Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a load floor (14) for attachment to a rear portion (18) of a vehicle floorpan (20). The load floor (14) includes a one-piece injection-molded body (42) that has a panel portion (44), one or more reinforcement members (84) coupled to the panel portion (44), and one or more support members (46) extending from the panel portion (44). The support members (46) are configured for supporting the one-piece injection-molded body (42) on the floorpan (20) and minimizing a load span (32–36) across said panel portion (44). Also, the reinforcement members (84) are utilized for sufficiently reinforcing the panel portion (44) for supporting a predetermined load and minimizing deflection of the panel portion (44).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 8, 2004
Date of Patent:
September 20, 2005
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Peter Bejin, Jennifer Bremmer, Mike Whitens