Cardboard-based structure

Abstract

The invention provides cardboard-based structures comprising two or more, generally elongated elements angled with respect to one another and being cut out of a multi-layered cardboard-based piece that comprises at least two layers of a single cardboard sheet folded about a longitudinal reinforcing member. The invention further provides frames, preferably human-powered vehicle frames, constructed from structures of the invention, as well as methods for producing structures of the invention.

1 . A method for manufacturing a structure, comprising:
 folding a cardboard sheet about a longitudinal member to thereby form a generally planar two-layered cardboard-based piece with a longitudinal fold region at its edge; and   cutting out a structure from the planar piece, the structure comprising at least two elongated elements, a first of which at least two elongated elements extends along said fold region and is integral with at least one other of said elements and angled thereto, such that the at least two elongated elements are cut from the planar piece as a single integral structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said structure further comprises an integral cardboard support element extending between said first and at least one other of the elongated elements formed at said cutting. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising coating the structure by an external coating. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the external coating comprises at least one of a fire-resistant coating, liquid-resistant coating, scratch-resistance coating and environmentally resistance coating.