Inventors:
Gopalkrishna Padmanabhan - St. Louis MO
Lokeswarappa R. Dharani - Rolla MO
James N. Vangilder - Jackson MO
Assignee:
Havco Wood Products L.L.C. - Scott City MO
International Classification:
B32B 300
US Classification:
428 54, 428 55, 428 58, 428 77, 4282974, 4282981, 4282991, 4282994, 428511, 4285371, 442413
Abstract:
A fiber reinforced composite wood flooring is designed particularly for use in van-type truck trailers which experience adverse operating conditions due to heavy lift truck traffic on the top side and water spray during rainy periods on the bottom side. The composite wood flooring comprises edge-glued laminated wood which is underlaid with a thin layer of fiber reinforced plastic. The top surface of the composite wood floor is the same as that of a conventional laminated wood floor. The fiber reinforced plastic underlay is composed of glass and/or carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric resin such as epoxy, phenolic, vinyl ester, polypropylene or polyamide resin. The fiber reinforcement is designed to enhance the mechanical properties of the flooring in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the floor. The fiber reinforced plastic improves the fatigue resistance of the composite wood flooring and prevents water leakage into the trailer through the floor boards.