Abstract: An exhauster baffle is provided that may be used to prohibit fluid flow through a cavity except when a pressure on one side of the exhauster baffle is greater than a pressure on another side of the exhauster baffle. The exhauster baffle includes a body portion defining an opening, a sealer disposed on the body portion, and a flap disposed over the opening for regulating fluid flow through the opening. In one embodiment, the flap exposes the opening of the body portion to allow fluid to flow through the cavity when the pressure on one side of the exhauster baffle greater than the pressure on another side of the baffle to equalize pressure.

Abstract: A carrier for engaging a panel and a method of making a carrier for engaging a panel are disclosed. The carrier generally includes a base portion, an attachment member disposed on the base portion which is operable to engage a panel, and a springbar disposed on the base portion. The method generally includes forming a base portion, forming an attachment member, and forming a springbar on the base portion. The attachment member cooperates with the base portion to define a maximum panel thickness, and the springbar engages panels having a thickness less than or equal to the maximum panel thickness to provide tension between the base portion and a panel.

Abstract: Some embodiments comprise an integrated reinforcing crossmember having a carrier with an expansible material adhered to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the carrier. The carrier is comprised of a center section and two end sections, each section comprised of external lateral walls and internal ribs joined by cross walls and horizontal connecting walls. The crossmember is inserted into a cavity of a corresponding structural member, and the expansible material is activated and expands, securing the crossmember in place within the cavity.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for engaging a panel and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A baffle assembly may include at least two baffles, each having a rigid carrier and an expandable material, which are linked by a connecting member which allows each baffle to pivot about the connecting member. The baffles may each include an attachment member configured to engage a first aperture and a second aperture, respectively, in a panel. A method of manufacturing a carrier for engaging a panel may include forming at least two baffles, and forming a connecting member between the baffles that allows the baffles to pivot about the connecting member.

Abstract: A structural member reinforcement includes a body portion having a plurality of side walls. The side walls are spaced to define an opening therebetween. A plurality of cells are disposed in the opening between the side walls. Each of the plurality of cells defines a channel. An expandable material, such as structural foam or noise vibration and harshness (NVH) foam, is disposed in the channel of at least one of the plurality of cells. The reinforcement may be used to reinforce a structural member, such as a vehicle frame. The structural member may define a cavity, and the reinforcement may be disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: Reinforcement components for structural members are disclosed. The reinforcement components have expansible reinforcement material that adheres to and reinforces structural members following activation. Methods of reinforcing are disclosed. Reinforced structural members are described.

Abstract: Some embodiments comprise an integrated reinforcing crossmember having a carrier with an expansible material adhered to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the carrier. The carrier is comprised of a center section and two end sections, each section comprised of external lateral walls and internal ribs joined by cross walls and horizontal connecting walls. The crossmember is inserted into a cavity of a corresponding structural member, and the expansible material is activated and expands, securing the crossmember in place within the cavity.

Abstract: A structural member reinforcement includes a body portion having a plurality of side walls. The side walls are spaced to define an opening therebetween. A plurality of cells are disposed in the opening between the side walls. Each of the plurality of cells defines a channel. An expandable material, such as structural foam or noise vibration and harshness (NVH) foam, is disposed in the channel of at least one of the plurality of cells. The reinforcement may be used to reinforce a structural member, such as a vehicle frame. The structural member may define a cavity, and the reinforcement may be disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: An exhauster baffle is provided that may be used to prohibit fluid flow through a cavity except when a pressure on one side of the exhauster baffle is greater than a pressure on another side of the exhauster baffle. The exhauster baffle includes a body portion defining an opening, a sealer disposed on the body portion, and a flap disposed over the opening for regulating fluid flow through the opening. In one embodiment, the flap exposes the opening of the body portion to allow fluid to flow through the cavity when the pressure on one side of the exhauster baffle greater than the pressure on another side of the baffle to equalize pressure.

Abstract: A mechanism suitable for assisting in the securing of expansible material to a carrier is disclosed.

Abstract: Reinforcement components for structural members are disclosed. The reinforcement components have expansible reinforcement material that adheres to and reinforces structural members following activation. Methods of reinforcing are disclosed. Reinforced structural members are described.

Abstract: A carrier for engaging a panel and a method of making a carrier for engaging a panel are disclosed. The carrier generally includes a base portion, an attachment member disposed on the base portion which is operable to engage a panel, and a springbar disposed on the base portion. The method generally includes forming a base portion, forming an attachment member, and forming a springbar on the base portion. The attachment member cooperates with the base portion to define a maximum panel thickness, and the springbar engages panels having a thickness less than or equal to the maximum panel thickness to provide tension between the base portion and a panel.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for engaging a panel and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A baffle assembly may include at least two baffles, each having a rigid carrier and an expandable material, which are linked by a connecting member which allows each baffle to pivot about the connecting member. The baffles may each include an attachment member configured to engage a first aperture and a second aperture, respectively, in a panel. A method of manufacturing a carrier for engaging a panel may include forming at least two baffles, and forming a connecting member between the baffles that allows the baffles to pivot about the connecting member.

Abstract: A wire harness clip for securing D-scrolled wire harness to a panel type mounting surface, for example in an automobile. A clip has an elongated mounting arm with an open-faced D-shape trough formed at one end and a panel-mounting clip such as a Christmas tree clip formed at an opposite end, on a common surface or side of the mounting arm. The trough includes a hinged cover adapted to releasably lock a D-scrolled wire harness into the trough, and in the illustrated embodiment is a generally flat cover spaced from the and generally parallel to the mounting arm in the closed position, and includes a curved ratcheting lock arm which is automatically guided into locking engagement with mating ratchet teeth on an outer surface of the trough for closing the cover in a blind mounting operation. The trough preferably includes a pair of tape positioning tabs extending generally perpendicular to the mounting arm in alignment with the wire harness for pre-mounting the wire harness to the trough by taping.