Abstract: A joint structure is ideally suited for use in the manufacture of assemblies and subassemblies in aluminum structures. More particularly, the alternative joint structures and methods of forming joint structures facilitate the assembly of a vehicle body-in-white. The friction welded joints of this invention provide assemblies in which lineals and sheet, cast, or extruded components are joined together.

Abstract: An energy absorption system and method comprised of a crush tube, a taper component, and a flare component. The crush tube is inserted into a matching hole in the taper component. As the taper and flare components are moved down over the crush tube, the taper component decreases the diameter of the crush tube and the flare component splits the crush tube in a plurality of petals. The crush tube may include a plurality of initiator slits to aid in the flaring process. When mounted with the longitudinal axis of the crush tube parallel to an axis of an impact, the present invention is capable of absorbing some or all of the crash event by dissipating energy by the tapering, flaring, friction, and other methods.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum alloy sheet product includes casting a slab or ingot, homogenizing the cast slab, and hot rolling the homogenized slab to provide an intermediate gauge product. The temperature and other operating parameters of the hot rolling process are controlled so that the temperature of the ingot at the beginning of hot rolling is maintained at a temperature between 925° F. (496° C.) and 1025° F. (552° C.), and the temperature of the intermediate gauge product exiting the hot rolling step is between about 500° F. (260° C.) and 600° F. (316° C.). The intermediate gauge product is then subjected to a cold reduction of 45% to 70%, annealed, and cold rolled to final gauge.

Abstract: An Al—Mg based alloy sheet product in which the crystallographic texture exhibits a ratio of the volume fraction of grains in the S orientation {123}<634> to the volume fraction of grains in the CUBE orientation {100}<001> (S/Cube) being 1 or more, and is comprised of grains with a volume fraction of about 10% or less in the GOSS orientation {110}<001>, wherein the grain size is in a range of about 20 to 100 &mgr;m demonstrates good formability.

Abstract: A single-piece slider device for use with resealable closure mechanisms having a first closure profile and a second closure profile is provided. The slider device includes a rigid top wall, at least a first plow for separating the first and second closure profiles, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first and second sidewalls each have an inner surface, an outer surface, a bottom edge, and a length. The first sidewall has a first flex point arranged and configured to allow the first sidewall to flex at the first flex point. The second sidewall has a second flex point arranged and configured to allow the second sidewall to flex at the second flex point. The flexpoints can be notches on the outer portions or inner portions of the sidewalls, between the top wall and the sidewalls, or between the sidewalls and the bottom portions. The top wall can have depending tabs to help align the slider device with the profiles.

Abstract: A screen printing machine has article supports for articles to be printed, a displacement mechanism for displacing the article supports in succession around an endless path of travel and printing stations distributed along the path of travel and each having a printing head. The displacement mechanism has drive members engageable with the article supports for displacing the article supports, a reciprocating drive operable to reciprocate the drive members to and fro along the endless path to advance the articles in succession to the printing stations, and actuating devices for displacing the drive members into and out of engagement with the article supports. The article supports are vacuum tables communicating with a vacuum duct through a member sliding between flexible members extending along the duct.

Abstract: A modular tooling system for use in combination with a conversion press has an upper base member adapted to be removably mounting into the conversion press, a tooling holder, a tooling insert and means for retaining the tooling insert within the tooling holder. The tooling holder is adapted for attachment to the upper base member. The tooling holder defines a chamber therein extending therethrough. The chamber includes a shoulder portion. The tooling insert is adapted to be removably mounted in the tool holder. The insert has a first end, a second end, and a shoulder portion adapted to cooperate with the tooling holder shoulder portion. Bushings and spacers secure the insert within the tooling holder. Both the tooling holder chamber and the tooling insert are of a predetermined cross section which are adapted to correspond with each other and define a keyed relationship.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming hollow extrusions. Specifically, a method and apparatus for imparting one or more bends and/or twists in a hollow extrusion under stretch. The apparatus may perform all of these formation and stretch functions as the result of one single physical or mechanical force imparted on the apparatus from either an internal or an external source. The forming apparatus and method may provide an easy way to mount and/or dismount the hollow extrusion form the machine by way of separate or integral gripper mounts. The single-force stretch-bend-twist apparatus may be used in a mass production manufacturing environment where the machine and method can perform complex formation steps and may automatically reset itself back to a starting position after formation.

Abstract: A flexible package includes a recloseable zipper along the mouth of the package for selective opening and closing of the mouth. The zipper includes first and second closure profiles, which are configured and constructed to selectively interlock. A tamper evident seal is provided, attached to both the first and second closure members to indicate whether or not the seal on the package has been damaged. The tamper evident seal extends along a side of at least one of the first and second closure profiles. A slider device is configured and constructed to facilitate the mating (closing) and unmating (opening) of the zipper, and to open the tamper evident seal to provide access to the package interior.

Abstract: A capping head assembly has a first housing with a spindle mounting collar and supports a clutch housing. The clutch housing has an upper portion with a first magnetic ring and a lower portion with a second magnetic ring. The lower portion is freely rotatable relative to the upper portion and permits the adjustment of the air gap between the first and second magnetic rings. A locking mechanism maintains the adjusted air gap at a selected value that represents a definable torque level in the magnetic clutch. The capping head also includes a post assembly calibration system that establishes a known reference point, which compensates for manufacturing tolerances between individual capping heads.

Abstract: The invention is a composite body panel, a sheet product from which the composite body panel is formed, and a vehicle incorporating at least one such composite body panel thereon. The composite body panel includes a substrate having an inner and an outer surface. A lamination is applied to at least the inner and, in an alternative embodiment, the outer surfaces of the substrate. The lamination includes a material having a uniform surface which is well suited for formation, but which is not as strong as the substrate. The formation of the composite body panel further includes the step of applying a coating to the lamination, and then, forming the substrate/lamination/coating material into the desired shape.

Abstract: By careful control of composition and processing, Al—Mg based alloy sheets with preferred grain sizes and crystallographic textures that result in good press formability are disclosed. The Al—Mg alloy preferably contains 2-6 wt % Mg, and at least 0.03 wt % of at least one element selected from Fe, Mn, Cr, Zr, and Cu. The crystallographic texture is comprised of grains with a volume fraction in a range of about 30-50% in the CUBE orientation {100}<001>, and a volume fraction in a range of about 10 to 20% in the BRASS orientation {110}<112>, wherein the grain size is within a range of about 50 to 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle frame has a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and an intermediate frame portion connecting the front frame portion and the rear frame portion. The front frame portion has a pair of relatively spaced front strut towers and the rear frame portion has a pair of relatively spaced rear strut towers. Each of the front strut towers and each of the rear strut towers may have a plurality of frame components connected thereto. Portions of the vehicle suspension system may be secured to the front strut towers and the rear strut towers. The strut towers may have vehicle shock absorbers secured thereto. Numerous other vehicle components may be secured to the strut towers. The strut towers are unitary metal castings.

Abstract: A rocker joint assembly provides adjustability in the Z-axis and Y-axis of a body-in-white structure. The individual components of the assembly includes a vertical pillar and a rocker member that cooperate with a main beam of a frame. The several components can be formed from extrusions or sheet product.

Abstract: Alloy and cast alloy product ideally suited for use as a component in a vehicle frame or subframe, i.e., body-in-white, comprising an alloy consisting of about 2.80 to 3.60 wt. % magnesium, less than approximately 0.20 wt. % silicon, approximately 1.10 to 1.40 wt. % manganese, less than approximately 0.2 wt. % iron, less than approximately 0.15 wt. % titanium, about 0.0005 to 0.0015 beryllium, the balance substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. The aluminum/magnesium alloy is typically solidified into ingot derived working stock by die casting into a shape suitable for remelt for die casting, which shape is typically an ingot billet. Excellent mechanical properties are obtained from a cast product that is not subjected to heat treating operations subsequent to casting.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle frame joint structure that is used in a ladder frame structure and in space frame type structures. The joint includes at least a first member, a second member, and a third member extending thereinbetween. Each of these three members has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposed side walls. The third member, which is adapted to extend thereinbetween has an upper surface that extends beyond its opposed side walls and lower surface. Each of the first and second members has therein a relief adapted to receive the third member such that the third member's extending upper surface is in close relationship with the first and second members' upper surface. Also, the third members' side surfaces proximate the extending upper surfaces at each end thereof are in close relationship with the opposed side walls of each of the first and second members.

Abstract: By careful control of composition and processing, Al--Mg based alloy sheets with preferred grain sizes and crystallographic textures that result in good press formability are disclosed. The Al--Mg alloy preferably contains 2-6 wt % Mg, and at least 0.03 wt % of at least one element selected from Fe, Mn, Cr, Zr, and Cu. The crystallographic texture is comprised of grains with a volume fraction in a range of about 5% to 20% in the CUBE orientation {100} <001>, a volume fraction in a range of about 1% to 5% in the GOSS orientation {110} <001>, a volume fraction in a range of about 1% to 10% in each of the BRASS orientation {110} <112>, S orientation {123} <634>, and COPPER orientation {112} <111>, wherein the grain size is in a range of about 20 to 70 .mu.m.

Abstract: An integral structural element particularly well suited as a component of a body-in-white comprises an elongated hollow member with a first end and a second end opposite thereto. A first region, a second region, and a third region extend between a first end and a second end of the hollow member. A first flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member. A second flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member's first region. A first socket or connecting structure is adapted to receive therein a roof header and is disposed on the elongated hollow member between the first region and the second region. A second socket is adapted to receive therein a B-post disposed on the elongated hollow member between the second region and the third region. This integral structural element is a component of a motor vehicle's body-in-white.

Abstract: A vehicle door has a door body which includes an outer door panel, an inner door panel, and a recess disposed therebetween. A metal mat has a plurality of elongated first elements and a plurality of second elements interwoven with respect to the first elements. The metal mat is secured directly or indirectly to the door body. The first elements are movable with respect to the second elements such that the application of an impact force thereto will result in relative sliding movement caused either by displacement of the first elements or second elements, or stretching of the same under the influence of the impact force, or both. In a preferred embodiment, peripheral portions of the woven mat are fixedly secured to a frame which is in turn secured to the door body. The first elements are preferably offset from the second elements about 50 to 100 degrees. In one embodiment a plurality of third elements oriented generally in the same direction as the second elements are interwoven with the first elements.

Abstract: An easy open can end has an improved structure for facilitating the opening operation of the tear panel, a method of further forming a can end to have the improved structure, and tooling for accomplishing the method. The further formation of the can end is particularly useful in easy-open can ends having enlarged tear panels.