Abstract: A box closure device having a first piece, a second piece, and a hub separating the first piece and second piece is provided. The first piece can have one or more engagement portions. The second piece can extend in both directions relative to the hub and is spaced from the first piece a selected amount allowing for box flaps to fit between the top piece and bottom piece. The second piece can have a blade to assist in positioning the closure device between the interior ends of two flaps. The second piece can also have a glide. In use, the user or a machine can engage the engagement portion(s) and twist the closure device so that the bottom piece is no longer aligned with a gap between the flaps thereby locking the flaps in a closed position. Lobes can be located on the ends of the second piece.

Abstract: A box closure device having a first piece, a second piece, and a hub separating the first piece and second piece is provided. The first piece can have one or more engagement portions. The second piece can extend in both directions relative to the hub and is spaced from the first piece a selected amount allowing for box flaps to fit between the first piece and second piece. The second piece can have a blade to assist in positioning the closure device between the interior ends of two flaps. The second piece can also have a glide. In use, the user or a machine can engage the engagement portion(s) and twist the closure device so that the bottom piece is no longer aligned with a gap between the flaps thereby locking the flaps in a closed position. Sleeves and a tamper evident device can optionally be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a box fastener. The box fastener can have sides with both a top piece and a bottom piece that are separated by a gap. The bottom piece is deformable along its length. The bottom piece has a hole that is either offset or enlarged compared to a corresponding hole in the top piece to accommodate the arcuate path of a curved piercing element of arm. A seal can be provided between the top and bottom piece. The piercing element optionally can puncture the seal and the seal can be fastened around the arm that is in the locked position. Unlocking of the arm will break the seal thereby revealing evidence of an unlocking event. The fastener has a bottom with grips having angled distal surfaces. The grips provide increasing levels of grip as the thickness of the box increases, and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a box fastener anchor that is removably connectable or permanently attached to a fastener and that has a tooth that can pierce a box. The anchor can have a base with two lips in one embodiment. The base has a hole between the lips with a securing ring with distally located rims that combine to form a ring. The rims and lips can be used to connect the anchor to a box fastener. The base further has a base flange at one end. The anchor also has an arm with a tooth at the distal end of the arm. The tooth has a piercing element at one end. The tooth can have a curved or straight body. The arm can mate with the base to lock the arm in a closed position. A release is provided for unlocking the arm from the base.

Abstract: A vehicle underbody including a rear underbody structure, a rear differential, a sub-frame, and a traction battery is provided. The rear differential is mounted to the rear underbody structure. The sub-frame is mounted to the rear underbody structure rearward of the rear differential. The traction battery is mounted between the rear underbody structure and the sub-frame. A base portion of the traction battery defines a base portion plane that does not extend through the rear differential. The sub-frame may include at least two reinforcement members each having a ramp-shaped end extending toward the rear differential. The sub-frame may include a rear lateral member and a trailer hitch mount extending rearwardly therefrom. One of the reinforcement members and the trailer hitch mount may be aligned in parallel with a central longitudinal axis defined by the rear underbody structure.

Abstract: A vehicle underbody including a rear underbody structure, a rear differential, a sub-frame, and a traction battery is provided. The rear differential is mounted to the rear underbody structure. The sub-frame is mounted to the rear underbody structure rearward of the rear differential. The traction battery is mounted between the rear underbody structure and the sub-frame. A base portion of the traction battery defines a base portion plane that does not extend through the rear differential. The sub-frame may include at least two reinforcement members each having a ramp-shaped end extending toward the rear differential. The sub-frame may include a rear lateral member and a trailer hitch mount extending rearwardly therefrom. One of the reinforcement members and the trailer hitch mount may be aligned in parallel with a central longitudinal axis defined by the rear underbody structure.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a longitudinal roof spine and a plurality of roof bows extending laterally from the roof spine to a plurality of pillars that extend upwardly from a lower body structure. The roof bows and pillars are connected by corner connectors that include a plug end that is received in an opening defined at an outer end of the roof bow. The opening is defined in a bottom wall of the outer end of the roof bow and is assembled over and supported by the plug end. The opening in the bottom wall of the roof bow is defined between the two side walls.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a longitudinal roof spine and a plurality of roof bows extending laterally from the roof spine to a plurality of pillars that extend upwardly from a lower body structure. The roof bows and pillars are connected by corner connectors that include a plug end that is received in an opening defined at an outer end of the roof bow. The opening is defined in a bottom wall of the outer end of the roof bow and is assembled over and supported by the plug end. The opening in the bottom wall of the roof bow is defined between the two side walls.

Abstract: A roof structure includes a roof support longitudinally extending over a compartment area at a lateral centerline of a vehicle. A plurality of pillars support the roof support and include a transverse leg extending laterally outward from the roof support to a curved section, and a vertical leg extending downward from the curved section to a vehicle beltline. Windows are assembled to a openings that are defined by two pillars, the roof support and the vehicle beltline.

Abstract: A hydroform tube includes a first end and a second end. The hydroform tube includes a plurality of sides including a first side and a second side, and a fillet extending from the first side to the second side. The first side, the second side, and the fillet extend from the first end to the second end. The plurality of sides form different shapes at two cross-sections between the first end and the second end. The tube has substantially the same perimeter P at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end. The fillet has a radius R. The radius R is defined by a same formula at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: Various approaches for forming holes onto a sheet-metal assembly are described. In one implementation, a sheet-metal assembly is received through a conveyor system within a manufacturing cell. Once received, the type of sheet-metal assembly is identified based on associated information. Corresponding to the identified sheet-metal assembly, a set of position coordinates corresponding to one or more points on the sheet-metal assembly are obtained. Subsequently, a work-performing apparatus may be used for forming holes onto the sheet-metal assembly, at one or more points on the sheet-metal assembly.

Abstract: A hydroform tube includes a first end and a second end. The hydroform tube includes a plurality of sides including a first side and a second side, and a fillet extending from the first side to the second side. The first side, the second side, and the fillet extend from the first end to the second end. The plurality of sides form different shapes at two cross-sections between the first end and the second end. The tube has substantially the same perimeter P at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end. The fillet has a radius R. The radius R is defined by a same formula at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A method of varying vehicle width on a single platform includes providing a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle includes a side sill extending longitudinally along a lower portion of a vehicle body. The side sill defines a door opening interface on each opposing side of the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of vehicles also includes a floor panel extending laterally across a width of each vehicle. The floor panel is joined at a lateral edge to the side sill. The method also includes maintaining a common lateral position of the joint between the floor panel and the side sill across each of the plurality of vehicles. The method further includes positioning the door opening interface at first lateral position corresponding to a first one of the plurality of vehicles and at a second lateral position corresponding to a second one of the plurality of vehicles.

Abstract: A method of varying vehicle width on a single platform includes providing a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle includes a side sill extending longitudinally along a lower portion of a vehicle body. The side sill defines a door opening interface on each opposing side of the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of vehicles also includes a floor panel extending laterally across a width of each vehicle. The floor panel is joined at a lateral edge to the side sill. The method also includes maintaining a common lateral position of the joint between the floor panel and the side sill across each of the plurality of vehicles. The method further includes positioning the door opening interface at first lateral position corresponding to a first one of the plurality of vehicles and at a second lateral position corresponding to a second one of the plurality of vehicles.

Abstract: Various approaches for forming holes onto a sheet-metal assembly are described. In one implementation, a sheet-metal assembly is received through a conveyor system within a manufacturing cell. Once received, the type of sheet-metal assembly is identified based on associated information. Corresponding to the identified sheet-metal assembly, a set of position coordinates corresponding to one or more points on the sheet-metal assembly are obtained. Subsequently, a work-performing apparatus may be used for forming holes onto the sheet-metal assembly, at one or more points on the sheet-metal assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object-oriented file structuring system. The invention provides a method of defining DATA objects and CONTAINER objects and SYSTEM objects that facilitates navigation through a file structuring system. Notation and nomenclature are defined for building files composed of CONTAINERs and DATA and SYSTEM objects and for defining relationships between and among files, CONTAINERs and DATA. A FOCUS LIST tracks objects of interest and aids in NAVIGATION. CONTAINER objects contain other objects. DATA objects enclose DATA in either machine-dependent or machine-independent value representations. Developers work with logical files and can freely create and modify the logical relationships of file objects. A RECONSTITUTION algorithm periodically updates the physical file to correspond to the logical file.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object-oriented file structuring system. The invention provides a method of defining DATA objects and CONTAINER objects and SYSTEM objects that facilitates navigation through a file structuring system. Notation and nomenclature are defined for building files composed of CONTAINERs and DATA and SYSTEM objects and for defining relationships between and among files, CONTAINERs and DATA. A FOCUS LIST tracks objects of interest and aids in NAVIGATION. CONTAINER objects contain other objects. DATA objects enclose DATA in either machine-dependent or machine-independent value representations. Developers work with logical files and can freely create and modify the logical relationships of file objects. A RECONSTITUTION algorithm periodically updates the physical file to correspond to the logical file.