Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body with a longitudinal axis. The vehicle also includes a rocker inner panel with a first channel having interior and exterior sides. The interior side is secured to the vehicle body. The first channel has a first upper horizontal sidewall, a first lower horizontal sidewall, and a first vertical endwall coupling the first upper and first lower horizontal sidewalls at the interior side. A rocker outer panel is secured to the rocker inner panel. The rocker outer panel includes a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The second channel is secured to the third channel, and the third channel is secured to the fourth channel. An upper cavity is defined between the second and third channels, an intermediate cavity is defined between the third and fourth channels, and a lower cavity is defined between the second and third channels.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body with a longitudinal axis. The vehicle also includes a rocker inner panel with a first channel having interior and exterior sides. The interior side is secured to the vehicle body. The first channel has a first upper horizontal sidewall, a first lower horizontal sidewall, and a first vertical endwall coupling the first upper and first lower horizontal sidewalls at the interior side. A rocker outer panel is secured to the rocker inner panel. The rocker outer panel includes a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The second channel is secured to the third channel, and the third channel is secured to the fourth channel. An upper cavity is defined between the second and third channels, an intermediate cavity is defined between the third and fourth channels, and a lower cavity is defined between the second and third channels.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for joining a first component to a second component with an amalgamation plate includes heating the first component, the second component, the amalgamation plate, or combinations thereof, with either a joining tool or a heating element. The components are attached to the amalgamation plate with the joining tool, such that the first component, amalgamation plate, and the second component are fixedly attached to one another, and the amalgamation plate may be substantially surrounded by the first component and the second component, such that it is hidden from exposure. Portions of the amalgamation plate may be embedded into the components via rotation and/or linear force. A portion of the amalgamation plate may be recessed within the joining tool or an anvil before attaching the amalgamation plate to the either component.

Abstract: The indexing self-aligning hardware tool can join components and includes a first tool section including a die carrier, one or more dies coupled to the die carrier, and a first locator coupled to the die carrier. The indexing self-aligning hardware tool also includes a second tool section having a support body, one or more blankholders coupled to the support body, one or more punches movably disposed inside the blankholders, and a second locator coupled to the support body. The first locator and the second locator are configured to mate with a product feature locator of a component to align the first tool section relative to the second tool section.

Abstract: An integrated amalgamation carrier can join parts. The integrated amalgamation carrier includes an amalgamation carrier body elongated along a longitudinal axis. In addition, the integrated amalgamation carrier includes a plurality of fasteners protruding from the amalgamation carrier body. The fasteners are integrated with the amalgamation body to form a one-piece structure.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for joining a first component to a second component with an amalgamation plate includes heating the first component, the second component, the amalgamation plate, or combinations thereof, with either a joining tool or a heating element. The components are attached to the amalgamation plate with the joining tool, such that the first component, amalgamation plate, and the second component are fixedly attached to one another, and the amalgamation plate may be substantially surrounded by the first component and the second component, such that it is hidden from exposure. Portions of the amalgamation plate may be embedded into the components via rotation and/or linear force. A portion of the amalgamation plate may be recessed within the joining tool or an anvil before attaching the amalgamation plate to the either component.

Abstract: An amalgamation plate for joining a first component to a second component has a planar body configured to be placed between the first component and the second component, and a plurality of first protrusions extending from a first side of the planar body. The first protrusions are radially dispersed from an axis of the planar body, and are configured to be embedded within either the first component and the second component. The amalgamation plate may also have a plurality of second protrusions extending from a second side, opposite the first side, of the planar body. The second protrusions are radially dispersed from the axis, and are configured to be embedded within the other of the first component and the second component via application of force substantially along the axis. The first protrusions and the second protrusions may be radially symmetric about the axis of the planar body.

Abstract: An integrated amalgamation carrier can join parts. The integrated amalgamation carrier includes an amalgamation carrier body elongated along a longitudinal axis. In addition, the integrated amalgamation carrier includes a plurality of fasteners protruding from the amalgamation carrier body. The fasteners are integrated with the amalgamation body to form a one-piece structure.

Abstract: The indexing self-aligning hardware tool can join components and includes a first tool section including a die carrier, one or more dies coupled to the die carrier, and a first locator coupled to the die carrier. The indexing self-aligning hardware tool also includes a second tool section having a support body, one or more blankholders coupled to the support body, one or more punches movably disposed inside the blankholders, and a second locator coupled to the support body. The first locator and the second locator are configured to mate with a product feature locator of a component to align the first tool section relative to the second tool section.