Composite panel structure with frame reinforcement

Abstract

Composite panel structure including a pair of spaced, generally parallel-planar, fibre-reinforced, facial cladding sheets, and, disposed between and thermally bonded to these sheets, core structure including interleaved, generally side-by-side-parallel, elongate, low-density core elements, and elongate, higher-density, fibre-reinforced frame elements. Each frame element includes a pair of generally orthogonally intersecting, planar facial expanses, one of which is bonded to an adjacent core element, and the other of which is bonded to one of the cladding sheets.

1 . A generally planar, thermoformed, composite panel structure comprising
 a pair of spaced, generally parallel-planar, fibre-reinforced, facial cladding sheets, and   disposed intermediate said cladding sheets, and thermally bonded thereto, core structure including plural, elongate, interleaved, generally side-by-side-parallel (a) core elements of one density, and (b) elongate fibre-reinforced frame elements of another density which is greater than the mentioned one density,   at least certain ones of said frame elements including at least one pair of generally orthogonally intersecting, generally planar facial expanses, one of which expanses is bonded to an adjacent core element, and the other of which expanses is thermally bonded to one of said cladding sheets.   
   
   
       2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of said frame elements, as viewed along its long axis, possesses one of (a) a Z-shaped, (b) a C-shaped, and (c) an I-shaped, cross section.