Abstract: A reinforcement unit joins a B-pillar and a side sill of a vehicle. The side sill includes an inner side sill panel and an outer side sill panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, the outer reinforcement member having an upper flange and a lower flange, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and a shear plate attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member.

Abstract: A reinforcement unit for a side sill of a vehicle is provided. The side sill includes an inner panel and an outer panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and straps attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member, the inner reinforcement member being attached to the straps.

Abstract: A system for attaching a door to the body of a vehicle includes an inner pillar stiffener, an outer pillar stiffener laterally outward from the inner pillar stiffener, and an outer panel laterally outward from the outer panel stiffener. The system has a standoff structure located between the outer pillar stiffener and the outer panel, a door hinge, hinge bolts for fastening the door hinge to the standoff structure, the hinge bolts received through holes in the outer panel, the holes in the standoff structure, the holes in the outer pillar stiffener, and plate nuts for securing the hinge bolts to the outer pillar stiffener. The standoff structure includes a cup-shaped body having a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, and an edge, a flange extending around the edge of the cup-shaped body, holes in the cup-shaped body, and weld collars extending inward from the holes to the outer pillar stiffener.

Abstract: A reinforcement unit for a junction of a B-pillar and a side sill of a vehicle is disclosed. The side sill includes an inner side sill panel and an outer side sill panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, the outer reinforcement member having an upper flange and a lower flange, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and a shear plate attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member.

Abstract: A reinforcement unit for a side sill of a vehicle is provided. The side sill includes an inner panel and an outer panel having an upper flange and a lower flange. The reinforcement unit includes an outer reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, an inner reinforcement member located between the inner panel and the outer panel of the side sill, and straps attached to the upper flange and to the lower flange of the outer panel and spanning from the upper flange to the lower flange between the outer reinforcement member and the inner reinforcement member, the inner reinforcement member being attached to the straps.

Abstract: A system for attaching a door to the body of a vehicle includes an inner pillar stiffener, an outer pillar stiffener laterally outward from the inner pillar stiffener, and an outer panel laterally outward from the outer panel stiffener. The system has a standoff structure located between the outer pillar stiffener and the outer panel, a door hinge, hinge bolts for fastening the door hinge to the standoff structure, the hinge bolts received through holes in the outer panel, the holes in the standoff structure, the holes in the outer pillar stiffener, and plate nuts for securing the hinge bolts to the outer pillar stiffener. The standoff structure includes a cup-shaped body having a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, and an edge, a flange extending around the edge of the cup-shaped body, holes in the cup-shaped body, and weld collars extending inward from the holes to the outer pillar stiffener.

Abstract: A masking system and method for painting a vehicle with parts made of dissimilar materials is provided. The masking system includes a masking gasket temporarily mounted between a mounting surface of a first part and a mounting surface of a second part. The masking gasket further includes a plurality of links, thermal expansion joints linking together the plurality of links, and mounting locations for securing the masking gasket to the first and second parts of the vehicle.

Abstract: A masking system and method for painting a vehicle with parts made of dissimilar materials is provided. The masking system includes a masking gasket temporarily mounted between a mounting surface of a first part and a mounting surface of a second part. The masking gasket further includes a plurality of links, thermal expansion joints linking together the plurality of links, and mounting locations for securing the masking gasket to the first and second parts of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle roof member, a first panel, a second panel, and a serpentine-shaped reinforcement structure. The first panel connects with and depends downwardly from the vehicle roof member. The second panel connects with the first panel. The first panel and the second panel form, when connected, a vehicle pillar. The serpentine-shaped reinforcement structure includes a plurality of peak sections and a plurality of valley sections and is disposed in the vehicle pillar between the first panel and the second panel. The reinforcement structure is fixed to the first panel via a weld at a peak section. The reinforcement structure is closest to the second panel at a valley section. A method for manufacturing a vehicle body structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle roof member, a first panel, a second panel, and a serpentine-shaped reinforcement structure. The first panel connects with and depends downwardly from the vehicle roof member. The second panel connects with the first panel. The first panel and the second panel form, when connected, a vehicle pillar. The serpentine-shaped reinforcement structure includes a plurality of peak sections and a plurality of valley sections and is disposed in the vehicle pillar between the first panel and the second panel. The reinforcement structure is fixed to the first panel via a weld at a peak section. The reinforcement structure is closest to the second panel at a valley section. A method for manufacturing a vehicle body structure is also disclosed.