Abstract: A sealing device, such as a sealing bulkhead for a motor vehicle, is provided that can be arranged or is arranged between an inner column part of a motor vehicle and an outer column part of the motor vehicle and includes, but is not limited to a holder fixed on the inner column part, a separating body fixed on the a holder and at least sectionally closes a gap formed between the inner column part and the outer column part, as well as a supporting unit fixed on the separating body and on the outer column part in order to fix the outer column part on the inner column part.

Abstract: A grab handle assembly for a vehicle has an asymmetrical handle that spans between a first end and a second end. The first end is operably coupled with an A-pillar of a frame of the vehicle. The second end is operably coupled with the A-pillar below the first end. The asymmetrical handle has a slanted portion and a curved portion, configured to provide a smooth downward transition between the A-pillar and the handle and to slidably deflect a forward moving object. The slanted portion extends down from the first end at a first angle. The curved portion protrudes outward and upward from the second end at a second angle to join the slanted portion. The first angle is less than the second angle and the first angle is less than thirty-five degrees, such that the first angle provides a smooth transition to the handle.

Abstract: A front pillar for an automobile includes a hollow member, an outer panel, and an inner panel. The inner panel has a restricting concave section receiving therein a part of the hollow member to restrict relative displacement of the hollow member in a vehicle width direction relative to the inner panel.

Abstract: A rear pillar apparatus for a vehicle may include a rear pillar supporting a rear quarter of the vehicle, and a reinforcement member mounted on the rear pillar, wherein the rear pillar has a support vertically supporting the rear quarter, a door-upper portion configured to support a roof between a door and the roof, a rear end extending from the support and connected with a rear side of a vehicle body, and a glass seat formed between the door-upper portion and the rear end configured to mount a rear glass, and wherein the reinforcement member includes an upper reinforcement member integrally mounted on the door-upper portion, the glass seat, and the rear end, in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and a vertical reinforcement member mounted on the support and connected to the upper reinforcement member.

Abstract: A vehicle roof support pillar assembly may include a first support pillar and a second support pillar. The first support pillar may have a first hollow body with a first side surface. The second support pillar may have a second hollow body with a second side surface, the second support pillar may be positioned next to the first hollow body when assembled and in use. The first and second side surfaces may contact each other along at least a portion of their vertical extent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle body structure in the region of the A-pillar and the windshield cross member, including an A-pillar on both sides of the body, wherein in the pillar construction of the A-pillar, the A-pillar has an A-pillar inner steel plate oriented approximately vertically and in the vehicle longitudinal direction. An approximately horizontal windshield cross member is connected at the ends thereof to the associated A-pillar inner steel plate by means of a welded connection. According to the invention, the windshield cross member is produced as a composite component made of an elongated aluminum beam having steel plate adapter parts that extend the aluminum beam at the ends thereof but are short in comparison to the overall beam length, and the steel plate adapter parts are connected to the associated A-pillar inner steel plate by means of the welded connection and to the aluminum beam by means of a riveted connection.

Abstract: A body for a motor vehicle and a method for producing a motor vehicle body is provided. Such a body comprises two roof frame longitudinal profiles (6, 14), at least one roof frame cross profile (10) arranged between the roof frame longitudinal profiles (6, 14) and a body pillar (12), wherein in a connecting area (Y) a roof frame longitudinal profile (6; 14), a roof frame cross profile (10) and the body pillar (12) are connected or can be connected together using a mechanical connection. Here the roof frame longitudinal profile (6; 14) comprises a recess (16) in the connecting area (Y), as seen in a longitudinal section of the roof frame longitudinal profile (6; 14), the recess accommodating the roof frame cross profile (10), at least some areas of the circumferential contour of the profile being adapted to match the recess (16).

Abstract: A load transmission portion which projects toward a roof rail outer panel is provided at a position between the roof rail outer panel and a roof rail inner panel which is located substantially at the same longitudinal-position as an upper end of a pillar outer panel. Accordingly, a center pillar can be properly restrained from coming into a vehicle compartment, restraining any improper increase of the number of components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a B-pillar reinforcement of a motor vehicle having an upper region for joining the B-pillar reinforcement to the roof region of the motor vehicle and a lower region for joining the B-pillar reinforcement to a floor support of the motor vehicle, which B-pillar reinforcement comprises at least one hollow profile made of metal, in particular steel, and the hollow profile forms the upper and lower regions of the B-pillar reinforcement. The object of providing an improved B-pillar reinforcement which, on the one hand, is optimised in respect of a load-appropriate configuration with a minimum weight, allows a very good integration of additional components of the B-pillar, is achieved in that the hollow profile has at least to some extent a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional surface in one of the regions and has an at least partly U-shaped cross-sectional surface in the other region.

Abstract: In a side vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a shoulder anchor part 2 for a seat belt, a shoulder reinforcement 9 of the shoulder anchor part 2 extends to the joint portion of a side body outer panel 7 and a quarter panel 8, and the shoulder reinforcement 9, the side body outer panel 7, and the quarter panel 8 are jointed together in the state in which the three elements are lapped together.

Abstract: A center pillar includes a first reinforcement panel which is arranged between an outer panel and an inner panel, comprises a bottom wall portion, both-side vertical wall portions extending in a vehicle width direction from the bottom wall portion, and both-side flange portions, and has a cross section formed in substantially a hat shape. A second reinforcement panel comprising a bottom wall portion and both-side vertical wall portions and having a cross section formed in substantially a U shape is arranged inside the first reinforcement panel. The second reinforcement panel is joined to the first reinforcement panel such that only the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions are joined to the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions, respectively.

Abstract: An opening portion is formed at a specified portion of a roof gusset which covers part of a panel joint portion from below. A pair of center-pillar side joint portions is provided at an outward end portion of the roof gusset, which is joined to a center pillar directly or via another panel member. A pair of first high-rigidity portions is provided at specified portions of the roof gusset which overlap the opening portion in a vehicle width direction and overlap the center-pillar joint portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively. A second high-rigidity portion is provided at an inward end portion of the roof gusset to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A metal reinforcement for a B-pillar of an automotive vehicle includes a lower flange and an upper structure. The lower flange is adapted to adjoin a door sill structure of the automotive vehicle, and the upper structure includes a central portion, surrounded by a plurality of spaced, paired regions. In each paired region, members are identically ordered in position from the central portion, and both members of each paired region have the same profile thickness.

Abstract: A front pillar for an automobile includes an outer panel, an inner panel, and a hollow member disposed between the outer and inner panels. Outer flanges of the outer and inner panels are overlapped with each other to form a closed void section and a seal attachment section. The seal attachment section includes a rear section reinforcing member and a front section reinforcing member sandwiched between the outer flanges of the outer and inner panels in a rear end section and a front end section, respectively, of the front pillar, and a gap channel formed to communicate with the closed void section by partially separating the outer flanges of the outer and inner panels at a central section of the front pillar. The reinforcing members are joined to an outer wall section of the hollow member.

Abstract: A space between the trailing edge of a front fender and the outer surface of a front pillar lower in the vehicle width direction is covered with a synthetic resin enclosure inserted from the wheel housing side. The upper end of a main body of the enclosure is provided with an upper extending portion extending toward the lower end of the front pillar upper, and a reinforcing rib is formed on the outer surface of the upper extending portion so as to make the reinforcing rib in contact with the inner surface of a projecting portion of the front fender. A pressure applied to the projecting portion of the front fender is transmitted to the front pillar lower via the reinforcing rib, and thus the surface stiffness of the projecting portion of the front fender can be improved without adding a particular reinforcing member.

Abstract: There is provided a framework structure of a vehicle where high productivity can be obtained, a reinforcement and an outer frame can be completely welded to each other, and the reinforcing ability of the reinforcing member can be sufficiently obtained when the reinforcing member is provided on the outer member. A plurality of protruding portions, which protrudes toward an outer member, is formed on the outer surface of a reinforcement of a center pillar. These protruding portions are disposed so as to be separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement. Further, non-protruding portions where the protruding portions are not formed are formed in the vicinity of a belt line, and the protruding portions are formed at other positions.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for insertion into a cavity of a vehicle structure and method for making the same, the reinforcement including adjacent reinforcing segments and rigid bridges located between adjacent reinforcement segments. The rigid bridges are located for simplified separation of the reinforcement segments post-vehicle crash.

Abstract: A center pillar upper portion joining structure that may improve joining strength and rigidity between an upper portion of a center pillar and a roof side rail. A recess portion that is indented to the vehicle inner side is formed in a roof side rail outer panel at a joining portion with a center pillar. An upper portion extended portion that closes off the recess portion is provided at an upper portion oft a center pillar reinforcement, and an upper end portion of the upper portion extended portion is joined to the roof side rail outer panel. In a vehicle rear elevation view, an upper face of the recess portion is provided upward in the vehicle relative to a centroid of a cross section of the roof side rail.

Abstract: A hinge pillar assembly employed for attaching a front door to an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The hinge pillar assembly includes a first pillar and a second pillar. The first pillar has cavities, which are capable of receiving bulkheads. The bulkheads are adapted based on dimensions of the cavities in order to substantially secure the bulkheads in the cavities. The second pillar is mounted over the first pillar to enclose the bulkheads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pillar structure for a vehicle body rear portion which can suppress deformation of a pillar when a load is applied outward to a slide door in a state in which said slide door is closed. The slide door opens and closes an opening provided in a vehicle side surface. A pillar portion is composed of a closed section of an inner and outer panel. A fixing mechanism fixes a rear portion of said slide door at a closed position. Said fixing mechanism is provided on a surface facing a vehicle body front side of said pillar portion. A pillar reinforcement body forming a quadrangular closed section is mounted to an inner surface of said pillar portion. An interior-side reinforcement member is disposed between said pillar reinforcement body and said inner panel so as to have a gap in a vehicle width direction.

Abstract: A structure for a side portion of a vehicle body that is configured such that the ends of an arch member are mounted to rail members extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and such that a roof panel is supported by the arch member. The structure includes the rail members; the arch member, which extends in the width direction of the vehicle and the ends of which are mounted to the rail members; and the roof panel supported by the arch member. In each of the rail members, an outer extension section is integrally provided to a rail outer section and an inner extension section is integrally provided to a rail inner section. The arch member is provided with an arch upper member that can be installed on the outer extension section and an arch lower member that can be installed on the inner extension section.

Abstract: A vehicle pillar structure includes a reinforcement that is provided in a vehicle pillar and that includes a buckling portion and a strain reducing face portion, wherein the buckling portion serves as a starting point of buckling; and the strain reducing face portion is adjacent to the buckling portion in a lateral direction of the reinforcement and reduces strain that occurs when the buckling.

Abstract: A front pillar for an automobile includes an outer panel, an inner panel, and a hollow member disposed between the outer and inner panels. The outer panel has a roof-joining outer flange section projecting toward a roof skin flange section of a roof beyond the hollow member, and joined by spot welding to the roof skin flange section. A roof-joining extended flange section is joined by welding to at least two surfaces of the hollow member, extended to project toward the roof skin flange section beyond the hollow member and overlap the roof-joining outer flange section, and joined by spot welding to the roof skin flange section together with the roof-joining outer flange section.

Abstract: A front pillar for an automobile includes an outer panel, an inner panel, and a hollow member disposed between the outer and inner panels. Outer flanges of the outer and inner panels are overlapped with each other to form a closed void section and a seal attachment section. The seal attachment section includes a rear section reinforcing member and a front section reinforcing member sandwiched between the outer flanges of the outer and inner panels in a rear end section and a front end section, respectively, of the front pillar, and a gap channel formed to communicate with the closed void section by partially separating the outer flanges of the outer and inner panels at a central section of the front pillar. The reinforcing members are joined to an outer wall section of the hollow member.

Abstract: A front pillar for an automobile includes a hollow member, an outer panel, and an inner panel. The inner panel has a restricting concave section receiving therein a part of the hollow member to restrict relative displacement of the hollow member in a vehicle width direction relative to the inner panel.

Abstract: A front pillar for an automobile includes an outer panel, an inner panel, a hollow member sandwiched between the outer and inner panels, and a reinforcing member. The outer panel has a glass attachment flange section extending along an edge of the windshield. The hollow member has a first concave section provided on an upper wall section at a terminal end of the hollow member. The first concave section is downwardly separated from the glass attachment flange section of the outer panel. The reinforcing member has a second concave section welded to the first concave section and downwardly separated from the glass attachment flange section of the outer panel.

Abstract: Protective vehicle enclosures and components thereof for opened sided vehicles, such as golf carts, which include a rigid, lightweight frame and flexible weather proof cover. Methods for installing these protective vehicle enclosures use existing mounts on the vehicle.

Abstract: A polycarbonate window system having an integrated ROPS that reduces the thickness of cab posts of machine such that the operator's visibility is increased. The polycarbonate window system also facilitates secure retention of the polycarbonate window without requiring holes to be formed near the periphery of the polycarbonate window, thereby increasing the structural integrity of the polycarbonate window.

Abstract: There is provided a hydroformed automotive pillar arrangement operable to provide impact or crash protection in a vehicle. The pillar arrangement includes one or more hydroformed pillars. Each pillar is of unitary elongate construction. Moreover, each pillar is of open or closed substantially tubular cross-section. Furthermore, each pillar has a first end and a second end. Additionally, each pillar is adapted when included in the vehicle to continuously extend at the first end substantially from a socket arrangement coupled to a longitudinal strengthening sill of the vehicle upwardly to the second end.

Abstract: On a body structure (2) for an automobile (1) having a structural component (3) made of at least high-strength steel sheet, the structural component (3) is provided with a predetermined cutting location (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) for applying a separating tool. In the method for producing the structural component (3), a steel sheet is formed and subjected to heat treatment for forming regions with high strength and reduced strength. At least one region of the structural component (3, 7, 8, 12) with reduced strength is formed as a predetermined cutting location (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) for applying a separating tool during a hot-forming process of a steel sheet in a tool or during heat treatment of the structural component (3, 7, 8, 12) following a forming process in a tool by changing the mechanical properties.

Abstract: In a vehicle body structure, an inner panel of a frame member has an inner side flange joined to an outer side flange of a side outer panel. The inner side flange has a front side flange that extends outward in a vehicle width direction from a vehicle upper side end portion of an inner side wall portion and a rear side flange that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle upper side end portion of the inner side wall portion. A cutout formed to open to the vehicle upper side in the inner side wall portion between the front side flange and the rear side flange in the vehicle width direction is positioned inside a closed cross-section formed by a front portion of a roof panel and a header panel as seen in a vehicle side view.

Abstract: An outer side wall structure for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger automobile, having a front section and a rear section, between which at least one door of the motor vehicle can be situated, and having an upper section and a lower section. It is provided that the sections form a peripheral frame.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a vehicle pillar, for example, the B pillar of a vehicle is provided. The reinforcement includes a reinforcing structure and a stiffening structure. The reinforcing structure is configured with an upper end region for connection to the vehicle roof and with a lower end region for connection to the underfloor and/or a sill structure of the vehicle. The stiffening structure is connected to the reinforcing structure in order to stiffen the reinforcing structure against a side impact of the vehicle. The reinforcing structure has at least one material section which projects with respect to the stiffening structure, which serves to connect the reinforcing structure to the outer skin and/or the inner skin of the vehicle pillar. The reinforcing structure comprises a weldable non-boron steel and the stiffening structure comprises a hardened boron steel. A vehicle pillar having such a reinforcement is also provided.

Abstract: An outer pillar panel is fixed to an inner pillar panel defining a vehicle pillar with a closed box cross section. A vertically extending cavity is defined between the inner and outer pillar panels. The outer pillar panel includes a first contact portion within the cavity. The roof side rail is rigidly fixed to the upper ends of the inner pillar panel and the outer pillar panel. The brace is fixed to the inner pillar panel within the cavity. The brace includes a second contact portion facing the first contact portion but is spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined gap with the inner and outer pillar panels in an undeformed state. The first contact portion contacts the second contact portion when an external force above a prescribed amount is applied to the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: A center pillar section formed of a high-tensile steel plate is fixed to a side panel frame section including a roof rail section formed of an ordinary-tensile steel plate. A reinforcing member formed of a high-tensile steel plate is provided inside the roof rail section, and the center pillar section is fixed at its upper end portion to the outer surface of the reinforcing member and at its lower end portion to the side sill section. A door beam provided within a front door overlaps the center pillar section and lower portion of a front pillar section. Front and rear end portions of the door beam are opposed to respective increased-width portions of the front pillar section and center pillar section.

Abstract: An outer pillar panel is fixed to an inner pillar panel defining a vehicle pillar with a closed box cross section. A vertically extending cavity is defined between the inner and outer pillar panels. The outer pillar panel includes a first contact portion within the cavity. The roof side rail is rigidly fixed to the upper ends of the inner pillar panel and the outer pillar panel. The brace is fixed to the inner pillar panel within the cavity. The brace includes a second contact portion facing the first contact portion but is spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined gap with the inner and outer pillar panels in an undeformed state. The first contact portion contacts the second contact portion when an external force above a prescribed amount is applied to the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: In a center pillar structure, the strength of a center pillar is locally low at a weak portion and at a weak portion. Thus, when a vehicle is hit on the side, the center pillar bends at the weak portion and at the weak portion, and the other vehicle advances substantially horizontally. This can reduce the bending moment generated in the center pillar due to advancement of the other vehicle, so it is possible to control deformation of the center pillar in the event of a side collision while ensuring the strength of the center pillar.

Abstract: Tether clip locks garnish to vehicle body pillar, and when airbag body expands, tether clip releases garnish from vehicle body pillar without breaking garnish and prevents flying of garnish. Tether clip covers, from vehicle interior side, vehicle body pillar in which airbag body is housed, wherein tether clip locks garnish to vehicle body pillar. Tether clip includes: inner locking portion locked to pillar garnish; outer locking portion locked to vehicle body pillar; connecting portion for connecting inner locking portion and outer locking portion; and wire for tethering inner locking portion and outer locking portion to each other, wherein connecting portion is formed fragile against pressing force that is generated when airbag body presses garnish by expanding and developing, and wherein wire is wound around either inner locking portion or outer locking portion in direction around axis extending from inner locking portion to outer locking portion.

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: To inhibit the attractiveness of a ceiling material from deteriorating. According to a passenger compartment material structure (10), on a ceiling material (12), there is disposed a water guide portion (34) that guides water (W) flowing on a surface (32A) of an air barrier film (32) on a passenger compartment outer side toward a pillar garnish (14) to the pillar garnish (14). Consequently, even in a case where the water (W) has flowed on the surface 32A of the air barrier film 32 on the passenger compartment outer side toward the pillar garnish 14, this water guide portion (34) guides the water (W) to the pillar garnish 14, so the water (W) can be inhibited from reaching an end (28A) of an upholstery material (28) on the pillar garnish (14) side. Because of this, the water (W) can be inhibited from seeping out to a passenger compartment inner side of the upholstery material (28), so the attractiveness of the ceiling material (12) can be inhibited from deteriorating.

Abstract: An anchor plate assembly adjustably mounts a striker on the vehicle pillar. The striker has a striker base with apertures for receiving mounting bolts that will extend though oversized apertures in the pillar. An anchor base has a base plate for engagement with the pillar and bolt slots in the base plate for alignment with the oversized apertures in the pillar. An anchor slide has a slide plate mounted for vertical sliding movement on the base plate. The slide plate has nuts thereon aligned with the oversized apertures of the pillar. The nuts receive the mounting bolts so that when the mounting bolts are loose the striker together with the anchor slide can be adjusted vertically until tightening of the mounting bolts effectively clamps the slide plate of the anchor slide against the base plate of the anchor base to maintain the striker at the vertically adjusted position.

Abstract: An A-pillar for a vehicle includes a first part (15) extending as far as the windscreen and supporting the door hinges and a second arcuate part (16) extending up along the windscreen and continuing towards the back in order to serve as a roof beam (19) above the door. This second part consists of two open sections (23, 24) with flanges (25, 26; 27, 28) welded together so as to give the pillar a closed profile. At least one of the sections (23) is press-hardened and has a breaking strength in excess of 1400 MPa and the flanges (25, 26; 27, 28) of the sections have a breaking strength below 1100 MPa in a portion (35) situated above the door.

Abstract: The invention relates to a B-pillar reinforcement of a motor vehicle having an upper region for joining the B-pillar reinforcement to the roof region of the motor vehicle and a lower region for joining the B-pillar reinforcement to a floor support of the motor vehicle, which B-pillar reinforcement comprises at least one hollow profile made of metal, in particular steel, and the hollow profile forms the upper and lower regions of the B-pillar reinforcement. The object of providing an improved B-pillar reinforcement which, on the one hand, is optimised in respect of a load-appropriate configuration with a minimum weight, allows a very good integration of additional components of the B-pillar, is achieved in that the hollow profile has at least to some extent a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional surface in one of the regions and has an at least partly U-shaped cross-sectional surface in the other region.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, a gap-shaped opening is provided between lateral end sections of the windshield and adjacent A-pillars. The air flows through this gap-shaped opening when the motor vehicle is moving. This reduces the formation of high loss vortices in the lateral area of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Exemplary baffles for inhibiting noise transmission through a pillar structure, and exemplary methods of making the same, are disclosed. An exemplary baffle may include a body configured to be secured in a cavity, the body defining a passage for selectively receiving a line extending through the body. The baffle may further include an expandable material extending substantially about a perimeter of the passage. The expandable material may be configured to expand to seal the cavity about the body. The body may include a flap configured to open to allow the line to extend through the passage. The body may further include a biasing element urging the flap toward a closed position, substantially obstructing the passageway.

Abstract: A front pillar (18) for an automobile includes a hollow member (25), an outer panel (28), and an inner panel (29). The hollow member has a curved shape, the entirety of which projects to the outside of a vehicle body. The outer panel is provided to the wall section of the hollow member which is on the vehicle exterior side. The inner panel is formed so as to lie along the wall section of the hollow member on the vehicle interior (34) side, and is provided to the wall section (27) on the vehicle exterior side.

Abstract: Provided is a coupling structure between a front pillar and a side sill of an automobile, which improves the steering stability of the automobile and realizes a high productivity. A reinforcing member 8 is provided inside a front pillar 1 having a closed cross-section so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the automobile. The reinforcing member 8 is coupled to a front pillar outer 2. An end portion of the reinforcing member 8 at the rear side of the automobile is extended toward a side sill 4 to form a reinforcing member extension 8a. The reinforcing member extension 8a is coupled to a side sill outer 5.

Abstract: A vehicle roof system enabling elimination of the B-pillar is disclosed. A particular aspect of the invention is to transfer vertical roof loads onto an enhanced rear structure of the vehicle. An additional aspect of the invention is to employ a rear upper cap reinforcement to directly assume roof crush loads applied at front of the vehicle during testing. A specific load transfer mechanism is disclosed. Vertical roof crush force applied near the front of the vehicle is transferred into both a torsional load upon a rear header of the vehicle, and a bending moment upon the C-pillar of the vehicle.

Abstract: An inner center pillar member has a section passed through the interior of a side sill into outer and inner spaces. An outer load transmitting member is provided within the outer space in opposed relation to the passed-through section of the inner center pillar member, and an inner load transmitting member is provided within the inner space in opposed relation to the outer load transmitting member with the passed-through section interposed therebetween. A door beam provided within a door has a rear end portion located close to the outer load transmitting member and lapped over a corner portion of a center pillar.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle structural pillar, includes: forming an inner panel with a first flange; forming an outer panel with a second flange; and clinching the second flange over the first flange so as to secure the inner panel and outer panel together by the first and second flanges.