge surfaces of the composite panel have the same tongue and groove configuration and the other two edges have the mating tongue and groove configuration. The composite panel tongue and groove connection forms a flush connection. Composite fiber straps extending from panel have wing top screw that allows quick connect to adjacent panel. Recessed screw holes allow variety of components, including composite poles, straps and accessories, to be attached to composite panel.
There are numerous advantages with the present invention, the composite block system. The composite block system allows components to be easily connected into a wide variety of structures without tools. The composite block system allows the transformation of logistic containers into usable structures.
The composite block system can be configured in the logistics cube configuration that allows easy transportation. Composite block system cubes can be connected to form standard size twenty foot shipping containers with lifting accessories attached for wratch or crane lifting. Composite poles can be attached to bottom of composite block system logistic cubes for easy fork lift use.
The composite block system can be constructed using different composite materials and sizes to meet end use requirements such as temperature extremes, ballistic properties, structural requirements and dimension requirements.
Composite block system can be configured in a wide array of configurations including, but not limited to, logistics cubes, temporary roads, helicopter landing pads, force protection barriers, office and berthing structures, guard towers, detainee cells and storage containers. The transformational nature of the composite block system is well suite for humanitarian efforts, military operations and reconstruction efforts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention, the composite block system, is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings include like reference numbers that indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1A is a planar view of the male side of the composite pole;

FIG. 1B is a planar view of the female sides of the composite pole;

FIG. 1C is a profile view of the composite pole;

FIG. 2A is a planar view of the solid composite panel,

FIG. 2B is a profile view of the composite panel,

FIG. 3 is a planar view of the half composite panel,

FIG. 4 is a planar view of the adjustable composite panel,

FIG. 5 is a photo of the solid composite panel model;

FIG. 6 is a photo of the logistics cube configuration model;

FIG. 7 is a photo of the swing top logistics cube configuration model;

FIG. 8 is a photo of the force protection barrier configuration model;

FIG. 9 is a photo of the berthing or office structure configuration model;

FIG. 10 is a photo of the helicopter pad configuration model;

FIG. 11 is a photo of the guard tower configuration model;

FIG. 12 is a photo of the field expedient road configuration model;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B shows a composite pole 200 of the present invention, whereas FIGS. 2-4 show the different composite panels 300, 400 and 500 of the present invention to build the configurations shown in FIGS. 5-11.
The preferred embodiment of composite pole 200 is a square pole composed of two smaller square poles 205 with both ends threaded. One threaded end of each smaller composite pole 205 is connected to the end of the second smaller pole by threaded rod 204. The threaded rods of 201 and 204 are sized to screw into the threaded ends of smaller composite poles 205 as well as the recessed threads 207 of composite panels 300, 400 and 500. The length of pole 200 can be adjusted by unscrewing/screwing center threaded rod 204 into the two smaller composite pole sections 205. Center threaded rod 204 has optional fold down wing top handles on both ends for use in concrete formwork configuration. Center threaded rod 204 can be various lengths based on end use requirements and composite pole sections 205 would have recessed threads to match ½ the length of center threaded rod 204. The opposite end of both smaller composite poles 205 has the threaded rod 201 attached. Threaded rod 201 has threads on one end and a solid plug on the opposite end to allow composite pole 205 to either be screwed into a panel or slid into the recessed threads 207 with the solid plug of threaded rod 201. The male connector 202 on pole 205 is sized to slide into the larger opening on the female slot 203 and slide to lock in place. Composite pole 200 has four male connectors on one side of the square pole, two on each end of the two smaller composite sections 205. The three remaining sides of composite pole 200 have only female slots 203. The side of composite pole 200 with the male connector 202 also has female slots 203. Male connectors 202 and female connectors 203 can be connected in a wide array of configurations including attaching accessories, connecting composite poles 200 together for forklift access on logistics cube or constructing ladders using composite poles 200 and 205.
The composite panels 300, 400 and 500 have the same tongue and groove configuration 206 to allow connection between panels 300, 400 and 500. Accessories include an adjustable tongue and groove extension that allows composite panels 300, 400 and 500 to be connected at any angle. Tongue and groove connection 206 can be coated with surface to prevent excessive composite material wear. Composite fibers 210 extend from end of the tongue and groove connection 206 and have a fold down wing top screw 211 to allow composite panels 300, 400 or 500 to be quickly connected to other composite panels 300, 400 or 500. Composite fibers 210 are coated with anti-wear sleeve to prevent wear from friction with other composite panels 300, 400 or 500. Fold down wing top screw 211 are sized to attach to recessed threads 207 on composite panels 300, 400 and 500.
Recessed threaded holes 207 on each side of composite panels 300, 400 or 500 can be aligned or offset slightly depending on end use requirements.
Center swing panel 208 of composite panels 300, 400 or 500 has a hinge on one end so it can swing open and attach to same composite panel 300, 400 or 500 by unscrewing/screwing center screw plug 209 into same size recessed threads 207. Center screw plug has fold down wing top head on both ends that can also be screwed/unscrewed into recessed threads 207 or center screw plug 209 on other composite panels 300, 400 or 500. Center screw plug 209 can be removed to allow soil stakes 214 to be driven through panel to secure composite panels 300, 400 or 500 to the ground or other surface. Accessories also include formwork compression fittings that can be screwed between composite panels 300, 400 or 500 when using in the concrete formwork configuration. Center threaded rod 204 can also be used for connecting panels 300, 400 or 500 in the concrete formwork configuration.
The adjustable composite panel 500 has three hinges 213 that allow the panel to pivot along hinged axis at any angle. Hinges 213 allow composite panel 500 to adjust to ground elevation changes when used in FIG. 10 helicopter pad configuration, stair configuration, FIG. 9 door configuration or other uses.
The adjustable composite panel 500 has a recessed handle 212. This handle is a finger slot that is slightly recessed on both sides of the adjustable composite panel 500.
The composite block system configurations of the present invention depicted in the photos of FIGS. 5-11 include a plurality of solid composite panels 300, half composite panels 400, adjustable composite panels 500, composite poles 200 and accessories.
Composite panels 300, 400 and 500 can be connected using the tongue and groove connection 206 in an end to end connection to create larger panels or at 90 degree angles.
When the composite box system is configured according to FIG. 6, Photo of Logistics Cube Configuration Model, it can be used to store or transport material, fill with sand, mud or concrete for force protection barriers or filled with foam to be used as floating pontoons.
Composite panels 300, 400 and 500 can be connected to form field expedient road configuration, FIG. 12. Soil stakes 214 are used to secure the panels to the ground using the center screw plug 209.
All said components can be impregnated with a unique identification, such as radio frequency identification or global positioning identification, to allow tracking of said components.

CONCLUSION

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by the way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims and specifications. Thus, the scope and breadth of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined in accordance with the specification and any equivalents.

Claims

1. A composite material (carbon fiber or other composite material as required) system comprising of various components:

said components are solid square panels, adjustable panels, half panels, square poles, flexible and rigid straps, fold-down wing top screws and various accessories;

said components can be connected to form objects without adhesive and said components can be disassembled and said components reconnected to form another object.

2. The panel of claim 1 wherein the height of said panel is about four feet and length of said panel is about four feet and width of said panel is about two inches:

the panel of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said panel can be adjusted to meet required design criteria;

the panel of claim 1 wherein the recessed threaded holes are in a grid pattern with about four inches between each hole and said holes are about two inches in diameter and said holes are about one inch in height;

the panel of claim 1 wherein the said recessed threaded holes are in a grid pattern with the about four inches between each hole;

the panel of claim 1 wherein the said recessed threaded holes on one side of panel are offset from holes on other side of said panel;

the panel of claim 1 wherein the said tongue along the edge of said panel is about two inches long and width of said tongue is about two inches long and height of said tongue is about two inches in height;

the panel of claim 1 wherein the said groove along the edge of said panel is about two inches long and width of said tongue is about two inches long and height of said tongue is about two inches in height;

an opening of said first groove is substantially the same as the tongue of the said panel to allow the said tongue and said groove to connect to another said panel;

said tongue and groove of said panel is same on two adjacent edges of panel and offset on other two edges of said panel;

the panel of claim 1 wherein the said panel has a two inch screw plug in the center of the said panel that can be removed to create a two inch hole in said panel or a four inch by four inch square center swing panel that can be opened and said center panel has composite straps with a fold down wing top screw that connects to said holes on said panel.

3. The adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the height of said panel is about four feet and length of said panel is about four feet and width of said panel is about two inches:

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said panel can be adjusted to meet required design criteria;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said recessed threaded holes are in a grid pattern with the about four inches between each hole and said holes are about two inches in diameter and said holes are about one inch in height;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said recessed threaded holes are in a grid pattern with the about four inches between each hole;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said panel has three full length hinges that allow panel to fold over at least one hundred and eighty degree range;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said three full length hinges of said panel are located at about one foot, two feet and three feet along length;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said recessed threaded holes on one side of panel are offset from holes on other side of said panel;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said tongue along the edge of said panel is about two inches long and width of said tongue is about two inches long and height of said tongue is about two inches in height;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said groove along the edge of said panel is about two inches long and width of said tongue is about two inches long and height of said tongue is about two inches in height;

the adjustable panel of claim 1 wherein the said panel has a two inch screw plug in the center of the said panel that can be removed to create a two inch hole in said panel or a four inch by four inch square center swing panel that can be opened and said center panel has composite straps with a fold down wing top screw that connects to said holes on said panel.

4. The half panel of claim 1 wherein the height of said panel is about two feet and a length of said panel is about four feet and width of said panel is about two inches:

the panel of claim 1 wherein the recessed threaded holes are about two inches in diameter the half panel of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said panel can be adjusted to meet required design criteria;

the half panel of claim 1 wherein the recessed threaded holes are in a grid pattern with the about four inches between each hole and said holes are about two inches in diameter and said holes are about one inch in height;

the half panel of claim 1 wherein the said recessed threaded holes on one side of panel are offset from holes on other side of said panel;

the half panel of claim 1 wherein the said tongue along the edge of said panel is about two inches long and width of said tongue is about two inches long and height of said tongue is about two inches in height;

the half panel of claim 1 wherein the said groove along the edge of said panel is about two inches long and width of said tongue is about two inches long and height of said tongue is about two inches in height;

the half panel of claim 1 wherein the said panel has a two inch screw plug in the center of the said panel that can be removed to create a two inch hole in said panel or a four inch by four inch square center swing panel that can be opened and said center panel has composite straps with a fold down wing top screw that connects to said holes on said panel.

5. The square pole of claim 1 wherein the length of said pole is about four feet and consists of two sections connected by a center threaded rod and width of said pole is about four inches and depth of said pole is about four inches:

the pole of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said pole can be adjusted to meet required design criteria;

the pole of claim 1 wherein the length of the entire pole is approximately four feet and is composed of two smaller sections, whereas each section is about two feet and has a recessed threaded section on both ends and the diameter of said recessed threaded section is about two inches in diameter;

the pole of claim 1 wherein the said center threaded rod is about two inches in diameter and said center threaded rod is about ten inches long to allow said pole to expand/contract in length as it is unscrewed/screwed;

the pole of claim 1 wherein the said end screws are about two inches in diameter and four inches long with a solid cylindrical plug on one end of said end screw that is less than two inches in diameter and said plug is about one inch in height and said plug fits snuggled inside threaded holes of said panel in claim 1;

the pole of claim 1 wherein the said pole has one inch female slots along all three sides of said pole and one side of said pole has four male connectors for interlocking with said female slots on pole of claim 1;

said male and female connections of pole in claim 1 can be connected in parallel or perpendicular angles.

6. The accessories of claim 1 wherein the said accessories include, but are not limited to, solid composite straps, flexible composite straps, adjustable angle screw connectors for pole of claim 5, soil stakes, female-to-female screw adapter, weatherproof screw panel, pole of claim 5 extenders and panel of claim 1 extenders:

said composite solid fiber straps with screws (screws have a fold-down wing handle for easy attachment) extend from the edges of the panels (carbon straps can extend from tongue-and-groove teeth or lower on panel depending on required use) carbon fiber (or other composite) solid straps have two fold-down wing top screws on each end;

carbon fiber (or other composite) flexible straps have fold-down wing top screw on each end and can be attached at any angle;

metal soil stakes are driven through two inch center hole in panel in claim 1 and said soil stakes have a circular head about four inches in diameter that spreads load to panel;

angled screw post connector can rotate so poles in claim 1 can be connected at any angle to panels in claim 1;

screw plugs (these are the bolts that can be screwed into any of the holes to attach any variety of straps or clips;

variety of accessories (weapon firing mounts, female-to-female screw adapters, pole extenders, panel extenders, weatherproof strips with wing-top screws that allow overlapping of said weatherproof material) are possible and can be attached to tongue-and-groove connections or screw threads.

7. The composite material system according to claim 1 wherein the panel, pole and component dimensions, thickness and material composition can be modified to meet use requirements:

requirements include intended use properties such as ballistic capability, operating temperatures, weight, dimension restrictions, buoyancy, tensile and compressive strength.

8. Possible uses of components in claim 1 include, but are not limited to, logistic cubes, force protection barriers, temporary structures, guard towers, bunkers, reconstruction formwork, roads and helicopter pads.

9. Said components in claim 1 through 6 can be impregnated with unique identification, such as radio frequency identification or global identification, to assist in monitoring and tracking said components.