Floor (i.e., Underframe) Patents (Class 296/193.07)
  • Publication number: 20140077530
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor to compartmentalize a cargo area of the vehicle into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel that includes first and second outer layers and a core positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The first outer layer having a top surface on which a multi-layer sheet is bonded by the press molding. The sheet has a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment and to provide the load floor with the wood grain finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 8672354
    Abstract: An underbody for an electric vehicle configured as an electric vehicle lower body includes a multiply divided battery mounting portion and an underbody portion. The multiply divided battery mounting portion enables multiply divided and selective mounting of batteries, and forms a portion of the underbody. The underbody portion is connected to the battery mounting portion and forms another portion of the underbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: POSCO
    Inventors: Jae-Hyun Kim, Hong-Woo Lee, Hyoun-Young Lee, Yeon-Sik Kang
  • Patent number: 8668248
    Abstract: A vehicle body (11) including: a tunnel cross-member (28) extending in the vehicle's widthwise direction along the lower surface of a tunnel section (18) of the floor panel (19); left and right side-frame extensions (22, 22) extending rearward along the lower surfaces (31, 32) of the dashboard (15) from the rear ends of left and right front side-frames (16, 16). The left and right side-frame extensions each bifurcate into a side sill-side extension (43, 43) which, while tilting, extends rearward and outward in the vehicle's widthwise direction from the rear end of each of the left and right side-frame extensions to a side sill (17, 17), and into a tunnel-side extension (44, 44) which, while tilting, extends rearward and inward in the vehicle's widthwise direction from the rear end of each of the left and right side-frame extensions to the tunnel cross-member. The tilt of the side sill-side extensions and the tilt of the tunnel-side extensions are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Ishizono, Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Kosaku Tomozawa
  • Patent number: 8668252
    Abstract: In this vehicle body floor structure, stiffeners that extend to a rear of a front cross member and that have a U-shaped concave portion that is open at to top thereof when viewed in a cross-section of a vehicle are joined to a bottom surface on both side portions of floor panel. Beads that have a U-shaped concave portion when viewed in a cross-section of the vehicle are provided at a rear portion of the floor panel, and the beads are aligned with the concave portion of the stiffeners and are provided continuously with the stiffeners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Yasuhara, Kimitaka Ando, Yuji Matsuura, Katsunari Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20140062139
    Abstract: A floor arrangement of a driver's section of a vehicle includes a floor frame, an acoustic absorbent placed on the floor frame and a floor mat placed on the acoustic absorbent. A wire harness is placed in an acoustic absorbent-free space formed between the floor frame and the floor mat. A protector is provided inside the acoustic absorbent-free space in the vicinity of the wire harness and extends upward from the floor frame. This protector is affixed to the floor frame and configured to receive a load applied to the floor harness from the upper side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: KUBOTA CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8657367
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure is equipped with a brace. The brace is configured to include an extension portion that extends in a vehicle width direction, and link portions that are provided at both ends of the extension portion respectively and have a generally V shape in a bottom view in such a manner as to be convex forward or rearward with respect to a vehicle body. The vehicle lower structure also has a body portion that is fastened to mounting portions, which are provided on both sides of a lower portion of a vehicle respectively, by the link portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaya Murata
  • Patent number: 8657052
    Abstract: A floor panel is formed with an opening for mounting a pedal device. The opening permits a remote control valve to penetrate through the floor panel. The opening has an insertion region configured to allow the joint, the hydraulic hose and a lower portion of a valve body to be inserted thereinto from above the floor panel, and an arrangement region located in side-by-side relation to the insertion region in a second direction and configured to allow the valve body to be arranged therein while being fixed to the floor panel. In top plan view, a length of the opening in the second direction is less than a length of the opening in the first direction, and a length of the arrangement region in the first direction is less than a length of the insertion region in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Sakatani
  • Patent number: 8657369
    Abstract: A floor structure of a motor vehicle body is provided. The floor structure has two frame rail arrangements essentially extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body. The arrangements are joined together by a cross member essentially extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle body. A floor panel extends between the cross member and the two frame rail arrangements. A diagonal reinforcement is located above the floor panel and abuts against the cross member in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body. A reinforcing element essentially extends in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle body between the two frame rail arrangements. The diagonal reinforcement abuts against the reinforcing element in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Stanislaw Klimek, Karsten Bohle
  • Patent number: 8646830
    Abstract: A vehicle, or a vehicle with electrical or hybrid propulsion, including: an energy reservoir support situated under a floor of the vehicle, the energy reservoir support being fixed between lateral side rails of the vehicle; and a mechanism absorbing a lateral impact, which is mounted in a space situated under the floor of the vehicle between the external bodywork of the vehicle and an energy reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Joel Hettinger, Thierry Fillion
  • Patent number: 8636093
    Abstract: To obtain a vehicle body lower portion structure that can efficiently absorb and disperse load of a front or rear collision including an offset collision or an oblique collision, and transmit the load to an underbody. A vehicle body lower portion structure has an underbody at which a dash lower portion and a lower back portion are provided to stand from both ends in a vehicle front-rear direction at a floor portion, a suspension member the length direction thereof is along a vehicle transverse direction and is joined to the underbody in a state of planarly-contacting a front surface of the dash lower portion, and a front EA member a length direction thereof is along the vehicle transverse direction and is joined to a front wall of the suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sotoyama, Koki Ikeda, Shigeru Inamori, Kazuhiro Seki, Hiroaki Iwamoto, Masahiro Ono, Sho Maeda
  • Publication number: 20140021745
    Abstract: A releasable tunnel brace for releasably connecting a first side panel to a second panel of a vehicle is disclosed. One or both ends of the brace include a fastener-receiving aperture. The aperture has a round portion and an elongated slot extending therefrom. The round portion can allow the head of a shoulder bolt fastener to pass therethrough. The elongated slot is defined by a pair of opposed walls. The shoulder of the shoulder bolt fastener can pass between the opposed walls. In the event of a side impact, the brace is pushed vehicle inward and the bolt slides through the elongated slot and into the round portion where it is allowed to be released from its attachment position. The brace provides maximum torsion stiffness while withstanding only a minimum amount of lateral force before it releases and thus minimizes local deflection in the event of a side impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Heping Yang
  • Publication number: 20140021746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support (2, 3) used as a vehicle component and comprising a longitudinal extension which corresponds to a multiple of the transverse extension thereof. Said support (2, 3) comprises a reinforced transverse profile section. For this purpose, the support (2, 3) comprises at least one reinforced element (7, 8) which follows the longitudinal extension of the support (2, 3), is connected to the support in a positive and material fit manner and in a tension and shear-resistant manner, with the insertion of a separation layer (12) between the longitudinal extension of the support (2, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Franzpötter, Stephan Lagin
  • Patent number: 8622161
    Abstract: An installation structure includes a member 7 extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and provided on the lower face of a bottom 6a of a spare tire housing 6, a charger 1 provided with fins 2 under the charger 1, the charger 1 installed in the tire housing 6, and a blower 15 for cooling the charger 1 provided in the tire housing 6, so as to lead air from the blower 15 to the fins 2; the installation structure further includes linear first and second brackets 9 and 10 disposed in parallel to each other with a distance therebetween, so as to be joined onto the upper face of the bottom 6a of the tire housing 6, wherein the charger 1 is placed on the first and second brackets 9 and 10 so as to arrange the fins 2 and the first and second brackets 9 and 10 in parallel to one another, the blower 15 is disposed in the vicinity of an aperture 14 surrounded by the first and second brackets 9 and 10 and the charger 1, and the second bracket 10 is joined together with the member 7 and the tire housing 6 to one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Hara
  • Patent number: 8622456
    Abstract: A carpeted, automotive vehicle, load floor including a compression-molded composite panel is provided. A cover of the load floor covers a storage area of the vehicle and is pivotally connected to the composite panel. A substantially continuous carpet layer is bonded to the top surface of the panel and the top surface of the cover to at least partially form the carpeted load floor having a carpeted cover. A living hinge allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions including open and closed positions. A decorative, noise-management covering layer is bonded to the bottom surface of the cover to reduce the level of undesirable noise in a passenger compartment of the vehicle in the closed position and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the bottom of the cover in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Global IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila
  • Patent number: 8616617
    Abstract: An armored cab comprises a top wall, two side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall. The cab has a longitudinal axis extending from the back wall to the front wall. The bottom wall includes a first downwardly facing convex wall, at least a second downwardly facing convex wall above the first convex wall, and a plurality of connecting members interconnecting the first convex wall and the at least a second convex wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy David Sherbeck, Ricky D. Johnson, Tomas Hinojos, Randall D. Behrens, Adnan Hiros, Dale Smiley
  • Publication number: 20130341969
    Abstract: A vehicle body floor structure reinforces a floor body by a reinforcing portion, and the floor body includes a side sill, an outrigger, a floor cross member, and a tunnel frame. The reinforcing portion includes a first member that connects a corner portion between the side sill and a vehicle body skeleton part formed by the outrigger to a corner portion between a vehicle body skeleton part formed by the floor cross member and a vehicle body skeleton part formed by the tunnel frame, and a second member that connects a front-end vehicle body skeleton part of a front end of the floor body to a middle portion of the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Naho FUJII, Junichiro ARAKI, Satoshi TAKIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20130334839
    Abstract: A floor module for a motor vehicle includes a floor shell, which can be fastened to a shell of the motor vehicle, and equipment with a plurality of variant-specific constructional units arranged on the floor shell. A method for assembling a floor module involves equipping a respective shell of the motor vehicle with a floor module with corresponding chassis and drive train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christoph Grevener, Uwe Habisreitinger, Andreas Krevet, Matthias Mueller, Thomas Stark, Konrad Wirth, Michael Zuern
  • Patent number: 8608237
    Abstract: A center floor panel assembly for a vehicle may include a first center floor panel and a second center floor panel mutually engaged to form a tunnel portion of a closed section in which a center muffler unit that may be provided in a vertical direction of a vehicle body may be accommodated, and provided in a continuous shape along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and a support member provided in the tunnel portion between the first center floor panel and the second center floor panel and enclosing the center muffler unit to support the center muffler unit against the tunnel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dae Gil Hwang, Cheol Ung Kim, Won Sik Kim, Chang Wook Park, Jae Hwa Kim
  • Publication number: 20130328353
    Abstract: In a floor structure of a vehicle body center section, a floor side member is provided at lower portions of a main floor panel, a vertical wall is formed at a front side of a rear floor panel, a rear seat is installed on the rear floor panel, a rear seat leg extends downward along the vertical wall, a lower end portion of the rear seat leg is mounted to a portion of the rear floor panel, a rear seat leg reinforcement member that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction is disposed on each of upper portions at both left and right sides of the floor panels, a rear end portion of the reinforcement member is connected to the lower end portion of the rear seat leg, and a front end portion of the reinforcement member is connected to the main floor panel and the floor side member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Kentaro Jojiki, Yu Hashiba, Keisuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 8602488
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis structure includes, but is not limited to a central tunnel extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, plate sections extending on both sides of the central tunnel, and two longitudinal beams projecting over a front edge of the plate sections, which are constructed respectively in one piece with two branches, an inner branch of which extends on one of the plate sections to the central tunnel, and an outer branch is connected with an outer sill, which extends on an edge, facing away from the central tunnel, of one of the plate sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Stefan Gloger
  • Publication number: 20130320713
    Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure is obtained that has a simple structure and is capable of increasing the rigidity and strength of a framework structure that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction. A vehicle lower section structure includes: an upper panel including a pair of respectively vehicle-downwards facing joining faces that are separated from each other in the vehicle width direction; a lower panel that with the upper panel configures a framework structure that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a closed cross-section by the joining faces of the upper panel being joined to vehicle-upwards facing joining faces of the lower panel; and a seat rail that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction and is fixed to a portion of the upper panel that configures an upper wall of the closed cross-section of the framework structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Iwamoto, Koki Ikeda, Yasuyuki Hihara
  • Patent number: 8596685
    Abstract: A motor vehicle chassis including two side skirt lateral flanks comprising a horizontal portion. The motor vehicle chassis also includes a central floor situated between the two side skirt lateral flanks and including a horizontal main surface and horizontal secondary surfaces for attachment to the horizontal portion of the lateral flanks. The horizontal surfaces exhibit a height difference. The motor vehicle chassis also includes at least one fixing piece on each side of the central floor, between the horizontal main surface of the central floor and one of the side skirt lateral flanks. The at least one fixing piece includes two horizontal parts for fixing to the central floor, which are respectively fixed to the horizontal main surface and to a horizontal lateral surface of the central floor. One of the horizontal parts includes a first passage to accept a fixing lug of a bodywork element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Thomas Mauduit, Pascal Tabuteau, Guillaume Camus
  • Publication number: 20130316123
    Abstract: An assembly including a compression-molded composite component having a sandwich structure and at least one fastener component is provided. The composite component has a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and a core positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. Each fastener component has a fastener part having a length and width and a mounting part mounting the fastener part to the first outer layer. The mounting part has a pair of holding faces that oppose each other and define a space therebetween. A portion of the first outer layer is positioned in the space in engagement with the faces to prevent the fastener part from moving along its length relative to the first outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila
  • Publication number: 20130313860
    Abstract: A vehicle floor structure, in which a main structure of the vehicle floor structure is a double deck structure including two sheets of panels formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material; in a region including the double deck structure, each of the panels includes at least two continuous reinforcing structures having a convex open cross-sectional shape; recesses are provided in at least two places of the reinforcing structures; and the panels are joined in such a manner that the reinforcing structures of the respective panels intersect with each other, and that the recesses provided in the reinforcing structures of the respective panels are fitted to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Tadashi Yamaji, Koji Suzuki, Yutaka Yagi, Masatomo Teshima
  • Patent number: 8585132
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to an energy accumulator in an energy accumulator area. The vehicle also includes, but is not limited to a rear axle area having a rear axle frame and a front axle area having a front axle frame. Furthermore, the vehicle includes, but is not limited to interrupted crash load pathways in the vehicle floor area, which are limited to the vehicle passenger compartment. The energy accumulator is situated on a carrier system in the vehicle floor area, the carrier system closing the interrupted crash load pathways of the vehicle between the rear axle frame and/or the front axle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stanislaw Klimek, Martin Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8585128
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply apparatus protection structure which, even in the case in which power supply apparatuses are mounted on a vehicle by being stacked in the height direction of the vehicle, can protect the power supply apparatuses against an external force acting on the vehicle in a predetermined direction and can suppress deformation of an adjoining vehicle body structure component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20130300156
    Abstract: To provide a pipe fixing part structure for a vehicle that can prevent the invasion of foreign substances into an under cover and the occurrence of a strange sound and can protect pipes without using a protective member. As a fixing part structure of pipes 2 to 5 for a vehicle, in which part of the bottom surface of a floor panel 1 is covered by an under cover 6 and the pipes 2 to 5 are arranged in the front-back direction of the vehicle between the under cover 6 and the floor panel 1, adopted is a configuration in which: a clamp 7 that holds the pipes 2 to 5 is fixed to the bottom surface of the floor panel 1; a cutout 6a is formed in a vertical wall 6A at at least a front end edge of the under cover 6; and the clamp 7 is placed in the cutout 6a. Further, the cutout 6a of the under cover 6 is formed into a shape along the outer shape of the clamp 7, and a flange 6b is formed along the outer surface of the clamp 7, in the periphery of the cutout 6a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke Tokuda
  • Patent number: 8567857
    Abstract: A connection member which connects an outside portion of a cross member and an inside wall face portion of a side sill includes a cross-member-side connection portion connected to the cross member and a side-sill-side connection portion connected to the side sill, the side-sill-side connection portion is configured to have a lower rigidity than the cross-member-side connection portion, and an outside end portion of the cross member is located at a specified position which is located on the outside of the cross-member-side connection portion and on the inside away from the inside wall face portion of the side sill. Thereby, the impact load in the vehicle side collision can be effectively supported by the cross member with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fujii, Kohei Kirita, Yosuke Onda, Hideharu Kaeriyama, Masafumi Sakakida, Kenichi Yukumatsu
  • Publication number: 20130278015
    Abstract: A compression-molded, composite panel for a vehicle interior is provided. A substantially continuous facing material layer has an outwardly-facing surface for display in the interior of the vehicle. The facing material layer is bonded to the outer surface of a first skin of the panel by press molding. The press molding forms a first portion of the panel and a second portion of the panel pivotally connected to the first portion. A living hinge includes a portion of the facing material layer which allows the second portion of the panel to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the panel. A score line formed by the press molding in the outwardly-facing surface of the portion of the facing material layer at least partially defines the living hinge and functions as a style line to mask facing material damage or imperfections at the outwardly-facing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila
  • Publication number: 20130278020
    Abstract: A sandwich-type, generally planar, structural member having an attachment feature and an assembly utilizing same are provided. The member includes a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. A portion of the member is locally crushed by the press molding to form a depression. The depression has bottom and side surfaces formed by the first outer layer. The member further includes a connector fixedly secured to the bottom surface of the depression to attach a second generally planar member to the first outer layer of the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila
  • Publication number: 20130278019
    Abstract: A panel assembly including a compression-molded, composite panel is provided. The panel has first and second outer layers and a core positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The assembly also includes a component pivotally connected to the panel and a living hinge which allows the component to pivot about a pivot axis between different use positions relative to the panel. The assembly further includes a stiffening support having a support axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis. The support is bonded or joined to the panel to locally reinforce the panel adjacent the living hinge. The stiffening support eliminates the need for a metal hinge and provides for a light weight assembly with improved aesthetics and function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila
  • Publication number: 20130278021
    Abstract: An underbody for a motor vehicle is provided. The underbody has a ladder frame with side members and cross members. The side members and the cross members bound at least one opening, and each comprises an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shells are interconnected into an upper ladder and the lower shells into a lower ladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Udo MILDNER
  • Publication number: 20130278018
    Abstract: An assembly including a compression-molded, composite panel with a hinged mounting flange is provided. The panel includes first and second outer layers and a core having first and second portions positioned between the outer layers. The first portion has a large number of cavities and the second portion is substantially free of cavities. The second outer layer is bonded to the core by press molding. The first outer layer includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form the mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer. A component is mounted to the flange to pivot with the flange. A living hinge allows the flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila
  • Patent number: 8562022
    Abstract: Improved trailers (e.g., semi-trailers) are disclosed. The trailers may include a floor having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the top surface is adapted to transport a payload, and an elongated shell connected to the bottom surface of the floor, where the elongated shell defines a portion of a substantially closed torsion-resistant chamber of the trailer. The trailers may have a torsion resistance that is substantially higher than conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity. The trailers may weigh substantially less than conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity. The trailers may realize a bending resistance that is at least equivalent to the bending resistance of conventional trailers of similar size and/or load capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Alutrec Inc.
    Inventors: Julien Nadeau, Michel Guillot, Jean-Christian Methot, Russell S. Long
  • Publication number: 20130270869
    Abstract: Bodywork arrangement comprising longitudinal members and cross-members that are connected at node points to other lateral structural elements to form part of a passenger compartment and part of a vehicle front end. Longitudinal members are provided at the lower side of the passenger compartment. Front-end longitudinal members are arranged on the vehicle front end. A front region of the passenger compartment has a floor cross-member, a splashboard cross-member, an armature cross-member and laterally arranged A-column elements. The floor cross-member together with the splashboard cross-member and two lateral structural elements form a lower trapezoidal structure. The splashboard cross-member together with the armature cross-member (9) and two lateral structural elements forms an upper trapezoidal structure. The space between the upper trapezoidal structure and the lower trapezoidal structure defines the foot space of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joergen Hilmann, Jens Buechner, Michael Keimes, Klaus Steputsch, Uwe Wagner
  • Patent number: 8556336
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle body panel joining structure including a structural frame (30b) having a ridgeline in the lengthwise direction, which has one section joined to a first vehicle body panel (44) and another section joined to a second vehicle body panel (43); an overlap part (61) in which the first and second vehicle body panels are overlapped and which is arranged in such a way that the structural frame straddles the overlap part; a depressed part (64) which is disposed at a position avoiding the ridgeline on the structural frame and is abutted by the overlap part; and a spot welding part (65) which is joined to the depressed part (64), the first vehicle body panel, and the second vehicle body panel at the overlap part by means of spot welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Yasuhara, Yuji Matsuura, Katsunari Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20130257127
    Abstract: Narrow agricultural vehicles have been invented to make farm labor more attractive, to enable enhanced productivity of workers, and to make possible more complete usage of land. This involves making the width of the vehicle approximately the same width as a seated worker, thus enabling vehicle use with narrowly spaced row crops. The wheel set is configured for both maximum stability and efficient operation on soft surfaces using large drum wheels that maximize a rigid, footprint area. To enhance effectiveness of such vehicles, a seat apparatus is included to enable the seated worker to function without intrusion beyond a single narrow row space, yet sit in varied positions that are appropriate for field work and are conducive to increased productivity, comfort, and safety. The vehicle structure includes a narrow tongue structure that connects between front and rear wheel arrangements with minimal interference with work of said worker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: James K. Bullis
  • Publication number: 20130257103
    Abstract: A floor structure of a motor vehicle body having a floor panel and having a support structure provided below the floor panel is provided. The floor structure includes two longitudinal structures spaced from one another in vehicle transverse direction, which are interconnected via at least one cross member structure extending in vehicle transverse direction. In an intermediate space between the floor panel and the cross member structure at least one reinforcement element of plastic is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo MILDNER, Karsten BOHLE
  • Patent number: 8544940
    Abstract: A rear floor for an automobile, including a series of ribs punched into the metal sheet of the floor and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. At least one of the punched-in ribs is connected to an adjacent rib by a rib portion that is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Philippe Kowalski, Anne Corbel-Hey
  • Patent number: 8534748
    Abstract: A cross-brace structure for a police interceptor SUV includes a front member and a rear member, coupled through a connecting element. The front member has its two ends mounted over the rear floor of the vehicle, and the rear member has a first end and a second end, mounted on the left side rail and the right side rail of the vehicle, respectively. During an impact from the rear side, the crash load gets transferred to the non-impacted rear side through the rear bumper of the vehicle, and eventually, through the left and right rear side rails, towards the rear member of the cross-brace structure. The rear member transfers the crash load towards the front member, and further, towards the front portions of the vehicle, through the front sections of the left side rail and the right side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peyman Aghssa, John Michael McGuckin, Naeem Ahmed Ghias, Andre Thompson, Neil R. Kauppila
  • Publication number: 20130229030
    Abstract: To achieve efficient and proper transmission of an impact load from a floor frame on one side of a vehicle body to a floor frame on the other side to thereby protect a battery unit from damage, an automotive floor structure includes a first cross member upper and a first cross member lower. the first cross member upper extends in a lateral direction of the vehicle body and has ends attached to left and right side sills, respectively. The first cross member lower extends in the lateral direction below a front floor panel at a position under the first cross member upper, and has ends secured to the left and right floor frames, respectively. The first cross member upper and the first cross member lower vertically sandwich the battery unit therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yamaguchi, Shotaro Ayuzawa, Shinya Kobayashi, Koichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8517459
    Abstract: A body structure of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a floor panel, that has an inner side directed toward the motor vehicle interior and an outer side directed toward the motor vehicle exterior, and also includes, but is not limited to a seat mounting for securing a motor vehicle seat. To reduce driving noise and air resistance, it is provided that on the outer side thereof, the floor panel is free from corrugations or stiffening structures running predominantly in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is also provided having a corresponding body structure and a method is provided for the manufacture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stanislaw Klimek, Andreas Stern
  • Patent number: 8506005
    Abstract: A trailer floor assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails supporting a plurality of self-mating transverse panels. The plurality of transverse panels includes extruded aluminum panels interspersed with roll-formed steel panels at locations where extra strength is desired (e.g., king pin, landing dollies, and rear door). The extruded panels include T-shaped slots in a bottom wall thereof to allow the extruded panels to be fastened to the side rails by fasteners engaging the bottom wall of the panel but not the top wall the panel. The assembly eliminates transverse cross-beams used to support longitudinal panels in the prior art, and thereby provides improved aerodynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samuel, Son & Co., Limited
    Inventors: Richard M. Balaz, William A. Willsher, Emad Fakhry Habib Assaad
  • Patent number: 8499677
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to hull have a geometric shape where a first wall, second wall, and third wall are designed to mitigate the effects of an explosion. In an exemplary embodiment, the hull may have a double-vertex shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems—Canada Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Kin Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8491048
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure which is subject to a small deformation amount at the time of offset collision and a large deformation amount at the time of full-wrap collision. A floor panel includes a groove which extends from a flat portion to a lower dash panel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an upper floor member having an approximate U-shaped cross-section is accommodated inside the groove, so that a closed cross-section is formed. The upper floor member and the flat portion of the floor panel are connected to each other by being respectively welded to brackets. A floor cross member extending in the width direction of the vehicle is fixed to the flat portion across the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeo Mori
  • Patent number: 8485591
    Abstract: A front structure of a vehicle body includes left and right front side frames, a dashboard lower panel, and left and right floor frame. The dashboard lower panel has a rear surface with a cross member provided thereon, and a lower part inclined downwardly rearwardly of the vehicle body. Front end of each of the left and right floor frames extends forwardly upwardly along the lower part of the dashboard lower panel and is joined by an adapter to a rear end of a respective one of the left and right front side frames. The adapter is joined to the cross member with the dashboard lower panel sandwiched therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kihara, Shigeto Yasuhara
  • Publication number: 20130175826
    Abstract: A motor vehicle chassis including a rear central cross member, a hollow beam positioned over the rear central cross member along this rear central cross member, and a floor seat-cushion support part including rear seat fittings, supported at the rear by the hollow beam positioned under the seat-cushion support part. The beam includes a rear raiser including a horizontal plate fixed to the rear central cross member and further includes a blanking sheet fixed to the horizontal plate of the rear raiser and including at least one anchoring reinforcement assembled on the inside of the hollow beam. The reinforcement, which forms a hollow box section, connects the rear raiser and the blanking sheet, an upper face of the anchoring reinforcement supports a connecting piece, the connecting piece also being assembled, on the outside of the hollow beam, with the rear raiser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Olivier Bisror, Thomas Mauduit, Pascal Tabuteau
  • Patent number: 8464827
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body frame including a main frame to which an engine is mounted, the main frame including a round pipe having a circular cross-section and a rectangular pipe having a rectangular cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Teruaki Yamamoto, Brian Butler
  • Patent number: 8449022
    Abstract: A reinforced vehicle structure includes a vehicle floor, a reinforcement member, an accessory attachment member and a plurality of mounting structures. The vehicle floor has an underbody floor surface facing an underbody of the vehicle and an interior floor surface facing an interior of the vehicle. The reinforcement member is mounted to the underbody floor surface. The accessory attachment member is mounted to the interior floor surface. The plurality of mounting structures is spaced along the reinforcement member and extends through the vehicle floor to couple the accessory attachment member to the reinforcement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Pencak, Matthew Mollick, Robert Blanchard, Dan Hustyi
  • Publication number: 20130127208
    Abstract: A foot isolation platform for a vehicle includes a base for connection with the vehicle floor to be movable with the vehicle floor; a foot support movable relative to the base and having an upper surface for supporting the feet of the vehicle occupant above the base; and an isolation member connected in a force-transmitting relationship between the base and the foot support. The isolation member supports the foot support in an extended position above the base. The isolation member acts to isolate the foot support from the vehicle floor in the event of rapid upward movement of the vehicle floor thereby to help protect the lower extremities of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: BAE Systems Aerospace & Defense Group Inc.
    Inventor: BAE Systems Aerospace & Defense Group Inc.