Abstract: A structural support assembly for a vehicle that has a roof and a rocker assembly. The structural support assembly includes an outer panel extending from the rocker assembly to the roof, an inner reinforcement including an upper panel and a lower panel. A seat belt retractor is assembled to the structural support assembly between the upper panel and the lower panel of the inner reinforcement. The upper panel and the lower panel are separate parts that are assembled to the outer panel in a spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a hollow beam by inserting a sleeve that is held in place by a tang that is placed on a supporting portion of a first or second opening formed in the beam. A fastener is inserted inside the sleeve. A component is attached to the beam by inserting a fastener through the sleeve. An insertion tool may be used to insert the sleeve into the beam.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a hollow beam by inserting a sleeve that is held in place by a tang that is placed on a supporting portion of a first or second opening formed in the beam. A fastener is inserted inside the sleeve. A component is attached to the beam by inserting a fastener through the sleeve. An insertion tool may be used to insert the sleeve into the beam.

Abstract: A tubular beam assembly having a tubular member with first and second spaced apart sides and an internal portion. The first side has an insertion opening and a first fastener receiving opening that open into each other. The second side has a second fastener receiving opening and a shoulder defining opening that open into each other. A reinforcement sleeve includes a fastener receiving sleeve portion and a protrusion that supports the reinforcement sleeve in a fastener receiving position within the internal portion of the tubular member. The protrusion is supported by one or both of the insertion opening and the shoulder defining opening. The fastener receiving sleeve portion is aligned with the first and second fastener receiving openings when the reinforcement sleeve is in the fastener receiving position.

Abstract: A battery package mount bracket. An illustrative embodiment of the battery package mount bracket includes a body mounted bracket having a pair of spaced-apart bracket attachment flanges and an HEV mounted bracket detachably carried by the body mounted bracket. An HEV battery package is attached to the HEV mounted bracket. The HEV mounted bracket includes a main bracket plate and a transverse flange and a side flange extending from the main bracket plate in generally perpendicular relationship with respect to each other.

Abstract: A tubular beam assembly having a tubular member with first and second spaced apart sides and an internal portion. The first side has an insertion opening and a first fastener receiving opening that open into each other. The second side has a second fastener receiving opening and a shoulder defining opening that open into each other. A reinforcement sleeve includes a fastener receiving sleeve portion and a protrusion that supports the reinforcement sleeve in a fastener receiving position within the internal portion of the tubular member. The protrusion is supported by one or both of the insertion opening and the shoulder defining opening. The fastener receiving sleeve portion is aligned with the first and second fastener receiving openings when the reinforcement sleeve is in the fastener receiving position.

Abstract: A tubular beam assembly having a tubular member with first and second spaced apart sides and an internal portion. The first side has an insertion opening and a first fastener receiving opening that open into each other. The second side has a second fastener receiving opening and a shoulder defining opening that open into each other. A reinforcement sleeve includes a fastener receiving sleeve portion and a protrusion that supports the reinforcement sleeve in a fastener receiving position within the internal portion of the tubular member. The protrusion is supported by one or both of the insertion opening and the shoulder defining opening. The fastener receiving sleeve portion is aligned with the first and second fastener receiving openings when the reinforcement sleeve is in the fastener receiving position.

Abstract: A battery package mount bracket. An illustrative embodiment of the battery package mount bracket includes a body mounted bracket having a pair of spaced-apart bracket attachment flanges and an HEV mounted bracket detachably carried by the body mounted bracket. An HEV battery package is attached to the HEV mounted bracket. The HEV mounted bracket includes a main bracket plate and a transverse flange and a side flange extending from the main bracket plate in generally perpendicular relationship with respect to each other.