Importance

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Abstract

A method for fabrication of an integral shell-formed body from several elongated panels (1, 2, 3), each of which along one longitudinal edge has a substantially U-formed tongue groove (6) and along the opposite longitudinal edge a tongue element (8) which is at least partly substantially narrower than the groove (6) thereby providing a clamp groove (12) when the tongue (8) is introduced in the tongue groove (6). One or more clamp blocks (13) can be introduced into the tongue groove to press the tongue (8) sideways and preferably also to the bottom of the groove (6). Preferably a layer of settable glue is provided between the groove (6) and the tongue (8), which glue layer is allowed to set after the groove and tongue elements have been clamped together by the clamp blocks (13). The clamp blocks can be formed as G-clips embracing and engaging the groove-tongue joint. The invention also relates to a body or hull structure especially for water and air conveyances made in accordance with the method from a number of elongated panels (44, 49, 50) and providing a closed hull body (41). The panels are preferably of even width and are formed with interacting groove and tongue elements (54, 55). The hull panels (44) are formed according to the intended hull profile and are located at an angle of 90-180 degrees in a polar plane in which the normal hull moving direction is 90 degrees. At the inner side of the hull body (41) the groove and tongue elements (54, 55) provide a rib-like pattern of projecting and reinforcing material portions (53, 55). The hull body may be built free supporting or may be formed with support frames (16), bulkheads or similar transverse members, and the hull panels extend around the entire hull body or the hull body may be divided into two hull portions which are connected by an outer joint plate, for instance, a keel plate (47), a border plate (48), or a stern plate (51). All joints of the hull body are secured by a glue joint, especially using a glue having a high shear strength.

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First Claim